KYODO NEWS, May 27, 2002
Indonesia's Muslims reject EU's resolution on Maluku
JAKARTA, May 27 (Kyodo) - The Indonesian Ulemas Council of Islamic clerics
rejected a resolution Monday issued by the European Union's (EU) parliament on the
nation's riot-torn Maluku.
Reading a statement signed by at least 45 Muslim groups, Din Syamuddin, the
council's general secretary, called the resolution an ''intervention'' into Indonesia's
domestic affairs and violation of international ethics.
The council is an independent Muslim organization, which oversees Islamic groups in
Indonesia.
On May 16, members of the European parliament adopted a resolution expressing
concern over violence in the Maluku and conflicts in Aceh and Papua provinces.
The resolution welcomed the arrest of the leader of radical Islamic group Laskar Jihad,
calling it a sign of the determination of Indonesian authorities to tackle terrorism.
Din said the resolution was ''baseless and one-sided.''
Conflict between Christians and Muslims in Maluku has dragged on for three years.
According to official estimates, more than 6,000 Christians and Muslims have been
killed in widespread violence and hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to
flee for safety.
In a bid to calm tensions, the government declared a state of civil emergency in
Maluku and North Maluku provinces on June 28, 2000.
A number of peace accords between Christians and Muslims have also been signed
to restore order on the islands, the latest one on Feb. 14.
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