President Susilo rules out foreign role in Aceh
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ruled out on Thursday a foreign role in Aceh, while also offering amnesty to rebels who gave up their armed struggle.
Susilo said the problems in Aceh would be solved without any foreign intervention and that the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) would be actively involved in observing the state of civil emergency there.
"The government wants to settle the problem domestically, in the spirit of brotherhood, so that the results we all hope for will be achieved," said Susilo, who left for Chile on Thursday to attend the 10th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
Promising to resolve the Aceh issue fairly and with dignity, Susilo issued on Thursday a presidential regulation officially extending the state of civil emergency in Aceh for six months.
"The state of civil emergency has been officially extended and the government invites Komnas HAM to conduct their work in Aceh, in accordance with the law," the President said.
Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels have been fighting for independence in Aceh since 1976. The province was placed under martial law on May 19, 2003, with the status being lowered to a state of civil emergency one year later.
Presidential Regulation No. 2/2004 says that the state of civil emergency in Aceh will be extended by six months at the most, with an evaluation every month to determine whether the civil emergency can be lifted.
Under the civil emergency status, local authorities have the power to search houses, censor the press and impose curfews and other restrictions.
Susilo, who took his oath of office on Oct. 20, said the government appreciated expressions of support from foreign agencies and countries, but Aceh was an internal problem of Indonesia.
Previous negotiations between the government and rebel leaders were facilitated by the Geneva-based Henry Dunant Centre, which led to a short-lived peace agreement in 2002.
Earlier this month, the son of Libyan leader Moammar Kadhafi offered his country's help in resolving the conflict. Many guerrilla leaders in Aceh are believed to have trained in Libya.
Susilo called on GAM members on Thursday to stop their rebellion, promising amnesty for rebels who put down their weapons.
"The government calls on all (rebel) leaders to stop their actions and accept the special autonomy policy to develop Aceh.
"The country will give them pardons and provide post-conflict reconstruction assistance as part of our efforts to end the conflict in Aceh," Susilo said.
A rebel spokesman, Abdullah Zaini, dismissed the offer and called on Susilo's government to return to the negotiating table.
"Nothing can change our struggle for independence," Zaini told Associated Press in a phone interview from Sweden.
"Aceh is our country and it must be returned to the Acehnese people. We hope the new leader in Indonesia will reopen the door for negotiations and bring peace to Aceh," he said.
Box
President Susilo extended the state of civil emergency in Aceh by issuing a presidential regulation instead of a presidential decree, as was the case under previous presidents.
The Cabinet deputy secretary for law and legislation, Lambock V. Nahattands, said the decision to issue a presidential regulation was based on Law No. 10/2004 on government regulations.
The law recognizes two rulings -- one deals with regulations and the other with assignments or appointments. Rulings dealing with regulations are called presidential regulations, while rulings dealing with appointments -- such as the appointment of state officials -- are called presidential decrees.
The law also places the Constitution as the highest law in the country, followed by laws or government regulations in lieu of law, government regulations and presidential regulations.