Transitional govt sought in Aceh

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Banda Aceh

Experts are calling for the revocation of martial law and the establishment of a transitional administration with full support from the central government in Nanggroe Aceh Darusalam in a bid to resolve the conflict there.

Kusnanto Anggoro, a military observer with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said during a discussion here on Monday that martial law in Aceh, originally scheduled to end on Nov. 19, seemed to have already crippled the armed wing of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

"However, an immediate political solution is needed to solve the chronic problem in the province once and for all instead of prolonging martial law," Kusnanto said.

Prolonging military rule would hinder democratization in the province and prevent the local civil administration from developing, not to mention the excesses due to extremely limited public access to monitor the military's activities, he said.

He, however, pointed out that the military should not be discouraged by such calls as it could continue operations, but only in selected areas instead of the whole province.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri issued on May 19 the martial law decree, allowing the Indonesian military (TNI) to launch an all-out campaign against GAM rebels.

TNI data shows that close to 1,000 GAM rebels have been killed and almost 2,000 others detained over the last 5 months. The TNI has also confiscated 434 of an estimated 2,000 weapons owned by GAM, which had around 5,000 armed members.

Andi Widjajanto, a defense researcher from the University of Indonesia, said that the central government should appoint a civilian as the head of the proposed transitional administration and give him full authority to solve all the problems in Aceh.

"It would be similar to the United Nations mission to East Timor in 1999," said Andi, referring to the UN mission that took charge of East Timor after Indonesia left the territory in September 1999.

The transitional administration, according to Andi, should be backed up by the military in a proportionate manner to repress the rebels.

Such an administration could be expected to play a greater role in establishing competent local administrators as the foundation of a normal civil governance throughout the province, he said.

He predicted that Aceh would be ready to elect its governor directly by 2006 if such a proposal was implemented.

Meanwhile, Aceh Military Operation Commander Maj. Gen. Bambang Darmono complained on Monday that many Acehnese people still supported GAM and assisted rebel leaders in evading the government troops hunting for them.

"I can't deny that we (the military) find difficulties in our search for GAM leaders because many Acehnese civilians continue to support the movement and assist their leaders in hiding from government troops.

"For instance, Ishak Daud, GAM commander for Peureulak region in East Aceh, is sometimes covertly wearing Muslim clothes, and indeed, it affects our soldiers psychologically," Bambang said in a press conference to evaluate the five-month old campaign.

Also present at the press briefing was Aceh Martial Law Administrator Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya.

Bambang's remarks contradicted earlier military claims that government forces had taken control of more than 90 percent of Aceh's territory.

The TNI has also said repeatedly that more and more of the Acehnese had been expressing support for the ongoing operations in Aceh.

Endang said the military would evaluate the presence of its posts stationed near main roads and relocate them into hamlets and villages.

"Our concern is merely securing civilians during the holy month," Endang said, referring to Ramadhan.

Aceh is a predominantly Muslim province where Ramadhan is taken very seriously.

Asked whether GAM's strength had been reduced, Endang admitted that for the time being, GAM still existed, especially in their strongholds of East Aceh, Bireuen, Pidie and North Aceh.

Noted Muslim scholar Nurcholish "Cak Nur" Madjid, who has recently returned from the province, praised the military, saying that more local Ulemas had expressed hope that the military would be able to maintain the current security situation there.

"I don't know if Jakarta has to lift or extend martial law in the province, but during my visit to Aceh recently, many local ulemas said that they were happy with the current situation," Cak Nur said on the sidelines of a meeting held by Indonesian Justice and Unity Party on Monday.