July 25, 2005
ACEH PEACE DEAL: 'RAYS OF HOPE' SHINE ON
STRIFE-RIDDEN REGION
KEY FINDINGS
** The
agreement is a "triumph for common sense and good faith."
** Wary
observers caution that the proposed deal will be "extremely difficult to
implement."
** Papers
question the exact future form of Aceh's "special autonomy."
**
Non-Indonesian outlets agree that the "tragedy of the tsunami"
made this accord possible.
MAJOR THEMES
'Grounds for optimism'-- Optimistic papers agreed the peace accord reached
in Helsinki between the Indonesian government and the rebel Free Aceh Movement
(GAM) "deserves a positive response."
Indonesia's Muslim intellectual Republika noted the "big
hope that peace will finally come true," while economic-political Suara
Merdeka called it the "crucial and historic moment to end" the
conflict. Several dailies singled out
the "commitment of the new government" of President Susilo for
praise, while others applauded GAM's decision to give up its "separatist
demands." Thailand's independent Nation
said that "credit must be given to all parties" because both sides
"understood the importance of compromise."
'Major issues remain unresolved'-- Skeptics stressed there were "still some
serious obstacles" to peace.
Britain's independent Economist mentioned several, including
"stiff resistance" from Jakarta's "stubborn army" and
"lucrative smuggling, drug-running and extortion rackets" that profit
from continuing conflict. Noting Aceh is
"still far from peaceful," Indonesian writers warned the conflict's
"lingering trauma and suspicions...would not easily fade away." Christian-oriented Sinar Harapan
contended that "fear and uncertainty" still pervade the
province. Other outlets predicted that
keeping the peace in Aceh would be "further complicated" by struggles
for its "plentiful natural resources."
Indonesia 'should not fear' Aceh political
parties-- Many dailies judged
GAM's demand to have its own political party in Aceh "worrying." Indonesia's pro-Golkar Suarya Karya
rejected it as a "serious stumbling block," which would allow GAM to
continue to promote being "independent and separated from
Indonesia." Other outlets backed
the peace deal's provision for granting a "certain degree of autonomy and
latitude" to the rebels. Malaysia's
government-influenced Star opined that letting GAM operate a party would
"co-opt any residual secessionist sentiment" and help "preserve
Indonesia's unitary identity."
Several papers added the deal could become a "model...for other
restless outlying regions of Indonesia."
Tsunami a peace 'catalyst'-- Peace in Aceh is a "gift of the
tsunami," agreed observers. They
cited both the "widespread international attention paid" after the
disaster and the "fulsome and generous" response from other Indonesians. The "one positive...of this
catastrophe" is that it "drove GAM and the government" to talks,
said a Thai outlet. Hong Kong's leftist Asia
Times argued the tsunami "created conditions for a political
settlement" by "altering the political dynamics" in the
devastated province. Saudi Arabia's
pro-government Arab News concluded the "overwhelming tragedy"
led to the "decent human response" of negotiation.
Prepared by Media Reaction Branch (202)
203-7888, rmrmail@state.gov
EDITOR: Ben Goldberg
EDITOR'S NOTE: Media
Reaction reporting conveys the spectrum of foreign press sentiment. Posts select commentary to provide a
representative picture of local editorial opinion. Some commentary is taken directly from the
Internet. This report summarizes and interprets
foreign editorial opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views of the
U.S. Government. This analysis was based
on 26 reports from 9 countries over 11 - 24 July, 2005. Editorial excerpts are listed from the most
recent date.
EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC
INDONESIA: "Details To
Be Ironed Out For Aceh Peace Agreement"
Haris Azhar noted in the independent English-language Jakarta
Post (7/22): "The peace deal
between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) deserves a
positive response.... Two prerequisites
for a lasting peace become necessary.
The action on the ground--the planned withdrawal of troops and the
disarmament of GAM--must be worked out in the next round of talks.... Unfortunately, the situation in Aceh is still
far from peaceful and political and military elements there and in Jakarta
could easily stir up a deal-breaking conflict.... It is even more necessary to win the hearts
and minds of the Acehnese in a non-violent manner in order to bring about lasting
peace.... Peace in Aceh is not a dream;
it is a must."
"Welcome The Peace"
Bandung-based economic-political Pikiran Rakyat declared
(7/20): "The peace between
Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement must be welcomed by every side and
implemented soon.... If there are still
some crucial agendas [such as a local party and military withdrawal] in the
agreement, it must be negotiable. The peace must become a milestone for future
agreements "
"Don't Fear A Local Party"
Independent Media Indonesia held (7/20): "Once again, never be afraid of a local
party [in Aceh]. This is healthy for democracy. We want that after the signing
of the Helsinki meeting between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement,
there will be no more bloodshed in Aceh....
