GAM Disbanded After All Points of Memorandum Fully Agreed
Friday, 15 December, 2006 | 15:02 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated that the Acehnese Freedom Movement (GAM) does not exist if all points of the agreement in the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding on Aceh Peace are complied with. “Logic has it that as soon as the points of agreement are enforced, we do not need GAM anymore,” said Kalla in a press conference at Vice Presidential office Friday (12/15).

Kalla said that the Aceh Monitoring Mission has also looked at that the dismissal of GAM must also be considered after the regional leaders' election at Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam is over. “I think that our friends in GAM will certainly comprehend it,” he said.

Kalla said that the GAM dismissal will also help in giving a sense of security and confidence internationally. In addition, he said, the regional leaders' election as part of the MoU has been carried out democratically.

Although in the future the new governor comes from GAM, he will still be the regional leader as well as a representative of the central government. The House of Representatives (DPR) and political parties will also cooperate with the governor in preparing the regulations and budget as well as watching and criticizing the governor if he violates the rules.

Oktamandjaya