Devi Asmarani, Jakarta – The Indonesian government yesterday gave separatist rebels in Aceh a three-month deadline to drop their independence demand and resume peace talks, as part of a new and more conciliatory policy towards the restive province.
And while the government ruled out the imposition of an emergency – which had been widely anticipated – it vowed to continue its security operations there to "paralyse" the armed separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
The new policy, unveiled yesterday after a Cabinet meeting, also offered more development funding and economic perks to the province that has been wracked by the 26-year-old conflict between the rebel group and the Indonesian security forces.
Chief Security Minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told a press briefing: "This is a sincere call of brotherhood to end the conflict in Aceh in a most peaceful way. Let's resolve the problems through political means and avoid another bloodbath."
The movement had been given until after the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in early December to begin talks, which would focus on the acceptance of a special autonomy status for the resource-rich Aceh, he said.
The autonomy status includes a much greater share of oil and gas revenue and partial implementation of syariah, or Islamic law.Should GAM refuse the offer and continue its campaign, the government would escalate the security operation "to crush them", he said.
He said the government was serious in resuming earlier peace talks held with the GAM leadership in Geneva.
GAM representatives had agreed last May to accept the autonomy status and stop violence in a meeting with top Indonesian officials.
But the death toll there continues unabated. Last weekend, GAM claimed responsibility for a series of bombings to undermine the Indonesian Independence Day celebrations in the province.
Mr Susilo said the government "cannot stand idle as GAM launches violent and destructive acts like the bombing". But he promised to enforce the law, guarantee human rights and restoring the economy. Damaged roads, bridges and public facilities would be rebuilt and strategic projects would resume, he said.
The government would also help finance the development of the local industry, rehabilitate the victims of violence as well as pardon those found guilty by the government.
The move has received support from the Indonesian Parliament. Parliamentary Speaker Akbar Tandjung said: "In three months an intensive dialogue can be conducted to see GAM's stance. If they still want to break away from Indonesia, then the military should take over, and hopefully it won't claim so many casualties." But many in Aceh were more sceptical of the new policy.
An academic said the move to encourage dialogue while at the same time continuing the crackdown on GAM was contradictory. "If the soldiers are in the field and both parties still use their weapons, the problems will not end." Others proposed that Jakarta take serious action against the alleged human rights abuses in the province by the military.
Thousands of Acehnese have allegedly died and many were kidnapped, tortured or raped by Indonesian soldiers during the security operation from 1989 to 1998.
A local legislator said: "Unless the government curbs the security forces' brutality, no one will believe they sincerely want the best for Aceh."