Western leaders hail Aceh truce, promise aid

Western leaders hail Aceh truce, promise aid

Agencies, Washington/Ottawa/Canberra

U.S. President George W. Bush on Monday welcomed as "courageous" a truce between Indonesia's government and separatist rebels in Aceh and pledged work with other key nations to help the province rebuild.

"The United States strongly supports this courageous effort to end a conflict that has cost thousands of innocent lives in Aceh and torn at the fabric of Indonesia for almost three decades," Bush said in a statement.

"To reinforce the peace, the United States will work closely with Japan, Australia, and Indonesia's other partners in the coming months to provide humanitarian and reconstruction assistance for Aceh," said Bush.

Mediators hailed the agreement, which provides for an immediate cease-fire, as a "historic day for the people of Aceh" after two years of delicate and secretive negotiations in Switzerland over the troubled oil-rich province.

"I commend (Indonesia) President Megawati (Soekarnoputri) and the people of Aceh for choosing the path of reconciliation over the path of violence," said the U.S. leader.

Under the "cessation of hostilities framework agreement", Acehnese separatists (GAM) will start placing their weapons in demilitarized "peace zones" in two months' time, with Indonesian forces withdrawing to defensive positions in Aceh.

However, Indonesian and rebel officials admitted they still had to settle crucial details to build confidence ahead of elections in Aceh in 2004, notably on monitoring, disarmament and the province's future government.

A Joint Security Committee involving officials from both sides as well as officials from Thailand and the Philippines will supervise the truce.

"The United States strongly supports the agreement's monitoring mechanisms, which will ensure that both sides follow through on their commitments," said Bush, who welcomed the work of Thailand and the Philippines.

"Today's agreement demonstrates that Indonesia's efforts to fight terror and maintain a united Indonesian nation are fully compatible with principled efforts to address legitimate political grievances," said the U.S. president.

"I call on all parties to the agreement to faithfully meet their commitments and build the better future that all peace- loving Indonesians expect and deserve," he said.

Canadian foreign affairs minister Bill Graham also welcomed the truce and pledged $500,000 toward the implementation of the historic agreement.

"Canada has long been a vocal proponent of a negotiated and peaceful political resolution to this conflict that has spanned decades and cost thousands of lives," Graham said, emphasizing that his country strongly supported the peace deal in ensuring a lasting peace in Aceh.

The Ottawa government urged both sides to respect and fully implement the peace accord.

In Canberra, Australian foreign affairs minister Alexander Downer said on Tuesday that the peace deal was important to Indonesian history and that Australia will donate $1.7 million to support the Joint Security Committee in monitoring the cease-fire in Aceh.

Downner also praised the Henry Dunant Center, which had done its best for the peace agreement.

He said the Australian government will continue to support the peace process in Aceh because Australia supports Indonesia's territorial integrity.