DATE=3/24/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDONESIA - ACEH (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260549
BYLINE=BRONWYN CURRAN
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Legislators in Indonesia are proposing the
province of Aceh - where indpendence sentiment is
strong -- be given a new name, and far-reaching
autonomy. Bronwyn Curran reports from Jakarta, a
draft law presented to the country's parliament is now
the basis for negotiations between Jakarta and
Acehnese leaders.
TEXT: Acehnese-born Human Rights Minister Hasballah
Saad, one of the authors of the proposal, says it is a
blueprint for wide federalist-style autonomy.
//HASBALLAH ACT///
Yes, more or less, like a state in a federal system.
They want their own identity, their own custom, their
own thought, but of course (they will still be) part
Of Indonesia.
///END ACT///
The measure was drafted by Acehnese members of
Indonesia's central government, in consultation with
Acehnese community groups. If it is accepted by both
Jakarta and Aceh, the province would be renamed the
Special Territory of Aceh Darrusalam.
The draft proposes that all revenue from the
province's rich oil and gas reserves go directly to
the Aceh government, with a deal to share between 10
and 30 per cent with Jakarta.
Currently, Aceh barely sees 10 per cent of the revenue
-- a major cause of Acehnese resentment of Jakarta.
The draft falls short of adhering to a key demand of
Aceh's separatist guerillas, the Free Aceh Movement,
who insist on the withdrawal of all
Indonesian security forces from the province.
The proposed bill does outline a new security
arrangement though, handing control of internal
security to Acehnese-born Indonesian police and
confining the Indonesian military to barracks. The
army's only role would be to protect external borders.
Aceh's government would also be given a say in the
future location of Indonesian military bases.
Aceh would have full authority over education, health
and trade, with the main air and sea ports made
international. The province would also be left to
draw up its own law, with the Islamic
Shariat law the most likely form.
Jakarta late last year passed a law allowing the
adoption of Shariat law, in one of its attempts to
appease the strife-torn province.
Human Rights Minister Hasballah says the response of
Acehnese familiar with provisions of the draft bill
has been positive.
/// HASBALLAH ACT///
Very positive. If they got the substance of this draft
law they will happy. But from the Free Aceh Movement
side, they want just one word -- independence.
/// END ACT///
Objections from the separatist guerillas will not be
the only challenge facing the draft
bill. Many members of Indonesia's parliament are wary
of federalism. They prefer to preserve the unity of
the archipelago nation, which is in danger of
fracturing.
But when Aceh's governor Syamsuddin Mahmud presented
the draft to a parliamentary commission this week, he
warned that failure to accept it
would mean Aceh would "continue to seethe." (SIGNED)
NEB/BC/FC/PLM
24-Mar-2000 06:22 AM EDT (24-Mar-2000 1122 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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