No.  304/HMS/XII/02

                                                  Press Release        

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Monday, December 9, 2002 signed a landmark accord to end the 26-year old conflict in the province.  At the historic occasion in Geneva, Switzerland, the Indonesian government and representatives of GAM agreed to consign their differences to the past.    

Under the terms of the Framework Agreement on the Cessation of hostilities between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement, GAM will disarm and their weapons will be stored in cantonment areas under the supervision of international monitoring. Most government forces, including paramilitary police brigades, will also be withdrawn from the province.

Welcoming the signing of the treaty, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan commended both parties for their commitment to the pursuit of a peaceful settlement of the conflict in a manner consistent with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Indonesia. The Secretary General also reaffirmed his readiness to assist the Government of Indonesia in its effort to achieve economic and social development, and in the continuation of its democratization.

                                                                                New York, 9 December 2002