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The Jakarta Post


The Jakarta Post, November 13, 2006

Kings and men meet in search of reconciliation for Maluku

M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon

Maluku kings and representatives of two communities that used to be involved in violent conflicts, held a meeting Sunday in the Maluku capital of Ambon in search of ways to further improve the reconciliation process.

Pieter G. Manopo, a coordinator of the meeting, said that the meeting, which was originally scheduled to be held in Banda, constituted a cultural approach to conflict resolution.

"Banda was chosen as the venue for the event due to two important events taking place on the island -- the meeting of Maluku kings and the return of Banda people from their refugee centers," Pieter said.

The meeting, however, was abruptly moved to Ambon due to the poor services of the state-shipping company PT Pelni because the departure of its vessel which transported 57 Maluku kings to attend the meeting was delayed for seven hours.

The kings demanded that the captain of Bukit Siguntang vessel return to Yos Sudarso Port in Ambon after traveling several kilometers because if they continued the journey they would be unable to meet with Social Services Minister Bachtiar Chamsyah, who had already been in Banda for two days, but was about to return to Jakarta that afternoon.

As soon as the kings disembarked from the vessel, they agreed to move the meeting from Banda to Ambon. Minister Chamsyah and his entourage, who waited for the arrival of the kings, later flew to Ambon aboard a Nomed aircraft belonging to the Army. Chamsyah finally opened the meeting at the Pattimura Laha Airport in Ambon.

Chamsyah said in his opening remarks that the meeting was very strategic because it involved the participation of the kings as representatives of the people. The meeting was important for the creation of social interaction and communication among community leaders, he said.

"The discussion they will attend is expected to lead to the creation of the same vision, which will unite us in settling any problems," he said.

In the meeting all parties aimed to learn from the past. "If we are not united, we will be left behind by other regions," he said.

Pieter said: "We see the cultural approach to the conflict as very relevant and strategic in the Maluku context. This activity will enable us to reflect on the activities conducted in earlier meetings as well," he said.

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