Gus Dur keeps Aceh off year-end travel plans

Gus Dur keeps Aceh off year-end travel plans

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid announced on
Wednesday plans to visit the troubled provinces of Maluku and
Irian Jaya, but failed to set a firm date for a trip to Aceh.

Speaking in a consultative meeting with the House of
Representatives, the President said he would visit the strife-
torn Maluku islands this weekend and fly to Irian Jaya to witness
the first sunrise of the new millennium.

"Either on Dec. 11 or Dec. 12, I will go to Ambon (the capital
of Maluku) to inquire and see clearly how to solve the problems,"
said the President, who is better known as Gus Dur.

"On Dec. 31 I am also going to Irian as wished by the
Irianese, and I will see the sunrise of the new millennium."

Violence racked the three provinces long before Abdurrahman
assumed office in October.

Hundreds of people have been killed in Maluku since clashes
between Muslims and Christians erupted in Ambon early this year
and spread across the islands.

Like Aceh, the natural resources-rich province of Irian Jaya
is home to growing calls for independence. The movement peaked in
the hoisting of the Morning Star separatist flag on Dec. 1.
Dozens of people were injured in a clash with police who
attempted to lower the flag and disperse the crowd.

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung told the President during the
meeting of the importance of an immediate trip to Aceh, where the
independence movement has reached an alarming level.

"I hope the head of state can find an available time to visit
Aceh," Akbar said.

In response to Akbar's request, Abdurrahman said he found
difficulties in identifying trusted parties in Aceh for
negotiations.

He said he would hold talks with local government officials,
security personnel, non-governmental organizations, students and
ulemas.

"If I could talk to students and ulema dayah (leaders of local
Islamic boarding schools), I think the Acehnese would accept any
agreement between the government and the two groups."

He said he understood the need for an immediate solution to
the unrest in Aceh, but added the problems were "not as simple as
people think".

"The resolution will take time, energy and thought."

Wahid reiterated that "we would not tolerate any province to
secede from the country".

He defended his many foreign trips since taking office, saying
they were intended to garner international support against
Indonesian separatists.

"Our visits have reduced the possibility of foreign support
for Aceh's independence," he said.

The President spent most of his first month in office on
overseas trips to several Asian and Middle Eastern countries and
the United States, drawing criticism at home.

Abdurrahman said the government would revive a proposed
railway project worth US$90 million in Aceh, saying it was not
revealed earlier due to fears the Acehnese would summarily reject
the plan.

"There is a psychological obstacle that the government is now
not trusted by Aceh people. Therefore, the project will be given
to private companies."

The railway project was promised by then president B.J.
Habibie when he visited the province in March. Many believe that
previous administrations' failure to fulfill their promises have
exacerbated discontent among the Acehnese.

Abdurrahman also said that Sabang Island in northern Aceh will
become a free trade zone in a bid to improve development of the
island and increase job opportunities.

During the meeting, the President was accompanied by Vice
President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Coordinating Minister for the
Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie, Minister of Finance
Bambang Sudibyo, State Minister of State Administrative Reforms
Vice Adm. Freddy Numberi, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Admiral
Widodo AS, State Secretary Ali Rahman and Presidential Secretary
Ratih Hardjono.

Widodo reiterated that TNI would conduct a persuasive approach
and dialogs to handle the problems in Aceh and other volatile
provinces.

At the end of the meeting, Akbar and the leaders of the 10
factions in the House commended the President's clarification.

"We accepted and supported the government's explanations. We
will help the government to hold talks with related parties in
Aceh," Akbar said.

However, many legislators' questions remained unanswered after
the four-hour meeting concluded. (jun)