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Indonesia Reports Progress In Talks With Rebels VOA News 4 Feb 2002 22:42 UTC 
The Indonesian government says two days of talks with separatist rebels of Aceh province have produced positive results.
Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said the Free Aceh Movement is willing to discuss a special autonomy package offered to them. His comments Monday come one day after negotiators wrapped up talks in Geneva, Switzerland. No agreement was reached, but a rebel spokesman described the meetings as "good."
Media reports quote the rebels as saying the new negotiations could occur as early as next month if violence between the sides is halted.
Negotiations have been clouded by violence in the troubled Aceh province, including the killing last month of rebel military commander Abdullah Syafei.
The peace process began in 2000 under then-Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid, but current President Megawati Sukarnoputri has taken a tougher line against the rebels as part of an effort to keep her sprawling nation together.
The rebels have been fighting for an independent Islamic state on the northern tip of Sumatra since 1976. Thousands of people have died in the unrest.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
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