Push for revival of Aceh dialog
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
An intensive peace process should follow the visit of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, or else local people will lose trust in the new administration, observers say.
Legislator Teuku Muhammad Nurlif and Acehnese rights campaigner Hasballah M. Saad suggested that the President open a dialog with all Acehnese civilians, including members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), to tap more input on how the road to peace should proceed.
Nurlif and Hasballah said that during his visit on Friday, the President failed to identify the policies he would implement in boosting the peace process in the conflict-torn province.
"The visit did not offer anything new to the Aceh people. I hope the government will resume the dialog of the past," Hasballah told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
During his first visit since assuming power on Friday, Susilo maintained that special autonomy status was the best way to resolve the Aceh conflict.
The five-hour visit was made just one week after Susilo extended the state of civil emergency in the province for six months. GAM rebels have been fighting for independence since 1976.
More than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since that time.
Under the special autonomy scheme introduced on Jan. 1, 2001, Aceh is free to run its own affairs except for areas concerning defense, finance, foreign relations, and religious affairs.
Hasballah said that the previous Aceh peace process had led to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA), although this later collapsed.
"The fact that there has been an intention for dialog must be followed up as a new starting point," he said.
Hasballah doubted the participants in a dialog with the President on Friday truly represented the Aceh people. Some 400 people were selected by the local government to attend the one- hour dialog.
Beside organizing a dialog with Aceh people, Hasballah suggested that the president assign ministers or aides to resume talks with GAM leaders.
Nurlif, meanwhile, expected the government to focus on innovative policies to help the province's economy recover after decades of conflict.
Taking an example, he said the government could revive the supply of gas and energy from Arun to big companies located in Aceh, such as the fertilizer and paper firms.
Gas supply to these companies has been terminated for the sake of exports.
"I think Pak Purnomo (Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources) should resign if he fails to supply energy to local companies," Nurlif said.
Both Nurlif and Hasballah called for the establishment of a national committee to help find solutions to the Aceh conflict.
The committee could consist of Acehnese leaders and non- Acehnese figures who are familiar with the real needs of people in the westernmost province.
Commenting on the plan to grant Aceh rebels amnesty, Hasballah and Nurlif suggested that the government specify what policies would be implemented after the amnesty was granted.
"The social and economic aspects of ex-rebels should also be taken into account," Hasballah said.