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Kopassus wins praise from former foes
One time enemies: Armyâs Special Forces (Kopassus) chief Maj
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span class="inline inline-center">One time enemies: Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) chief Maj. Gen. Doni Monardo (right) jokes with Muzakir Manaf, Aceh deputy governor and a former Free Aceh Movement military commander, as they attend the 63rd Kopassus anniversary celebration in Cijantung, East Jakarta, on Wednesday. Breaking with tradition, Kopassus invited leaders of its former adversary groups to the event. JP/P.J. Leo
Former rebels and their family members have applauded the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) for inviting them to join celebrations of the unit's 63rd anniversary at its headquarters in Cijantung, East Jakarta, on Wednesday.
More than 300 former fighters with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and Free Papua Movement (OPM), who once waged fierce battles against the Indonesian Military (TNI), attended the event.
The ceremony also saw the presence of former high-ranking military leaders of East Timor, now Timor Leste, which gained independence from Indonesia in 1999.
Among the prominent guests were Boy Eluay, the eldest son of Theys Hiyo Eluay, one of Papua's best-known separatist leaders who was allegedly murdered by Kopassus officers in 2001, and Deputy Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf, a former GAM commander and current chairman of the Aceh Party.
'Thank you, Kopassus. We deeply appreciate this,' Boy said on the sidelines of the ceremony. 'There has been no event like this before.'
Boy, whose father was found dead after having allegedly been abducted by Kopassus members in Jayapura, said that he had previously rejected similar invitations.
'I was underground for a long time but I decided to show up today,' he said. 'It was traumatic to hear the word Cijantung again after such a long time,' he said, referring to the area where Kopassus headquarters are located.
Boy argued, however, that as citizens, the people of Papuan should not harbor feelings of revenge against the TNI.
'We come from Papua with love. We are full of affection and forgiveness. This has been taught by our ancestors through local customs and religion,' he said. 'We want to go to heaven. So we are not vengeful.'
The OPM began an armed insurrection for independence after Papua was recognized as part of Indonesia in 1969, with their grievances including the unfair distribution of wealth.
Following domestic and international outcry over alleged human rights abuses committed by the TNI, the central government in 2001 granted the province a special autonomous status and greater share of proceeds from its natural resources.
Muzakir, who once fought in the frontline against Kopassus, meanwhile, said he was pleased to have received the invitation.
'I appreciate Kopassus for inviting us. This can provide the impetus to build mutual trust. As you can see, Aceh today is very peaceful and the people of Aceh support Indonesia,' he said.
Muzakir also praised Kopassus, calling it a 'far more professional and transparent force'.
'Kopassus is now a modern unit that keeps on innovating. Kopassus today is a force that can win support from the people,' Muzakir said.
Kopassus commander Maj. Gen. Doni Monardo said that the invitation was mainly aimed at forging reconciliation, as well as helping Kopassus to become a force that respected human rights.
Human rights activists responded positively to Kopassus' overture, but urged the force to implement concrete actions, as well as conducting ceremonial events.
London-based human rights group Amnesty International (AI), however, said that accountability in solving past rights abuses remained the key for Kopassus to win back public trust.
'There has been a shocking track record of impunity for past crimes by Kopassus and other military personnel,' Josef Roy Benedict, AI's Indonesia campaigner, told The Jakarta Post.
He also criticized the fact that most of the crimes allegedly committed by Kopassus members had never been tried in independent and accountable judicial processes.
'As long as there is a lack of accountability for these and other crimes allegedly committed by Kopassus, it will be extremely difficult for the unit to build trust with the public, in particular with victims of human rights violations,' Josef said. (alm)
