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