Welcoming new U.S. ambassador
The U.S. has decided to appoint a new ambassador to Indonesia, and personally I would like to extend a warm welcome to Lynn Pascoe, with the hope that the already good relations between our two countries will become better, closer and more intimate, for both of our benefits.
To achieve this, the U.S. should study the real situation in Indonesia and what has been done and achieved by Indonesia.
I am very happy at what Lynn Pascoe said in front of the U.S. Senate Committee of foreign relations, which is that the U.S. can encourage and help facilitate a peaceful outcome to the violence in Aceh. We Indonesians want the same thing, but without sacrificing national principles.
Lynn Pascoe surely knows that the present Indonesian government, unlike the Old Order government of Sukarno and Hatta, has decided to have talks with the rebels -- which is very strange, especially in the eyes of the military. Rebellion is against the law, and I think that any law-abiding government would take the same firm steps to crush activities that are against the law and Constitution.
The only exception is in handling the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebellion. The government surprisingly decided to negotiate with the rebels to find a solution. Fourteen rounds of negotiations were conducted, some assisted by foreigners, which was really painful for the military. The military (TNI) wants to uphold the law, as was done in the past, but the TNI is not an independent organization. The TNI is subordinated to the civilian government, and is obliged to do what is told by the government.
It is almost impossible to start new talks because this would only mean falling again and again into GAM's trap, and the people of Aceh, who have suffered for a long time and are now beginning to see the light, would again experience unending suffering.
The new ambassador should know that Indonesia has entered the reform era, where we are trying to make law king and punish law violators.
In a nutshell, this is a picture of the present situation in Indonesia, as far as Aceh and GAM are concerned.
SOEGIH ARTO
Jakarta