RI officials, GAM rebels agree to continue dialog for peace<\/p>\n
GENEVA (Agencies): Indonesian government officials and
\nseparatist rebels wrapped up two days of talks Sunday promising
\nto continue working toward peace in the troubled province of
\nAceh.<\/p>\n
In a joint statement they said the talks, held at a secret
\nlocation in Switzerland, had confirmed their "commitment to
\ndialog."<\/p>\n
"Both parties identified challenges and opportunities of the
\ndialog process toward the solution of the situation in Aceh on
\npolitical and security aspects. In this respect, both parties
\nagree to continue the dialog process," the statement said.<\/p>\n
The government delegation and representatives from the Free
\nAceh Movement (GAM) did not announce any new developments in the
\ntalks, but said they would meet again in September.<\/p>\n
Both parties also agreed to follow up on an earlier agreement
\nto hold a widespread dialog "involving broad elements of the
\nAcehnese society, including the Free Aceh Movement." They said it
\nwould take place in Aceh as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
The talks came the day after separatist violence in Aceh left
\nat least three people dead.<\/p>\n
The government has been in talks with separatist rebels in a
\nbid to calm violence in the province which has claimed thousands
\nof lives.<\/p>\n
The two sides entered into a truce last year. However, it
\ncollapsed in February amid escalating violence.<\/p>\n
The Swiss meetings, which allow negotiators to meet on neutral
\nterritory, are organized by the Henry Dunant Center for
\nHumanitarian Dialogue.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, the human rights group Amnesty
\nInternational claimed that the talks were not giving a high
\nenough priority to protecting civilians.<\/p>\n
"Despite a succession of previous agreements, violence has
\nescalated over the past year and civilians continue to suffer
\ngrave human rights abuses at the hands of both the Indonesian
\nsecurity forces and the Free Aceh Movement," the organization
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
"All efforts to resolve the situation in Aceh through dialog
\nrather than force are welcome, however too often human rights are
\nsacrificed in the search for peace and security."<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-officials-gam-rebels-agree-to-continue-dialog-for-peace-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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