Congratulations pour in for govt, GAM
Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Messages of congratulations have poured in from around the world for the Indonesian government and the leaders of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) after the two parties signed an historic agreement on Monday to end nearly three decades of bloody fighting in Aceh.
All the messages conveyed a similar sentiment; that the government and the rebels should work to honor the peace deal.
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan welcomed the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Helsinki on Monday.
"The people in Aceh deserve a peaceful future, Annan said in a press release sent to The Jakarta Post through United Nations Information Center in Jakarta.
Annan hoped the MOU would be implemented in full, so that a lasting peace could prevail.
The Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported on Tuesday from Washington that the United States on Monday embraced the signing of a peace pact between Indonesia and the rebels.
"We commend both parties for their vision and courage to seek lasting peace for the people of Aceh," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement issued after the signing of the agreement.
"Successful implementation of the agreement will require steadfast commitment to peace by all parties."
The U.S. would support the monitoring of the MOU, which involves the European Union and five Southeast Asian nations, he said.
Indonesia's neighbor, Australia also called on both parties to fully implement the pact.
"I warmly welcome the signing on Aug. 15 in Helsinki of the historic agreement between the Indonesian Government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to end hostilities in the province of Aceh. The agreement offers real opportunity for lasting peace for the people of Aceh, still rebuilding their lives after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami," Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in a press release sent to the Post on Wednesday.
"We encourage all concerned to work toward the full and effective implementation of the agreement to bring peace to Aceh and the people of Indonesia," Downer said.
The Netherlands, the former colonial master of Indonesia congratulated both parties for signing the agreement.
"On behalf of the Dutch government, I would like to congratulate both parties on the results achieved and hope that this will mean lasting peace for the people of Aceh," Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot said on Tuesday during a reception to celebrate the 60 years of Indonesia's independence and the 60th anniversary of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bot arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday to participate in Indonesia's Independence Day celebrations.
The Netherlands is a key player in the European Union (EU) and the ASEAN peace monitoring mission in Aceh.
"The role of the EU and ASEAN in monitoring the peace agreement is an important new step in the growing relationship between the EU and ASEAN," Bot said.
A Dutch diplomat, Pieter Feith, is leading the 250-member international monitoring force in Aceh.