International presence needed to secure Aceh
Hasan Basri M.Nur, Graduate Program, Political Communications, University of Padjadjaran, Bandung, West Java
Upheavals in the restive Aceh province have never been thoroughly overcome. The settlement of troubles sparked by the DI/TII Muslim rebel movement through the Lamteh Declaration in 1957, which changed the status of Aceh into a special region, did not thoroughly surmount the problem. A clear indication is the emergence of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), which demands full independence for Aceh.
The government has confirmed its commitment against tolerating any separatist movement. Apart from taking militaristic measures, the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) approved in July last year the law on Aceh's special autonomy. However, the Acehnese' response was cool, though at a glance this law is quite encouraging for the future of the province.
Acehnese seemed suspicious about the motives behind special autonomy because of two factors. First, there is no guarantee that the autonomy will be fully implemented. The concept has been passed into law, yet it has failed to gain Acehnese' sympathy given violation of many laws, including the 1945 Constitution and the Pancasila philosophy.
Second, the Acehnese have often been deceived by offers of special autonomy -- promised since 1957. Since the presidency of the first late president Sukarno the Acehnese have never enjoyed an economic status appropriate to their contribution.
Besides, the special autonomy offered to them was offered only when the position of the central government weakened compared to the past, as regards Aceh. They ask, why didn't the central government offer the autonomy concept before?
Therefore they need a guarantee of its implementation, which would help resume the chronic crisis of confidence in the government -- in part also caused by the absence of signs to comply with demands of trials for alleged human rights violators.
For that purpose, an independent and credible body must be set up to watch over any violation of the law on Aceh's special autonomy. The impartial body would have the authority to apply sanctions against any side which violates the agreement. The most ideal body in this case is the United Nations.
An alternative would be a strong, neutral and influential country like the United States or Britain.
The involvement of third countries is not new for Indonesia. Several years ago, the Indonesian government played an active role in seeking a solution to the Moro conflict in the Philippines. Why should she object to the involvement of the third party in seeking solution to the Aceh case, which has shown a deadlock?
The Indonesian government should not feel disturbed by the involvement of the third party in seeking solution to the Aceh issue because, in accordance with the government's statement, all countries have declared their support to Indonesia's territorial integrity.
The special autonomy is a golden opportunity, and probably the last opportunity, for the Indonesian government to prove its seriousness in seeking a peaceful solution to the Aceh issue.