The Indonesian government declared martial law o­n the province of Aceh yesterday, ordering its troops to crush those involved in an armed separatist movement.

Arriving at a negotiated political settlement in Aceh would not be very difficult if parties to the conflict adopt a functional perspective of not over-emphasising their political or ideological differences.

Instead, both parties - with the help of a mediating agency - should focus o­n ending violence in order to establish a situation of normalcy.