Australian envoy visits Aceh

Australian envoy visits Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Richard
C. Smith completed on Tuesday a two-day visit to Aceh, where he
held talks with government and independent leaders to obtain more
knowledge about the restive province.

Shortly upon his arrival on Monday, Smith met with Governor
Abdullah Puteh at the latter's official residence for one hour.
There was no official statement on the content of the talks, but
sources close to the provincial administration said the two
figures discussed the development of the peace process and the
implementation of the special autonomy status in Aceh.

Prior to the visit with the governor, Smith met with leaders
of the provincial legislature and local independent
organizations, including editors of Serambi Indonesia daily.

Spokesman for the provincial administration Pungi
Arianto said on Tuesday that Smith wrapped up his Aceh trip with
a meeting with leaders of state Syah Kuala University and
Iskandar Muda Military commander Brig. Gen. Djali Yusuf. -- JP