Aceh talks set for key July date

Aceh's rebels want some kind of self-government

Indonesian government officials and separatist rebels from the province of Aceh have ended talks in Helsinki, with an agreement to meet again in July.

Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, mediating the talks, appeared upbeat about their progress.

He said the two sides had reached "a stage where we can talk the most difficult issues through".

The talks, revived in January, aim to end a 30-year conflict in which at least 10,000 people have died.

ACEH: ESSENTIAL FACTS Located on the northern tip of Sumatra island Population of 4.3m people Rich fuel resources, including oil and natural gas Gam rebels have been fighting for an independent state

Mr Ahtisaari told a news conference on Tuesday that documents were being prepared which would form the basis of the next round of talks, which will begin on 12 July.

Asked if he would describe this week's discussions as a "breakthrough", as he did of those in April, he said that they were "a continuation of a breakthrough", adding that he would not continue to back them if he did not think they had a chance of success.

He would not, however, stipulate a timeframe for any possible agreement.

Security

Security was one of the issues discussed at the talks, but Mr Ahtisaari said it may be impossible to achieve complete peace in the province before any political settlement.

In the wake of the 26 December Asian tsunami, which caused most destruction in Aceh, the Indonesian military and Free Aceh Movement (Gam) rebels announced an informal ceasefire, but in recent months there have since been regular reports of violence.

Mr Ahtisaari said that "both parties will do their utmost to restrain their security forces in the field".

The two sides reopened peace talks in January, after the last set of talks broke down in May 2003.