Megawati dashes Aceh's hope for peace

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.