At its red-roofed office inside Banda Aceh's university campus, the international monitoring team tasked with overseeing Aceh's bid for peace is taking shape.
Fresh turf is being laid on the lawn and air-conditioning units installed for the monitors, who sport white polo shirts and matching baseball caps.
Staffed by 250 civilian and military officials from Europe and Southeast Asia, the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) is a bold attempt at peacemaking that hinges on both sides sticking to the rules laid down in last month's peace accord.
It marks the first time the European Union, which has run peacekeeping operations in the Balkans, has entered a conflict in Asia.
But unlike other EU missions, the operation in Aceh is unarmed and has no policing powers. Nor can it step in to broker negotiations between the two sides if the agreement breaks down, although it can arbitrate on specific disputes.
According to AMM officials, the early signs are positive.