We will again become an independent big family."
"A Lesson For The Future"
Surabaya-based independent Jawa Pos
opined (7/20): "The Aceh conflict
should become a lesson for the government in the future.... Originally, the problems in Aceh were
triggered by the unfair distribution of resources by the central government.
This situation then sparked the emergence of the separatist movement to break
away from the Republic of Indonesia....
We await the implementation of the peace agreement between the
government and the Free Aceh Movement."
"Engage In Comprehensive Discussion"
Independent Suara Pembaruan concluded
(7/19): "Due to its relatively wide
implication on the Acehnese community and Indonesia as a whole, the signed
agreement document through the informal negotiations in Helsinki should be
discussed openly by engaging a wider variety of stakeholders. For the
Indonesian government, the contents of the agreement ought to be
comprehensively discussed by the cabinet and the House of Representatives."
"Trapped For Too Long"
Christian-oriented Sinar Harapan said
(7/19): "The people of Aceh who
ought to be productive assets have been trapped in fear and uncertainty about
their future.... We think the two sides
[the Free Aceh Movement and the Indonesian government] have reached the point
of no return. The stakes are so huge.
Aceh may once again be dragged into in a more serious conflict if the remaining
problems cannot be resolved."
"May Peace Be With Aceh"
Muslim intellectual Republika commented
(7/19): "Although Aceh is the only
province in Indonesia that bears the name ‘peaceful village’, its citizens have
not enjoyed peace for a long time. For about 26 years, since 1976, they have
constantly been haunted by fear.... No
wonder, news from the Helsinki meetings brought relief.... Indeed, there is a big hope that peace will
finally come true in Aceh.... In order
for the peace agreement to be meaningful, both sides must have good will that
in turn could be translated into cooperation in building Aceh
peacefully.... If there is good will and
principal matters have been agreed on, other things can be talked about later
on.... Even so, it does not mean that
peace in Aceh would be easily realized. We understand that the 26-year conflict
must have resulted in lingering trauma and suspicions that would not easily
fade away only with the signing of an agreement, especially for those in the
field. But once again, if the two sides have good will in building Aceh, it can
only be achieved when there is peace.”
"A New Phase"
Semarang-based economic-political Suara
Merdeka opined (7/19): "This is
a new phase which could indeed become a crucial and historic moment to end the
30-year bloody conflict in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam [NAD]. The delegates of
Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement [Gerakan Aceh Merdeka--GAM] have finally
signed the final draft of the memorandum of understanding on Aceh peace."
"Extremely Difficult"
Riswandha Imawan wrote in Surabaya-based
independent Jawa Pos (7/19):
"At a glance, it seems to be a win-win solution. But, when it is carefully observed, we find
the agreement [between the Free Aceh Movement and the Indonesian government]
extremely difficult to implement.... The
results of the negotiations in Helsinki have been a complicated victory for the
Indonesian government."
"Still Obstacles"
Small-circulation pro-Golkar party Suara
Karya concluded (7/16): "The
local party issue [the Aceh rebel demand to form an Aceh-based party, which
would require a change in Indonesian law] will remain a serious stumbling-block
to the agreement. If the movement insists on the demand, the negotiations will
certainly end. This means that there will be no more agreement for the sake of
Aceh's future and the attempts to create a peaceful life there will be far from
meeting expectations.... Is there a
hidden agenda of the Aceh separatist movement behind the demand?"
"Disagreeing With GAM"
Surabaya-based independent Jawa Pos
stated (7/16): "How do we respond
to the demand proposed by the Free Aceh Movement [to create a local party in
Aceh]? We disagree with it. Why? Because if we let it happen, then it is very
likely that such a local party will have no platform which is in line with
Indonesian political ideology.... In the
future, this will give a strong basis to the separatist movement to gain
political legitimacy in order to fight for Aceh [through its local party] as a
state which is independent and separated from Indonesia."
"Excessive Localism?"
Leading independent Kompas said (7/16): "The Helsinki meeting has entered the
last round. One stumbling block is the demand to form a local political party
in Aceh.... What is worrying about the
existence of a local party in Aceh is that it will be used to hold a
referendum. When the time comes, the separatist group will certainly not miss
the opportunity to create a government."
"Shifting Demands"
Iwan Gardono Sujatmiko asserted in independent Suara
Pembaruan (7/16): "The conflict
in Aceh has undergone a transformation. The demands of the Free Aceh Movement
[GAM] have shifted from independence to a referendum, then to a
self-government, and now to special autonomy.... Facing this condition, the Indonesian government
and ex-GAM members have been forced to compete and solve the political conflict
to win Acehnese support as the third party."
"Solidarity"
Small-circulation pro-Golkar party Suara
Karya remarked (7/13): "We hope
that solidarity from society outside Aceh, including the international
community, can support the area and people there so that the Acehnese can live
normally as they have longed for. May
the agreement between Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement [GAM - Gerakan Aceh
Merdeka] yield a decision, namely, to end violence in Aceh."
"Determination For Peace"
Yogyakarta-based Islamist Kedaulatan Rakyat
maintained (7/11): "What is certain
is that the government has signalled its determination to make peace [with the
Free Aceh Movement] in Helsinki, and all of this must get support from the
Indonesian National Military Forces and the House of Representatives.... The negotiations in Helsinki must succeed and
create peace before 17 August. That will be the gift from President Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice-President Jusuf Kalla for the 60th anniversary of
Indonesian Independence Day."
CHINA (HONG KONG SAR):
"Aceh Deal May Give Regional Parties A Chance"
A commentary in the leftist, English-language
online Asia Times read (7/19):
"Devastating though it was, the Asian Tsunami brought the
proverbial winds of change to Indonesia by focusing international attention on
the festering conflict in Aceh and creating conditions for a political
settlement.... Many would call the
deal...a 'sell-out' but it is hard not to spot in it a model that could be
replicated as Jakarta moves to deal with other regional movements in this
far-flung archipelago.... There is
the...possibility of removing the paranoia of Javanese political leaders and
intellectuals that Indonesia was about to disintegrate.... The Indonesian government could consider
changing its Java-centric political system to accommodate regionalism as an
option.... The tsunami...gave a chance
for the Achenese cause to become internationalised.... Sunday's Helsinki pact could not have been an
easy bargain for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.... Yudhoyono was reluctant to change the law to
accommodate GAM, fearing similar demands from other ethnic or religious
groups. He offered instead to let GAM
stand under the umbrella of existing political parties but nationalist
legislators objected.... But it is still
a long way from peace as the Helsinki deal is to demand rigorous socialisation
and implementation measures. Will the
Java-based political parties support the deal? Will the Jakarta media put aside
its bias? How will Yudhoyono overcome his stubborn army? Only time can provide
the answers to these questions."
"Guarded Welcome For Aceh Peace Pact"
Febry Orida wrote in the independent English-language Standard
(7/19): "Though memories of failed
accords left some doubting whether the latest initiative would really bring an
end to the deadly conflict...the devastation left by the December 26 tsunami
and the commitment of the new government boosted its chances.... Lasting peace would bolster the massive
international relief effort in Aceh, still recovering from the earthquake and
killer waves.... The peace accord will be
a political boost for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and could provide a
blueprint for resolving another secessionist crisis in Papua, at the other end
of Indonesia's vast archipelago.... The
accord grants rebels some form of political representation in the oil and
gas-rich province in exchange for dropping their independence demand.... It was unclear whether the deal explicitly
allows the rebels to form their own Aceh-based political party, a demand that
could be an obstacle to the signing....
and could meet stiff resistance from nationalist and military factions
in the legislature, which remain deeply suspicious of the separatist
rebels.... Indonesian law states parties
must be headquartered in Jakarta, out of fear regional parties could encourage
separatism in the ethnically and religiously diverse archipelago."
"The People Of Aceh Deserve A Lasting Peace"
The independent South China Morning Post declared
(7/18): "The formula agreed between
Indonesian and separatist rebel negotiators to end nearly 30 years of conflict
in Aceh maintains the momentum for peace that has been building since
December's tsunami devastated the province. It is a fragile agreement that
leaves challenges to be overcome on both sides. Nonetheless, it is a triumph
for common sense and good faith."
JAPAN: "Hope For Peace
In Aceh--A Gift Of The Tsunami?"
Liberal Asahi editorialized (7/20): "Fighting for independence had continued
for nearly 30 years in Aceh Province, in the northern part of the island of
Sumatra, Indonesia. A massive earthquake and the ensuing tsunami last December
claimed the lives of nearly 170,000. Now, rays of hope are coming to the
battered people of Aceh, as the Indonesian government and pro-independence
guerrillas are expected to sign a peace accord in Helsinki next month. If the
Aceh conflict is resolved, the situation in the pirate-infested Malacca Strait
will become more stable. Aceh, which is known as a major rice-growing area,
also has large natural-gas fields. It is now time to bring peace and economic
prosperity back to Aceh."
