Indonesia, Aceh rebels agree to peace deal

[UrbScotty]

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-finland-aceh-talks,0,3855594.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

The Indonesian government and Aceh rebels agreed Sunday to sign a peace agreement next month, vowing to end a 29-year conflict that has killed 15,000 people in the tsunami-ravaged province.

The peace deal will be signed Aug. 15 in Helsinki, the two sides said after wrapping up the fifth and final round of talks in the Finnish capital.

In a joint statement, the two sides said the agreement covers rebel participation in the political process, an amnesty for the rebels and the establishment of an Aceh monitoring mission consisting of European Union and Southeast Asian observers.

"A number of observers will be there (in Aceh) when the signing takes place," said Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, who mediated the talks. "The observers will be unarmed and their task is to monitor the commitment of the parties to this agreement."

[54anickel]

1. News Analysis: Aceh peace might be easier said than done

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/07/18/news/aceh.php

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The agreement itself may be a breakthrough, but it will take a long time to put into action, said Sidney Jones, a regional director of the International Crisis Group and an expert on conflicts in Indonesia.

"I think that they seemed to have pulled off the impossible, but the proof of the pudding is in the implementation," she said.

During the conflict, about 15,000 people, including many civilians, were killed. Their villages were razed and their palm oil plantations ruined. The even greater loss of life and property from the tsunami helped show both sides the futility of continued fighting.

snip>

"There is a possibility the rebels will never fully trust the military because they believe they are responsible for human rights violations," said Ratna Sarumpaet, a human rights advocate. "And the military has been conditioned to see the rebels as the enemy."

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