RI move to downgrade ties with Sweden counterproductive: Expert
A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Any moves by Indonesia to put its diplomatic ties with Sweden on the line could backfire on Jakarta's long-time efforts to capture Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebel leaders in exile in the European country, an international relations expert has warned.
Such a decision could fuel a retaliation from Sweden, which might bring the Aceh issue to an international forum, with the alleged human rights abuses involving the Indonesian Military being the main topic, Bantarto Bandoro of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said.
"If that happens, it could be counterproductive for Indonesia," said Bantarto.
Indonesia, he added, should learn from the East Timor case, which became an international issue due in part to the government's poor diplomacy. East Timor separated from Indonesia in 1999.
"Sacrificing diplomatic ties now with Sweden is both unrealistic and irrational," Bantarto told The Jakarta Post.
He said relations with Sweden were sorely needed in order for Indonesia to obtain updates about those GAM leaders.
Jakarta is considering to downgrade its diplomatic ties with Sweden due to the European country's failure to take action against its citizens who are leading GAM's rebel movement in Indonesia.
Despite mounting pressure to sever Indonesia's relations with Sweden, President Megawati Soekarnoputri decided to give the Scandinavian country another chance to show its cooperation.
Bantarto suggested that Indonesia keep up pressure on the Swedish government to take strong measures against the GAM leaders.
To avoid internationalization of the Aceh issue, the most feasible step Indonesia could take, Bantarto said, was to continue military and humanitarian operations in Aceh.
"The military should assure people that they are providing security and win the people's hearts and minds."
Bantarto questioned the government's belated move to bring up the issue of GAM leaders residing in Sweden.
"They have been living there for years, and they are known to organize separatist activities. So why has the government just brought up the issue recently?" he said.
Bantarto said that, by doing this, the government was seeking international support after a series of negotiations with GAM leaders ended in failure.
Separately, international law expert Hikmahanto Juwana suggested that Indonesia feel free to downgrade or even sever its ties with Sweden.
"Indonesia should not be in doubt. Sweden has not respected international law," Hikmahanto, a professor with the University of Indonesia, told The Jakarta Post.
Hikmahanto was referring to GAM leaders Hasan Tiro, Malik Mahmood and Abdullah Zaini.
Hikmahanto said that by letting those people walk free, Sweden had violated the 1981 United Nations' General Assembly Declaration on the Inadmissibility of Intervention and Interference in the Internal Affairs of States.
The declaration rules that every member country of the United Nations should make sure that their citizens do not carry out activities that interfere with the domestic affairs of other countries.
By allowing its citizens to interfere in Indonesia's domestic affairs and to escape punishment, the Sweden government had failed to show goodwill to the Indonesian government on the matter, said Hikmahanto.
"If Sweden really has goodwill, it should have investigated the case and punished the GAM leaders," said Hikmahanto.
Having witnessed Sweden's refusal to meet Indonesia's demands, therefore, the government should not hesitate in taking strict measures against the European country.
Himkmahanto said Indonesia could respond to Sweden's refusal to cooperate with either one of these three options: downgrade or cut off diplomatic ties with Sweden; ask the UN to put GAM on its list of terrorist groups; or file a complaint with the International Court of Justice against Sweden.