Hostage release may discourage separatism
JAKARTA (JP): Two observers say the recent success of the Armed Forces (ABRI) in freeing nine people held hostage for months by Free Papua Movement rebels will deter the separatist movement and other similar organizations.
Maswadi Rauf of the University of Indonesia's School of Social and Political Sciences and B.N. Marbun of House Commission I for security and political affairs praised ABRI.
They expressed the expectation that the separatist movements in various parts of Indonesia would cease activities in the face of ABRI's expertise.
"The successful military operation has increased the image of the Indonesian Armed Forces and government in the international society," Maswadi told The Jakarta Post yesterday. "It has, on the other hand, decreased, or even ruined the image of the rebel group.
"It automatically lessened the moral and physical strength of the secessionist movement," he said.
Both Maswadi and Marbun said ABRI had deployed the correct strategies in handling the hostage situation. This, Maswadi said, should dampen the tendency of some European countries to support separatism in Indonesia.
"Those countries should now turn back and give their sympathy to Indonesia," Maswadi said. "United public opinion may emerge in those countries about how unreasonable the rebels were in holding their citizens captive."
Indonesia recently denounced European Parliament President Klaus Hansch for inviting the Free Papua Movement (OPM) to send a delegation to the parliament's assembly in Strassbourg, Australia, saying it constituted interference in the nation's domestic affairs.
The European Parliament has committed "a blatant act of interference in the internal affairs of Indonesia," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Hansch sent a letter in February to OPM leaders proposing that they send a delegation to visit and address the European Parliament on human rights, cultural identity and environmental concerns in Irian Jaya. According to sources, the letter also suggested the possibility of asylum for OPM members.
House Speaker Wahono criticized the Parliament last month for the invitation, reminding Hansch that it encouraged terrorism that will affect not only Indonesia, but also the rest of the world.
Maswadi also praised ABRI's decision to maintain the "persuasive approach" and refrain from an immediate military operation.
"I had earlier thought that ABRI was so slow in handling the kidnapping. Yet, the decision eventually benefited the Armed Forces and the government," he said.
B.N. Marbun said that ABRI has played its cards well, maintaining its patience even in the face of strong pressure to conduct a swift military action to end the hostage situation.
The OPM decision to cut communications with the rescue operation forces, he said, had ruined their image and cost them the international community's support.
Marbun, however, believed that ABRI could have done better and prevented casualties. Two hostages, Navy Panekenan and Yosias Matheis Lasamahu, were slain by the rebels.
"There shouldn't have been any victims," he said.
Marbun suggested that the government use a legal approach, rather than a military approach to handling separatist rebels.
"The rebels, despite their political campaign, are also Indonesians. Captured rebels should be brought to court for what they have done," he said. (imn)