The Jakarta Post, October 11, 2006
Poso 'does not need security operation'
PALU, Central Sulawesi: The religiously split Palu regency will not reinstate the
security operation command (Koopskam) despite violence that followed the execution
of three Christians on Sept. 22, the Central Sulawesi governor says.
Governor Bandjela Paliudju said local security forces were capable of handling the
situation in Poso, which for some years was the scene of a sectarian conflict that
killed more than 1,000 Muslims and Christians.
"We don't need Koopskam at the present," Paliudju said after meeting with the visiting
head of the National Intelligence Agency, Syamsir Siregar.
The central government formed Koopskam in January in the wake of escalating
tension. It was disbanded in June.
Syamsir played down the latest round of violence, saying that the incidents had been
"exaggerated" by the media, Antara reported.
As an example, he said, the media described a grenade used in an attack in Poso on
Sept. 30 as "very lethal", while in fact the grenade was "only an old one". -- JP
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