The new crop of homeless people is just one sign that war has returned to Aceh, the resource-rich northernmost province of Indonesia where a persistent separatist movement has fought for independence for the past 26 years and has now resumed the fight after a five-month peace pact apparently fell apart. Clashes, increasing violence and swelling refugee populations have accompanied the breakdown of a ceasefire signed between the Government and GAM on December 9, 2002, brokered by the Geneva-based Henry Dunant Centre (HDC). The Government has given GAM's Stockholm-based leadership-in-exile until tomorrow to return to the negotiating table.
Four top Aceh rebel leaders of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) accused of involvement in a series bombings across Indonesia were released today, as international negotiators made a last-ditch effort to save a peace pact in the restive province. They were detained two days ago as they were attempting to leave the provincial capital of Banda Aceh. They were released because they are part of the council negotiating the peace plan in Aceh, but they are still suspects. However, they could still be charged under a new anti-terrorism law.
The police have accused the rebels of being responsible for two bombings in the North Sumatra provincial capital of Medan, one bombing outside a UN building in Jakarta and a fourth at the Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta international airport. Eleven people were injured in the blasts.
