SECRETARY-GENERAL DISAPPOINTED AT FAILURE BY INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT, FREE ACEH MOVEMENT TO IMPLEMENT CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES AGREEMENT

SECRETARY-GENERAL DISAPPOINTED AT FAILURE BY INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT,

FREE ACEH MOVEMENT TO IMPLEMENT CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES AGREEMENT

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

The Secretary-General is disappointed that, after two days of meetings in Tokyo, the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement failed to reach agreement to resume implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, which they signed in December 2002.  Despite setbacks in its implementation, the Agreement had brought real improvement in the daily life of the population in Aceh.  The Secretary-General is accordingly deeply concerned about reports of renewed fighting in Aceh with the imposition of martial law in the province.  He remains convinced of the need to resolve the problems in Aceh peacefully, in a manner consistent with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Indonesia.  The Secretary-General, therefore, urges all parties concerned to do their utmost to restore the peace process in Aceh.

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