August 15, 2005
No. 148
Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today welcomed the formal signing of a
memorandum of understanding between the Government of Indonesia and Gerakan
Aceh Merdeka (GAM), known as the Free Aceh Movement. This agreement, signed
today in Helsinki, Finland, ends 29 years of conflict and will aid in the reconstruction of
Aceh, one of the regions hardest hit by the tsunami disaster of December 26, 2004.
“Canada congratulates the negotiating parties on their success in reaching a political
solution in Aceh through peace talks,” said Minister Pettigrew. “We fully support this
process and hope that this memorandum of understanding between the Government of
Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement will result in lasting peace in Aceh.”
Discussions leading to the signing of this memorandum of understanding covered the
governance of Aceh, including political participation, economic affairs, rule of law,
human rights, and security and safety arrangements. The Government of Indonesia has
also invited the European Union and a number of countries from the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to form an Aceh Monitoring Mission.
Canada has consistently encouraged a peaceful resolution of the conflict. In response
to the tsunami, Canada made a significant contribution to short-term relief work in
Indonesia through its $425-million pledge to tsunami-affected countries, and
established a presence in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, last January by opening Canada
House to help coordinate Canadian support efforts there. Canada is now focused on
supporting long-term reconstruction and stability in Aceh, and stands ready to support
the peace process in cooperation with the Government of Indonesia.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
