Ready for peace

On the eve of disarmament, members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) gather up their weapons under the watchful eyes of foreign observers in the province.

The disarmament, scheduled to begin on Thursday, is part of the landmark peace deal signed on Aug. 15 by the government and GAM.

The disarmament brings hope for peace in the province, which had suffered three decades of conflict that has claimed more than 15,000 lives, mostly civilians. -- JP