Humanitarian pause

Humanitarian pause

From Republika

The humanitarian pause in Aceh has been terminated. The score is one to zero for the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). The government has made a sacrifice, and GAM has reaped the advantages. It is said that to replace the humanitarian pause, a "moratorium" will be in effect until February 2001. This is an opportunity for GAM to consolidate its political moves. GAM has promised to change its strategy and make its struggle a political one, but it persistently refuses to turn over its weapons.

The government agrees to this without reserve, apparently simply believing GAM's proposals. This agreement is definitely hazardous. First, during the humanitarian pause GAM did not stop its violent operations. Many military personnel and police officers uselessly fell victim to the violence. Second, GAM remains free to air its opinion that the government was the one that committed violence against the people of Aceh. Third, it provides an opportunity to NGO activists to continue to look for fault with the police and military and blame the government.

By utilizing the "moratorium" agreement, GAM can freely take political steps and exert diplomacy to create a condition where the people of Aceh will not believe in the government and will hate the military. I would like to remind the police and military brass, especially those in charge of formulating security policy, that they should not be trapped by GAM's sly tricks, which have many times deceived President Abdurrahman Wahid's administration.

MUKMIN ABDULLAH

Jakarta