RI and the international community in the tsunami's aftermath
RI and the international community in the tsunami's aftermath
Jusuf Wanandi, Jakarta
One striking thing that the tsunami has shown to Indonesians
is the deep and broad support, solidarity and empathy of the
International Community towards Indonesia in overcoming this
horrific natural disaster. There are no other ulterior motives
than humanitarian solidarity and empathy. The gut reaction by
xenophobic Indonesians about the motives and vested interests of
the foreign community, ranging from intervention in Indonesian
domestic affairs to espionage, is simply laughable.
There has never been such an outpouring of empathy and
solidarity before towards Indonesia and our sufferings. We should
appreciate that, and also show our gratitude since we do need all
the assistance and help, especially for a part of Indonesia that
has suffered so much for so long. Without international help and
assistance, many more Acehnese would have died in the aftermath
of the tsunami, due to hunger, sickness and deprivation.
Our gratitude should also be shown by how we handle all the
financial aid and assistance for reconstruction. That means that
we should be able to organize it well and with a minimum of waste
and corruption as possible. Foreign donors are most worried about
this, and understandably so. If we fail to do so, aid will no
longer be forthcoming to fulfill all the needs. This will not
only affect the reconstruction of Aceh, but more devastatingly
will severely affect our relationship with the outside world in
the future.
The role and responsibility of the local government in the
reconstruction of Aceh, with the assistance and supervision from
Jakarta, will be a heavy one because they must work efficiently
and be free from all corruption. It is fine to have outside
accounting firms such as Ernst and Young to do the oversight, but
this might not be adequate. As indicated in the master plan
prepared by the central government in consultation with local
governments and local leaders, reconstruction efforts by donors
could be undertaken directly so long as they are in accordance
with the plan and in cooperation with national and local
partners.
If the Indonesian government and the elite do not want to be
scrutinized, they should do it by themselves and with their own
money, as India and Thailand have decided to do. That is
acceptable and honorable. But you cannot have your cake and eat
it too!
Another important issue is the political solution to the
conflict between the Indonesian government and GAM (the Free Aceh
Movement). A lot of expectations have been created by the tsunami
that a political solution would be sought, since GAM is also
facing a lot of challenges and has been weakened due to the
military operations and the disruption in their logistics lines
and support from the coastal areas, which have been hit and
damaged by the tsunami. The international community has also
encouraged both sides to work out a political solution, and the
civil society in Jakarta and many leaders in Aceh are also
expecting that.
In the meantime, the reality is that GAM only seems to want a
ceasefire, perhaps long enough to recuperate from the setback,
while the government would like to find a final political
solution based on the full implementation of the Special Autonomy
Law, financial compensation for GAM and for Aceh, as well as
amnesty for GAM. Based on Special Autonomy, GAM could participate
fully in the political processes in Aceh. It appears that GAM is
as yet not prepared to give up their long-term objective of
gaining total independence for Aceh. It is not easy to bridge
this gap. It is also not clear whether GAM leaders living in Aceh
are more pragmatic than those living in Stockholm, who seem to
have a solid hold on the leadership.
It is a better option for the government to first have a
complete plan supported by all the important elements, including
the legislature and the Indonesian Military (TNI), before
resuming talks with GAM. The President, being personally involved
in earlier talks in Geneva and Tokyo, should understand that he
must provide leadership in finding a solution for the Aceh
problem.
The decades-long struggle has shown how costly the conflict
has been for both sides. The tsunami is a good reminder that
peace is critical for Aceh's rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Jakarta has to show its magnanimity to all Acehnese to seriously
undertake the reconstruction of Aceh and to give GAM members not
only amnesty but also the right to participate fully in the
governing of Aceh through their own political party in local
elections in the future, however that must be within the confines
of the Republic of Indonesia.
The writer is co-founder & member of the Board of Trustees,
and Senior Fellow Centre for Strategic and International Studies,
CSIS.