From Bullets to Business
The peace agreement between the Indonesian government and GAM was signed in Helsinki a year ago, on August 15. Now, the former combatants are focusing their energies into the private or governmental sectors. So far, only a few have succeeded. Tempo followed several of them around various regions of Aceh last week. Here are some excerpts.
August 22, 2006
THE aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts throughout the thatch-roofed coffee shop. Amid the sound of clinking plates and cups, the laughter of scores of customers can be heard from the street. In the village of Kuala, Simpang Ulim district in East Aceh, the shopowned by Abdurrahman, 38is a place for locals to trade stories as well as for travelers to unwind.
Abdurrahman eagerly waits on each guest. He prepares the coffee, snatches up a serving tra
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