President: reintegration process in Aceh needs sincerity

Banda Aceh, NU Online
The post-conflict reintegration process in Aceh province needs a total sincerity to overcome misunderstanding among the once-conflicting parties.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made the statement at a function to dedicate Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport in Aceh province on Thursday.<>

On the occasion the head of state said the settlement of reintegration process after the Helsinki peace agreement between the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)was one of several aspects in the development in Aceh.

"Peace has prevailed since the past four years in Aceh after the 30-year conflict, and therefore the reintegration process in the province should not be hampered," the president said.

He added that inconvenience was something normal, but the sense of mutual understanding, concern, and trust would annul it all.

"What we need is a total sincerity to become unite again. We have to be rational and mature, but not be emotional over a trivial thing, because it is our common responsibility to make Aceh more progress, peaceful, and prosperous," the president said.

According to the head of state, the infrastructure projects, especially Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport, were expected to facilitate the region`s economic development.

"These projects are specifically intended to spur Aceh`s economic development and help improve the local people`s welfare. Therefore, when I opened the Aceh Cultural Week (PKA) yesterday, I said development in Aceh should be improved to make the province more safe, peaceful, just, and prosperous," the president said.

He said with the existence of better transportation facilities, the province would have a brighter and more promising future because the facilities would help to increase economic growth and income per capita.

In addition to Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport, the president also dedicated a number of infrastructure projects among others the Redelong and Labuhan Haji Barat drinking water project in Aceh Selatan district, Pasantren T Chik Oemar Dian drinking water facility, the 20-km Tutut-Meulaboh road, the 26-km Sabang-Iboh road, and Kampung Jawa trash dumping site project.

After dedicating the Iskandar Muda Airport, the president left Aceh at 11:50 for Jakarta.

On the occasion the president was accompanied by Transportation Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal, Home Affairs Minister Mardiyanto, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto, State Intelligence Agency chief Syamsir Siregar, National Defense Forces (TNI) chief Gen Djoko Santoso, State Secretary Sudi Silahi, and Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf. (ant/dar)