Crucial Aceh talks resume

Indonesian military operations led to increased bloodshed

By Richard Galpin in Jakarta

The Indonesian Government has resumed peace talks with separatist rebels from the northern province of Aceh on Monday.

This latest round of negotiations in an undisclosed location in Switzerland is being described as make or break.

If the two sides fail to make any progress on finding ways to reduce the cycle of violence in Aceh, then the government may decide not to extend the ceasefire, which has been in force since last June and expires in a week.

Some hard-line ministers and army commanders have already hinted at the need for a fullscale military crackdown on the rebel movement.

Dilemma

The ceasefire has certainly failed to quell the conflict between the security forces and the Free Aceh Movement.

It is estimated more than 500 people have been killed since June last year. The vast majority of the victims have been civilians and separatist guerrillas.

Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid will try to avoid giving the green light to the armed forces.

Previous military operations in Aceh in the 1990s only led to increased bloodshed and widespread human rights abuses.

But the dilemma for the government is how to stop the independence movement in Aceh growing ever stronger and hence threatening the unity of the country.

Offers of widespread autonomy so far seem to have failed to win over the population of this rebellious province.