Acehnese in Jakarta support peace talks

Acehnese in Jakarta support peace talks

About 300 Acehnese who live in Jakarta marched through the
capital's main thoroughfares on Monday to express their support
for peace talks to end three decades of conflict in the province.

The group gathered in front of the Hotel Indonesia traffic
circle, before marching on to the United Nations representative
office nearby, the defense ministry office and the
State Palace.

The rally came a week before the scheduled fifth round of
negotiations in Helsinki between senior government officials and
Free Aceh Movement (GAM) leaders in exile.

"We support SBY holding a dialog with GAM for a win-win
solution for both parties," Syurkani of the Aceh People's
Association (Ikara) said, referring to President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono.

Some House of Representatives members have opposed the planned
meeting in Helsinki, saying they feared it would lead to
international intervention in Aceh, which they saw as an internal
issue.

The military has also signaled it does not support the peace
talks, stepping up attacks on rebels in recent days and demanding
fresh funds to continue the fight.

Other groups joining the rally included the Society for Peace
in Aceh (Mukat) and the Traders Solidarity for Peace movement
(Spakad).

They unfurled banners which read: "Acehnese Support Self-
Government" and "Stop Conflict Before Reconstruction."

Aceh is readying for a massive reconstruction program,
following the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami. -- Antara