USAID Mission Director Meets GAM Leader 5/23

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 JAKARTA 007207 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS AIDAC DEPARTMENT PASS USTR KATZ DEPARTMENT FOR R, EAP/MTS, EB/IFD/ODF, DS/IP/EAP, DS/DSS, DSERCC, INR/EAP and INL DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS AID Treasury for IA -- Anna Jewell USDA FOR FAS/EC/MCHAMBLISS Singapore for DEA NSC for Holly Morrow and Jed Meline USAID FOR ANE/EAA From American Consulate Medan # 24, 2006 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR PREL ASEC SNAR SOCI ID SUBJECT: USAID Mission Director Meets GAM Leader 5/23 JAKARTA 00007207 001.2 OF 003 Reftels: (A) 06 Jakarta 006497 (B) 06 Jakarta 005858 (C) 05 Jakarta 016687 (D) 05 Jakarta 010056 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Embassy USAID Mission Director William Frej met Free Aceh Movement (GAM) "Prime Minister" Malik Mahmoud May 23 in Banda Aceh. Mahmoud expressed optimism about the possibility of long lasting peace in Aceh, but noted a recent rise in crime as well as rumors of unauthorized increases in the levels of TNI and police. He said the continued existence of anti-separatist groups threatens peace prospects, and that GAM will not participate on the Aceh Reintegration Agency's (BRA) board with representatives of these groups. He said BRA's funding process is unclear to many ex-combatants. He called on the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) to stay in Aceh after gubernatorial elections. He said the Indonesian Parliament's (DPR) passage of the Law on Governing Aceh (LoGA) would constitute a new foundation for governance, but expressed concern over lack of transparency in deliberations. He criticized hard line implementation of syariah. He said the USG should press Jakarta for proper implementation of the peace MOU and provide housing or jobs for ex-combatants. End summary. Acehnese Optimistic About Peace Prospects -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Mahmoud told Frej that the December 26 2004 tsunami was "a blessing in disguise" which increased the willingness of GOI and GAM to begin discussions on peace which led to signing of the MOU August 15 in Helsinki. He said the Acehnese people are optimistic that MOU implementation will bring about lasting peace. ¶3. (SBU) Mahmoud said the arms surrender by GAM ex- combatants and withdrawal of non-organic police and TNI had gone smoothly. Nevertheless, he noted recurrent rumors GOI has sent in additional police and TNI on an unofficial basis. GAM believes the total number of TNI in Aceh may already exceed MOU limits. Mahmoud said rising crime and violence pose the perfect pretext for GOI to send in more military and police. ¶4. (SBU) Mahmoud said continued existence of anti-separatist groups could threaten MOU implementation. He said AMM has little authority to deal with them. Authority rests with the GOI, he said, especially the police and TNI. JAKARTA 00007207 002.2 OF 003 AMM Should Stay After Elections -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Mahmoud believes AMM needs to remain in place after enactment of LoGA and gubernatorial elections. It should stay on to monitor implementation of the MOU as well as establishment of a human rights court and a truth and reconciliation commission. The LoGA represents the foundation for Acehnese self government. It is so essential that GAM is willing to sacrifice 30 years of fighting to ensure GOI passes it into law, he said. Nevertheless, GAM is concerned DPR LoGA deliberations are not taking place in a transparent fashion. ¶6. (SBU) Mahmoud has noticed increased activity by Islamic hardliners in several areas of Aceh. GAM, he said, has expressed its opposition to such movements. They espouse an ideology different from GAM's and offer Aceh no political benefits, he said. Current implementation of syariah is both funny and embarrassing, he said. Once LoGA is passed, Acehnese leaders will determine how to implement Islamic law in a way consistent with Acehnese culture and ideology, he said. Concerns Over The Reintegration Process -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The reintegration program under BRA leadership has had little impact, he said. GAM ex-combatants return home to face harsh economic realities with little income. High unemployment rates could threaten peace. ¶8. (SBU) BRA had announced that ex-combatants would receive a payment of Rp. 25 million (about USD 2,300),he pointed out. Since BRA leaders have not clearly explained the process of applying for and receiving this payment, some ex- combatants believe GAM leadership has gotten hold of the money and is using it for its own purposes, Mahmoud said. GAM members believe these rumors stem from an external effort to divide GAM hierarchy and structure. ¶9. (SBU) GAM representatives have said they would not participate in BRA if anti-separatist group representatives remain on the board, he said. GAM will continue to rely on the USAID-initiated multi-stakeholder Aceh Joint Forum To Support Peace. BRR Is Moving Slowly -------------- JAKARTA 00007207 003.2 OF 003 ¶10. (SBU) Mahmoud said the GOI Aceh-Nias Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency (BRR) has moved slowly in responding to post-tsunami needs. People still live in barracks and in improperly-built houses while BRR officials are, in Mahmoud's view, highly paid. He said BRR has done little to stop the exploitation of natural resources, including illegal logging. Mahmoud Urges USG To Pressure Jakarta -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Mahmoud called on the USG to pressure Jakarta as part of an international effort to ensure proper implementation of the MOU. He said the USG should help minimize potential threats to peace by providing homes or jobs. GAM is willing to cooperate with the USG in these areas by, for example, offering land for housing. Pascoe