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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