Jakarta – Indonesia yesterday demanded that separatists drop demands for independence for Aceh, and warned that it was losing patience in the search for peace for the troubled province.

Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab accused guerillas within the Free Aceh Movement of repeatedly breaking the three-month ceasefire that went into effect on June 2 in northern Sumatra. "We need to discuss substance," he said, adding that "they must understand that we will not tolerate separatism and that there is a limit to our patience."

Earlier this month, the two sides said they were "strongly inclined" to extend the unprecedented truce concluded in May in Geneva, Switzerland. The truce has been marred by sporadic violence. Yesterday, government forces shot dead two civilians, bringing to 59 the death toll in the province since June 2.

Meanwhile, talks between the Acehese rebels and the government were deadlocked, said Mr Alwi. "There will not be any results if they keep insisting on discussing independence," he said. "Let us discuss the substance of autonomy instead."