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