RI should ensure security for peace monitors in Aceh

RI should ensure security for peace monitors in Aceh

The representatives of the four co-chairs of the Tokyo
conference on peace and reconstruction in Aceh -- Japan, the
U.S., the Europe Union and the World Bank -- last week met with
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Gen.
(ret.) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to express their concerns over
the worsening situation in Aceh. Japanese Ambassador to
Indonesia, Yutaka Iimura, spoke to The Jakarta Post's Kornelius
Purba about Aceh. Excerpts of the interview follow:

Question: What is your assessment about the recent
developments in Aceh?

Answer : The four co-chairs of the Tokyo conference met with
Minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on April 9. It was about Aceh,
and Minister Yudhoyono explained to us how the Indonesian
government viewed the current situation in Aceh, and we explained
our position. We are very concerned about the current situation
in Aceh. We reaffirmed our support of the peace process to
Minister Yudhoyono ...

Firstly, we are firm in our support of the Cessation of
Hostilities Agreement (COHA), and also a peaceful solution to the
Aceh problems. We also said in our statement, that the solution
of the Aceh problem should be done within the territorial
integrity of Indonesia. So we won't support any attempt to change
the borders of Indonesia. We urged both parties to refrain from
the use of arms and violence. We also deplored the recent
attacks against the monitoring teams (Joint Security Team) and we
urged the Indonesian government to continue steps to ensure the
security of the monitoring teams.

We also urged GAM (Free Aceh Movement) not to take any action
inconsistent with COHA's spirit. Naturally COHA is very important
and critical, so we expressed our intention to reinforce the
peace process. And finally, we made an appeal to go beyond COHA.
COHA provides a framework for security aspects of the problem.

Political negotiations should start, in order to prepare for
the general elections in 2004. This is our main message. Why did
we come up with this statement at this moment? Because, we are
very concerned about the current situation, particularly because
the JSC (Joint Security Committee) decided to withdraw their
monitoring teams from the field offices. I guess they are already
back in Banda Aceh. I think this process is at a critical
juncture, so we thought we needed to express our concern again.

Q: Do you have any suggestions for the government?

A: Our understanding is that the government of Indonesia is
planning for a meeting of the Joint Council. The government
intends to discuss all the problems during this peace process. I
hope with the participation of GAM all these problems can be
resolved. We are not directly involved in the peace negotiation
process ... and as HDC has been playing the role of facilitator
in the peace process, I think the four co-chairs at this stage do
not have any intention of getting involved directly in the
negotiation process.

Q: How about indirect involvement?

A: Indirectly, there are two ways for us to support the peace
process. First, as we said in our statement, we clearly support
the peace process, this is moral support. Secondly, we have
already started our program of assistance for the reconstruction
and humanitarian assistance for Aceh so that the Acehnese feel
that peace is there, not only in terms of human rights but also
in terms of living standards. We hope by doing so, there will be
continuous, and even greater momentum for peace, not only for the
Acehnese, but also for ordinary people and GAM.

Q: The peace agreement is virtually nearly over now, following
the government's announcement to resume military operations in
Aceh. What is your comment?

A: I am not aware that the military has made the plan. I
understand that what they are saying is that they are prepared to
take military actions if peace fails. But I don't think the
government has reached a judgment that peace has failed. I think
the government is saying that it is still pursuing the peace
process in Aceh ... I think my understanding is shared by the
other co-chairs. We strongly hope the peace process can continue.

Q: What is your view about increasing accusations being traded
between the Indonesian Military (TNI) and GAM?

A: That is also why we urge both sides to refrain from
provocations, which are inconsistent with COHA. The COHA
agreement has been successful in terms of reducing the number of
causalities, the number of armed clashes. But unfortunately, in
recent days there have been several incidents which have
deteriorated the condition of peace. I think this trend should be
resolved and all sides should defend peace ... and not undermine
the peace process.

Q: Did you also meet with TNI leaders to discuss Aceh?

A: Not for the time being. We don't have plans yet to meet with
military people. Of course this does not exclude the future
meetings with military leaders. So far, we have been talking to
ministers.

Q: Is the Henry Dunant Centre (HDC) alone effective enough to
facilitate the peace process without the help of other countries?

A: HDC has been playing a very effective role as a facilitator.
But, first, the Joint Security Committee (JSC) is not composed of
HDC only, but composed of GAM, HDC and Indonesian government
representatives. So we want them to work together very well, so
that this committee functions. In that sense, cooperation among
the three parties is very important.

It is not fair for us to criticize HDC, it should be a joint
effort by all three parties. Secondly, in terms of the number of
personnel on the monitoring teams and also in terms of verifiers
of the demilitarization process, it probably should be discussed
further among parties concerned. But it may be true that the
mechanism should be strengthened.

Q: After the invasion of Iraq, there is a growing rejection of a
U.S. role in Aceh. What is your view about this?

A: Personally, I have never heard that kind of criticism after
the Iraqi war started. But I would like to say that the U.S. is
very genuine in supporting the peace process and they have been
genuinely trying to help. I don't think it is right to connect
the Iraqi war and the peace process in Aceh.

Q: Isn't this the first time that your government has assisted a
foreign country to resolve a domestic problem?

A: We were one of the main players in the peace process in
Cambodia. Now we are trying to contribute to the peace process in
Sri Lanka, also we are trying to contribute to establishing peace
in Mindanao, the Philippines. In Aceh, we are trying to
contribute. We attach great importance to these -- maybe this is
a new trend -- and we are trying to contribute more to peace in
conflict areas. This is one of the pillars of our foreign affairs
policy now.

But our contribution for Aceh does not come from this general
policy. It comes from our concern to help Indonesia to sustain
its territorial integrity and its political stability. Indonesia
is the most important partner for us in this region.

Q: Do the Tokyo co-chairs intend to link their loans to Indonesia
with progress in Aceh?

A: As far as we are concerned, Japan will continue to assist
Indonesia. We are the main partner of the ODA (Official
Development Assistance) for the country. We will continue to be
the main partner. This is one thing. The other part of our policy
is that we will be very serious about helping the reconstruction
of Aceh. So whether the program in Aceh is peacefully resolved or
not, will not affect our development program in Indonesia.