Free Aceh Movement rebels, who've fought a guerilla war for almost thirty years, will tomorrow begin handing over a quarter of their weapons as part of a landmark peace agreement reached between them and the government

Kearney: Many Acehnese say they are jittery about this stage of the peace deal. A previous deal failed in part because Acehnese rebels were reluctant to disarm, while the military, known as the TNI, failed to withdraw.

But Pieter Feith, the head of the Aceh monitoring mission, says there is little room for disagreement – as even the type of weapon to be handed over has been agreed on.

Feith: What we have discussed over the past weeks, is the quality of the weapons to be handed over – factory made M16, AK47 model long barrel rifles. They will hand over pistols and explosives, all in good working condition. They have more time to perform as part of first round so if they don't hand in the weapons these first three days, theoretically there will still be enough time to do so in month ahead. That said, we have pressed them to hand over up front, so as to give TNI and police enough time to follow suit.

Kerney: Oki Rachmat Tiba, is a journalist, as well as the son of a rebel negotiator involved in the 2002 peace deal. He says he still has doubts about whether this agreement will bring lasting peace to Aceh.

Tiba: I think both sides still 50 percent serious, maybe. People in Aceh have a little bit of hope, but still wait and see what will happen. People in Aceh still in doubt.

Kerney: Sofyan Djalil, one of Jakarta's two negotiators, and the information minister, says that this time the peace deal hold will in part because the massive loss of life caused by the tsunami forced both sides to seek an end to the deadly conflict.

Djalil: I know them, I met them for seven times and I have come to conclusion they are very serious, very sincere to reach a peaceful agreement.

Kerney: On Wednesday, 40 Free Aceh movement rebels, or GAM, rode in motorcycle convoy into Aceh's capital and prayed openly at the city's main mosque. The rebels willingness to descend from their jungle hideout and mingle with the public is proof, says Mr Djalil, that GAM guerillas have confidence in the peace deal.

Djalil: Right now if you go to Aceh, you will find everyone in warung kopi. Warung kopi it is typical Acehnese style – during spare time to sit in coffee shop. And right now former GAM combatants mingle with normal people, with society, and come back to family, everything is great over there.

Kerney: Mr Djalil says that the government's compensation and re-integration plan for former GAM soldiers, is further incentive for the rebels not to take up arms again.

Djalil: As you know GAM combatants have been in the bush for quite some time. They didn't have a normal economic life. Therefore when they lay down weapons they have to come back to society, therefore we have to give some assistance, so that they can re-integrate into normal life. One type of reintegration assistance is providing land, if wish to be farmers.

Kerney: But journalist Tiba says most Acehnese are concerned that the numerous militia groups created during the previous military operations, may spoil the peace deal.

Tiba: Last day before the agreement, one of militia organisations kidnap GAM family members. This is not good. The government has to be fair. Because the milita use weapons GAM also use weapons. If the government makes a fight because GAM have a weapon, then they have to make a fight with militia because they use weapons also.

Kerney: Disarming the militia is part of the peace deal says Peter Feith.

Feith: The agreement is not silent on militia, although it doesn't refer to militias explicitly but it refers to illegal organizations and illegal arms and the government has committed itself to decommissioning illegal arms and illegal organisations

Kerney: However Feith admits that international monitors will not be overseeing the militia's disarmament, and it would be left to Jakarta.

Feith: I will be satisfied as long as the whole phenomenon of illegal organizations or militias doesn't manifest itself.