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.