Aceh talks to resume end of April

Aceh talks to resume end of April

JAKARTA: Indonesian officials and representatives from the
Free Aceh Movement (GAM) will gather for another round of peace
talks in Geneva, Switzerland at the end of the month, Aceh
governor Abdullah Puteh said on Thursday.

Thus far, no date has been confirmed as there is a possibility
that the talks could be held in early May. The Geneva-based Henry
Dunant Center will mediate the discussion.

Abdullah stressed, however, that the talks must remain within
the framework of the unitary state of Indonesia and the Aceh
special autonomy status.

Abdullah was briefing reporters on a visit by three Jakarta-
based officials of the United Nations' Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs -- humanitarian coordinator
Bo Asplund, his deputy Michael Elmquist and Aceh coordinator
Enayet Madani.

The government granted special autonomy to Aceh last year
which allows the staunch Muslim region to implement Islamic law
and to retain a much greater share of oil and gas revenues.

In the last talks in February, GAM, who has been fighting for
an independent state since 1976, agreed to discuss the special
autonomy status as a starting point but did not relinquish their
demand for independence.-- AFP