STATE OF ACHEH MINISTRY OF INFORMATION P.O. BOX 130, S-145 01 NOSBORG SWEDEN TEL : +46 8 531 83833 FAX: +46 8 531 91275 INDONESIAN BREAKS PROMISE ON RELEASING NEGOTIATORS  The Free Acheh Movement (GAM) expresses its deep disappointment with the failure by the Government of Indonesia (GoI) to release GAM negotiators imprisoned since May 2003. Indonesia has promised to release the negotiators to allow them to attend the signing of the Acheh peace agreement in Helsinki on 15 August 2005.  Five GAM negotiators were arrested by the Indonesian government at the Banda Acheh airport in May 2003 while on their way to talks aimed at resolving problems with the then existing Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. Also promised for release was chairman of the Acheh Referendum Information Center (SIRA), Muhamad Nazar.  GoI delegation head Hamid Awaluddin had told GAM representatives during Round Four of the talks that the jailed negotiators and Muhamad Nazar would be released for the signing of the peace agreement as an expression of GoI good will. At the time of his commitment, Awaluddin recognised that the arrest and subsequent conviction of the negotiators had been an act of bad faith, and that it should be rectified.   Spokesman for GAM, Mr Bakhtiar Abdullah, said the failure of GoI to honor its promise represented a fundamental breach of faith and augured poorly for GoI keeping to its many other commitments under the terms of the Acheh peace agreement.  ‘GAM is very disappointed that our negotiators have not been released as promised,’ Bakhtiar Abdullah said. ‘Jailing the negotiators went against all the internationally accepted standards of negotiating procedures.’  ‘GAM has undertaken the peace process in good faith throughout, while the Indonesian army has continued to attack GAM and kill civilians.’  ‘GAM has continued to ask for a ceasefire and for the release of political prisoners,’ he said.  ‘With the signing of the peace agreement, we trust that Indonesia will stop its troops from intimidating Achehnese civilians,’ Bakhtiar Abdullah said. ‘And we expect GoI to honor the peace agreement and unconditionally release all political prisoners and detainees held due to the conflict.’  Signed, Bakhtiar Abdullah GAM spokesman 13 August 2005