Joint Statement on Aceh by the EU, Japan and the U.S.

November 6, 2003

The European Union, Japan and the United States, which co-chaired the Tokyo preparatory Conference on peace and reconstruction in Aceh, express their concern for the extension of the state of military emergency in Aceh.

We note the desire of the people of Aceh to live in peace and security, and we hope, as stated by President Megawati Soekarnoputri during her speech to the MPR on August 1, 2003, that the state of military emergency is ended as soon as possible.

We encourage the Government during the state of military emergency to carry out its activities with the minimum possible impact on the well-being of the people of Aceh and in an approach that includes humanitarian aid, restoration of civil institutions and upholding the law.

We also hope that human suffering is minimized and that the transparency of the situation in Aceh is improved. In this regard, we continue to call for access to Aceh by international agencies and relevant NGOs operating for humanitarian purposes.

We reiterate our commitment to the territorial integrity of Indonesia and stand firmly against any attempts to challenge its present borders. At the same time, we believe that the conflict in Aceh can only be ended with a political solution.

Believing that good governance reforms, autonomy and development plans are critical to resolve the conflict, we reaffirm our willingness to provide assistance for the future reconstruction of Aceh and the development of its institutions.