Inter-Peace to Replace Role of Aceh Monitoring Mission
Friday, 15 December, 2006 | 14:10 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Banda Aceh: Marti Ahtinaasari, former Finland president, is plans to continue the role of the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM), which has helped Indonesia and the Acehnese Freedom Movement (GAM) in implementing the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding.

Aceh will send Inter Peace, a non-governmental organization that he is led by Ahtnaasari. Peter Feith, Head of AMM, said this in a press conference on Thursday (12/14).

Peter Feith said that the Inter Peace team will arrive in Aceh in the next few weeks. The organization is supported by many countries. “Among them are Ireland, Canada and Japan,” he said Thursday (12/14).

Indonesia has encouraged the plan. According to Peter Feith, the Inter-Peace team has fewer people than AMM. “I hope that they will describe their program later,” said Pieter Feith.

In the last four months, the AMM mandate included investigation and taking decisions on claims as well as allegations of violation to the MoU. In addition, it has also set up and protected relations and partnership with all parties.

Pieter Feith said that the Indonesian government and GAM have implemented the Helsinki MoU well. He has delivered his hopes prior to his leaving for his country that both parties keeps the peace.

As regards the Aceh situation in the future, according to Peter Feith, it will be in the hands of the governor. “The governor has the right to implement all aspects in regional autonomy,” he said.

Maimun Saleh