Helsinki talk

http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1292149.htm

 
Last Updated 31/01/2005, 09:04:54

Indonesia says it has been unable to agree on ceasefire terms with separatist 
rebels from tsunami-hit Aceh at talks in Finland, which ended a day early. 

Senior security minister, Widodo Adi Sucipto, who led an Indonesian team to 
Helsinki for the first face-to-face contact with the rebels in 20 months, says 
the form of the truce remains the main obstacle between the two sides. 

Indonesia has rejected rebel demands for independence, offering special 
autonomy and amnesties instead. 

The rebels have yet to publicly respond to the offer. 

Mediators say they have lined up further discussions and are optimistic that an 
end to almost three decades of fighting can be achieved.

Underscoring the fragile situation on the ground in Aceh, troops killed four 
rebels while the talks were in progress. 

The military claims they were returning fire on rebels who had arrived in a 
village to "disturb" residents. 

The Free Aceh Movement has been fighting for an independent state on the tip of 
Sumatra island since 1976.

In May 2003 the army launched a major offensive against the rebels after a 
short-lived truce and peace talks collapsed. 

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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