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Apr
09/03
It
seems that the war in Aceh is inevitable. Since the
incident at Tapaktuan in South Aceh on Monday,
4/7/2003, afternoon, the Indonesian Government imposed
a strong position in Aceh, signaling a military
intervention. While both factions preparing themselves
for an open war engagement, Acehnese are facing
another moment of tension and escalation of violence.
However, it is important to realize that the war in
Aceh is not a just war. The government should not
ignore or set back the peace treaty by blaming the GAM
for its failure to implement the peace accord is not a
genuine solution. The government should have done more
to participate in the peace accord and to support the
reconstruction of the province.
This is a crucial moment for the government to show
its goodwill and intention to rebuild and reconstruct
the province in a peaceful way. On the other hand,
the GAM must also strive for peace in Aceh. Neither
party should be allowed to break the peace treaty.
Just as the government demanded a peaceful solution in
Iraq, it should also be applied in Aceh. Another
military conflict would not cease the turmoil in Aceh.
Rather, it would burn the province into an independent
war. Political solution must be exhausted to the end
before engaging in an open and full scale military
conflict.
The
twenty-seven years of conflict in the region had
created fear, hatred and mistrust among the people,
especially the young generations. The suspicious among
people which blossomed during the DOM era is still
high and another military intervention means that
another lost generation would be created that adds the
hostility toward the central government. Military
intervention might bring stability in political and
economical aspect; however, it will destroy the
socio-cultural aspect of the people of Aceh. In
addition, another military conflict would also cost
many casualties on the Indonesian army, an army that
has already been under pressured from various fronts,
including military embargo by the US and its human
right abuses in the past.
The
military intervention in Aceh would not lead into a
peaceful solution. Rather, it would create another
period of bloodshed in the Indonesian history.
Whatever the cause might be, the peace process in Aceh
must be respected and preserved. This is the time
where the government could maneuver a genuine
political movement to show and campaign that the
central government still cares for the people of Aceh.
As Indonesians, we all have to stand up for peace and
this is the time where we can make a different in term
of defending peace in our own backyard. Unfortunately,
Indonesian media seem to overlook this crucial moment
and make us forget of the potential loss of lives that
might occur in our own country.
Reza Adenan, Student of
International Study, Canada
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