20 februari 2008 06:10

Finnish president Halonen visits Indonesia s Aceh

Jakarta - Finland`s President Tarja Halonen arrived at Indonesia`s Aceh Tuesday to have first-hand knowledge of peace building process initiated by her predecessor Martti Ahtisaari in the former rebellious province.

The president and her entourage were received by Governor Irwandi Yusuf, once was among the leaders of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM), and Aceh legislative council chairman Sayed Fuad Zakaria, reported the national Antara news agency.

The Indonesian government and GAM signed the landmark peace accord in Helsinki of Finland in 2005 that ended 26-year-old rebellion by GAM in the resource-rich province on the northern tip of Sumatra island.

The accord was signed under the auspices of the Crisis Management Initiative, a non-governmental group founded by Ahtisaari who acted as mediator during years of tough negotiations between the two camps.

Halonen`s trip was part of her two-day state visit to Indonesia to reciprocate a visit by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Finland in 2006.

Both leaders already met in Jakarta Monday.

Source: news.xinhuanet.com
Credit Photo: www.daylife.com

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