MALAYSIA: "Between
Style And Substance"
Bunn Nagara wrote in the English-language
Chinese-owned government-influenced Star (7/24): "One week ago Indonesia and Thailand
took very different paths to deal with their own domestic insurgencies. But while
Indonesia embarked on democracy some years after Thailand, it seems to be
faring better at it as well as in counter-insurgency.... Signs of progress seem more evident than any
real achievement.... Some major issues
remain unresolved. One is GAM's demand
of a local political party in Aceh, which current law does not accommodate and
needs a sceptical people's assembly to facilitate. Another is disagreement over
whether GAM's disarmament or Jakarta's troop withdrawal should occur first.... The leaders' attitude looks promising. Both
sides seem to draw strength from the shocking devastation of last December's
tsunami...and are looking for a fresh start....
Doubts persist over encouraging provincial parties because of fears that
it may encourage secessionism. But a special case may now be made for Aceh,
after GAM agreed to abandon its independence call.... Slowly and within limits, the peace process
unfolds as mutual trust evolves....
Allowing for local parties in Aceh would co-opt any residual secessionist
sentiment, dousing its populist fire. Such a move would enable multiple parties
to emerge, providing for local competition to GAM if not also splitting it
through eventual factionalism....
Thailand shares Indonesia's predicament of provincial rebellion feeding
on secessionist sentiment, aggravated by localised callousness, corruption and
abuse of power. The different approach of each government is likely to produce
a very different result. Instead of
building democracy in the provinces, Prime Minister Thaksin chose absolute
powers under a state of emergency....
The casualty rate in Thailand's southern provinces is nowhere yet near
Aceh's.... It seems certain to rise appreciably
before political solutions like Indonesia's are forthcoming. The ironic difference is that while Jakarta's
approach is likely to preserve Indonesia's unitary identity, Bangkok's method
seems destined to hasten the day of southern separation."
"Aceh And Jakarta Need To Maintain Understanding"
Government-influenced Malay-language Utusan Malaysia
editorialized (7/19): "The people
of Aceh have opened a new phase. Their leaders and Jakarta have reached an
agreement in Finland to end the three-decade conflict. Indeed, the tsunami
disaster has yielded 'a meaningful insight' for the two sides that faced
difficulty in having dialogues earlier. Now, they have succeeded in reaching an
agreement to end the unrest."
THAILAND: "Lessons Of
Peace In Indonesia"
The independent English-language Nation held (7/19): "Thailand would do well to learn from
the accord struck between the Susilo government and the Free Aceh
Movement.... Both parties emerged from
the meeting triumphant because both understood the importance of compromise.
Credit must be given to all parties. First of all, it should go to Indonesian
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who changed his position on whether the
Indonesian political system would allow the establishment of a local political
party. By diverting from a long-held position in order to compromise, he was able
to make substantial progress....
Representatives from the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) were confident that
they could do business with the Indonesian government and this confidence was
certainly a major factor in the meeting’s ultimate success. Leaders of GAM also showed that the movement
has grown more pragmatic and resilient....
Indonesia has agreed to allow GAM to set up a political party and take
part in Indonesia’s democratic process. Such a move would provide the rebels
with a certain degree of autonomy and latitude.
If this agreement proves successful upon implementation, it can be used
as a model to serve for other restless outlying regions of Indonesia such as
West Papua.... The tsunami...also served
to weaken GAM.... However, if there is
to be one positive coming out of this catastrophe, it is that it drove GAM and
the government of Indonesia to the table to end a 30-year conflict.... Thailand can learn some valuable lessons from
the experience of our Indonesian neighbours....
As the conflict in the South wears on, the underlying cause behind all
of the violence remains the same--locals there are tired of injustice and their
lack of participation in the political process and in the daily goings on in
the troubled South."
EUROPE
BRITAIN: "A Chance For
Peace--But Some Big Obstacles"
The independent weekly Economist opined (7/20): "Negotiators representing the Indonesian
government and rebels in Aceh have agreed on a formula to end the breakaway
province’s deadly 30-year conflict....
However...there are still some serious obstacles.... A few weeks after the tsunami struck, a new
round of peace talks began, sponsored by Finland. One of the main obstacles to
a settlement was cleared early in the talks, when the rebel Free Aceh Movement
(GAM) dropped its demand for full independence.... There are certainly reasons for pessimism.
Though the Indonesian government has given some ground on the rebels’ demands
for political representation, it appears...that they will not yet be allowed to
form a local political party.... The
continuing unrest in Aceh has provided a handy cover for members of both the
rebel group and some local army units to engage in lucrative smuggling,
drug-running and extortion rackets--which means that some on each side have an
interest in seeing the peace process fail....
