The International Movement for a Just World (Just) today welcomed the peace accord inked by the Indonesian government and Free Aceh Movement or Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM).

In a statement today, Just said it is significant that the separatist group had dropped its demand for independence and settled for autonomous power in the province.

"Autonomy will allow Aceh to manage its own natural resources, it will also be entitled to 70 percent of revenues from its oil and gas reserves which is an improvement over the present situation," added the movement.

Under the accord signed in Helsinki on Aug 15, GAM members will be granted amnesty and hundreds of political prisoners will be released from jail.

GAM members will also be allowed to participate in politics and contest for top positions in the battle-scarred province.

Critical challenge

However, Just said the most critical challenge in the short term is the disarming of GAM fighters and the withdrawal of the Indonesian military from Aceh.

To ensure this is done, a 200-member Aceh Monitoring Mission has been established comprising monitors from the European Union and five Southeast Asian nations.

"The success or failure of the peace agreement will depend upon it," said Just.

Though previous agreements have failed, Just said there is greater optimism for the latest one.

"Both GAM and the Indonesian government have made important concessions to each other. Observers point out that this was due in part to the impact of the Tsunami tragedy...," it added.

Meanwhile, Just said it hoped similar conflicts in Sri Lanka, the Southern Philippines and South Thailand will also be resolved through talks and negotiations.

Yesterday, the Malaysian government also welcomed the peace accord.

"For too long the country has suffered as a result of the conflict, so I welcome this and we will cooperate (with the Indonesian authorities)," said Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar.