Reuters in Geneva – Jakarta yesterday signed an historic agreement with the Free Aceh rebels to halt fighting in the troubled province. The deal for a three-month "humanitarian pause" was signed in Geneva by Indonesian Ambassador Hassan Wirajuda and the rebels' health minister, Zaini Abdullah.
In Jakarta, Human Rights Minister Hasballah Saad looked delighted as he announced the signing a few minutes later. The native Acehnese minister, flanked by other leader figures from the province, was optimistic it would succeed. "As I member of a nation that loves peace I pray that this agreement will bring peace," he said.
Life came to a virtual standstill for much of the day in the war-weary Sumatran province, as its people held mass prayers to mark the deal, amid hopes it will lead to a lasting peace. "People are very enthusiastic about this agreement. All the people in Aceh support it and want it to happen," said a resident from the capital Banda Aceh.
Thousands crowded into mosques in the staunchly Muslim region to pray for the accord to work. Schools stopped classes in the morning so children could say prayers, while government workers and others also stopped work. But there were doubts about whether it would succeed, as the rebels had not abandoned their demand for an independent Islamic state.
Thousands have been killed in a war which has lasted more than a decade. Until recently it was seen as almost unsolvable. At least 366 people have died this year alone amid a police-led crackdown on the rebels, rights groups say. The conflict has also brought massive human rights abuses, including rape and torture for which most Acehnese blame the military.
But, at the last minute, Indonesian Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab was ordered not to witness the deal, amid fears by the Government it would be seen as political recognition of the rebels. President Abdurrahman Wahid said, however, that this was not an important element. "It has absolutely nothing to do with the recognition by either the Government or rebels," he said.
Meanwhile, rebel spokesman Ismail Sahputra said Mr Shihab's absence was not a problem for the rebels. Mr Sahputra added the movement's military chief had ordered its men back to barracks and would ensure that they did not break the accord. Military commander Abdullah Syafii would also be staying in barracks and welcomed the deal.
"This is a first step. We want to go to a dialogue for Aceh to become an independent country," Mr Sahputra said. "The Indonesian military and police must get out of Aceh. This is still a low- level discussion."
The deal was put together with the help of the Henry Dunant Centre, a humanitarian agency with extensive experience in conflict resolution. But insiders said the talks that led to the agreement were awkward. Exiled rebel leader Hasan Tiro, who styles himself as Aceh's head of state, refused to sign it himself on the grounds that Mr Wahid had not.
The deal establishes four committees, including one on humanitarian action and one on security, all with an equal number of representatives from each side.
An overall joint forum will be established in Geneva to supervise its implementation. The understanding is that the government nominees should be indigenous Acehnese. A humanitarian action plan is part of the deal, with a timescale of two to three weeks for a rapid security assessment.