Govt-GAM talks results receive cautious welcome

Govt-GAM talks results receive cautious welcome

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The reconciliatory talks between the government and the
separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Geneva, which ended on
Friday, have received a warm but cautious welcome from various
elements in society, including the government.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on Sunday
evening that the government positively welcomed the results of
the talks in Geneva, but would first observe GAM's seriousness
with its commitment.

"I have to say that the agreement (reached in the Geneva
talks) is a progressive phase toward the settlement of the Aceh
problem," Hassan told The Jakarta Post by phone.

"But, we have yet to learn whether GAM is serious with its
commitment in the talks ... I have to find out the spirit behind
the reaching of the agreement with our delegation members to the
talks," he said.

Representatives of the government and GAM met in Switzerland
on Thursday and Friday, with GAM agreeing to recognize the
government-initiated law on Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and proceed
with a cease-fire.

Jakarta last year granted special autonomy to Aceh, allowing
it to partially implement syariah (Islamic law) and retain a much
greater share of its oil and gas revenues.

A senior GAM official said they were glad with the latest
development in the much anticipated peace talks.

"We happily welcome the results of the Geneva talks ... We
hope that all points agreed upon in the talks can be transformed
into reality," GAM spokesman Sofyan Dawod said on Sunday.

But he doubted the central government's seriousness in
implementing points stipulated in the agreement.

"The shooting of Ayah Sofyan and other civilians, which
occurred only one day after the end of the Geneva talks, is one
example that the Indonesian Military is not complying with the
results of the two-day talks," he said.

He was referring to the fatal shooting of Zakaria Yahya, also
known as Ayah Sofyan, GAM spokesman for Aceh Besar regency, which
also covers the provincial capital of Banda Aceh; another GAM
member and two alleged civilians, on Saturday.

Meanwhile, political observer Ryaas Rasyid doubted that the
Geneva talks would bring maximum results as GAM would unlikely
accept all points stipulated in the government-initiated law on
Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam.

"The points discussed in the Geneva meeting are still unclear.
The problem is whether GAM will completely accept the law on
Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam as the law is the Indonesian
government's final offer for the settlement of the Aceh problem,"
Ryaas, former minister of home affairs and regional autonomy,
told the Post in Makassar, capital of South Sulawesi province, on
Sunday.

Ryaas said he was pessimistic that peace could be immediately
established in the troubled province.

"Such an agreement, including to have a cease-fire, has long
been agreed upon by the conflicting camps. But in reality, it has
repeatedly been violated ... It's difficult to implement the
agreement," he said.

The government and GAM agreed in June 2000 to stop fighting,
but the truce did not last.

Hassan, however, defended the continuing military operations
in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province, despite the peace talks.

"Both diplomatic and military operations should continue. We
learned from the previous truce that they (GAM) use the period to
consolidate their members and forces," he said.

"And if they really do not want to continue with their
struggle for independence and remain united with Indonesia, why
should we shoot at our own family members?" he asked.

GAM has been fighting since 1976 to establish an independent
state in the westernmost Indonesian province. More than 10,000
people, mostly civilians, have died in the conflict, including
over 500 this year alone.