Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Peace Process in Aceh Encouraging: Finnish Ex-President
Source: Antara News

Banda Aceh - The peace process in Aceh based on the agreement signed by the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Helsinki almost three years ago is already running in a good and encouraging way, former Finnish President Martti Ahtasaari said here on Monday.

"Although a few acts of violence have happened, they have not disturbed the peace process in Aceh as they were essentially the acts of criminals," Ahtasaari told newsmen here.

Ahtasaari, who in 2005 headed an organization that brokered talks between the governemnt and GAM to end their decades-old armed conflict in Aceh, said his three-day visit (from Sunday to Tuesday) in Aceh was intended to get first-hand information on developments in the peace process provided for in the Helsinki agreement signed on August 15, 2005.

The former Finnish leader noted the "Atu Lintang" case in which five Aceh Transition Committee (KPA) members were killed in Central Aceh had not disturbed the peace process in the province.

Meanwhile, United States Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume, during his visit here last Friday, said conditions in the province had become more peaceful, almost three years after the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) signed their peace agreement in Helsinki.

"Aceh is getting more peaceful and I am optimistic the situation in the province will get even better in the days ahead," Hume said in his comments on the present situation in Aceh.

The US envoy made the statement after a meeting with Commission on Sustaining Peace in Aceh (CoSPA) chairman Azwar Abubakar to discuss the peace process in the province.

The meeting was held at the residence of Abubakar, a former Aceh governor, on Jalan Sudirman in Banda Aceh.

Hume said Aceh was moving towards a better future because of its democratically-elected governor, its improved political system, abundant resources and budget.

He said the situation in Aceh had changed significantly and therefore it would be easier for the local people to make progress.

Asked to comment on the fact that since the signing of the Helsinki peace accord criminal activity with the use of fire arms had increased in Aceh, Hume simply said the perpetrators should be sent to prison.

Hume said people in Aceh should no longer resort to any kind of violence and everyone should be encouraged to uphold the existing laws and shun armed conflict.