JAKARTA, Nov. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono paid a brief visit to the restive province of Aceh on Friday in an effort to find a new solution for the thorny issue which has been haunting the country for decades.

    Susilo, the former coordinating minister for politics and security under the Megawati government and a retired general, told the Acehnese that special autonomy was the best way to resolve the Aceh conflict.

    The latest stance of the central government in Jakarta displayed that there would be no big policy changes in dealing with the separatist movement represented by the Free Aceh Movement(GAM) there.

    While insisting on the implementation of the special autonomy for the Musilm-dominated province, the Indonesian leader also pledged to help push forward economic development programs in the oil-rich region.

    "I am sure the implementation of the special autonomy law is the only way to end the conflict in Aceh. Based upon autonomy, we can join hands with the rebels to develop the province," Susilo was quoted as saying by local internet here Saturday.

    During the five-hour visit, the first since he sworn in as the 6th president of the country on Oct. 20, Susilo tried to persuade local people to accept the peaceful solution during a dialogue with some 400 representatives of the youths, religious leaders andnon-governmental organization activists in Banda Aceh, the capitalcity of the province.

    The president made the visit only one week after he extended for six months the status of the civil emergency in the province, where the GAM has been fighting for the establishment of an independent state since 1976.

    Many local people had hoped that the new president, who has promised to settle the Aceh issue fairly and honestly, would offer fresh solutions to the lingering rebellion, which prompted the central government of Megawati Soekarnoputri to put the westernmost province under martial law on May 19, 2003.

    The martial law status accompanied with the military operation to root out the separatist rebels lasted for one year before shifting to a state of civil emergency from May 19, this year.

    Acturally, the special autonomy status was introduced on Jan. 1,2001. Under the arrangement, Aceh is basically free to run its own affairs except in the fields of defense, fiscal, foreign and religious affairs.

    However, the GAM separatists have rejected the arrangement, saying that they want full independence, not just special autonomy.     

    In an addition to the special autonomy status and the commitment to pushing forward economic development, Susilo also offered an amnesty to rebels who are willing to give up their armed resistance.

    "I will talk to the House of Representatives about the grantingof an amnesty to rebels who decide to quit the movement," Susilo said.

    It is believed that prior to the martial law imposition in May of 2003, the GAM had some 5,000 members and controlled many parts of the province. In the wake of the one-year military operation and over six-month civil emergency from May 19 this year, militaryofficials said earlier that there were still between 2,500 and 3,000 rebels continuing their war in Aceh.

    Susilo's visit was accompanied by his major aides including Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo A.S., Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie,as well as military chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar.

    The visit showed the Jakarta's wish and sincereness to settle the issue through negotiations and consultations, since Susilo sees the Aceh issue as the domestic affairs, ruling out any foreign role.

    To build mutual trust, Susilo also suggested that the government would invite the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) to take part actively in monitoring the implementation of the civil emergency in the restive province.

    While keeping the high pressure by deploying the powerful military forces there, Susilo also has been seeking re-opening dialogue with the GAM rebels under the condition that the GAM gives up its goal for an independent state. But the peaceful offer was bluntly rejected by the separatists.

    The current situation indicates that reopening of the negotiation between the Jakarta and the GAM is still far away and very dim despite of the government's efforts. The Aceh problem remains a thorny issue for the government.

    Previous negotiations between the government and the GAM rebelswere mediated by the Geneva-based Henry Dunant Centre, which created a short-lived peace agreement in 2002. Enditem ¡¡