JSC to start work in Aceh on Friday to prepare action plan
JSC to start work in Aceh on Friday to prepare action plan
Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh
The Joint Security Committee (JSC), in charge of monitoring the
truce between the Indonesian government and the rebel Free Aceh
Movement (GAM) as stipulated in the peace agreement signed on
Dec. 9, is scheduled to hold its introductory meeting on Friday
to prepare a plan of action.
JSC Co-chairman Maj. Gen. Thanungsak Tuvinun said on Thursday
all JSC members were expected to attend the first meeting in
order to establish initial contact and understanding among each
other.
"I'm still checking on JSC members who are already in Banda
Aceh," he said.
The JSC has a total of 150 members, 50 each from Thai and
Filipino monitors representing the HDC, Indonesia and GAM.
Thanungsak, who arrived in Banda Aceh on Wednesday, held an
introductory meeting with Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh, top
security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Iskandar Muda
Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djali Yusuf and Aceh Provincial
Chief. Insp. Gen. Yusuf Manggabarani at the governor's official
residence in the city on Thursday.
"We obtained much input from the informal meeting," he said,
adding that he also informed the local officials of their duties
during their deployment in the province.
Referring to the peace agreement, Thanungsak said the much-
needed JSC had been already established during the implementation
of the humanitarian pause in the province in the past, and it was
reactivated by senior security officers from both sides to
enforce the peace agreement.
He appreciated the strong commitment of both the Indonesian
government and GAM, and the Acehnese people's steadfast hope for
the peace agreement to end the conflict that has claimed more
than 10,000 lives over the past 26 years. He said JSC was much
needed to handle all violations after the signing of the peace
agreement.
"We are seeing the peace accord's positive values and I'm sure
the Acehnese people hope for a more peaceful situation," he said,
adding that all violence, including abduction and murder cases,
that had occurred since Dec. 9 would be investigated thoroughly.
GAM has claimed that at least 15 civilians were killed after
Dec. 9. The claim, however, has not been verified independently.
Thanungsak added JSC would also look into the displacement of
2,085 Acehnese in Nurussalam, East Aceh.
Asked about JSC's composition and hierarchy, Thanungsak said
he would conduct a press conference after the meeting to announce
the committee's hierarchy, composition and duties.
JSC's main functions
- Formulate the process of the peace agreement's implementation
- Monitor security situation
- Undertake full investigation into security violations
- Take appropriate actions to restore security
- Publish weekly reports on security situation
- Ensure that no paramilitary force is created to assume Mobile
Brigade's tasks
- Design and implement a mutually agreed upon process of
demilitarization.