The Jakarta Post, (12/19/2001 11:29:34 PM)
Poso's warring factions agree to end conflict
MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): For the fifth, but hopefully last, time, delegates of
the two warring factions in strife-torn Poso, Central Sulawesi, have agreed to end the
three-year conflict that has claimed more than 2,000 lives.
Delegates of government-sponsored peace talks met in Malino on Wednesday. They
comprised religious and tribal leaders and field commanders of militias from the two
conflicting camps.
Representing the Christian Red Group were, among others, Renaldi Damanik, Luther
Maganti, Anton Kongkoli, Ar. Rampotji, Ar. Tobundo, J. Kambodji, Jimmy Tumbelaka
and Tonimba, the last two being Catholic priests. Several of them are commanders of
theBat, Red and Gray militias.
Those representing the Muslim White Group were, among others, Adnan Arsal, Umar
Nana, Yahya Al Hamrie, Adnan Bola, Yusuf Dumo and Agus Dwi Karna. They are
field commanders of the group's military wings, including Jihad, Jundullah and
Hizbutthahirmilitias.
Habib Saleh, an influential figure among Poso Muslims, was absent from the meeting
for unclear reasons.
The meeting, held at the Celebes Hotel in the mountainous town, proceeded with a
greeting ceremony for the two warring factions' delegates under the tight security of
300 local police officers.
All delegates, including local officials, underwent a tight security check before
entering the venue.
The meeting began with separate talks between mediators representing the
government and the two groups' delegates.
The peace talks were held after the conflict, which had worsened over the last two
months, sparked increasing protests both at home and overseas.
More than 2,000 civilians have been killed, thousands of houses, places of worship
and school buildings have been burned down since the conflict was triggered by an
argument between two groups of youngsters from different religions in 1998.
Theconflict had ethnic and sectarian nuances that spread to villages. It was
exacerbated by a demand for the regent to be replaced.
Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla has been acting as mediator in
the peace talks. Accompanying him at the meeting were local officials, including
South Sulawesi Governor HZB Palaguna, Central Sulawesi Governor Aminuddin
Panulele and Maj. Gen. Achmad Yahya, chief of the Wirabuana Military Command
overseeing Sulawesi.
The two sides' delegates were scheduled to sit down at the same table to discuss the
peace deal in detail with government mediators on Thursday.
Most delegates of the two warring factions expressed a strong commitment to end the
prolonged conflict and to create peace in Poso without reservation.
Hamid Awaluddin, spokesman for the White Group, said that despite opposition from
several delegates, his side was prepared to make peace with their rivals.
He emphasized the need for a commitment to peace and mutual respect.
B. Pelima, spokesman for the Red Group, concurred and said his side was prepared
for peace without any conditions.
Asked about human rights abuses over the last three years, Pelima said both sides
should trust law enforcers to handle all such cases according to the law.
"The important thing is that the two sides must be ready to end the conflict, create
peace and entrust all law infringements to law enforcers," he said.
Both Awaluddin and Pelima conceded that all peace agreements that the two warring
factions had made in the past had been ineffective since all field commanders who
were directly involved in clashes were not involved in previous talks.
Minister Kalla hailed the first session of the two-day meeting, saying both sides had
agreed to end the conflict and proceed to the second session to follow up a detailed
peace agreement on Thursday.
According to him, the meeting was different from previous ones because besides the
presence of religious and tribal leaders, field commanders of the warring factions also
participated it.
"Despite some differences among delegates, the two sides' commitment to peace is
major progress toward a permanent solution to the conflict," he said.
Kalla hoped that no clashes would erupt after the meeting because their leaders and
field commanders had agreed to end all hostilities and strive for permanent peace in
Poso regency.
Meanwhile, in Jakarta, Vice President Hamzah Haz insisted that foreign intervention
was not needed to solve the Poso conflict.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, after meeting President Megawati
Soekarnoputri, said that the military would stage war exercises in Poso next month
for unspecified reasons.(27)
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