U.S. diplomats visit Aceh

JAKARTA: Four U.S. diplomats met with members of the Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam administration on Monday to obtain the latest information about security in the restive province.

"The four diplomats came from the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta and from the Consulate General in Medan, North Sumatra. They asked about the latest security development in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam," Deputy Governor Azwar Abubakar told the press after meeting with the delegation in Banda Aceh on Monday, Antara reported.

The four embassy staff members were Ted Lyng, David Digiovanna, Gene McConville and Bruce Harker.

Azwar said the diplomats also inquired about economic development concepts and education in Aceh, as well as the implementation of Law No. 18/2001 on special autonomy and syariah (Islamic law) in the province, which has a population of 4.3 million.

"Syariah applies to Muslims here as it does to Muslims in Malaysia," Azwar told the visiting diplomats. --Antara