Sian Powell, Jakarta – Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made a flying visit to the blood-soaked province of Aceh yesterday, demonstrating his resolve to come to grips with a conflict that has claimed as many as 13,000 lives since 1976.

The Government's decision last week to extend the province's civil emergency status was widely criticised in Aceh, and separatist rebels publicly spurned the subsequent offer of an amnesty.

At least 11 people, including seven alleged rebels, have been killed in Aceh in recent days, giving impetus to the push for a negotiated settlement.

Yesterday's visit to the country's westernmost province was thought to be an attempt to start conciliation afresh. In his first major trip to an outlying capital, Dr Yudhoyono held an hour-long meeting with religious and community leaders in the Governor's offices in Banda Aceh in the hope of beginning to negotiate a lasting peace. "The best way for Aceh is a special autonomy, which is broad for Aceh," Dr Yudhoyono told the assembled leaders.

He repeated the offer of an amnesty for rebels who were prepared to return to the Indonesian fold, and promised to further discuss the amnesty with national parliamentarians. "God willing, with God's permission, and our convictions, together we can reach these solutions," he said.

Rebel leaders have already declared they will be satisfied with nothing less than an independent homeland, but the offer of an amnesty may lure some Free Aceh Movement members to surrender.

Some noted the offer of increased autonomy for the oil- and gas-rich province, along with unspecified economic aid, differed little from offers made by previous governments.

Dr Yudhoyono's administration has made it clear international assistance will not be used to broker peace talks, but there has been concerted pressure from human rights groups and concerned nations to make progress towards peace.

Yet there has been no suggestion from the Government that any of the thousands of troops stationed in Aceh will be withdrawn.

In a comprehensive report last month, Amnesty International noted a "disturbing pattern of grave abuses of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights" in Aceh. Amnesty said the Indonesian military was primarily responsible for these human rights violations, "although GAM [Free Aceh Movement] has also committed serious human rights abuses, most notably the taking of hostages and the use of child soldiers".

The military says more than 2000 rebels have been killed, captured or have surrendered since the operation to crush the separatists began in May last year but human rights groups allege many, if not most, of the casualties have been civilians.

As chief security minister in the administration of President Megawati Sukarnoputri, Dr Yudhoyono launched the crackdown in May last year. Acehnese nevertheless overwhelmingly voted for him in this year's presidential election.

Following the meeting, the President visited Banda Aceh's spectacular Baiturrahman mosque for Friday prayers.