The army’s powerful chiefs...are bound to worry that...the country could
fall apart if too many concessions are now made to the separatists in Aceh.... However, there are also some grounds for
optimism...signs that the authorities in the Indonesian capital...are more
committed to a settlement...than before....
A lasting peace deal in Aceh could bring broader benefits to the whole
region. The widespread international
attention paid to Aceh after the tsunami may have helped to persuade the
government, and indeed the rebels, to try a little harder to reach a
deal.... Aceh’s oil and other plentiful
natural resources could be better exploited, bringing prosperity to the region.... Last but not least, ending a long-running
conflict by civilised means, rather than brute force, would set a wonderful
example across the whole of South-East Asia and beyond."
MIDDLE EAST
SAUDI ARABIA: "Aceh
Deal"
The English-language pro-government Arab News held
(7/19): "Like anything newborn,
peace deals start life fragile and vulnerable. However ardently peace may have
been wished for in times of bloodshed and destruction, the moment it arrives it
is greeted with fear and suspicion....
Hopes are the more guarded because a similar deal three years ago fell
apart after five months. This time
however it seems that the outcome may be different.... Governments in Jakarta, aware of the complex
ethnic mix of the whole of their country, preferred to clamp down rather than
negotiate, which they saw as a sign of weakness, likely to encourage rather
than dampen the revolt. Matters have been further complicated by the existence
of onshore natural gas and offshore oil reserves.... Now Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono has put his personal authority behind an agreement designed to find a
peaceful political solution.... There
are still elements in Indonesia’s powerful armed forces that believe the revolt
can still be broken militarily. It is of
course the tragedy of the tsunami that has made this accord possible. The
resolute action of the Jakarta authorities in the wake of December’s
catastrophe caused the people of Aceh to reconsider their relations with them.
By and large the reaction of all Indonesians to the disaster that had befallen
the northern tip of Sumatra was fulsome and generous. An uneasy truce was
agreed between GAM rebels and government troops. At a time of such overwhelming tragedy,
differences however deeply held, were put aside in a decent human
response.... As a result, when Aceh
began the long road to recovery...both sides were prepared to re-explore the
options for peace. The Helsinki peace deal still faces many dangers but the
longer it holds, the greater will be the rebuilding of trust and confidence on
both sides."
QATAR: "Tsunami
Diplomacy Brings Peace To Aceh"
The English-language semi-official Gulf Times declared
(7/18): "The tsunami disaster that
hit South Asia...has had unexpected political consequences in Indonesia, where
it has acted as a catalyst for peace talks about Aceh.... The tragedy prompted the Free Aceh Movement
(GAM) and the Indonesian government to return to peace talks in Helsinki and
last night agreement was finally reached on a formula to end the conflict.... Agreement became possible after GAM dropped
its demand for the energy-rich province to be made an independent
state...something that no Indonesian government was willing to accept. The peace deal, which requires rebel
disarmament, troop withdrawal, truce monitoring and the reintegration of former
rebels into society, will also allow GAM to become a national political party
and, eventually, a local party. This
compromise will allow the people of Aceh to benefit to the maximum from vital
central government services.... The
toughest test of the willingness of the two sides to be fully reconciled will
come at the beginning of the truce, as there is a reservoir of
distrust.... However, the people of Aceh
have more important things than politics to worry about these days so the
spirit of co-operation should be able to flourish. Now that GAM has put aside its separatist
demands...the Indonesian authorities should not fear the formation of a
regional political party, a key element of the peace deal. Many democracies have regionally-based
minority parties which play a positive role in promoting the rights and
interests of their supporters without posing any danger to national unity. We hope that the good news from Helsinki will
help to facilitate the physical rebuilding in Aceh and the building of a sense
of national belonging among its people that will ensure a peaceful and
prosperous future."
SOUTH ASIA
INDIA: "Jakarta To
Firm Up Aceh Deal"
P. S. Suryanarayana noted in the centrist Hindu
(7/19): "Indonesian President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and other political leaders in Jakarta have expressed
resolve to firm up the peace accord with the 'Free Aceh Movement' (GAM).... Yudhoyono is understood to have emphasised
his willingness to guarantee the GAM's political rights on the basis of a firm
undertaking by it to abandon its agenda of independence.... Given that the Indonesian laws provide for
the existence of only provincial-level branches of national political parties,
any special permission for the GAM, which does not command a following outside
Aceh, will require parliamentary approval on the national stage. The GAM is keen on securing a special status
within Aceh.... Another suggestion is
that the GAM candidates could even contest elections as 'independents,' but the
party is eager to assert its distinctiveness.
With the tsunami of December 2004 having altered the political dynamics
in Aceh province, the accord was fashioned as a result of international
facilitation of a peace process."
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