NEWS RELEASES
CANADA WELCOMES ACEH AGREEMENT
May 15, 2000 (4:10 p.m. EDT) No. 105
CANADA WELCOMES ACEH AGREEMENT
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)
Raymond Chan today welcomed the signature over the weekend of an agreement for a
humanitarian pause in hostilities between the Government of Indonesia and the Free
Aceh Movement. The agreement, signed in Switzerland, will come into effect on
June 2, 2000, and has an initial duration of three months.
"This is a very positive development," said Minister Axworthy. "We urge all concerned
parties to use the agreement as a building block toward a non-violent resolution of long-standing problems in Aceh. Success can only be achieved in the context of justice,
greater self-government and economic development for the province within the
framework of a united Indonesia."
Mr. Axworthy noted that this development is the latest in a series of measures taken by
the Indonesian government to address internal conflict and human rights abuses dating
back many years. "The democratically elected government of President Abdurrahman
Wahid has taken a number of commendable steps since its inauguration last year," the
Minister added. "This agreement follows on the heels of positive developments, such as
the appointment of the first Human Rights Minister, as well as the pursuit of persons
implicated in past human rights offences in East Timor, Aceh and other regions within
the country."
"Just over a month ago I had the opportunity to visit Jakarta, where I met with several
cabinet members, human rights and other non-governmental organizations and various
business communities," said Secretary of State Chan. "Our discussions were wide-ranging and certainly covered the situation in Aceh. I am pleased that events over the
last few days demonstrate that these long-standing difficulties can indeed be resolved in
a peaceful manner."
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Naseem Nuraney
Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)
(613) 995-1852
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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