Vanuatu recognizes

Vanuatu recognizes independent Aceh

From Media Indonesia

On our Independence Day, Aug. 17, this year we were caught by surprise when reading a report that the government of Vanuatu -- a small nation in the South Pacific -- had formally recognized the Free Aceh state, with the legitimate rulers being what we know as the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

Diplomatic relations have therefore been established between the Republic of Vanuatu and the State of Aceh. As a high-ranking official of GAM in Sweden, Zaini Abdullah, has said the State of Aceh has its representative office in Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu.

I wonder what prompted Vanuatu to go ahead with this policy, because Indonesia generally maintains good diplomatic relations with all South Pacific states.

On this score, the Indonesian government must be proactive in approaching Vanuatu as well as the Australian government so that what Vanuatu has done will not become a precedent for other South Pacific states. As the South Pacific states are heavily dependent on Australia, a good approach to Australia is a necessity.

If the government of Vanuatu sticks by its decision to establish diplomatic relations with Aceh, Indonesia must take firm action against Vanuatu. It may, for example close Vanuatu's representative office in Jakarta. The government must take appropriate action to ensure that Aceh will remain within the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.

KRISDIYANSAH Jakarta