Jakarta leaders to talk with Aceh rebels

JAKARTA, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Indonesia's foreign minister said Wednesday he plans to hold talks with separatist rebels in tsunami-hit Aceh province by the end of this month.

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said the date and place had not been set, but it was "realistic" to expect the meeting would take place at the end of the month. "We are serious about reconciliation," the minister said.

Security concerns have plagued the government in the midst of massive humanitarian operations in Aceh. Fears of attacks on aid workers have not materialized, however, since the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunamis hit the region.

The disaster, which killed up to 115,000 people in Aceh and elsewhere in northern Sumatra, has sparked increased efforts to solve the separatist problem, Wirajuda said.

Rebels have been fighting for an independent state in Aceh since 1976. Their leaders have said they welcome international relief efforts spearheaded by the United Nations and would not attack aid workers or convoys.

Formal talks between the Indonesian government and rebel leaders broke down in May 2003, prompting the Jakarta government to impose martial law in the province. Tens of thousands of military troops were deployed to Aceh to end the nearly three-decade insurgency.