Indonesia's army and the Free Aceh separatist movement, GAM, have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire in the province so devasted by the tsunami. The Army Chief of Staff General Ryamizard Ryucudu says the armed forces have killed 120 GAM fighters over the last two weeks. The figure has been disputed by a GAM spokesperson who claims the ceasefire is largely holding. There are growing hopes that peace talks to end the three decade conflict can take place in the near future.
Presenter/Interviewer: Karon Snowdon
Speakers: Human Hamid, Professor of Sociology, Syiah kuala State University; Bakhtiar Abdullah, GAM spokesman
Snowdon: Indonesia's Foreign Minister, Hassan Wirajuda, says if there's any silver lining to such a disaster its that peace talks might be able to resume in Aceh as soon as next month.
According to the BBC, the army's Chief of Staff said troops were forced to take action against rebels stealing food aid meant for tsunami victims and have killed a total of 120 in the past two weeks.
Asia Pacific was unable to contact any army spokesperson during the major religious day. GAM spokesman, Bakhtiar Abdullah, who lives as an exile in Sweden confirmed there had been some fighting but says the claim of 120 dead is black propaganda.
Abdullah: Ten to 15,000 fresh troops were being brought to Aceh in the last few days. And two days ago, if I'm not mistaken, there was a heavy battle at Leouw in the district of Pidi in which we are forced to defend ourselves from marauding Indonesian forces and we haven't heard any reports of any casualties. So it still seems as though there are still military operations being carried out in several areas and in this case whatever has been issued by the Indonesian commander, it's not true.
Snowdon: As for peace talks, sections of the military might not be so interested in the end of a conflict they stand accused of prolonging for their own profit.
Lucrative business interests of the military and its individuals in the resource rich province are one reason. Strong nationalism and unwillingness to countenance dealing with GAM, the other.
Bakhtiar Abdullah says GAM has not been approached by Jakarta about future peace talks.
Abdullah: We have never closed the door for dialogue.
Snowdon: So you're waiting for a formal approach?
Abdullah: You could say that because so far nothing has been done and no approach, nothing.
Snowdon: And is it as many people are saying a good time to be considering to be talking about peace given the disaster and the need for reconciliation and for moving on, would it be a good time?
Abdullah: Yes, we feel the same, because right now you know, the losses that have suffered have not only been on our part. And considering the devastation and everything the loss of life and property, undescribable, we feel this is the right opportunity.
Snowdon: Bakhtiar Abdullah went on to say that while GAM remains committed to the idea of an independent Acehnese state, the movement would accept a different outcome if it was the result of a referendum of the population.
Indonesia declared martial law and launched a major campaign with tens of thousands of troops after the collapse of talks almost two years ago.
Yet despite election promises to find a non-military solution in Aceh, new President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono extended the state of emergency in November for six months.
At this stage it's unclear what effect the presence of previously banned foreign aid workers might have on the road to peace, if any.
Dr Human Hamid, Professor of Sociology from Syiah Kuala State University in Aceh, speaking on his mobile phone, agrees the unconditional ceasefire offered by GAM makes now the right time to talk.
Hamid: Why not? I mean because of this huge amount of deaths of the Acehnese and we have to start recovery for all of us and the presence of the international community would be a deterrent for both sides not to start a war again. So this is a chance the last chance now for the two sides to start dialogue to have a peaceful settlement. The problem now is how both sides will use the idea of good faith.