DATE=5/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ACEH (L-O)
NUMBER=2-262283
BYLINE=BRONWYN CURRAN
DATELINE=BANDA, ACEH
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Indonesia has signed its first ever peace
accord with separatist rebels from its northernmost
province of Aceh. The agreement was brokered in
Switzerland during four months of negotiations. As
Bronwyn Curran reports from the provincial capital of
Aceh, a three month truce is due to begin on June the
second, after a quarter of a century of bitter
violence.
TEXT: It's called a `humanitarian pause' -- an
agreement between the Indonesian government and the
separatist Free Aceh Movement to curb their violence.
It is also a first step in improving the delivery of
humanitarian aid, and the opening of a path to
political dialogue.
The two sides met in Geneva Switzerland to formalize
the agreement. Signing for Indonesia was its
permanent representative to the United Nations, Hassan
Wirayuda, and from the rebel movement, senior official
Zaini Abdullah.
The Indonesian government has stopped short of calling
it a ceasefire, emphasizing the humanitarian aspects
instead.
Two joint committees will be formed to implement the
accord, one of which is charged with coordinating the
delivery of relief assistance.
The second committee will oversee security, and is
charged with ensuring the reduction of tension and the
cessation of violence.
Announcing details of the agreement in Jakarta,
Indonesia's Acehnese-born Human Rights Minister
Hasballah Saad said the security committee would
guarantee the absence of offensive military actions,
while ensuring the continuation of
normal police functions and the restoration of general
order.
Both committees will be overseen by a 5-member
monitoring team, who will in turn return report to a
Joint Forum based in Switzerland.
Minister Hasballah said with the support of the
community, the agreement had the potential to reduce
violence and suffering in Aceh.
Thousands of people have died in the conflict since
the 1970's, including more than 300 people this year
alone, from both the rebels and security forces.
The military has been accused of gross human rights
abuses during its efforts to stamp out the separatist
rebels.
The current trial of 24 soldiers charged with
murdering a Muslim cleric and his students last July
is a key part of the government's efforts to be seen
to be bringing justice to Aceh.
Both sides are hoping Friday's agreement will bring
them closer to negotiations on Aceh's political
future.
The rebels however say they won't give up on their
demand for independence.
Student activists in Aceh's capital also took an
uncompromising stance Friday. Aliman Silian of the
student group SIRA says the student network embraced
the agreement...as a first step towards a referendum
on independence for Aceh.
/// LANGUAGE ACT SILIMAN(IN BAHASA INDONESIA) Fades
under ///
There are still concrete steps the government has to
take, Mr. Silian says. We demand that a referendum be
held. And Mr. Silian says the students hope a
referendum will be included in the agenda for any
further negotiations.
The head of the Association of Ulemas, senior Muslim
clerics, in Aceh, Teungku Samyura Risyhad, is also
adamant that the Acehnese people be given a vote on
independence.
President Abdurrahman Wahid has begun steps to give
Aceh wide autonomy, but he has repeatedly ruled out
independence as an option, and on Friday he reiterated
his refusal to let Aceh split from Indonesia. (Signed)
NEB/BC/KBK
12-May-2000 12:11 PM EDT (12-May-2000 1611 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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