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