Where is the GAM government?

The Free Aceh Movement (GAM)) is a separatist movement led by Hasan Di Tiro, who proclaimed Aceh's independence on Dec. 4, 1976 using English and Acehnese, which were considered official national languages.

At the same time a Cabinet was formed and Hasan Di Tiro appointed himself as the head of state, minister of foreign affairs and minister of defense. A guerrilla war was started just to show that behind GAM is an armed force, to be reckoned with.

The Indonesian Military started to act, because GAM is an armed rebellion, which violates the Constitution and should be dealt with and immediately wiped out. There were lots of political protests, and the government was advised to start negotiations to find a solution. This is not an easy task, as foreign intervention started and supported GAM with money and arms.

When the situation became more and more difficult for GAM, Hasan Di Tiro decided to leave Aceh for Sweden to get political, moral and material support in the form of money and weapons. Some "ministers" followed and have stayed in Sweden up until now.

Recently tsunami disaster struck Aceh and North Sumatra, which brought about enormous suffering to the people living in that area, Everything was destroyed and over 100,000 lives lost. But so far nothing has been heard from the GAM government in exile. They continue enjoying a nice and peaceful holiday in Sweden as Swedish citizens and do not care a bit for what was happening in their "country".

Apparently the GAM leaders in exile have not even expressed a single word of sympathy, they are only concerned for themselves. If they really love their "country" and don't want their "people" to suffer, then they should go back to Indonesia, give themselves up and order their GAM followers to lay down their arms, report to the Indonesian government and start helping those who suffered.

SOEGIH ARTO Jakarta