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.