Aceh and Mindanao

Aceh and Mindanao

No event in recent years is more welcome to the Indonesian
people than the signing of the peace accord between the
Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement, or GAM.

The happy resolution of the Aceh armed conflict should inspire
other countries, particularly the Philippines, which have been
experiencing rebellions and civil wars, to assiduously continue
their search for permanent peace.

We should look to a silver lining, like the Indonesians, by
pursuing a common ground between the government and the two
insurgent groups for achieving an end to these bloody conflicts
which have caused countless deaths, extensive damage to the
economy and a huge drain on the national budget. Like the
Indonesians, we could end our internal conflicts through
persistence, compromise, goodwill and a higher regard for the
national good.
-- The Manila Times