VP INVITES EX-GAM TOP LEADER TO HIS RESIDENCE

Jakarta, Oct 24 (ANTARA) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla said he had invited former Free Aceh Movement (GAM) top leader Hasan Tiro to his residence for a cordial meeting on Friday evening.
"Hasan Tiro is now planning to return to Sweden. Before he leaves, he wants to meet me. Therefore, I have invited him to my residence tonight," the vice president said after performing Friday prayers.
The vice president said his meeting with the GAM founder had no specific agenda as it would only be a cordial meeting.
"We have never met before," Jusuf Kalla said.
He said that even though they had never met before, both of them shared the desire to create peace in Aceh.
Therefore, the vice president appreciated the strong determination of the former GAM leader to create peace.
A spokesman of the Aceh Party, Adnan Beuransah, said on Wednesday Tiro would meet Kalla's invitation for a meeting at the latter's residence in Jakarta.
Tiro arrived in Aceh on October 11, 2008 after 30 years of self-exile in Sweden. His visit to Aceh was facilitated by the Aceh Transitional Committee (KPA) with full assistance from the Aceh Party.
During his stay in Aceh , Tiro met with crowds of people , calling on them to help maintain peace that had been created since the peace accord was signed in Helsinki on August 15, 2008.
He has also visited his home-town in Pidie district where he met with relatives and visited his father's grave.
Adan said Tiro also visited Meulaboh in West Aceh district to meet the local people. Meulaboh was the last town he visited in Aceh.
After meeting with the vice president, Hasan Tiro will return to Sweden where he has been living for the last 30 years. He will fly to Sweden via Malaysia on October 26, 2008.