'There's still a chance to resolve Aceh peacefully'

'There's still a chance to resolve Aceh peacefully'

Aceh police chief Insp. Gen. Bahrumsyah Kasman has
been appointed head of the Aceh Civil Emergency replacing
Governor Abdullah Puteh, who has to answer a summons by the
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) over corruption charges.
The Jakarta Post's Nani Farida talked with Bahrumsyah for two
hours about the weaknesses of the previous civil emergency and
his future plans. The following is the excerpt.

Question: What factors were behind the decision to extend the
Civil Emergency in Aceh?

Answer: It is based on many analyses and field data, including
inputs from a number of societal groups in Aceh during the visit
of coordinating minister for political, legal and security
affairs (Widodo Adi Sucipto) early in November. A key point in
the extension of the civil emergency is the monthly review.

Was there a review of the previous civil emergency?

We had already done that earlier. There were monthly reviews
involving various interest groups.

Will the governor head the civil emergency administration?

It is stated in the presidential regulation that while the
governor is undergoing legal process under the KPK, the duties
and authority of the Regional Civil Emergency Administrator
(PDSD) will be assumed by the coordinating minister for
political, legal and security affairs as the Central Civil
Emergency Administrator (PDSP). The PDSP may appoint as the
administrator a PDSD member in Aceh. With his instruction No. 43
dated Nov. 18, 2004, the security minister has appointed the Aceh
police chief as the administrator of PDSD here.

What are the achievements and weaknesses of the first civil
emergency?

People should be the judge. The people can bear witness to the
success and failure of the civil emergency. I personally think
that in the previous civil emergency the regional administration
lacked enthusiasm in discharging its main duties.

How many GAM members have been processed legally

Some 3,900 rebels have been processed from martial law until
the civil emergency. Around 400 of them have been released.

How many of them surrendered voluntarily?

As many as 2,021 rebels surrendered. After joining a training
program, they were given Rp 2.5 million each as capital to
start a business.

How many police personnel were killed during the martial law
and civil emergency?

Since the imposition of martial law and the civil emergency,
49 police personnel have been killed and 154 others injured.

What are the targets of the civil emergency in the next six
months?

I will do what Bapak President wants us to do, namely conduct
quality integrated operations. None of the five integrated
operations will stand alone. All of the operations have to
support each other.

What will be the parameters to scale down the civil emergency
to civil order?

When the GAM leadership and field rebels surrender and hand
over their weapons to us. As long as they exist, the operations
will not be halted. That is what the security minister has
expressed. We will continue to hunt down GAM rebels, unless they
surrender and face the future Aceh together.

So, there is no plan to make peace with GAM?

From the very beginning, the Indonesian government has always
offered a peaceful settlement (to the Aceh question). And even
now, under the leadership of Bapak Susilo, the offer to resolve
(the Aceh issue peaceful) still remains.

Is the peace (your are talking about) is similar to the 2002
Cessation of Hostilities Agreement?

Not exactly. Armed contacts still continue, but dialogs also
remain. Hopefully, it can be achieved. I hope people who want to
resolve the Aceh issue will also participate in the settlement
process. Do not issue statements that may cause people to panic.

What about PDSD's commitment to fighting corruption in Aceh
that has under the spotlight?

As the Aceh police chief and head of law enforcement, I have
given my personnel the homework to investigate corruption cases
at the regental level. There are 38 graft cases that are
currently under investigation.

While Aceh's security condition has slowly improved, the
number of people living in poverty has increased. How is that
possible when so much money is being pumped into Aceh.

I think it is because job opportunities cannot accommodate the
labor force yet. Indeed, there are a lot of funds, including
funds to help conflict victims, economic improvement funds, and
so on, but they are all in the form of cash. That explains why
the economic recovery operation and humanitarian operation are so
difficult. If the two operations run smoothly, job opportunities
will come. But we will also find other factors that cause the
high poverty rate.

During the second state of civil emergency, will there be
priority areas because of, for example, the critical condition?

GAM rebels keep on moving. God willing, the civil emergency
will not be applied in certain areas only. We are treating all
regions equally. All areas must be taken care of so that safe
areas will remain safe, and unsafe ares will be made safe.

Do you have any information about GAM recruiting new members
during the state of civil emergency?

Perhaps not in the form of formal recruitment, particularly
now that they are completely battered. But, if their family
members get shot, they will just join GAM without being
recruited. Supporting GAM does not necessarily mean taking up
arms, but also by supplying logistics and giving information to
GAM.

How strong is GAM now?

It has around 2,500 to 3,000 personnel with around 800
weapons.

Do you think they can be wiped out during the six-month civil
emergency?

It depends on whether or not the integrated operations run
smoothly and the public at large report (to us about GAM's
whereabouts). Besides, the issue is over once we make peace with
GAM.