Congratulations pour in for govt, GAM
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.