Trapped in the grand strategy of GAM

Trapped in the grand strategy of GAM

After following the statements of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
and government officials, I cannot shake the feeling that GAM has
won the first round in this political game, and I think it will
be followed by other steps soon. The presence of foreign
observers will benefit GAM, because they do not have necessary
knowledge about GAM and its tactics.

The first step in their grand strategy is the creation of a
peaceful atmosphere in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD), by the
signing of the cessation of hostilities, but without an
attachment of an official interpretation of all articles. By the
absence of this interpretation, GAM will feel free to give their
own version of the agreement, but it so happens that GAM realizes
they cannot win their war of independence, because they have to
face the police and Military. Peace is needed to achieve their
goal.

GAM is unofficially supported by political parties and non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), who have stated that this case
can never be solved with armed actions and the government should
hold talks with GAM. Mohammad Nazar of Sentral Informasi
Referendum Aceh (the Information Center of the Aceh Referendum)
said that the real meaning of this cease-fire was that both sides
should refrain from shooting at each other, even though they
could keep their weapons.

Even Governor Puteh said clearly that the aim of this
agreement between the government and GAM was solely to stop all
violence (Kompas, Dec. 14, 2002). GAM said that they support this
cessation of hostilities not because GAM is cornered, but because
people need peace -- and GAM needs peace also for their political
struggle.

What about GAM's political aim for independence? Even when the
first memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed in May 2000,
GAM interpreted this, among other things, as the withdrawal of
government troops from Aceh and accepted this MOU because it was
the first step toward independence. Another GAM leader has stated
that dialogs are a positive move, because this is common practice
in international relations. So GAM considers their relations with
the government to be at an international level.

Now that the peace deal is signed, GAM can go around
peacefully and safely to propagate the idea of Aceh's
independence, because this can be done without the need for
violence and GAM is not violating any agreements. Even in the
beginning, GAM declared that they had never stated they accepted
Law No. 18/2000 on the special autonomy status for NAD.

With the cessation of hostilities, foreign countries and world
organizations will come, donating funds for the rehabilitation of
Aceh and this will be claimed as the result of GAM's efforts.

SOEGIH ARTO, Jakarta