Australian troops to leave Aceh<\/p>\n
JAKARTA: Australian troops on a humanitarian mission in tsunami-
\ndevastated Aceh will leave the province on Friday, the Indonesian
\nMilitary (TNI) said in a press release on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The statement was issued following a meeting between TNI
\nCommander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and Brig. Gen. David H.
\nChalmers, the commander of the Australian force in Aceh.<\/p>\n
The Australian troops were among the first foreign troops to
\narrive in Aceh and were instrumental in the delivery of food and
\nmedical supplies to remote areas, and the collection of dead
\nbodies, among other things.<\/p>\n
The government had previously set March 26 as the deadline for
\nforeign troops to leave Aceh, although it later said that the
\ntroops could stay in the province as long as their visas were
\nvalid.<\/p>\n
Australia, the world's largest tsunami aid donor, has pledged
\na total of A$1 billion (US$764 million) in grants and interest-
\nfree loans over five years for Indonesia. Australia also deployed
\nsix C-130 transportation planes and the HMAS Kanimbla to Aceh.<\/p>\n
Australia's quick response to the catastrophe has improved
\nrelations between the two countries. -- JP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/australian-troops-to-leave-aceh-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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