The four co-chairs of the Tokyo Preparatory Conference on Peace and Reconstruction in Aceh are visiting Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam this week to learn about the implementation of the peace agreement, assess the prospects for reconstruction and development, and seek ways in which the international community could help. The delegation consists of the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Yutaka Iimura, the U.S. Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce, the Italian Ambassador Franscesco Maria Greco (representing the European Union), and World Bank Director, Andrew Steer. The January 13-15 visit signals the international community's strong support for the ongoing peace process in Aceh.

    The delegation met with the local government and legislators, the Joint Security Committee (JSC), Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM), religious leader, civil society representatives, humanitarian workers, and the business community. The Coordinating Minister for Political and Social Affairs, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, joined them for the first day of their visit in Banda Aceh. They will also visit Kabupaten Pidie, a two-and-a-half hour drive from the capital Banda Aceh, to meet with local citizens who have high hopes in the peace process. The delegation will visit several development projects designed to improve opportunities for local communities and for those seriously affected by the hostilities, such as widows. They will also be briefed by local peace monitors in the town of Sigli.

    The delegation expressed their support for the JSC and the Henry Dunant Center (HDC) for their work in facilitating the dialogue.

    "We honor the people of Aceh for the courage they have shown in seeking peace. The international community stands ready to work with them on the hard work necessary now to make peace," says Ambassador Boyce of the U.S. "It is essential in the run up to February 9 that the JSC use the remaining time for discussion on the mechanics of what is to come rather than politics," he continued.

    The delegation recognized that the commitment of all sides to the full implementation of the Cessation of Hostility Agreement, signed in December 9 in Geneva, is crucial. This includes the early inauguration of the all-inclusive dialogue.

    In addition to offering support to the peace monitoring process, the delegation explored ways of promoting peaceful development in Aceh. They noted that experience around the world shows a very powerful two-way relationship between the restoration of peace and economic development. The arrival of peace can immediately improve the environment for development. And economic development itself can help secure and deepen the peace.

    "The government and donors should support quick-impact, community based programs, and humanitarian assistance," said Ambassador Iimura of Japan. "It is particularly important that local communities feel fully engaged in the design and implementation of projects. Such programs can help to overcome local conflict and will have direct impact on people's welfare," he added.

    Andrew Steer of the World Bank added, "There is no more important means to build confidence after a cease fire than to establish a participatory approach to development, increased transparency in government finance, and fair and transparent administration of justice. Reviving Aceh's investment climate will also be central to successful recovery, since it will be the private sector that creates jobs and drives economic growth."

    The high-level international visit builds upon the work of an international team that has been assessing opportunities to support the peace process and post-conflict development. The goal is to agree with the government and key stakeholder an overall framework for support for Aceh.

    The delegation noted that the challenge is to ensure quick improvements in people's lives as a result of the peace agreement. Towards this end a number of stalled projects are being accelerated, and a training for community facilitators program to expand local level programs (through the Kecamatan Development Program) is currently already underway.

    "The cessation of hostility agreement offers an opportunity to include all segments of society in designing a longer term strategy for Aceh's development," said Ambassador Greco. The co-chairs agreed that a coordinated approach to donor support for Aceh would make for more effective use of aid and that all development assistance should support and deepen the Aceh agreement. This issue will be further discussed in the Meeting of the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) on January 21-22, 2003, in Bali.

Information
World Bank Program in Indonesia, visit : http://www.worldbank.or.id/
US Embassy website : http://www.usembassyjakarta.org/
Embassy of Japan website : http://www.id.emb-japan.go.jp
European Union website : http://www.delidn.cec.ev.int/

Contact Persons
Embassy of Japan, Jakarta (021) 324-308
Mr. Hiroshi Matsuura

U.S. Embassy, Jakarta (021) 3435-9523
Mr. Tim Gerhardson (gerhardsonte2@state.gov)

E.U. Presidency, Embassy of Greece, Jakarta (021) 520-7776
Maria Zissi, DCM (grembas@cbn.net.id)

World Bank Office Jakarta (021) 5299-3052
Jakarta : Thomas Walton (twalton@worldbank.org)
Aceh : Mohamad Al-Arief (malarief@worldbank.org)

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