"In general the plan now is to have the referendum on Aceh...seven months from now," Wahid told the Japan national press club here.

The President said that whether the referendum will be on autonomy or independence from Indonesia is up to the "people themselves, not the government bureaucracy."

Demands for independence are increasing in the province, with separatists warning of intensification of violence should Jakarta delay holding a referendum giving Aceh the option of leaving Indonesia. Wahid, however, expressed confidence that Aceh will remain a part of Indonesia and that the trend for Indonesia's many islands to call for autonomy or independence will not escalate.

"I don't believe that separatists in different islands voice the majority (opinion), they are a minority, a very small minority. That's why I agree about (holding) thereferendum," he explained.