Hamzah to visit Aceh

Hamzah to visit Aceh

JAKARTA: Vice President Hamzah Haz is scheduled to be the
first national leader to hold talks and travel throughout Aceh
for an extended period of time as he is planning a three-day trip
to the restive province.

Hamzah will start the journey on Wednesday to visit the most
disputed and dangerous areas, such as Lhokseumawe, Takengon and
Pidie, where he will also visit the grave of an Acehnese national
hero, Tengku Daud Beureuh.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri and former presidents
Abdurrahman Wahid and B.J. Habibie, had all limited previous
visits to one day, in the war-torn province during their
respective tenures, because of security fears.

During the trip, Hamzah will conduct meetings with several
local leaders and religious figures to help educate the public on
the coming implementation of the Special Autonomy Law of Nanggroe
Aceh Darussalam.

To wind up the visit, he will participate in Friday prayers at
the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque with the people of Banda Aceh. --JP