Govt urged to justify plans to extend operation in Aceh

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The 2004 general elections should not be used as an excuse by the government to maintain the presence of thousands of troops in the war-torn Aceh province, says a former minister.

The military campaign against the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) has undermined several fundamental rights of civilians, including freedom of expression, former minister of justice and human rights Hasballah M. Saad said on Sunday.

"Under martial law, the military has the authority to put aside other existing regulations for the sake of so-called security interests, including the possible elimination of non- governmental organizations in Aceh, despite their important role in assessing fairness and accountability in the elections," he told The Jakarta Post.

Hasballah was responding to an earlier remark made by the Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto who said that he would propose an extension of the six-month military offensive in Aceh and maintain the presence of some 35,000 troops there at least until the 2004 general elections.

Jakarta imposed martial law on May 19 in an integrated operation in Aceh, which was supposed to have included a humanitarian operation, security operation, law enforcement and empowerment of the local administration.

Speaking at a hearing with House of Representative Commission I on political, security and foreign affairs, Endriartono argued that the huge number of troops in Aceh was required to provide security for the Acehnese in exercising their right to vote. The police have said that more than 300 civilians have died since the military operation started.

Hasballah said that the government should invite public participation, instead of listening to personal opinions, before deciding whether or not to extend the military operation for another six months.

"Such a massive deployment of troops in Aceh will only close the door on democracy and adversely affect the Acehnese in channeling their aspirations.

"Under martial law, the military also has the authority to put aside other regulations for the sake of security," said Hasballah who is also a former senior advisor on Aceh issues at the Ministry for Political and Security Affairs.

He said he was doubtful that the military would be able to ensure transparency in the elections.

Under the Emergency Law, the military should complete its operation in May 2004, or two months before the country holds a direct presidential and vice presidential election.

The National Elections Commission (KPU) is slated to hold the legislative elections in April 2004.

Aceh martial law administrator Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya has given a guarantee that Aceh will participate in the general elections despite the ongoing conflict.

Hasballah further demanded a thorough evaluation of the operations, saying that the government had failed to synchronize it.

"Only if the military operation is able to accelerate results in the three other operations, can we agree to the proposed extension," Hasballah said.

Separately, legislator Amris Hassan of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) spelled out conditions for the government's plan to extent its military operation in Aceh, underlining that the offensive should be followed by improvements in humanitarian efforts as well as transparency in its budget.

Amris said that lawmakers should also demand firmer legal action against soldiers who committed abuses while carrying out their tasks, arguing that "many abuses are still taking place in the province."

He did not discount the military's achievement in establishing a conducive situation in the four-month-long campaign and said that it would be up to the lawmakers to consider whether to allow the presence of thousands of security personnel up until the 2004 general elections.

House Commission I set up a monitoring team soon after the military campaign started in Aceh. According to Amris, the team noted the operation had failed to promote transparency in the operation's budget, had made little progress in providing humanitarian assistance and had committed countless human rights abuses.