Peace in Aceh good for Southeast Asia

Peace in Aceh good for Southeast Asia

Kavi Chongkittavorn, The Nation, Asia News Network, Bangkok

The expected peace agreement between Indonesia and the separatist rebels of Aceh successfully caps years of effort to end the conflict that has threatened to destabilize the Southeast Asian region.

The low-key pacifist approach advocated by Geneva-based Henry Dunant Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue has been the main factor in both sides building up enough mutual trust and confidence to reach the landmark peace agreement. The centre has been assisted by an international wise-man group, established two years ago following the first round of unsuccessful talks in early 2000.

The group comprises former Thai foreign minister Dr Surin Pitsuwan, the U.S. Middle East envoy Anthony Zinni, former Yugoslav foreign minister Budimir Lonchar, and former deputy Swedish foreign minister Bengt Save-Soderbergh. The involvement of the high-profile Zinni shows Washington's serious interest in ending a conflict that is affecting Indonesia's stability and future. Bengt, who joined the group earlier this year, has an important role to play because Sweden is home to key members of the Aceh independence movement.

Thailand's involvement in the Aceh peace process was primarily through Surin who led the group during the four rounds of negotiation.

The wise-man group was set up to address concerns expressed by both sides. Initially, Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM) -- the Free Aceh Movement in Aceh, North Sumatra -- had insisted that an international advisory group be established before the start of a peace dialogue.

Indonesia was adamant that the Aceh problem not be internationalized. As a result, this so-called "fictional entity" was formed and provided a non-partisan approach to allow both sides to proceed with the dialogue more confidently.

Apart from the efforts of non-government and informal groups, the post-Sept. 11 era also helped to create an atmosphere more conducive for a peaceful settlement in Aceh. Like the Tamil Tigers fighting for independence in Sri Lanka, who have now settled for autonomy, GAM realized that continued fighting would only cause more casualties. After all, they have fought against the might of Indonesia's military for the past 25 years in a conflict that has claimed almost 12,000 lives. According to Belgium-based International Crisis Group, 2,000 people alone were killed last year.

In addition, GAM is facing a similar dilemma to the Tamil Tigers -- the various struggles for self-determination around the world no longer garner the international support that they used to. Fortunately, the Acehnese independence movement has never been branded with the tag of terrorism, being instead treated as an insurgency. Within the region, the movement has received strong moral support by non-government groups. Bangkok-based Forum-Asia has held international conferences to highlight the Acehnese's plight and their cause.

For Indonesia, national territorial integrity is at stake. That explains why Indonesian leaders, backed by the armed forces, had adopted such a hard-line attitude (even though they have now yielded to international pressure and the Acehnese demands). Jakarta wanted to send a strong signal to other independence movements, in West Papua and Maluku for example, about its determination.

Last July, the House of Representatives in Jakarta passed the special autonomy law for Aceh, known as Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. The law stipulates that the province can receive 70 per cent of the revenue from oil and gas, while 30 per cent goes to the central government. The province will also receive 80 per cent of the revenue from agriculture and fisheries.

The law, which came into force in January this year, allows Aceh to implement Islamic law. This special status is only given to Aceh and reflects Jakarta's growing response to the desires of local Muslims.

Like other ASEAN countries, which have sizable Muslim populations, Thailand welcomes the peace prospect in Aceh. The Thai government, especially those in the security apparatus, has expressed serious concern about the spin-off effects of the Aceh conflict for the country's southern region. They fear a series of unpublished seizures of arms in the southern provinces destined for Aceh indicates links between local Muslims with the Acehnese fighters. The latest seizure of arms was in Satun province in June.

That explains why Thailand and the Philippines have expressed their readiness to dispatch monitoring teams to Aceh before the signing of the peace agreement, after they were approached by Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri at the APEC Summit in Mexico. Despite the Henry Dunant Center's confirmation that the signing will take place on Dec. 9 in Geneva, GAM issued a statement yesterday denying it.

GAM's position shows remaining issues related to a cease-fire, disarmament and human rights have not been ironed out. Both sides have been criticized for their violation of human rights. The Acehnese also want to see the autonomy law implemented fully along with changes in local laws and discriminatory measures exercised by Indonesian bureaucracy.

Though the peace dialog in Aceh has not been internationalized or publicized like the Sri Lanka peace talks, there is a consensus in the international community for a peaceful settlement in the province. Potential donors such as Japan and the European Union have been informed of the progress.

Peace in Aceh will further strengthen the region and make the war against terrorism in Southeast Asia more effective.