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.