Peace mediators visit Aceh

Peace mediators visit Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Three officials from the Switzerland-based Henry Dunant Center, which has mediated peace talks between the Indonesian government and Aceh separatist rebels, visited Aceh province on Wednesday.

The three -- General Rupert Smith, Andrew Marshall and David Gorman -- are seeking input on the implementation of a peace agreement between the government and Aceh separatists in Geneva in May, said a source from the center.

In May, the government and leaders of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) agreed to work towards a ceasefire to pave the way for democratic elections in the troubled province in the north of Sumatra island.

The officials are later in the day due to meet separately with a joint committee monitoring ceasefires in Aceh and GAM negotiators.

On Thursday they will hold talks with the provincial military and police chiefs before returning to Jakarta. --AFP