Jakarta, Tuesday, 27 March, 2003

More than three months have passed since the Tokyo Conference on Peace and Reconstruction, co-chaired by Japan, the United States, the European Union and the World Bank. The co-chairs remain strongly committed to a peaceful resolution of the Aceh conflict within the territorial integrity of Indonesia.

Promoting the Peace

Japan, the United States and the European Union attach the utmost importance to the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA), since it represents a precious and unique opportunity to fulfill the legitimate aspiration of the people of Aceh to see a lasting peace established in the region.

We are pleased that, thanks to the patient efforts of all concerned parties, the COHA has so far succeeded in its primary objective of significantly reducing civilian casualties and armed clashes between the two sides. We commend the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HDC) for its tireless efforts and express our continued support for its critical role in the implementation of the agreement.

For peace to be achieved we believe it necessary to further develop mutual confidence and therefore we call upon all sides to refrain from provocation and violence and, in particular, to cease political acts that violate the objectives and principles of the COHA. We note that, under the terms of the COHA, the basis for the political dialogue is acceptance of the NAD law as a starting point. We call upon the Government of Indonesia and GAM to redouble their efforts to implement the COHA in close cooperation with HDC.

It is critically important to begin the demilitarization process on schedule. We call on GAM to carry out the placement of weapons as planned and hope that this step, together with the phased relocation of Indonesian armed forces in the field, will further strengthen the implementation of the COHA. We welcome steps by the HDC to prepare the necessary verification procedures for the demilitarization process.

We also commend the work of the JSC Tripartite Monitoring Teams and the contingent of Thai and Philippine officers. The security and integrity of the monitoring teams is critical to the success of the COHA. We deplore the recent violence and threats of violence directed against several of the monitoring teams. We welcome steps by the Government of Indonesia to ensure the physical security of monitors in the field in close coordination with the JSC.

Full implementation of the COHA in letter and spirit is but an essential first step. We remain convinced that lasting peace will not be sustainable without concrete actions towards fair and democratic elections in Aceh in 2004 in accordance with a review of the NAD law.

Delivering a Peace Devidend

The four co-chairs reaffirm their commitments made in Tokyo to provide assistance for social and physical reconstruction of Aceh. For peace to be deepened and sustained, it remain vital that citizens of Aceh see that the COHA can bring quick and obvious improvements to their lives. This has already begun: Carefully- targeted short-term aid activities are already in progress in the areas of food aid, health care, and education. More needs to be done.

One of the greatest potentials for sustaining the peace is in community development programs including provision or reconstruction of small-scale infrastructure and start-up of income-generating projects. We would like to see these activities extended into the peace zones, and broadened to help communities improve delivery of public service such as health and education. However, these expanded efforts cannot be effective without a framework of sustained leadership and coordination. That framework needs to be provided by the Government at all levels.

Finally, the citizens of Aceh should be able to understand and participate in how the province considerable resources are allocated. Transparency and accountability in decision-making are fundamental. We are collaborating with provincial and local governments in a participatory public expenditure review, as a basis for improvements in governance, to foster the development of the necessary democratic institutions that will allow the people of Aceh to enjoy the full benefits of peace. In our view, the present occasion constitutes an extraordinary opportunity for Aceh, and it calls for an extraordinary effort from all parties.