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resident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has received an honorary doctorate for his peacekeeping role in Aceh from Syiah Kuala University.

In his speech, Yudhoyono said he dedicated the award to all Aceh people who were committed to maintaining peace in Aceh.

The President also mentioned the peace-building process in Aceh, where numerous meetings were carried out in Indonesia and Europe, saying he believed negotiation was the best solution, as he found history showed that military measures could not end conflict in Aceh.

The Indonesian government and the leaders of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) signed a peace agreement in Helsinki on Aug. 15, 2005, bringing nearly three decades of armed rebellion to an end.

'€œThe biggest challenge after reconciliation is to build trust, whether from the government or from other parties,'€ Yudhoyono said. '€œI believe problems in Aceh should be addressed by giving people justice and broad autonomy,'€ he added.

Yudhoyono'€™s policy during the 2004 Aceh tsunami was also why the university decided to grant him the award. The natural disaster changed Aceh, as it helped bring peace to the area, Yudhoyono said.

Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah congratulated Yudhoyono on the award, saying it showed Yudhoyono'€™s commitment to the Aceh peace process. However, Zaini also reminded Yudhoyono that Aceh still required central government attention in improving its development, education, health and tourism, as well as in maintaining peace and in empowering Aceh people.

Zaini asked the central government and the President to immediately finish drafting regulations to boost Aceh'€™s development. '€œThe government regulations will help boost our development and strengthen peace,'€ he said.