Positive atmosphere reported in new round of Aceh talks in Vantaa

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Negotiations between the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian government resumed in what was described as a "positive spirit" on Tuesday. The talks are being chaired by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari at the Königstedt Manor in Vantaa near Helsinki.
      Maria-Helena Cowell of Ahtisaari’s Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) organisation said that the sides negotiated both together and separately from nine in the morning until six in the evening, after which they all had dinner together.
      Tuesday’s discussions reportedly focused on matters such as elections, political participation, and a complicated jungle of terminology.
     
Already before the beginning of the new round of talks, the GAM’s armed faction expressed disappointment that Ahtisaari’s CMI had adopted the expression "special autonomy", which has been promoted by the Indonesian government as a solution to the crisis there.
      Cowell said that the working expression now on the agenda is "autonomy of Aceh Province in the Republic of Indonesia".
      "Whether or not both sides agree to this term, and the extent to which it is permanent, is unknown at this stage", she says.
      The discussions also touched upon GAM’s call for a cease fire and the release of political prisoners.
      Maria-Helena Cowell said that it is not yet known what the response of the Indonesian government will be.
     
The negotiations are to continue all week.
      GAM has been fighting Indonesian government forces since 1976.
      The December tsunami, which killed up to 240,000 residents of Aceh, was a major factor in restarting the long-stalled peace process.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Aceh rebels criticise mediator Ahtisaari on eve of new round of talks (12.4.2005)

Helsingin Sanomat