Statement by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Signing of the Agreement for the Cessation of Hostilities in Aceh

December 9, 2002
Japanese

On December 9 at about 11:00 (Japan time: Dec. 9, about 19:00) in Geneva, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), an armed organization aiming at separation and independence from Indonesia, reached an agreement on the "Cessation of Hostilities in Aceh" and signed thereon. The Government of Japan, recognizing the signing of the agreement as a major step forward toward a peaceful solution to the issue of Aceh, welcomes it wholeheartedly and pays tribute to the efforts of those concerned.
The Government of Japan has been urging the Government of Indonesia to solve the Aceh issue in a peaceful manner through dialogue and has extended all possible support. As part of its efforts toward the "Consolidation for Peace", the Government of Japan held the "Preparatory Conference on Peace and Reconstruction in Aceh" on December 3 in Tokyo, in order that the international community encourage the peace agreement and express its intention to support reconstruction and development in Aceh after the cessation is achieved. The Government of Japan believes that such diplomatic effort by the Government of Japan, in concert with the efforts of others concerned, have provided the impetus for the realization of the signing of the agreement.
Following this signing, it is expected that monitoring of the "Cessation of Hostilities" will start with the participation of the international community. Full-scale activities for peace, economic and social reconstruction will be also promoted at a later stage. Japan intends to move ahead with its support for the reconstruction and development, on the premise that the peace in Aceh is maintained.

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