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