Devi Asmarani, Jakarta – In an apparent move to win the hearts of secessionists in Aceh, Jakarta announced yesterday it was stepping up efforts to speed up preparation of a special autonomy package, and would disburse humanitarian and financial aid worth 100 billion rupiah to the province.

The announcement came two days ahead of a planned December 4 celebration by the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM), during which the group intends to unilaterally declare Aceh's independence from Indonesia.

Coordinating Minister for Economy Rizal Ramli told reporters at a press conference attended by President Abdurrahman Wahid that the aid was part of the government's response to Acehnese discontent arising from economic and social injustice and years of human-rights abuses by Indonesia's military.

The resource-rich province is a large contributor to the country's economy, but GAM separatists say Aceh has been getting very little in return from Jakarta.

With calls for independence intensifying in Aceh, as well as in mineral-rich Irian Jaya, the government has promised to start a decentralisation process next year to give the two provinces special autonomy deals.

But Mr Rizal Ramli stressed that Jakarta "will never tolerate their political demands for independence". "We are trying to be sensible by differentiating their demands for economic justice and the prosecution of human-rights violators, from their political demands for independence," he said. Aceh has been the scene of bloody confrontations between the GAM rebels and security personnel.

The President had on Thursday warned that he would take firm action against any attempt to break away from the Republic. His statement was made on the eve of the anniversary of the unrecognised 1961 declaration of independence by Irian Jaya.

Mr Rizal said a "task force" comprising top officials would coordinate a three-month "crash programme", which will include negotiations with the local administration and community leaders in Aceh.

But President Abdurrahman stressed yesterday that negotiations would centre on "what kind of autonomy deal the Acehnese want, not on their independence demand". He said "the President's duty is to guard the state sovereignty."