Govt, GAM agree to a short truce

Govt, GAM agree to a short truce

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian government and representatives
from the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) have agreed to a
one-month moratorium on violence, to commence Monday.

The provisional agreement was reached after four-days of talks
at a secluded location in Switzerland which ended Tuesday night.

A statement issued from Geneva said that during that month-
long period the two sides agreed to substantially revise the
security arrangements of the Humanitarian Pause to make them more
effective.

The new agreement comes on the verge of Monday's expiry of the
Humanitarian Pause signed in May, which senior Indonesian
officials have previously said they would not extend.

While the Pause itself was not formally extended, the
moratorium gives leeway for negotiators to resume further
negotiations.

A statement issued in Switzerland on Wednesday said that "both
parties intend to meet in February 2001 to discuss and agree upon
new security arrangements, as well as the process for continued
political dialog."

The statement described the meeting as "exploratory talks".

"The parties succeeded in making significant progress and
developed a detailed agenda for future talks, including
substantive elements relating to: security arrangements,
democratic consultation, humanitarian law and human rights, and
socio-economic development," the statement said.

The Indonesian delegation during the talks was led by Hassan
Wirajuda, while GAM was headed by Abdullah Zaini.

In Geneva, Zaini said the moratorium was an attempt to open
political negotiations.

"We have agreed, both sides, to extend this humanitarian
pause, in a way to (launch) exploratory talks for political
issues," said Zaini as quoted by AFP.

Indonesia has been calling for discussions to enter
substantive political issues for several months, while stressing
that it should be held under the context of Aceh remaining part
of the unitary Indonesian state.

Meanwhile in Jakarta, Minister of Defense Mahfud MD claimed
that the agreement "stated that GAM will transform their
activities from a physical to political struggle."

"However, this is not a final solution," he told journalists
on Wednesday.

Mahfud stressed that the main point of the provisional
agreement was for GAM to agree to discontinue their physical
struggle and pursue their struggle within the confines of the
Indonesian legal system.

Mahfud also issued a strong warning against separatist rebels
saying that "if they do anything against the agreement then we
will break the agreement."

Hope

Immediate reactions to the latest agreement in Aceh were
apprehensive.

Tengku Imam Suja', an influential leader in Aceh, was
cautiously optimistic as to whether the agreement will make a
significant impact on the province.

"It will be quite a miracle if GAM and Indonesian troops are
willing to really put down their weapons. I hope this won't be
just another high level agreement," Imam said.

The provincial capital of Banda Aceh was generally calm on
Wednesday despite the high number of market-goers who admitted
that they were hoarding supplies in preparation for the end of
the Humanitarian Pause on Monday.

Police initially warned that they would conduct a massive
operation, searching for illegal weapons once the Pause expired.

"We fear that there will be a massive strike like in previous
incidents ... therefore we'd better be prepared," a local in
Banda Aceh said.

Violence also continued unabated when a two-hour gun battle
erupted between security forces and rebels at around noon near
Kabu village, Peureulak district in East Aceh.

No immediate casualties were reported but a staff member at
Langsa General Hospital, named Usman, said the hospital had
treated at least 11 soldiers.

Local residents fled their homes to seek refuge in nearby
mosques following the clash.

In Aceh Besar, two alleged rebels were shot dead during a
police sweeping operation led by Aceh Besar police chief Adj.
Chief Comr. Sayed Husaini on Wednesday morning.

"The two, identified as Saparuddin, 20, and Safrizal, 24, were
initially captured in Panca village, Seulimeum district. But they
tried to escape and were shot dead in the process," Sayed
claimed.

The latest casualties raise the number of deaths since the New
Year to 42. (50/edt/dja)