Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yuduhoyono warned several donor countries on Monday not to intervene in the separatist issue in the restive province of Aceh during their humanitarian tsunami relief operation in the province, a minister said.
President Susilo made the statement during his meeting with ambassadors from Singapore, Libya, the United States, Sweden, Britain and Japan, State Secretary Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said.
"The president asked them not to intervene in the settlement of the separatist GAM (Free Aceh Movement) issue, because it is our domestic problem," Mahendra said.
The president stated that the issue would be solved by Indonesia, the minister said.
The United States and Japan had been involved in the issue to facilitate the cessation of hostility between the Indonesian government and the GAM in 2002.
GAM defense minister (rebel style) Zakir Manaf now settles in Singapore. And a son of Libyan President Muammar Qadafy had visited Indonesia to facilitate peace between the government and the rebels. Rebel top leader Hassan Tiro now settles in Sweden.
President Susilo has asked all GAM members to end their separatist movement and rebuild the devastated province along with Acehnese.
(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2005)
