RI move to downgrade ties with Sweden counterproductive: Expert
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.