[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 50 (Monday, December 16, 2002)]
[Pages 2142-2143]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.

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