Military, GAM misinterpret Aceh peace accord: NGOs
Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh
Two members from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) criticized Indonesian security forces and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) for having misinterpreted the cessation of hostilities agreement and misinformed the Acehnese people.
One human rights organization in Aceh (NGO HAM) called on the military and police as well as GAM to reread the cessation of hostilities agreement that was signed in Geneva on Dec. 9, 2002, and not to misinterpret it because that could cause public confusion.
"Both sides are required to cease hostilities and all forms of violations in order to provide a safe climate for all elements of Acehnese society to gather and solve the issue through the all- inclusive dialog," NGO HAM executive director Risman told The Jakarta Post here on Tuesday.
Risman called on negotiators from the two conflicting sides to give the correct information about the peace accord to their own groups and disseminate it without their own interpretations to Acehnese people in order to avoid confusion.
"The people have very high hopes for this peace accord and want to see changes and a better future after more than 2 decades of bloody war," he added.
Syarifah Rahmatillah, an activist from the Indonesian Women's Partnership (MSPI), concurred and said both GAM and the security authorities had acted as if the peace accord belonged to them and its implementation depended on them.
"The first key point in the peace accord is that GAM and security personnel must end their conflict and stay out of the Aceh issue to establish peace and the second key is that the Aceh issue must be solved by the Acehnese people through the all- inclusive dialog," she said, while adding that so far, there had been no space given to the civil society to play a role in the peace process.
Risman and Rahmatillah were of the same opinion that both GAM and government security forces had been dishonest and unwilling to implement the cessation of hostilities agreement, leading to several violations over the last two months.
"Therefore, the Henry Dunant Centre, JSC and the monitoring teams, should work efficiently to encourage all sides to remain bound to the peace process," said Rahmatillah.
Jakarta is now warning that the peace process is on the brink of a breakdown because of its allegations that GAM had been telling the people that the peace process would lead to independence from Indonesia.
Meanwhile, visiting Norwegian Ambassador Sjur Torgerssen made clear that his country fully backed the peace process in Aceh, as well as Indonesian unity.
He said his country would provide financial assistance to hold the planned all-inclusive dialog to seek a comprehensive solution to all problems in the province.
During his three-day visit, Sjur was scheduled to visit Indrapuri, the first peace zone declared in Aceh Besar regency and Sigli in Pidie regency to see the implementation of the peace process in the two regencies.
Key points in the cessation of hostilities agreement:
1. In the preamble, the Indonesian government and GAM accept Nanggro Aceh Darussalam special autonomy law and use it as starting point to a democratic, all-inclusive dialog involving all elements of Acehnese society. Both sides share the common objective to meet the Acehnese people's aspirations to live in security with dignity, peace, prosperity and justice. They also agree to a process that leads to an election in 2004 and the subsequent establishment of a democratically elected government.
2. Feb. 9, 2003, GAM starts placing weapons and arms at designated places while the Indonesian Military relocates to defense positions and National Police reformulates Mobile Brigade personnel to ordinary police. The Joint Security Committee (JSC) identifies and prepares locations of conflict to be designated as peace zones. Demilitarized zones, which will be monitored by tripartite monitoring teams, will be the focus of initial humanitarian, rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance. Civil society has the right to supply JSC with input.
3. JSC has the function to formulate the process of the implementation of the agreement, monitor security, investigate any security violations and take appropriate action, and impose sanctions against violators and ensure that no paramilitary force is formed to replace the Mobile Brigade.
4. Both sides agree to hold an all-inclusive dialog in a safe and free manner under the Henry Dunant Centre's facilitation.