    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [December 9, 2002]
    [Page 2175]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Peace Agreement in Indonesia
    December 9, 2002

        I congratulate the Government of Indonesia and the leadership of the
    Free Aceh Movement on the peace agreement signed on December 9th. The
    United States strongly supports this courageous effort to end a conflict
    that has cost thousands of innocent lives in Aceh and torn at the fabric
    of Indonesia for almost three decades. I commend President
    Megawati and the people of Aceh for
    choosing the path of reconciliation over the path of violence. I applaud
    the determined efforts of the Henri Dunant Center which made this
    agreement possible.
        The United States strongly supports the agreement's monitoring
    mechanisms, which will ensure that both sides follow through on their
    commitments. We welcome decisions by the Governments of Thailand and the
    Philippines to deploy monitors in support of that mission. To reinforce
    the peace, the United States will work closely with Japan, Australia,
    and Indonesia's other partners in the coming months to provide
    humanitarian and reconstruction assistance for Aceh.
        Today's agreement demonstrates that Indonesia's efforts to fight
    terror and maintain a united Indonesian nation are fully compatible with
    principled efforts to address legitimate political grievances. The
    agreement offers the hope of greater autonomy and respect for the people
    of Aceh. I call on all parties to the agreement to faithfully meet their
    commitments and build the better future that all peaceloving Indonesians
    expect and deserve.