House to speed deliberation of Aceh, Irian Jaya bills

JAKARTA (JP): The government and the House of Representatives agreed on Tuesday to speed up the deliberation of the bills on special autonomy for Aceh and Irian Jaya convinced that it could help abate escalating tension in the two troubled provinces.

House Deputy Speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno said the House would work hard to speed up deliberation of the two bills so that they could be passed into law by the end of the month.

"The House will give priority to the deliberation of the two bills," he said after a meeting with Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Agum Gumelar and Minister of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy Surjadi Soedirdja here on Tuesday.

Soetardjo admitted that the deliberation of the two bills had been prolonged, citing a division of views between the government and the legislators regarding the extent of authority of the future special autonomous regions.

He said the option for special autonomy in the two provinces should have been implemented on May 1, as stipulated in People's Consultative Assembly Decree No. IV/2000.

However due to the need to continue deliberation, the deadline could not be met.

"Besides, the government and the House are not sure whether the two bills will be accepted by the people in the two provinces," he said.

Soetardjo further expressed concern that the planned provision for special autonomy in the two provinces might spur other provinces to seek similar treatment.

Growing separatist sentiment in Aceh and Irian Jaya has often been marked by violence.

Agum meanwhile warned that the government would still deploy a repressive approach in solving the Aceh issue if the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) continued what he called a campaign of terror.

"The government's patience and tolerance have its limits. It will take strict action against rebels if they continue killing innocent people and terrorizing and intimidating the local populace," he warned.

He said that for the time being, the government was ready to engage in negotiations to seek a peaceful solution to all problems in the province.

"But, GAM should bear in mind the government will never compromise on the issue of separation," he said.

Amien Aryoso, chairman of the House Commission on home and legal affairs, said his commission and the government would invite representatives from Irian Jaya to deliberate the law on special autonomy for the eastern most province.

"Informal and formal leaders from Irian Jaya will be invited to Jakarta," he said.

He said the House decided to drop the draft bill proposed by the Irian Jaya province because it contained at least 15 crucial matters that were in conflict with the principle of a unitary state.

Amien said these included allowing the province to adopt its own flag, symbol and anthem.

Meanwhile, Irian Jaya Governor J.P. Solossa expressed his disappointment at the House's sluggish pace in deliberating the bill, saying it was an indication that the central government and the House were not serious in resolving problems in the province.

"It's strange that the House has so far given more attention to the special session to impeach the President. The politicians are busy fighting for power while tension in numerous provinces, including Maluku, Aceh and Irian Jaya continues to escalate," he said.(rms)