The Dutch contribution to Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM)
5 civilian observers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs arrived in Aceh for the Aceh Monitoring Mission in the middle of August 2005. They were joined by 5 Dutch service members on 9 September 2005.
3 service members formed part of the teams tasked with monitoring the demobilisation of the resistance fighters in Bireun and Banda Aceh. 2 service members were deployed as ‘field monitors’ in Bireun and Kutacane. Leon Bruin, the Dutch commander, was appointed head of the AMM district office in Blangpidie, Southwest Aceh Regency (Kabupaten Aceh Barat Daya) after his active service. The Netherlands withdrew 3 of the 5 service members in December 2005 after the first phase of the peace agreement had been implemented. A further 4 Dutch observers, including the 2 remaining service members, returned to the Netherlands in the middle of March 2006.