ACEH: Megawati repeats war threat

May 7, 2003
Issue 

BY MAX LANE

Following a meeting of the Indonesian cabinet security committee on April 28, security minister Susilo Bambang Yudotomo announced that Jakarta may consider resuming "security operations" and abandon peace negotiations in Aceh.

Negotiations between the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and Jakarta were scheduled to resume on April 25 in Geneva. After GAM indicated that visa and travel arrangements meant that its representatives could only make it to the meeting by April 27, Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri ordered the Indonesian delegation to return to Indonesia from Switzerland.

The collapse of the negotiations has followed a period of regular press reports of armed clashes between GAM fighters and government police and military forces, as well as violent attacks by protesters against government offices in various Acehnese towns. Megawati's recent statements have implied that Jakarta would consider resuming the implementation of military operations in Aceh.

Prospects of a renewal of a military approach or escalated war in Aceh provoked a debate in the Jakarta press among a wide range of commentators, with considerable opinion being expressed urging an avoidance of a military escalation. It appears that the level of criticism has resulted in the cabinet deciding to slow down the move towards war.

Yudotomo announced that Megawati had issued orders for the implementation of operations to restore "government effectiveness", increase social welfare and improve "law enforcement". These operations are to be implemented by the ministers for home affairs, social affairs and the national police respectively.

Orders to the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) to implement a "security operation" have been postponed. TNI chief of staff Ryamizard Ryacudu has also stated that no extra troops will be sent to Aceh.

However, Yudotomo stated that the government would only continue to withhold orders to the TNI to launch a "security operation" if GAM met certain conditions within the next one to two weeks. These conditions include the issuing of an "explicit statement" accepting autonomy within Indonesia as a starting point for negotiations and immediate disarmament of GAM guerrillas.

GAM has stated it is sticking to current written agreements which mandate a ceasefire and the establishment of "zones of peace".

In Banda Aceh, police harassment of pro-democracy activists has also continued. Human rights activist Mohammed Nazar has been in detention since February. On April 25, intelligence agents of the Indonesian police arrested seven members of the Democratic Youths for Poor People and a member of the Aceh People's Democratic Resistance. They were detained overnight and beaten before being released the next morning.

From Green Left Weekly, May 7, 2003.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

You need Green Left, and we need you!

Green Left is funded by contributions from readers and supporters. Help us reach our funding target.

Make a One-off Donation or choose from one of our Monthly Donation options.

Become a supporter to get the digital edition for $5 per month or the print edition for $10 per month. One-time payment options are available.

You can also call 1800 634 206 to make a donation or to become a supporter. Thank you.