President Apologizes for Mistakes in Aceh

Indonesia’s president apologized for the government’s past mistakes in restive Aceh province and urged residents to welcome laws granting the region its own legal system and a greater share of oil income.

Megawati Sukarnoputri’s apology prompted cheers and applause from several thousand people gathered in the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, during her first visit since becoming president in July.

However, the apology stopped short of recognizing accusations by rebels and human rights groups that Indonesia’s military has been responsible for much of the bloodshed in Aceh.

She called on Aceh’s 4.1 million people to give the new government time to solve the problems that have led to a long-running separatist war.