Ahtisaari calls Aceh treaty surprisingly successful on first anniversary

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Tuesday marks the first anniversary of the signing of the peace treaty between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement. The treaty was signed in Helsinki after negotiations conducted with the mediation of the Crisis Management Initiative headed by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari.
      "This has gone surprisingly well - surprisingly peaceful", said Ahtisaari on Monday when contacted by telephone in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.
      Ahtisaari is in Indonesia taking part in celebrations marking the anniversary of the peace treaty. On Sunday he visited Aceh province - for the first time in his life.
     
The Helsinki treaty ended a conflict between Indonesian government forces and rebel guerrillas, in which more than 15,000 people were killed.
      The approximately four million residents of Aceh speak their own language, and see themselves as a distinct nation.
      The Free Aceh Movement fought for independence for the region, which is rich in natural resources, but in the Helsinki treaty, it settled for extensive autonomy. During the past year the guerrillas have given up their weapons, and Indonesia has scaled back the presence of its forces in the province. Former guerrillas have been given amnesty, and the political process in Aceh has got off to a start.
      One important step was the decision by Indonesia’s Parliament in July to pass a law on the administration of Aceh. The law allows for the establishment of political parties in Aceh. Local elections are to be held on December 10th.
     
"The sides are now able to discuss things openly. That feels especially good. I am fairly confident", Ahtisaari said.
      Disputes that have cropped up during the peace process have been resolved through the mediation of international peace monitors. The Aceh Monitoring Mission includes unarmed observers from the EU and from five Asian countries.
      Finland sent observers at the beginning of the mission, a year ago. The operation is to continue until the elections in December.
     
The benefits of peace have not been distributed equally, however. On Tuesday, Ahtisaari’s office and Aceh authorities are publishing a report according to which women in the province have been largely sidelined in the building of the new society there.
      Last month the International Crisis Group published a report according to which religious leaders in Aceh have sought to implement a stricter enforcement of Islamic Sharia law after the conflict. According to the ICG, this has caused problems especially for women.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  President Ahtisaari pleased with progress in Aceh peace process (14.9.2005)
  Kalle Liesinen to help disarm Aceh guerrillas (23.8.2005)
  Thousands in Aceh celebrate as peace treaty is signed in Helsinki (16.8.2005)
  Finnish observers to be first into Aceh to monitor peace (15.8.2005)

Helsingin Sanomat