Govt to focus aid on Aceh's conflict-free regions: VP

Govt to focus aid on Aceh's conflict-free regions: VP

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Conflict-free regions in Aceh may be the first to get some of the
Rp 6.6 trillion (about US$750 million) the government has set
aside to develop the province, as less than half of the money has
been spent so far because of ongoing violence.

Vice President Hamzah Haz said on Friday the government would
speed up development in what it calls the "white areas".

"The white areas may receive medical and educational
facilities because they're free from armed conflict between
government troops and GAM (the Free Aceh Movement)," Hamzah was
quoted as saying by Antara after a meeting with senior ministers,
led by President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

The decision is part of a five-step plan to end the relentless
violence in Aceh, where GAM has been fighting for independence
since 1976. These steps cover security, law enforcement, economic
development, dialog with GAM and reconciliation.

Of the Rp 6.6 trillion allotted from this year's state budget
to develop Aceh, only Rp 2.3 trillion has been disbursed over the
past eight months.

Hamzah said that about Rp 4.2 trillion of the funds were
tapped from the country's oil and gas receipts.

Developing the education, health and social sectors in white
areas is the main concern of the government, he added.

The government has divided Aceh into white, gray and black
regions to indicate their level of security.

It does not clarify which areas fall into which category, but
judging from reports of clashes, the north and eastern part of
Aceh, including Piddie regency, would fall in the black category,
while the western and southern part of Aceh would be white.

The government said that ongoing fighting in black areas made
development in those areas futile.

Life in Aceh is punctuated by skirmishes between GAM and the
military, kidnappings and the execution of civilians. At least
400 have died this year alone, mostly civilians.

Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno said that development in
unsafe regions should wait until security improved.

"A huge amount of money has been spent on buildings that were
later destroyed or burned down," he said.

But putting conflict-prone regions on the bottom of the aid
list may further upset the Acehnese, who already resent Jakarta
for failing to keep past promises of bringing prosperity to the
province.

Rich in natural gas and other resources, the province is
anything but prosperous. Most of the gains were siphoned off for
Jakarta under Soeharto's authoritarian 32-year rule.

And even though the Autonomy Law grants the province, since
2001, a greater share from its natural resources, improved
welfare for the Acehnese is still far off. In the meantime
violence continues unabated.

Analysts have said justice and an improved economy are keys to
winning the Acehnese's hearts and steering them away from
demanding independence.

The government remains adamant in pushing for a military
approach but appears to be inching toward a political solution
through talks with GAM.

Jakarta and GAM might resume a four-month suspended dialog
after the Swiss-based Henry Dunant Centre invited both parties to
return to the negotiating table.

The center has been facilitating talks between the two sides
for about two years, but critics said past implementation on
deals had been poor.