*EPF405 05/15/2003
Text: U.S., European Union, Japan Concerned About Aceh Peace Process
(May 14 joint statement calls for dialogue) (350)

In a joint statement by the co-chairs of the Tokyo Conference on Peace and Reconstruction in Aceh released by the U.S. embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, the United States, Japan, the European Union, and the World Bank expressed their concern over what they described as the "imminent breakdown" of the peace process in Aceh.

The statement urged the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) "to make every possible effort to revive dialogue and restore peace."

Following is the text of the joint statement as released by the Department of State:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
May 14, 2003

MEDIA NOTE

Joint Statement by the Co-chairs of the Tokyo Conference on Peace and Reconstruction in Aceh

The following joint statement by the Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Conference on Peace and Reconstruction in Aceh was released by the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta on May 14, 2003.

Begin text:

The European Union, Japan, the United States and the World Bank, Co-chairs of the Tokyo Preparatory Conference on Peace and Reconstruction in Aceh, express our deep concern at the imminent breakdown of the peace process in Aceh.

We appreciate the continuing commitment of the Government of Indonesia to solve the question of Aceh through dialogue. We call on the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to make every possible effort to revive dialogue and restore peace. To that end, we call on the two sides to hold a Joint Council meeting, as provided under the terms of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA), or an informal session to prepare for a Joint Council meeting, in Tokyo as soon as possible.

We strongly hope that the two sides at that meeting reach a consensus to revive the COHA and return Aceh to a state of peace based on Special Autonomy.

The Co-chairs remain willing to continue to support the COHA and to provide assistance for the future reconstruction of Aceh if peace prevails.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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