Govt moves toward imposing civil emergency in Aceh

Govt moves toward imposing civil emergency in Aceh

Edith Hartanto and Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post,
Surabaya

As the Acehnese fearfully await a government decision that may
impose a state of civil emergency, Minister of Home Affairs Hari
Sabarno slammed the local Aceh administration on Monday for its
sluggish action in solving the prolonged conflict in the region.

Hari said civilian leaders' failure to solve the conflict
would ultimately lead to the imposition of a civil emergency
status in Aceh.

"Even though I was a military general, don't think that I like
the idea of implementing military status in Aceh. It is supposed
to be civilian order, in which the military and the police are
put under the supervision of a civilian administration.

"The worst possible scenario would be a civilian emergency
status for Aceh and not a military emergency," Hari, a retired
three-star general, said after addressing the Muhammadiyah Youth
congress in Surabaya.

Separately, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said on
Monday that the government must consider the implementation of
civil emergency status in the troubled province.

He contended that the current situation, where many civilians
have been killed, had already warranted an upgrade to civilian
emergency.

"Do you think that the security situation in Aceh is under
control? If it was OK, what would you say about the series of
killings, arsons and abductions held by the Free Aceh Movement
(GAM)?" Ryamizard said at the Army's Headquarters in Central
Jakarta.

"I guess only ignorant people would say that Aceh is safe," he
added.

Meanwhile, Hari said that it was the duty of civilian leaders
to ensure that there was security in their respective areas.

"So far the administration has not been effective enough
because those officials are only waiting for the police and
military to take action. The Acehnese also have to pull
themselves together because whatever decision the government
needs to take, it is for the sake of their future," Hari said.

Along with other government officials, Hari is due to visit
Aceh this week to conduct an evaluation of security there
following an operation to restore security, and whether it needs
to be upgraded to civilian emergency status.

As the authority to uphold civilian supremacy, the Acehnese
administration along with the public, determines the security and
the political, economic and social affairs for their region, he
said.

The minister also said that the path for an all-inclusive
dialog was still open on Aceh matters, between the government and
the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatists, along with all elements
of Acehnese society, such as community leaders and ulemas.

"The chance for a dialog is always open," he said.

The government has been mulling over plans to implement a
military emergency in resource-rich Aceh in a move to get rid of
GAM separatists who have been fighting for an independent Islamic
state since the mid-1970s.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri, a strong nationalist, has
flatly rejected secessionist demands and instead granted special
autonomy status to the province. She also ordered a firm security
crackdown against the rebels.

Megawati's leniency toward the military has also raised
questions of whether she is really serious about holding a dialog
with the general public and separatist rebels.

Acehnese have been living in terror over the past four decades
amid guerrilla activities and 10 years of military operations in
the region, which were finally scrapped by the then Armed Forces
chief Gen. Wiranto in 1998, soon after the downfall of former
president Soeharto.

The government's plan to impose a military emergency in Aceh
has renewed fear in the Acehnese, as thousands have died over the
years from atrocities committed here while another 600 more were
killed during this year alone. Most civilians have been pitted
between security forces and the rebels in the conflict.