International observers arrive in Aceh to monitor peace plan
International observers arrive in Aceh to monitor peace plan
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Members of an international team have arrived in Banda Aceh to
monitor the proposed cease-fire to end the prolonged conflict
that has claimed thousands of lives, as the standoff over the
peace deal between the two conflicting sides and military siege
drags on.
The Geneva-based Henry Dunant Center (HDC), which is mediating
the two conflicting sides confirmed on Tuesday that a number of
international observers had been in the city to learn about the
real situation in the province before they joined the proposed
joint team to monitor the cease-fire's implementation.
William Dowell, spokesman for HDC, said the observers would
begin their tasks only after the government and the Free Aceh
Movement (GAM) signed a 12-point truce deal.
The peace proposal calls for an immediate end to the
hostilities. It says both sides, along with a third party, will
form a joint committee to monitor security, investigate
violations and take appropriate action including pre-arranged
sanctions to restore calm when violations occur.
The committee will also publish weekly reports and designate
certain schools, mosques and other facilities as demilitarized
zones, according to the proposal.
Dowell added that the monitors would be neutral and
professional.
The international observers' presence is a result of months of
negotiations facilitated by HDC, in which all sides agreed with
the establishment of a joint monitoring team representing the
government, GAM and the international community.
This is the first time foreign security monitors have been
allowed into Aceh. Previous peace talks and agreements reached
since 2000 with the help of mediation from HDC have always broken
down.
The monitors are arriving as the Indonesian Military continues
its siege of GAM headquarters in Cot Trieng, North Aceh in its
attempt to pressure GAM into signing the peace agreement
immediately.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who stopped over in Medan on his way to
Banda Aceh on Tuesday, called on the besieged GAM leaders and
rebels to give up and sign the peace deal to avoid any more
victims as well as to end the conflict.
He said neither the military or the police could halt the
security restoration operation as long as the rebels continued
their separatist activities.
"Let's end the conflict by signing the peace agreement for the
sake of Acehnese people and the province's better future," he
said, adding that his mission in Aceh was to follow up his
previous visits in order to revive the peace agreement.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said GAM's
bargaining power had decreased, evidenced by their request to end
the war possibly due to a decreasing number of rebel fighters.
"I will go to Aceh to greet the rebels if they surrender," he
said after briefing members of the Army's Special Forces unit in
Solo, Central Java.
In Banda Aceh, GAM negotiator Teuku Kamaruzzaman condemned the
military's siege of the GAM leaders and rebels in North Aceh,
saying Indonesia was not serious about the proposed cessation of
hostilities.
"We aren't buying time, we have never had a timeline for the
signing of the proposed peace agreement," he said.
Asked to comment on the military's offer of amnesty to those
surrendering, he said "It is not Indonesia but Aceh which should
give amnesty for those who have looted the province's assets and
abused Acehnese people's human rights."
Ahmad Syafii Maarif, chairman of Muhammadiyah, the second
largest Muslim organization in Indonesia, was disappointed with
the government's policy on Aceh which it made without any
consultation with the country's top religious leaders.
According to him, the government had taken the wrong track by
accepting HDC intervention, which had supported GAM's attempt to
buy time.