Aceh talks move slowly in Switzerland

Aceh talks move slowly in Switzerland

Agencies, Geneva, Switzerland

Talks between Indonesian government officials and separatist rebels from the troubled province of Aceh were advancing slowly on Sunday at an undisclosed location in Switzerland, sources linked to the talks said.

"There are big problems on the table and the discussions are advancing slowly," said the source, referring to new efforts in Switzerland to reach a peace deal ending the Free Aceh Movement's (GAM) 25-year rebel war for independence.

"I don't expect any spectacular results from this meeting, maybe an improvement in communication between the two parties," said the source, who did not want to be identified, as quoted by AFP.

Andy Andrea, spokesman for the Geneva-based Henry Dunant Center for Humanitarian Dialogue which was organizing the talks, said negotiations began early Sunday and that a statement would be released later in the day.

Prospects for a breakthrough in the talks have been clouded by fresh violence in the province, where GAM has been fighting for independence from Indonesia since 1976.

The group, whose leadership is in exile in Sweden, threatened to boycott the talks after Indonesian troops killed their military commander Abdullah Syafe'i during a raid on a jungle hideout on Jan. 22.

In fresh clashes on Friday, soldiers raided another suspected guerrilla hideout in Aceh and arrested two rebels.

The Dunant Center, which has been involved since 2000 in numerous unsuccessful attempts to broker a lasting peace deal in Aceh, hosted a previous round of peace talks in Geneva in July 2001, which resulted in a short-lived cease-fire.

At the time the Indonesian delegation suspended the Security Joint Committee and dissolved the Humanitarian Action Joint Committee.

Sources said this weekend's meeting was largely aimed at restoring confidence between the two sides and was unlikely to address the issue of a new cease-fire.

Despite the ongoing peace efforts, the violent conflict has shown no sign of abating in Aceh, a staunchly Muslim province on the northern tip of Sumatra island.

Thousands of people have been killed since Aceh was declared a military operation area in 1988 and Indonesian troops were deployed to quash the separatist movement.

Last year Jakarta granted Aceh greater self-rule and a larger share of the revenue from its substantial oil and gas reserves. It also allowed the province to adopt Islamic law, but insisted it would not allow independence.

Indonesian foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda said recently the GAM delegation would be led by Malik Mahmud while the Indonesian delegation by Wiryono Sastrowardoyo, former Indonesian ambassador to Australia.

Andrea said he was happy that the two sides were still willing to meet with each other although violence still continued.

Meanwhile, Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh expressed hope on Saturday that the dialog between the Indonesian government and GAM would lead to a peaceful settlement of the Aceh problem.

"We strongly hope the dialog can produce a peaceful solution to the Aceh conflict," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

He said he hoped all parties could create a more peaceful and conducive atmosphere as well as reduce violence.

He said the provincial administration supported the dialog.

Regarding the failure of the planned dialog between the provincial administration and GAM, Puteh said that the dialog was actually not canceled, but since it was held in Aceh it would be held under the auspices of the provincial administration.

It was later decided that it would be continued at a national level and be held abroad, he said.

"For the Aceh provincial administration the question of where the dialog will be held is not important. What is important is that the problem can be solved immediately," he said.

Asked if the dialog might be held abroad and at home, Puteh said: "I don't think so. But we are ready if it will be placed again in the hands of the provincial administration."