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