National

President Yudhoyono Promises to Rebuild Aceh and Nias
Tuesday, 27 December, 2005 | 10:17 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Banda Aceh:Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has promised to continuously rebuild Aceh and Nias, which were hit by the tsunami disaster last year, until both regions are fully recovered.

“We will continuously rebuild Aceh and Nias,” Yudhoyono said at Ulee Lhue beach on Monday (26/12).

According to the President, one of the important post-tsunami points was the realization of the peace agreement between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

The agreement that was signed in Helsinki, Finland, on August 14, brought an end to the period of conflict.
“The period of peace in Aceh means that everyone can look towards the future,” stated Yudhoyono.

The President expressed his gratitude to the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Board (BRR), which is responsible for the rebuilding of Aceh.

Around US$7 billion will be disbursed by many parties to rebuild Aceh.

Yudhoyono said he was grateful to donor countries and institutions for helping alleviating the burden of the Acehnese following the tsunami disaster.

The President led prayers for victims of the tsunami disaster and then turned on the tsunami disaster early warning siren.

Following the commemoration, Yudhoyono paid a visit to a mass cemetery in Ulee Lheu, where and exhibition of tsunami paintings and photographs was being held.

The President will also visit a clean water purification project before heading on to Lhok Nga, Aceh Besar.

There, he will pay a visit to a mass grave, view street construction and bridge projects as well as watch the construction of boats there.
(Adi Warsidi-Tempo News Room)