Congratulations pour in for govt, GAM<\/p>\n
Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Messages of congratulations have poured in from around the world
\nfor the Indonesian government and the leaders of the Free Aceh
\nMovement (GAM) after the two parties signed an historic agreement
\non Monday to end nearly three decades of bloody fighting in Aceh.<\/p>\n
All the messages conveyed a similar sentiment; that the
\ngovernment and the rebels should work to honor the peace deal.<\/p>\n
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan welcomed the
\nsigning of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Helsinki on
\nMonday.<\/p>\n
\"The people in Aceh deserve a peaceful future, Annan said in a
\npress release sent to The Jakarta Post through United Nations
\nInformation Center in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Annan hoped the MOU would be implemented in full, so that a
\nlasting peace could prevail.<\/p>\n
The Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported on Tuesday from
\nWashington that the United States on Monday embraced the signing
\nof a peace pact between Indonesia and the rebels.<\/p>\n
\"We commend both parties for their vision and courage to seek
\nlasting peace for the people of Aceh,\" State Department spokesman
\nSean McCormack said in a statement issued after the signing of
\nthe agreement.<\/p>\n
\"Successful implementation of the agreement will require
\nsteadfast commitment to peace by all parties.\"<\/p>\n
The U.S. would support the monitoring of the MOU, which
\ninvolves the European Union and five Southeast Asian nations, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's neighbor, Australia also called on both parties to
\nfully implement the pact.<\/p>\n
\"I warmly welcome the signing on Aug. 15 in Helsinki of the
\nhistoric agreement between the Indonesian Government and the Free
\nAceh Movement (GAM) to end hostilities in the province of Aceh.
\nThe agreement offers real opportunity for lasting peace for the
\npeople of Aceh, still rebuilding their lives after the
\ndevastating Indian Ocean tsunami,\" Australian Foreign Minister
\nAlexander Downer said in a press release sent to the Post on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
\"We encourage all concerned to work toward the full and
\neffective implementation of the agreement to bring peace to Aceh
\nand the people of Indonesia,\" Downer said.<\/p>\n
The Netherlands, the former colonial master of Indonesia
\ncongratulated both parties for signing the agreement.<\/p>\n
\"On behalf of the Dutch government, I would like to
\ncongratulate both parties on the results achieved and hope that
\nthis will mean lasting peace for the people of Aceh,\" Dutch
\nForeign Minister Bernard Bot said on Tuesday during a reception
\nto celebrate the 60 years of Indonesia's independence and the
\n60th anniversary of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.<\/p>\n
Bot arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday to participate in
\nIndonesia's Independence Day celebrations.<\/p>\n
The Netherlands is a key player in the European Union (EU) and
\nthe ASEAN peace monitoring mission in Aceh.<\/p>\n
\"The role of the EU and ASEAN in monitoring the peace
\nagreement is an important new step in the growing relationship
\nbetween the EU and ASEAN,\" Bot said.<\/p>\n
A Dutch diplomat, Pieter Feith, is leading the 250-member
\ninternational monitoring force in Aceh.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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