Indonesian Govt, GAM Sign Peace Accord over Aceh

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, December 10, 2002

Indonesian Govt, GAM Sign Peace Accord over Aceh

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The Indonesian government and the separatist group Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Monday signed a landmark accord to end the 26-year conflict in the westernmost and oil-rich province in this country, the Jakarta Post online service reported.

The accord was mediated by the Geneva-based Henry Dunant Center (HDC) and a signing ceremony is scheduled to take place in Geneva,Switzerland.

"Both parties represented here really want this agreement to work. This is a good starting point. But it is just the beginning,not the end." The Indonesian government and GAM representatives have resolved most remaining differences," sources close to the negotiations were quoted as saying.

If the solution envisaged by the peace agreement, which provides for more regional autonomy, control over the province's natural resources, and elections for an Acehnese legislature, proves successful, it could also be carried out in other secessionist regions in the country.

The draft peace accord provides for a quick end to hostilities,followed by the partial demilitarization of Aceh.

According to the treaty, the GAM will disarm and hand over their weapons, which will be stored in cantonment areas under international supervision. Most government forces, including paramilitary police brigades, will be pulled out from the province when the accord comes into effect.

However, the GAM members have complained that the figure of 150 monitors, consisting partially of military officers from the Philippines and Thailand, is not enough. They have urged the United Nations to dispatch a much larger peacekeeping team.

The GAM has been waging violent resistance against the central government's control of Aceh and fighting for an independent Islamic country since 1976.

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