[Kabar-indonesia] Ahtisaari tells govt, GAM to maintain trust

[Joyo at aol.com]

Ahtisaari tells govt, GAM to maintain trust

TAKENGON, Aceh (Antara, August 13, 2006): Former Finish President Martti 
Ahtisaari is pleased with a progress of Aceh peace process, which was made 
possible after an agreement between the government and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in 
Helsinki, last year.

During his speech in front of hundreds of Acehnese people in Takengon 
village, Central Aceh on Sunday, he called on both GAM and the Indonesian government 
to maintain mutual trust to keep peace process on the track.

Ahtisaari is scheduled to attend the commemoration of the first anniversary 
of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Indonesian government and 
GAM to be carried out in Aceh on Aug. 15.

Ahtisaari had been acted as mediator during talks between GAM and the 
government before they signed MOU on Aug. 15, 2005, which ended rebellious movement 
in the province.

Meanwhile, Former GAM leader Malik Mahmud stressed the need of both parties 
to respect all items stated in the MOU so that the peace process takes place 
smoothly.

Law and Human Rights Minister Hamid Awaluddin said Acehnese have felt peace 
condition following the signing of the MOU. "The peace agreement is not only on 
paper, but it has been on hearts of Acehnese people," he was quoted by Antara 
news agency as saying.

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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