Govt, GAM urged to abide by peace deal

Govt, GAM urged to abide by peace deal

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Henry Dunant Centre (HDC) has warned the Indonesian Military
(TNI) and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) against reinforcing military
strength during the demilitarization process, saying that the
move would violate the peace deal signed last year.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said earlier that
the TNI would be sending more troops to the province, arguing
that the move was necessary as the Iskandar Muda Military Command
lacked personnel.

There have also been reports that GAM has significantly
increased its arsenal despite the fact that it was to store its
weapons as stipulated in the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement,
signed on Dec. 9, 2002.

The HDC representative in Banda Aceh, David Gorman, also urged
both parties to stick to the peace agreement as "both parties had
the ability to implement it".

The HDC, a Switzerland-based non-governmental organization,
facilitated the peace talks between the government and GAM rebels
which led to the signing of the peace agreement between the two
parties in Geneva last year.

Gorman said he would seek clarification from the government on
Ryamizard's statement to deploy more troops to Aceh.

"I believe they already knew that increasing military strength
in Aceh for any reason is against the peace accord," Gorman told
The Jakarta Post by phone on Friday.

He also said that he had warned GAM to stop provoking people
to demand independence for Aceh as "we, again, have to refer to
the agreement".

Meanwhile, Wiryono Sastrohandoyo, the government's chief
negotiator in the peace talks, also called on both parties on
Friday to respect the agreement.

"It would be deeply regrettable if the peace accord failed to
be implemented, and, as the negotiator representing the
government, I can do nothing except hope that both parties will
honor their commitment."

Wiryono expressed concern over rampant violations by GAM
rebels, who, he said, continue to extort money from the Acehnese
and campaign for independence.

GAM has also demonstrated its reluctance to put down its
weapons as required by the agreement, he said.

Under the peace deal, the demilitarization process started on
Feb. 9, at which time TNI agreed to relocate troops to defensive
positions, while GAM stored its weapons in certain places to be
monitored by a tripartite monitoring team consisting of TNI
personnel, GAM and foreign observers representing HDC.

Both parties, however, have yet to carry out their
commitments.

Meanwhile, Gen. Ryamizard said in Lhokseumawe on Friday that
GAM had recruited more than 2,000 new members, bringing the total
number of GAM's armed wing to more than 5,000.

He also alleged that GAM had increased its arsenal from 1,800
weapons to 2,300.

"I have reported this violation to the TNI chief in Jakarta. I
have also told soldiers to be on alert in view of this situation,
but I also warned them (soldiers) to respect the government's
decision in promoting a peaceful solution," Ryamizard told
Antara.