Aceh agreement reached under President Ahtisaari
Ahtisaari was sorry that he could not reveal anything about the details, as it had been agreed in the negotiations that the details of the agreement would not be made public before the signing. "This will give the parties a chance to digest the agreement in peace and quiet," Ahtisaari explained.
In their joint statement the Government of Indonesia and GAM confirm their commitment to a peaceful, comprehensive and sustainable solution to the conflict in Aceh with dignity for all. The parties are aiming for a solution in which the democratic endeavours of the Acehnese people can be manifested through a fair and democratic process within the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia.
The agreement covers for instance the topics of governing of Aceh, human rights, security arrangements, dispute settlement, amnesty and reintegration into society. "The Government of Indonesia has invited the European Union and certain member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, to carry out the tasks of the Aceh Monitoring Mission," Ahtisaari said.
The parties reached an agreement also in the dispute that had been troubling the negotiations till the very end. The dispute was about the right of the Acehnese people to establish local parties.
Ahtisaari said that he had pleaded with both parties so that they would withhold from use of force until the peace agreement has been signed. Violence has continued in the Aceh province till these very days.
"The negotiators have displayed real statesmanship considering that they have been at war for 30 years. For example, the CMI was not participating in the last negotiations, only the parties," Ahtisaari pointed out.
When the reporters asked Ahtisaari "how do you feel right now", he answered: "I’m tired, but satisfied."
Joint statement by the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)