SG/SM/7394

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES "HUMANITARIAN PAUSE" AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT, FREE ACEH MOVEMENT

12 May 2000


Press Release
SG/SM/7394


SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES ‘HUMANITARIAN PAUSE’ AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT, FREE ACEH MOVEMENT

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The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement of the conclusion of a Joint Understanding on Humanitarian Pause for Aceh between the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement, aimed at alleviating the humanitarian situation in the province of Aceh, reducing tension and ending the violence that has claimed many lives. The Secretary-General commends the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement for the important first step they have taken towards the resolution of the problem in Aceh.

As he stated during his official visit to Indonesia in February this year, the Secretary-General strongly believes that problems of separatism are essentially political problems that require political solutions. He hopes that, through the strict observance of the terms of the Joint Understanding, the involvement of the wider Acehnese community and a strong commitment to peace, a mutually acceptable solution would be found in the near future.

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For information media. Not an official record.