Govt, GAM reach new security accord

GENEVA (AP): Representatives of the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist on Friday agreed to a new accord to reduce violence, a joint statement said.

The statement, issued at the end of two days of talks, said "new security arrangements" replace a one-month moratorium that ended Thursday.

The statement said the new security arrangements would continue indefinitely with periodic reviews.

The two sides regretted the continuation of violence in the province, but noted that the number of violent incidents during the previous month had dropped to 58 from 259 the month before, the statement said.

In their statement the delegations said they were greatly encouraged by the first meeting of field commanders from both sides, which took place last weekend in Banda Aceh.

"That meeting produced a detailed, practical agreement to reduce violence between their forces," the statement said. "It also established a 'hot line' for contact at the highest operational levels to prevent incidents of violence. The hot line has since come into frequent use."

The two sides have authorized regular meetings of field commanders at all levels in Aceh, and that they could include the Indonesian police and armed forces as well as operational commanders of GAM.

It said the Geneva meeting, held as usual in a secret location, was part of "a long-term political dialog and confidence-building process."