Aceh rebels might drop demand for full independence

Hopes for breakthrough in Vantaa peace talks

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The Free Aceh Movement (GAM), which has been fighting the Indonesian government for nearly three decades for independence for Aceh Province, indicated during peace talks held in Finland on Tuesday, that it is ready to compromise on its demand for full independence.
      The talks are taking place in Vantaa under the leadership of former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari.
      "We are ready to put aside our political agenda [the demand for independence] for the moment to find the best possible solution for Aceh", said GAM spokesperson Bakhtiar Abdullah to Helsingin Sanomat.
      He said that he is optimistic that a breakthrough would be achieved in the talks that conclude today, Wednesday.
      Representatives of the Indonesian government had no comment on the talks.
     
Ahtisaari gave a brief and optimistic statement, saying that the discussions had proceeded in a constructive atmosphere.
      In Aceh, Tengku Jamaica, spokesman for TNA, the armed wing of GAM, said that TNA would accept and follow any decisions made by the civilian leaders. However, he emphasised that autonomy is seen as a temporary solution, and that the people of Aceh should be allowed to vote on their future.
      Timo Kivimäki of the Copenhagen-based Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS) says that GAM's Tuesday statement "clearly contains something new".
      "The rebels' starting point is now clearly that they are thinking of what is best for the people of Aceh, and not about their historical position. In that respect it clearly seems that the situation is different", Kivimäki says.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Sensitive Aceh peace talks reach delicate phase in Vantaa (22.2.2005)
  Aceh negotiators back in Finland for another round of peace talks (21.2.2005)
  Former President Ahtisaari invites Aceh negotiators back to Finland (31.1.2005)
  Indonesia to send high-level delegation to Helsinki talks (26.1.2005)
  Aceh rebels hope Helsinki talks will lead to cease fire (24.1.2005)

Helsingin Sanomat