Sweden to give $5M for Aceh mission

JAKARTA: Sweden has agreed to contribute money and personnel for the Aceh peace-monitoring mission, the Swedish Embassy in Jakarta said.

"Sweden will provide 40 million Swedish crowns (around US$5 million) to support the EU-ASEAN (European Union-Association of Southeast Asian Nations) monitoring process and the Aceh Monitoring Mission in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, the embassy said in a press release, which was sent to The Jakarta Post, said.

According to the release, Sweden will be providing logistical assistance to the EU and ASEAN personnel starting Aug. 15. 2005 and contributing 10 monitors to the mission from Sept. 15, 2005.

The logistical operations, according to the release, will be carried out by the Swedish Rescue Services Agency, which will provide 11 staff members. These members' task will be to provide access to office facilities, transportation, telecommunications and information technology to the EU and ASEAN observers.

The Swedish support will enable EU and ASEAN personnel to take up the positions swiftly so as to be able to monitor the peace agreement, that is scheduled to become effective on Monday. -- JP