The future of Aceh

The future of Aceh

The Indonesian government (and the military) is serious about
preventing the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) from commemorating the
34th anniversary of its declaration of independence on Dec. 4.
During a coordinating meeting on political and security affairs
last Friday, it was agreed to take tough measures against those
celebrating the anniversary.

Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said
that if GAM marked the anniversary it would indicate their lack
of will to end the conflict in the province.

Earlier, GAM spokesman Sofyan Dawood said that GAM would
celebrate the anniversary.

These two opposite moods have increased the tension and fear
among the people of Aceh. This has triggered many Acehnese
civilians to flee to the neighboring province of North Sumatra.

Innocent civilians are always the victims in such a war.
According to the Legal Aid Institute in Aceh, more than 1,200
civilians have been killed between January and November of this
year.

The prolonged conflict has also destroyed the economy of the
province, as well as its social and cultural aspects. Violence
will not solve anything. Therefore, it's time for the warring
groups to think about the people. The innocent civilians deserve
a better future.

-- Republika, Jakarta