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DATE=5/5/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDONESIA / ACEH (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262022
BYLINE=BRONWYN CURRAN
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  One day after the announcement of a 
breakthrough peace deal between the Indonesian 
government and separatist rebels in the northern 
Indonesia province of Aceh, differences in 
interpretation of the agreement are emerging. 
Bronwyn Curran reports from Jakarta. 
TEXT:  Indonesian leaders and officials from 
Aceh's separatist organization, the Free Aceh 
Movement, say they will sign a memorandum of 
understanding in Geneva late next week.  But 
already there is a dispute about the contents of 
the document.  
Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab says the agreement 
does not include a ceasefire, only a commitment 
to reduction in violence.  But a spokesman for 
the Free Aceh Movement, Ishmael Sahputra, insists 
a ceasefire has been included in the documents to 
be signed next week. 
Mr. Sahputra also says the agreement includes the 
withdrawal of more than 20-thousand Indonesian 
soldiers and police from Aceh, but that some 12-
thousand soldiers and police who are native to 
Aceh will be allowed to remain.  He adds the pact 
also includes a government commitment to end 
violations of human rights.
The government says only that the agreement will 
include a reduction in violence and the 
establishment of a human rights tribunal.
The Indonesian military has been fighting a 
separatist insurgency movement in Aceh since the 
1970's.  It has been accused of gross violations 
of human rights during its operations there, 
including the rape, torture and killings of 
civilians.  Violence in the province between 
armed rebels and security forces has 
escalated in recent months.
The agreement to be signed next week is intended 
to pave the way for first-ever talks between the 
government and the rebels on Aceh's political 
future. President Abdurrahman Wahid has made a 
peaceful settlement in Aceh a priority of his 
young government.
The separatists say they will put forward their 
desire for independence during the upcoming 
negotiations, although President Wahid has 
repeatedly declared that independence is not an 
option for Aceh.
The Geneva talks will involve the Free Aceh 
Movement's leader, Hasan Tiro.  Until now Mr 
Tiro, who lives in self-imposed exile in Sweden, 
has refused to negotiate with the Indonesian 
government.(SIGNED) 
NEB/BC/FC/KL 
05-May-2000 07:57 AM EDT (05-May-2000 1157 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.