Optimism grows ahead of Geneva Aceh talks

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)