Australian troops to leave Aceh

Australian troops to leave Aceh

JAKARTA: Australian troops on a humanitarian mission in tsunami-
devastated Aceh will leave the province on Friday, the Indonesian
Military (TNI) said in a press release on Wednesday.

The statement was issued following a meeting between TNI
Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and Brig. Gen. David H.
Chalmers, the commander of the Australian force in Aceh.

The Australian troops were among the first foreign troops to
arrive in Aceh and were instrumental in the delivery of food and
medical supplies to remote areas, and the collection of dead
bodies, among other things.

The government had previously set March 26 as the deadline for
foreign troops to leave Aceh, although it later said that the
troops could stay in the province as long as their visas were
valid.

Australia, the world's largest tsunami aid donor, has pledged
a total of A$1 billion (US$764 million) in grants and interest-
free loans over five years for Indonesia. Australia also deployed
six C-130 transportation planes and the HMAS Kanimbla to Aceh.

Australia's quick response to the catastrophe has improved
relations between the two countries. -- JP