USAID Mission Director Meets GAM Leader 5/23

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 JAKARTA 007207

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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


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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
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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.


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AMM Should Stay After Elections
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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
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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
--------------


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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