International presence needed to secure Aceh

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.