No more dialog

No more dialog

I have no doubt that the foreigners who are trying to reopen
dialog in Aceh are sincere and honest in their efforts to
minimize the sufferings of the Acehnese. Have they also written
and appeal to the United States of America, Britain and or
Australia to stop their war in Iraq, because of the holy month of
Ramadhan?

Those foreigners should not forget that what is happening in
Aceh is a violation of the Indonesian Constitution and after
several dialogs held both in the country and abroad (already
about a dozen times) no result whatsoever has been achieved.

In my humble opinion, you have to finish what you start.
Stopping halfway will give GAM a break to regroup and reinforce
their troops, improve their logistics and continue smuggling
weapons. This will prolong the struggle and the Aceh people, who
have only begun to enjoy a normal life, will have to endure
sufferings again. What the government should do is to continue
the military operation for the whole six months and then see what
should be done next.

The security forces are ready to follow orders from the
government, because they are simply its loyal, obedient and
disciplined tool. Don't make the burden of the security forces
heavier than it already is.

Abu Arafat, a GAM commander, said GAM's position is very clear
-- that Aceh is independent and this is final, and that there is
no need for another dialog. Another GAM leader, Abu Daud Sofyan,
said GAM had declared war against the republic of Indonesia since
April 22, 2001.

Teuku Kamaruzzaman, yet another GAM member, said it was not
true that GAM had accepted the Special Autonomy Law for Aceh
within the framework of the unitary state of Indonesia -- but
that they said they were prepared to give their opinion.

After all these statements from GAM leaders, is there any
point for the republic to aspire for another dialog with GAM? I
would definitely say, "No".

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta