Aceh grows calmer

Aceh grows calmer

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The restive province of Nanggroe Aceh
Darussalam has been calmer recently, with both rural and urban
people more active in carrying out their daily tasks.

"In general the situation is getting better. Roadside vendors
in town have returned to their businesses, farmers and fishermen
have returned to their routines while urban transportation
services have also resumed operations," spokesman of the
Military/Police faction at the provincial legislature said here
on Thursday.

"The most significant thing is that schools are now open.
Students can go back to school peacefully, thanks to the
implementation of Presidential Instruction No. 4/2001," he said.

The Presidential Instruction, signed by then president
Abdurrahman Wahid, encourages law enforcement and dialogue to
settle the lingering unrest in the province.

Independent reports have said, however, that killings are
continuing in Aceh. --Antara