Govt urged to justify plans to extend operation in Aceh

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.