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)