Martial law plan comes under fire

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Human Rights Affairs Hasballah M. Saad accused on Friday military and defense officials of undermining the government's efforts of reconciliation in Aceh by demanding the imposition of limited martial law in the restive province.

Hasballah outlined the careful steps being taken by the government in resolving the growing successionist calls in Aceh through nonrepressive means.

He warned that the government's efforts would be futile if strong-arm military tactics were employed again.

"Efforts to restore confidence in the central government through nonviolent approaches could be destroyed by the implementation of martial law in Aceh," Hasballah said.

National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi said on Wednesday that it might be necessary to impose limited martial law in several areas of the province because police were not ready to deal with guerrilla tactics employed by separatist guerrillas.

He specifically cited the areas of Pidie, North, West and South Aceh as likely areas where martial law would be needed. His comments were backed up by military and defense officials, who said on Friday that they would bring the proposal to the next Cabinet meeting.

The issue accentuates the divide between civilian and military ranks on such issues, with no less than the House of Representatives and the National Commission on Human Rights deploring the idea.

It also raises questions about the commitment of the military to move away from repressive measures. Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S. said earlier this month that repressive tactics had been unsuccessful in Aceh.

Hasballah said on Friday the proposal demonstrated that Widodo's pledge to refrain from such methods had not been "fully translated on the ground".

The issue may come to a head when the Cabinet meets here on Saturday.

In September, military officials were successful in their demands for imposition of martial law in East Timor, despite initial rejection for the move during a Cabinet meeting.

Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono also said on Friday that the issue was likely to be brought to Saturday's Cabinet meeting.

However he stressed that limited martial law would only be imposed after the deployment of security forces in the area was deemed ineffective to restore order.

"Therefore Pak Bagyo, Pak Roesmanhadi and I are still considering the proper strength of the force to be deployed in Aceh," Juwono said, referring to Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo and Police chief Roesmanhadi.

"But the scheme on the limited martial law in certain areas is also under our consideration," he added.

Juwono said the perceptions of those opposed to the idea had been swayed by a political media blitz launched by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), noting that as a result the military and police had been blamed for various actions which they had not committed.

Instead of appeasing his critics, Juwono's statement of possible force deployment has led to more suspicion on the role of security forces. Critics have alleged that it was the very large presence and supreme authority of the military in Aceh which contributed to human rights abuses in the province.

The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) said in a statement on Friday that martial law and increased troop deployment in the province would only aggravate the situation.

"It opens up possibilities for the misuse of power, in addition to the already complicated problems in Aceh. And nobody can guarantee that Acehnese will not be victims of renewed violence," foundation chairman Bambang Widjojanto said.

Bambang proposed that the government openly and sincerely apologize to the Acehnese people and bring to court individuals who had violated human rights. (emf/01/ylt/byg)