WP/AP: Indonesian Government, Aceh Rebels Sign Peace Pact

[DeepModem Mom]

Indonesian Government, Aceh Rebels Sign Peace Pact
Agreement Ends 30 Years of Fighting

By Matti Huutanen
The Associated Press
Monday, August 15, 2005; 8:21 AM


HELSINKI, Finland -- Indonesia and Aceh rebels on Monday signed a peace treaty to end nearly 30 years of fighting that killed 15,000 people, but rebel leaders voiced concern about government troops remaining in the region.

The signing ceremony in Helsinki followed seven months of talks mediated by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, who spurred the two sides to agreement to help international aid reach Aceh province, which was devastated by last year's tsunami.


The pact gives amnesty to members of the Free Aceh Movement, or GAM, and allows the region limited self-government. It was signed by Indonesian Justice and Human Rights Minister Hamid Awaluddin and Malik Mahmud, an exiled rebel leader who was briefly jailed in Sweden last year after Indonesia accused him of terrorism.

Both sides also agreed to end hostilities immediately after the signing....

***

The accord became possible after GAM agreed to renounce a demand for full independence and disarm, and the Indonesian government said it will cut troops in the region, from 35,000 to 14,700, and police from 15,000 to 9,100....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/15/AR2005081500260.html

[bemildred]

1. I wish I was more optimistic about this. nt

[On the Road]

2. Hope This Holds

Haven't heard too much in the news about Aceh, but for the last few years it's in danger of becoming another East Timor after that country's bloody independence.

[Igel]

3. I wish I was at all optimistic about this.

'"There has been no peace in Aceh because there has been no justice in Aceh," Mahmud said. "The only way to ensure peace in Aceh is through the implementation of a genuine democracy."'

More freedom fighters, largely of the same ilk as we're used to from some other countries. They know what genuine democracy and justice is, and it's got little to do with much of what we'd recognize--any alteration in the distribution of income from exploitation of natural resources notwithstanding.