Western leaders hail Aceh truce, promise aid<\/p>\n
Agencies, Washington\/Ottawa\/Canberra<\/p>\n
U.S. President George W. Bush on Monday welcomed as \"courageous\"
\na truce between Indonesia's government and separatist rebels in
\nAceh and pledged work with other key nations to help the province
\nrebuild.<\/p>\n
\"The United States strongly supports this courageous effort to
\nend a conflict that has cost thousands of innocent lives in Aceh
\nand torn at the fabric of Indonesia for almost three decades,\"
\nBush said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\"To reinforce the peace, the United States will work closely
\nwith Japan, Australia, and Indonesia's other partners in the
\ncoming months to provide humanitarian and reconstruction
\nassistance for Aceh,\" said Bush.<\/p>\n
Mediators hailed the agreement, which provides for an
\nimmediate cease-fire, as a \"historic day for the people of Aceh\"
\nafter two years of delicate and secretive negotiations in
\nSwitzerland over the troubled oil-rich province.<\/p>\n
\"I commend (Indonesia) President Megawati (Soekarnoputri) and
\nthe people of Aceh for choosing the path of reconciliation over
\nthe path of violence,\" said the U.S. leader.<\/p>\n
Under the \"cessation of hostilities framework agreement\",
\nAcehnese separatists (GAM) will start placing their weapons in
\ndemilitarized \"peace zones\" in two months' time, with Indonesian
\nforces withdrawing to defensive positions in Aceh.<\/p>\n
However, Indonesian and rebel officials admitted they still
\nhad to settle crucial details to build confidence ahead of
\nelections in Aceh in 2004, notably on monitoring, disarmament and
\nthe province's future government.<\/p>\n
A Joint Security Committee involving officials from both sides
\nas well as officials from Thailand and the Philippines will
\nsupervise the truce.<\/p>\n
\"The United States strongly supports the agreement's
\nmonitoring mechanisms, which will ensure that both sides follow
\nthrough on their commitments,\" said Bush, who welcomed the work
\nof Thailand and the Philippines.<\/p>\n
\"Today's agreement demonstrates that Indonesia's efforts to
\nfight terror and maintain a united Indonesian nation are fully
\ncompatible with principled efforts to address legitimate
\npolitical grievances,\" said the U.S. president.<\/p>\n
\"I call on all parties to the agreement to faithfully meet
\ntheir commitments and build the better future that all peace-
\nloving Indonesians expect and deserve,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Canadian foreign affairs minister Bill Graham also welcomed
\nthe truce and pledged $500,000 toward the implementation of the
\nhistoric agreement.<\/p>\n
\"Canada has long been a vocal proponent of a negotiated and
\npeaceful political resolution to this conflict that has spanned
\ndecades and cost thousands of lives,\" Graham said, emphasizing
\nthat his country strongly supported the peace deal in ensuring
\na lasting peace in Aceh.<\/p>\n
The Ottawa government urged both sides to respect and fully
\nimplement the peace accord.<\/p>\n
In Canberra, Australian foreign affairs minister Alexander
\nDowner said on Tuesday that the peace deal was important to
\nIndonesian history and that Australia will donate $1.7 million to
\nsupport the Joint Security Committee in monitoring the cease-fire
\nin Aceh.<\/p>\n
Downner also praised the Henry Dunant Center, which had done
\nits best for the peace agreement.<\/p>\n
He said the Australian government will continue to support the
\npeace process in Aceh because Australia supports Indonesia's
\nterritorial integrity.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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