Indonesia offers autonomy to disaster-area rebels

Indonesia’s offer of autonomy for tsunami-hit Aceh is on the table today for talks with rebel envoys in Finland, providing the best hope in years of ending the conflict which has threatened relief efforts in the area hit worst by the disaster.

Meanwhile, delegates from Asian nations are meeting today in the battered Thai resort island of Phuket to discuss details of a tsunami early warning system that could help minimise casualties in future disasters.