President-elect vows to work for peace in Aceh

[bemildred]

Not buying it, but I suppose it's better than the
previous "we're going to crush the rebels" rhetoric.

PRESIDENT-designate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was locked in meetings and
preparing the shape of his new coalition cabinet yesterday as fresh results confirmed
his landslide victory in Indonesia's first direct presidential election.

With almost 96 million ballots - or 75 per cent of the vote - counted, the former general
increased his lead to 61 per cent against incumbent Megawati Sukarnoputri's 39 per
cent, the electoral commission said.

Despite the figures, Yudhoyono has declined to claim victory and Megawati has not
conceded. Aides for both said they would wait until the official tally was announced on
October 5. The new president is to be sworn in on October 20.

Mr Yudhoyono yesterday called for a peaceful end to Indonesia's bloodiest internal
conflict, the 28-year separatist war in Aceh province. The former general and security
chief in Megawati's administration negotiated a short-lived peace deal with the Free
Aceh Movement in 2003.

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