President Asks Acehnese People To Remain Optimistic

Banda Aceh, Sept 20 (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on the Acehnese people to remain optimistic about developing their region in an effort to reach better prosperity, just and lasting peace. "We have traveled the journey (of history) quite long and many victims have fallen, so do not loose to maintain peace," the President said on the sidelines of his scientific oration when receiving honorary doctorate degree in the field of law and peace from Syiah Kuala University (Unsyiah) here on Thursday night. Yudhoyono on the conferment of honorary doctorate degree with regard to the Unsyiah 52nd anniversary also said that Aceh has turned into a peaceful territory and its people should be prepared to develop the region. "Let us forget the past wounds and continue to rise together for the Aceh`s future that is more just and prosperous," the President said. The President believed that Indonesia`s western-most province of Aceh will continue to rise and secure the peace. The honorary doctorate degree conferment by Unsyiah in the former restive province among other things was attended by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and several cabinet ministers.