Date published: 2005/08/15
The BBC says:
The Indonesian government and rebels from the Free Aceh Movement (Gam) have signed a peace deal aimed at ending their nearly 30-year conflict.
Representatives from each side signed the official document in Helsinki.
"This is the beginning of a new era for Aceh," said former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, who mediated the talks. "Much hard work lies ahead."
Efforts to end the conflict resumed after the tsunami in December, which destroyed vast swathes of Aceh.
In the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, big screens were set up in the main mosque so that people could witness the signing.
Locals have also begun two days of prayers in support of the peace process, in the hope that this time it really does signal the start of a new chapter for their beleaguered province.
...
15,000 people have died in more than 29 years of conflict between the government and the rebels in Aceh.
Definitely a step forward and about the only good thing to come out of the tsunami. The main threat to the peace, as was the case in East Timor, will probably be the Indonesian militias present in Aceh. Hopefully the Indonesian military and police will ensure the militias are disarmed and disbanded.
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