Bosnian mufti seeks RI support<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The grand mufti of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mustafa
\nCeric, appealed on Saturday for greater Indonesian support in his
\ncountry's struggle for survival.<\/p>\n
Ceric said he hoped the people of Indonesia, which has the
\nlargest Moslem population in the world, would step up their
\nsupport the Bosnian struggle.<\/p>\n
Ceric was in town over the weekend as part of a tour of the
\nregion to solicit greater support and aid for his country.<\/p>\n
He expressed appreciation for the support Indonesia has
\nprovided to date, but said that developments in the war-torn
\nformer Yugoslav republic have placed the Bosnian people in a
\nsituation of even more dire need.<\/p>\n
Ceric, considered one of Bosnia's most senior religious
\nleaders, said that it would be more effective if aid were
\ntransferred through established institutions, rather than on an
\nindividual person-to-person basis.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a discussion on Bosnia sponsored by the Center for
\nInformation and Development Studies, Ceric said that by making
\ndonations through formal institutions, the aid provided would be
\nmore easily accounted for and managed in meeting the needs of the
\npeople.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's Moslem community has shown concern over the plight
\nof the predominantly Moslem people of Bosnia.<\/p>\n
Thousands of Indonesian youths volunteered last to fight in
\ndefense of the besieged country, although they were never sent to
\nBosnia.<\/p>\n
Private groups, led by the Indonesian Solidarity Committee for
\nBosnia-Herzegovina, have also contributed substantially to the
\ncause. This committee is estimated to have given more than US$1.5
\nmillion to the Bosnian government.<\/p>\n
Committee Chairman Probosutedjo, the brother of President
\nSoeharto, pledged a further $400,000 during a meeting with
\nvisiting Bosnian Prime Minister Haris Siladjzic last year.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian government has also extended strong diplomatic
\nand financial support to Bosnia, donating $5 million. However,
\nJakarta has so far been reluctant to supply armaments, citing the
\nfact that Indonesia is not a major arms producer.<\/p>\n
The government has said it is willing to financially support
\nthe establishment of a Bosnian embassy here, with businessman
\nYukeng Susilawan donating the use of a Rp 3.5 billion house in
\nMenteng, Central Jakarta, for the purpose. (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bosnian-mufti-seeks-ri-support-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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