Megawati dashes Aceh's hope for peace

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Acehnese lashed out at President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday for her pledge to impose harsher measures against the secessionist movement there.

In an expression of regret, Muslim preachers, students and activists from the restive territory said the statement Megawati had made before the People's Consultative Assembly would only heighten tension in the province.

"Sterner action from the government against the separatist movement will only spread fear among ordinary people, especially villagers," local Muhammadiyah chairman Imam Suja said in Banda Aceh, as quoted by Antara.

He underlined that Aceh people were licking their wounds resulting from the decades-long military operation to quell the Aceh Separatist Movement (GAM), which ended in 1998. The operation is believed to have resulted in human rights violations.

"The government should stop making statements that will only worsen the security condition in the province," Imam said.

In her verbal progress report made to the Assembly, the President stated her conviction that there was no way to deal with the rebels other than to increase military action.

Megawati claimed that GAM had violated all peace agreements with the government and therefore tougher measures were needed, without forgetting Aceh's painful experience or precluding attempts to hold dialog.

The President's statement contradicted her own remarks as a presidential candidate in 1999, when she promised to end all bloodshed in Aceh once she led the country.

Imam further suggested that the government think twice before imposing military control in Aceh as history had proven that the decision had failed to stop the clamor for freedom.

"I cannot imagine the feelings of people at the grass roots. Already, they are tired of living through this prolonged conflict," he added.

Activists of the Rencong Land Students Association (IMTR) said Megawati's statement reflected the government's desperate state in dealing with the Aceh issue.

"The statement disclosed that the government had failed to set a clear course to solve Aceh's problems," IMTR chairman Mohammad Iqbal said in Bogor, West Java.

He asserted that it was impossible for the government to promote dialog and respect human rights, while at the same time flexing its muscles with an extensive military operation that would cause the Acehnese to suffer.

The students stressed that the government had to choose whether to open up the chance for dialog or simply impose a military crackdown to end the problem once and for all.

Meanwhile, the Aceh Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) said that Megawati's decision had shut the door for peace talks in the province.

"I understand that the President no longer has an intention to put forward dialog, but to rely on a military approach to solve the problems in the province," LBH local chairman Rufriadi said.