The Helsinki Agreement: A More Promising Basis for Peace in Aceh?
The Helsinki Agreement: A More Promising Basis for Peace in Aceh?
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赫尔辛基协议:亚齐和平更有希望的基础?
DOI:
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发表时间:
2005
期刊:
影响因子:
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通讯作者:
E. Aspinall
中科院分区:
文献类型:
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作者:
E. Aspinall
List of AcronymsAMM Aceh Monitoring MissionASEAN Association of Southeast Asian NationsCMI Crisis Management InitiativeCOHA Cessation of Hostilities AgreementDPR Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat [People's Representative Council; Indonesia's national parliament]GAM Gerakan Aceh Merdeka [Free Aceh Movement]GoI Government of IndonesiaHDC Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue [previously, the Henry Dunant Centre]MoU Memorandum of UnderstandingMP-GAM Majelis Pemerintahan-GAM [GAM Governing Council]PDI-P Partai Demokrasi Indonesia-Perjuangan [Indonesian Democracy Party-Struggle]SIRA Sentral Informasi Referendum Aceh [Aceh Referendum Information Center]TNI Tentara Nasional Indonesia [Indonesian National Military]UN United NationsWhen it was announced in January 2005 that representatives of the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) were resuming peace talks, most commentators were pessimistic. The announcement came after a period of intensified conflict in the territory that had begun with the breakdown of an earlier peace accord and the government's declaration of a "military emergency" in May 2003. It also followed the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 26, 2004, which caused massive destruction and loss of life in Aceh. To many outside observers, the tsunami was an external shock that pushed the two sides back to the negotiating table, but it did not appear to alter the fundamental dynamics of the conflict or the deep enmity between the belligerents. The somber predictions seemed close to coming true during the five rounds of tough bargaining between January and July. On several occasions the process seemed close to collapsing.1Nevertheless, the talks succeeded. Indeed, this monograph argues that the MoU represents the best chance for a negotiated peace since the insurgency began almost three decades ago. In part, this is because of the comprehensive nature of the agreement. The MoU sets down the outline of a permanent settlement and includes provisions on the government of Aceh, human rights protection, security matters, imaginative methods for reintegrating former GAM combatants into society, and a robust third-party mechanism for monitoring implementation. Especially important: by agreeing to the accord, GAM accepts that Aceh will remain part of Indonesia.The analysis presented in the following pages explains this positive outcome not primarily by reference to the impact of the Indian Ocean tsunami but by pointing to deeper dynamics affecting the outlook and composition of the chief parties. The key factors were mounting battle fatigue on the part of GAM, which made the movement's leaders more willing to contemplate solutions falling short of independence, and a change of government on the Indonesian side that strengthened the position of those committed to a peaceful solution. The first steps toward reopening talks were in fact taken before the tsunami, which is best viewed as providing a convenient pretext the parties used to return to talks and abandon long-held positions.The study is divided into several sections. The first discusses factors that caused the failure of previous peace efforts in Aceh. The aim is to allow for an evaluation of whether the Helsinki MoU successfully resolves problems that in the past have led to a return to violence. The next two sections ("Toward a Hurting Stalemate?" and "First Steps toward Reopening Negotiations") describe the background to the resumption of talks. They identify the key factors that prompted the two parties to return to negotiations so soon after the previous failure and enabled them to make bigger concessions. Four sections in the middle of the study ("Opening of Negotiations," "GAM's Breakthrough Offer," "Disunity on the Indonesian Side," and "Toward Deadlock") survey the course of the talks between January and July. These sections mix a chronological account of the negotiations with a more analytical discussion of the negotiating positions, tactics, and internal dynamics of the parties, their supporters and allies, and the mediator. …