PR: 24

Jakarta, 15 August 2005

On 15 August, Foreign Office Minister Dr Kim Howells welcomed the signing of a peace agreement between the government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

He said:

On behalf of the EU I would like to welcome today’s signature of a peace agreement between the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement.

This is a historic move, which marks the end of 30 years of fighting.

Implementation of the agreement will pave the way for a sustainable peace in Aceh and greatly assist the effective rebuilding of communities devastated by the tsunami.

The EU has supported the peace process promoted under the Crisis Management Initiative, chaired by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari.

I am pleased that the EU is able to play a part in supporting this peace agreement through its role in the Aceh Monitoring Mission and the potential support to the measures that the Government of Indonesia and local authorities will adopt to ensure a lasting peace in the province.

Notes to Editors:

1. In response to an official invitation from the Indonesian government, the EU and five contributing countries from ASEAN – Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – are providing monitors for the peace process. The purpose of the joint mission is to support the implementation of the peace agreement.

2. The monitoring mission will take place in two stages. The first stage from 15 August until 14 September 2005 will be the Initial Monitoring Presence (IMP). The second stage from 15 September 2005 will be the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM).

3. The IMP will consist of about 50 personnel and will provide an immediate demonstration of the commitment of the EU and five ASEAN countries to assisting the peace process. Its task will be to make all the necessary planning and preparations for the start of the AMM.

4. The AMM will be a civilian mission of approximately 200 unarmed personnel. Its tasks are defined in the peace agreement. They include monitoring GAM demobilisation and decommissioning of armaments, and monitoring the relocation of non-Acehnese military and police.