Optimism grows ahead of Geneva Aceh talks

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Optimism looms ahead of the upcoming two-day peace talks between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) scheduled to take place in Geneva from Monday.

Chairman of Commission A of the Aceh provincial legislative council Mustafa Abdullah Geulanggang said here on Friday that he was optimistic the peace talks would be fruitful because "Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh will represent the Indonesian government."

"With Puteh representing the government, things would hopefully be easier," said Geulanggang.

Puteh, former member of the House of Representatives (DPR) is Acehnese. He will be one of a team of Indonesian officials led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Political Affairs, Hassan Wirayuda, at the two-day meeting.

"It's not a question of winning or losing in the talks. The most important thing is that violence could end soon in Aceh and that there could be peace for all."

The executive director of the NGO Coalition for Human Rights in Aceh, Maimul Fidar, shared his opinion, saying that peace talks were a must for Indonesia and GAM. "People must not be sacrificed any longer."

"Both Indonesia and GAM must reduce the role of the armed forces and give civilians more chance to settle their problems in a democratic manner."

Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D. said earlier that Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Agum Gumelar, who is a retired Army general, would join the Geneva meeting.

Last week in Jakarta, Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri chaired a ministerial meeting at Merdeka Selatan Palace.

Megawati expressed her expectation during the meeting, which was also attended by governor Puteh, that the government would be able to resolve the Aceh conflict before celebrating the 56th anniversary of Indonesia's independence on Aug. 17.

She also hoped the good news could be reported to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) during its plenary meeting in August.

Back in Banda Aceh, Chairman of Aceh's Ulemas Council M. Ibrahim called on all Acehnese people in the country to pray for the success of the meeting.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Nazar, chairman of the Aceh Referendum Information Center (SIRA), said that he had sent a letter to GAM and Indonesian government officials at the meeting, requesting that a referendum or a local election be arranged in Aceh and that both sides must agree to a cease-fire and respect it.

"The Henry Dunant Center (which is sponsoring the peace talks) should improve its role in the implementation of the peace agreement," the letter said.

Meanwhile, spokesman for Aceh's Law and Order Operation Lt. Col. Firdaus said in Banda Aceh that 20 GAM members were killed during an ambush on Friday.

The clash between GAM members and the Indonesian military took place in the village of Timang Gajah in Central Aceh on Friday. (50/sur)