Aceh: First phase of relocation and decommissioning completed

Sommaire: Aceh: First phase of relocation and decommissioning completed (27 September 2005: Brussels)

Banda Aceh, Indonesia: In less than two weeks, the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) have completed Phase One of the scheduled relocation of TNI and POLRI non-organic forces and decommissioning of GAM arms in the province of Aceh.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Helsinki on 15 August between the Government of Indonesia and GAM, the relocation on non-organic TNI military and police forces will be executed in four stages in parallel with GAM decommissioning starting on 15 September and to be concluded by 31 December 2005.

The relocation of TNI and POLRI non-organic forces during Phase One has been successfully completed two weeks ahead of schedule and is a positive response to GAM's initial surrender of weapons between 15 and 17 September 2005. During this phase, around 6.671 TNI and 1.300 Police personnel have been relocated out of Aceh, and a total of 243 arms have been handed over by GAM and approved by AMM. To date both parties continue to meet their commitments under the terms of the MoU.

"I congratulate both parties for the leadership and political will shown in achieving this early success, which is a clear indication of the commitment of both parties to the peace process", said Pieter Feith, Head of the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM). AMM has been invited by the Government of Indonesia and with the full support of the leadership of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to support the Government of Indonesia and the GAM in the implementation of the MoU. "With a view to maintaining this positive momentum, we expect to be able to launch Phase Two before its scheduled starting date of 15 October", Mr Feith added.

The AMM, which is a civilian mission comprised of monitors from the EU plus Norway and Switzerland and five ASEAN countries, has set up Headquarters in Banda Aceh and 11 District Offices throughout Aceh province: Aceh: Sigli, Bireuen, Lhoksemawe, Langsa, Tapaktuan, Blang Pidie, Meulaboh, Lamno, Banda Aceh, Kutacane and Takengon. The mission also includes 4 mobile decommissioning teams.

The EU and ASEAN fully respect the territorial integrity of Indonesia and see the future of Aceh as being within the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia. AMM is completely impartial by nature and do not represent or favour any of the parties.

ACEH MONITORING MISSION (AMM) - FACT SHEET

The Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM), led by Mr Pieter Feith from the EU, has been established to monitor the implementation of various aspects of the peace agreement set out in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on 15 August 2005 in Helsinki, Finland. The European Union, together with five contributing countries from ASEAN (Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines and Singapore), and Norway and Switzerland, are providing monitors for the peace process in Aceh (Indonesia).

Following a brief interim presence (IMP) since the signing of the MoU, the AMM was officially launched on 15 September 2005. The AMM presence, which will initially cover a period of 6 months, is based on an official invitation from the Government of Indonesia and with the full support of the leadership of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

The AMM is undertaking this mission in order to contribute to a peaceful, comprehensive and sustainable solution to the conflict in Aceh. This has been made all the more important by the terrible tsunami disaster of 26 December 2004 and the suffering it inflicted on the Acehnese people. The EU and ASEAN fully respect the territorial integrity of Indonesia and see the future of Aceh as being within the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia.

The objective of the AMM is to assist the Government of Indonesia and the GAM in their implementation of the MoU. This includes the following tasks:

• monitor the demobilisation of GAM and monitor and assist with the decommissioning and destruction of its weapons, ammunition and explosives;

• monitor the re-location of non-organic military forces and non-organic police troops;

• monitor the reintegration of active GAM members;

• monitor the human rights situation and provide assistance in this field in the context of the tasks set out in the above points;

• monitor the process of legislation change;

• rule on disputed amnesty cases;

• deal with complaints and alleged violations of the MoU;

• establish and maintain liaison and good cooperation with the parties.

The decommissioning of GAM armaments and the relocation of non-organic military policeforces is underway and expected to be completed by 31 December 2005.

The AMM will not take on a facilitation or negotiation role. Should this be needed during the implementation process, it will be the responsibility of the two parties and the original facilitator, i.e. the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI).

The mission, whose headquarters are in Banda Aceh, has established a monitoring capability through 11 District Offices geographically distributed throughout Aceh: Sigli, Bireuen, Lhoksemawe, Langsa, Tapak Tuan, Blang Pidie, Meulaboh, Lamno, Banda Aceh, Kutacane and Takengon as well as a logistical office in Medan. The mission also includes 4 mobile decommissioning teams.

The AMM numbers some 219 international unarmed personnel, of which 128 come from EU Member States as well as Norway and Switzerland, and 91 from the five participating ASEAN countries. AMM is completely impartial by nature and do not represent or favour any of the parties.

It comprises personnel with expertise in the whole range of competencies needed to fulfil the tasks of the mission. AMM is a civilian and not a military mission. Its members do not carry weapons. Some monitors will have a military background as this is necessary to perform certain technical tasks implied by the mission, for example the decommissioning of weapons. All monitors wear recognisable white polo shirts with AMM logo. Monitors will conduct their monitoring tasks by patrolling and communicating with both parties, and by carrying out inspections and investigations as required.

The costs of the mission will be financed from the EU budget (EUR 9 million) and by contributions of EU Member States and participating countries (EUR 6 million).

The Head of Mission (HoM) reports to the Council of the European Union through the Political and Security Committee and to Javier Solana, Secretary General/High Representative of the Council of the EU on matters related to the AMM. He will inform the parties, the CMI, and the contributing countries on possible violations of the MoU.

Ref: CL05-229EN
Source UE: Conseil
UN forum:
Date: 27/9/2005

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