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Foreign Observers Reportedly Enter Aceh
Friday, 01 July, 2005 | 04:38 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Defense Commission member Djoko Susilo has questioned the government’s decision to allow foreign observers to enter the province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam.

“This is an effort to internationalize Aceh,” Susilo said at the legislature complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (28/06).

Susilo also said that foreign observers have entered Aceh at the invitation of Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

The letter relating to this invitation was signed by the Vice President’s secretary Asril Noor.

“It would have better for the President to make such a decision before sending such a letter or at least the Foreign Ministry asked for its input,” said Susilo.

He went on to say that the invitation letter was sent on June 5, 2005.

At that time, Susilo said, the government negotiating team was yet to return from Helsinki, Finland, where the fourth-round meeting with Free Aceh Movement was being held.

Also, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda were abroad.
(Purwanto/Budiriza-Tempo News Room)