ABC AUSTRALIA, 23/02/2005, 13:33:17
Indonesian government and rebels optimistic after day two of
talks
Representatives of the Indonesian government and separatists rebels from Aceh
province say talks to end their long-running conflict are proceeding well.
Senior officials from Jakarta and leading members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
have had two days of peace talks in the Finnish capital, Helsinki.
Negotiations are focused on Jakarta's offer of limited self-rule for Aceh.
A GAM spokesman, Bakhtiar Abdullah, says he is optimistic and the negotiations are
moving in the right direction.
He has denied a report claiming that his group have decided to accept the
government's special autonomy proposal.
Aceh rebels have been demanding full independence for the province.
Indonesia's Communication Minister and delegate at the talks, Sofyan Jalil, says
there are difficulties, but at least the two sides are sitting together and listening to
each other.
Organisers of the talks say they are progressing in a good atmosphere and a
constructive spirit.
The renewed efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict have been prompted by
a need for international aid to reach Aceh, which was hard hit by December's tsunami.
More than 230,000 people in the province were killed in the disaster, and many more
displaced.
GAM began fighting for independence for the oil-rich province in 1976, claiming
Jakarta plunders its resources, and the army commits atrocities against its
population.
©2005 ABC
|
