Transitional govt sought in Aceh

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.