U.S. diplomats visit Aceh

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