No compromise with the Free Aceh Movement

Tjipta Lesmana, Institute for, Strategic Studies (LPSI), Jakarta

The latest talks in Geneva between the government (GOI) and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), according to Minister of Foreign Affars Hassan Wirayuda, brought progress in the sense that GAM had agreed to discuss the special autonomy law for the province as the basis for future consultations.

The talks, sponsored by the Geneva-based Henri Dunant Center, an international non-governmental organization, were the first since mid-2001, when both sides failed to resume their talks due to the persistent violence in Aceh that has left many civilians, members of the security forces and GAM guerrillas dead.

A similar view was echoed by GAM negotiator Zaini Abdullah when he said, "I think the meeting was good; we are closer."

Closer to what? Does it mean GAM has already given up their goal of breaking away from Indonesia and forming an independent state?

In the past, GAM leaders have repeatedly stated their steadfast aim of winning independence at whatever the cost, citing the government's 50 years of "unlawful and cruel occupation".

But under Soeharto's New Order, GAM military activities were mercilessly oppressed. No separatist movement whatsoever was tolerated in the country by Soeharto.

This stance, which was frequently excessive in nature, caused serious human rights violations, and left hundreds of Acehnese dead. However, as a general told this writer, the Aceh problem was "non existent" because "we crushed them (GAM members) without hesitation".

The downfall of the New Order clearly benefited GAM. Hundreds of GAM militant cadres (AGAM) previously living abroad were sent back to Aceh. Then president B.J. Habibie failed to seriously handle the issue, because he was preoccupied with East Timor. The momentum was apparently used by GAM to strengthen its military posture.

The landslide victory for pro-independence factions in August 1999 in the Dili referendum persuaded the Free Aceh Movement to pursue a no-compromise stance against the government.

When Abdurrahman Wahid replaced Habibie, GAM had become a "little monster", having the guts to damn Jakarta! It was Aburrahman who initially gave a nod to the Acehnese to hold a referendum (on syariah, or Islamic law), and who indirectly ordered the military to adopt a non-involvement stance in Aceh, while transferring the authority to maintain law and order in the province to the police.

But the police have failed to do so. It was also Abdurrahman, who, under GAM political and military pressure, agreed to open a dialog with GAM and treat GAM as equal partners in "humanitarian talks".

Over the last three years Aceh has reportedly been swamped by AGAM militant personnel, fully equipped with modern military equipment. Meanwhile, violence and killings are daily occurrences. More and more police officers, and also military personnel, have been killed in gun battles with AGAM.

Another mistake made by Abdurrahman's administration was its belief that GAM would be satisfied if Aceh was given special autonomy, including the freedom to apply syariah.

A law on Nanggroe Aceh Darrusalam (NAD) was then quickly drafted with the support of the legislature. GAM, however, did not welcome the law enthusiastically.

Now, according to foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda, at the latest meeting in Geneva GAM agreed to discuss the special autonomy law as the basis for further talks with the Republic. This, however, could be a tactic by GAM to buy time. Why?

Following the killing of Teungku Abdullah Syafi'ie, the AGAM commander, and the reactivation of the Aceh Military Command, GAM leaders are taking time out reassess the leadership of President Megawati.

She is no Habibie, and no Abdurrahman, either. She has a major obsession to end all ethnic conflicts and separatist movements throughout the country. Her stance on GAM is undoubtedly clear: integrate yourselves with all Acehnese factions to develop the region or we will crush you mercilessly.

She has already set a timetable for that. In Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No 7/2001, she ordered a number of ministers to take six comprehensive steps to seek an end to the conflict in Aceh.

That Instruction, which was issued on Oct. 11, 2001, cited the fact that there had been "no sign of resolution through peaceful means" as one of the reasons for its issuance. An implementation timetable of four months was set. This deadline might have been interpreted by the army as a signal for them to take all necessary actions if no sign was received from GAM that it was going to seriously lay down its arms.

Megawati is indeed a tough leader. She is, no doubt, following the principle of the Roman emperor Augustus (63 BC-AD 9), who said that the ruler should exercise vast powers in a way which took account of public opinion".

GAM's softened stance during the latest Geneva talks is, apparently, due to the deadline stipulated in the above presidential instruction.

GAM leaders are well aware that Megawati is ready to use force, based on her military advisers' input, to end the separatist movements in Aceh and elsewhere in the country.

Her approval for the reactivation of the Aceh Military Command is another sign of her tough stance. Around 10,000 well-trained soldiers, mostly Acehnese, are available to the Command, which was officiated on Feb. 5 by Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Endriartono Sutarto.

The resurrection of the Aceh Military Command has prompted criticism from various non-governmental organizations due to fears that the military operation phase under Soeharto's regime could be repeated. Such criticism and fears however, only benefit GAM.

It is time for the government to end the insurgency in Aceh. The longer it takes to overcome it, the weaker the government's position vis-a-vis GAM. Aceh is an integral part of the Republic and should never be independent -- a position which is not up for discussion.

Those responsible for atrocities against the Acehnese should be brought to trial. Economic justice must be upheld. People in Aceh are entitled to be prosperous due to their rich natural resources. Nevertheless, armed insurgences, whatever the reason for them, cannot be justified as they violate the Constitution and the decrees of the People's Consultative Assembly.

If the Free Aceh Movement is still dreaming of independence, the government will have no alternative but to fight it ruthlessly. Because the Balkanization of Indonesia would only be a matter of time if Aceh were to break away from the Republic.