National

GAM Still Demands Establishment of Local Parties
Thursday, 14 July, 2005 | 21:15 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Free Aceh Movement (GAM) continues to demand the establishment of local parties in the province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) as a concession in settling the conflict in Aceh peacefully.

GAM considers that the Indonesian government’s rejection of the establishing of local parties would violate the principles of democracy.

“There must be no restriction in establishing political parties. This could disturb the continuation of the peace talks,” said GAM political advisor Damien, as quoted by the AFP on Wednesday (13/07).

GAM spokesman Bakhtiar Abdullah has requested Indonesia compromise more regarding this matter.

“We have already made many compromises to Indonesia, especially as regards our willingness for Aceh to still be part of the Indonesian Republic Unitary State,” said Abdullah.

“We have done everything that we can. Now, it all depends on the Indonesian government and whether or not it is willing to compromise on its stance.”

The first day of talks in Helsinki, Finland, on Tuesday (12/07) went positively with both parties discussing all points in the draft agreement.

“On Wednesday (13/07), we will discuss changes to several points in the draft,” said Bakhtiar.

The Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), which is facilitating the talks, said through its spokesperson Maria-Elena Cowell, that several points must be re-formulated but she refused to provide details.

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry has already delivered its letters to five foreign ministers of ASEAN and European Union (EU) countries in preparing the establishment of the Aceh Monitoring Mission.
“If the Helsinki meeting results are final, we will soon establish this Monitoring Mission,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirajuda in a meeting with President Yudhoyono at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (13/07).

According to Wirajuda, the Monitoring Mission is required for the peace process in the field.

Representatives from Indonesia, as well as European Union and ASEAN countries shall sit down together to design the tasks, mandate and work methods of the Monitoring Mission. (SITA PLANASARI | AGUS SUPRIYANTO | DIMAS ADITYO-Tempo News Room)