Aceh Peace Deal to be Signed Today

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, December 09, 2002

Aceh Peace Deal to be Signed Today

Indonesia's longest-running conflict, in the province of Aceh, is expected to end today, with the government and separatist rebels signing a long-anticipated peace deal.

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Indonesia's longest-running conflict, in the province of Aceh, is expected to end today, with the government and separatist rebels signing a long-anticipated peace deal.

But there remain doubts over whether the deal will succeed on the ground, as there is deep hostility between the security forces and the armed rebels.

The pact is due to be signed at Geneva's Henry Dunant Centre this morning.

The non-governmental organisation has been brokering the deal for the last two years.

A spokesman for the Swiss-based mediators said: 'There are a few minor things to be worked out but they shouldn't be a problem.'

Reports said a number of international heavyweights, who have been involved in the peace negotiations, will attend the signing ceremony.

They include retired United States Marine general Anthony Zinni, former Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan, and Yugoslavia's last foreign minister Budimir Loncar.

The draft peace treaty includes a partial demilitarisation of the province, free and fair elections and the presence of a team of 150 international and local peace monitors.

The rebels will disarm and their weapons will be stored under international supervision.

Most of the Indonesian security forces will be withdrawn from the province.

The presence of international peace monitors has led some observers to note that there is more riding on the latest peace deal than on previous ceasefires.

Although the separatists have not dropped their core demand for independence, they have stated their willingness to participate in the political process.

The deal would also be followed by perks to help reconstruct a province which has been wracked by 26 years of conflict.

Foreign aid donors from more than 20 countries met in Tokyo last Tuesday and promised to provide help for reconstruction in exchange for peace.

Indonesian officials appeared optimistic that the accord would bring peace to the staunchly Muslim province, where nearly 2,000 people have been killed this year alone.

Source: Agencies

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