Peace deal in Aceh futile

Peace deal in Aceh futile

From Koran Tempo

To build peace, even with one's own fellow countrymen, has
proven to be difficult. This is the case in Aceh. A peace treaty
was signed in Geneva on Dec. 9, 2002, but a very strong
commitment from the parties involved is needed to ensure that
peace will really be felt by the community.

To this end, both parties signing the peace treaty must adhere
to all the items agreed upon in the deal. Otherwise, peace will
only be a castle in the air. (An example of how the treaty is not
being fully honored is that a member of the Indonesian Army was
killed in Lhok Ara, close to Lhokseumawe, North Aceh on, Feb.
15).

What one finds on the ground is that the armed parties do not
trust each other. Both the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the
Indonesian Army and Police Mobile Brigade are harboring great
suspicion of each other.

As a result, there has yet to be any significant progress to
ensure a lasting arms truce, although the violent conflict has
declined in intensity.

Both parties signing the peace pact must investigate
violations against the items in the agreement and a heavy penalty
must be imposed on those committing the violations. The outcome
of this investigation and the penalty, as stated in a document
signed by representatives of GAM and the Republic of Indonesia on
Jan. 29, 2003, must be reported to the Joint Security Committee
so that it can be made public.

Unless suspicion can be removed forever, a more protracted war
than before will take place in Aceh. And, like the previous war,
no party will win. To ensure that the peace pact is properly
honored, a bigger number of neutral troops to supervise the
implementation of the peace treaty will be needed.

Last but not least, both GAM and the Indonesian
Military/Police should refrain from commenting on each other.
Only the Joint Security Commission team has the right to judge
the behavior of either party.

KOMARUDIN, Jakarta