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The EU in the peace process for Aceh

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Abstract

For generations, the majority of Acehnese have suffered cruelties and lived in fear even since the last quarter of the 19th century. Albeit it immediately supported Indonesia’s independence in 1945, the armistice in the special province was short-lived. Even the regime change in Jakarta in 1998 has insignificantly contributed to a betterment. In recent years, international mediations for peace settlement had eventually failed. Like a blessing in disguise, the tsunami that hit the region at the end of 2004 increased the chance for a political solution. Within this atmosphere the EU saw a window of opportunity. Through the latest initiative by the [Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) (2005) Memorandum of understanding between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement], the Union’s decision to facilitate the peace process in Aceh was based on political, economic, geopolitical and strategic interests. This paper investigates the motives behind those aspects. It also suggests that amidst concerns in certain circles in Indonesia on the process, Jakarta has been very positive toward the Union’s involvement. Although there are potential risks for Indonesia; however, it simultaneously creates new opportunities to both sides.

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Notes

  1. ‘Para Mantan Petinggi TNI Sepakat Tolak MoU Helsinki.’ Editor of Eramuslim (2005), at http://www.eramuslim.com/br/ns/59.

  2. See: Gunaryadi’s ‘Peace for Aceh and the Roles of the European Union’ published in the EurAsia Bulletin, Vol. 9, No. 7 & 8, July–August 2005, September 2005, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels.

  3. The AMM was established by EU and ASEAN contributing nations. From the EU policy mechanism it operates within the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). The EU’s Political and Security Committee (PSC) is in charge of its political control and strategic guidance under the responsibility of the Council of the European Union. It is funded by the Union through the CFSP or Common Foreign and Security Policy’s budget line and contributions of participating countries. Technically, the AMM’s Status of Mission Agreement (SoMA) was signed by the Government of Indonesia and the EU to define the status, privileges and immunities of the AMM and its members. Further, see: European Council Secretariat (2005, August). ‘Monitoring Mission in Aceh (Indonesia),’ p. 2; and Articles 5.1–5.3, Chapter 5 of the MoU.

  4. See: European Commission (2002a, 11 December). ‘EU to help finance Aceh peace accord,’ at http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/cpcm/cp/ip02_1861.htm.

  5. See: Central Intelligence Agency (2005, 30 August). ‘Indonesia.’ The world factbook, at http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/id.html.

  6. Ibid.

  7. European Commission (2000, 2 February). ‘Developing closer relations between Indonesia and the EU’, COM [2000] 50 final—Communication from the Commission.

  8. For further reading on the ‘interdependence liberalism’ see: Jackson and Sørensen (2003). Introduction to international relations: theories and approaches. (2nd Ed.). Oxford University Press, p. 112.

  9. European Commission (1992) Regulation (EEC) N° 443/92 of 25 February 1992 on financial and technical assistance to, and economic cooperation with, the developing countries in Asia and Latin America.

  10. European Commission (2005a, June). ‘The EU’s relations with Indonesia,’ at http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/indonesia/intro/index.htm.

  11. Further, see: European Commission (2002b, June). ‘EU & Indonesia—Country Strategy Paper 2002–2006,’ at http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/indonesia/csp/02_06_en.pdf.

  12. van Reisen, M. (1999). EU ‘global player’: the North–South policy of the European Union. Brussels: International Books, p. 2.

  13. See: J. Peterson (1998). ‘The European Union as a global actor,’ in: Peterson, J. and H. Sjursen (1998). A common foreign policy for Europe? Competing visions of the CFSP. London: Routledge, p. 3.

  14. Further, see: Allen and Smith (1991). ‘Western Europe’s presence in the contemporary international arena’, in: Holland, M. (Eds.). The future of European political cooperation: essays on theories and practice. London: Macmillan, pp. 95–120.

  15. See: C. Hill (1994). ‘The capability-expectations gap, or conceptualising Europe’s international role,’ in: Bulmer, S. and A. Scott (Eds.). Economic and political integration in Europe: internal dynamics and global context. Oxford: Blackwell, pp. 103–126.

  16. Further, see: C. Hill (1998). ‘Closing the capabilities gap?’ in: Peterson, J. and Sjursen, H., (Eds.). A common foreign policy for Europe? Competing visions of the CFSP. London: Routledge, p. 24.

  17. See: R. Kagan (2002, June). ‘Power and weakness.’ Policy Review Online, at http://www.policyreview.org/JUN02/kagan_print.html.

  18. Further, see: Keohane and Nye (1977). Power and interdependence: world politics in transition. Boston: Little, Brown.

  19. The amount was converted from U.S.D. ($) to Euro (€) according to the rate on 16 September 2005, using the XE.com Universal Currency Converter, at http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi.

  20. See: The UNDP Tsunami Recovery, at http://www.undp.org/tsunami/indonesia.htm.

  21. From the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI), 9 January2005 and the latest update.

  22. Ibid.

  23. Coordinating Ministry of Citizens’ Welfare (April 2005 and latest update). ‘Pendaftaran LSM/Swasta.’

  24. See: French Embassy (2005) ‘List of French Reconstruction Projects in Indonesia Tsunami Zone,’ from the French Embassy Press Conference (21 June 2005), Jakarta.

  25. See: Tsunami Relief News (2005, 28 June). ‘Netherlands Commits 8 Million Euros to Rebuild Mahayati Port,’ at: http://www.indonesia-relief.org.

  26. European Commission (1998). Press release on the adoption of the Communication on ‘Developing Closer Relations with Indonesia,’ IP/00/98.

  27. European Commission (2005b, 4 March). ‘Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner visits Indonesia 9–12 March.’ IP/05/257, Brussels.

  28. The accounts made by U.S. Ambassador H.P. Jones (1958–1965). Further, see: Jones, H.P. (1971). The possible dream. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., pp. 124–125.

  29. Foreign countries begged on Thailand to accept their aids, while Indonesia pleaded to the international community for help. Further, see: ‘Thailand accepteert nu pas tsunamihulp.’ Editor of Sp!ts (2005), 13 September, p. 9.

  30. Statement by the EU High Representative for the CFSP, Solana, 2005 on 15 August in Brussels, further, browse: http://www.ue.eu.int/solana.

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  1. Indonesian Centre for Actual Information and Studies on Europe (Indocase), Trekweg 405, 2516 SV, ‘s-Gravenhage, The Netherlands

    Gunaryadi

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Gunaryadi The EU in the peace process for Aceh. AEJ 4, 87–100 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308-006-0042-x

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