Indonesia said today it hoped to hold talks with separatist rebels operating in tsunami-hit Aceh province at the end of this month to try to ease security concerns amid a massive humanitarian operation.
Fears of attacks on aid workers in Aceh have dogged international relief efforts on the northern tip of Sumatra island since the huge tsunami triggered by a December 26th earthquake.
"Our hope is not too much. It is indeed realistic to hold a meeting at the end of this month," Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda told a news conference.
"The place and the date cannot be confirmed right now."
A spokesman for the rebels' exiled leadership in Sweden said no contacts were under way, however. The tsunami disaster, which has killed more than 115,000 people in Aceh and North Sumatra provinces, had prompted increased efforts to resolve the separatist problem, Mr Wirajuda said.
"Behind the cloud there must be a silver lining. Behind the scenes a process is happening towards reconciliation," he said. The disaster underscored the need to resolve differences, he said, adding that the people of Aceh needed time to recover from their long suffering during the rebellion and from the quake and tsunami.
"There is no other way than having security and stability. We are serious about reconciliation," Mr Wirajuda said.