Disputing groups in Maluku agree to find solutions<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Local representatives from disputing groups in
\nthe strife-torn area of Maluku agreed on Friday to meet and find
\na solution to the sectarian clashes which have devoured the
\nprovince since 1999.<\/p>\n
Some 1500 people from organizations and social groups working
\nin many areas across the Maluku province will hold a
\nreconciliation meeting on Key Island, Southeast Maluku, next
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
\"The most effective solution for the continuing conflict
\nshould come from the local people of Ambon,\" director of the Go-
\nEast Institute, the organizing committee of the event, Ignas
\nKleden told journalists on Friday.<\/p>\n
\"This is an initial meeting and we don't expect them to find a
\nsolution immediately. We would at least like to convince the
\nwarring parties that the only way to end the dispute is through
\ndialog,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ignas further said he believes that almost 80 percent of
\nMaluku people want to stop the fighting and that it can be
\nachieved if more people show a strong commitment to
\nreconciliation.<\/p>\n
The four-day dialog, jointly held by the institute, local
\nAmbon authorities and the Crisis Center Amboina, is intended to
\nprovide an opportunity for locals to use their cultural
\nprinciples of tolerance to end the clashes.<\/p>\n
Earlier, a group from the Maluku reconciliation movement held
\na meeting with House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar
\nTandjung on Friday to ask for support from the legislators to end
\nthe state of civil emergency in the province.<\/p>\n
\"Let us now decide what to do to end the prolonged conflict,
\nwhile the security condition is improving in our province,\" one
\nof the group members, Mahfud Nukuhehe, said in the meeting.<\/p>\n
Back in Ambon, Pattimura Military Commander Brig. Gen. I Made
\nYasa said a major transfer and rotation program for military
\ntroops would soon take place in Maluku and North Maluku in a bid
\nto refresh the security forces maintaining law and order in the
\ntwo disputed provinces.<\/p>\n
In North Maluku, Infantry Battalion Yonif 321 Siliwangi of
\nWest Java will be replaced by Yonif 742 Udayana of Bali, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Meanwhile, in the Ambon islands the troops have to wait
\nbecause there are no replacements for the two battalions
\n521\/Brawijaya and 527\/Brawijaya (both in East Java),\" Yasa said.<\/p>\n
There are a total of eight battalions in Ambon mayoralty and
\nCentral Maluku regency, including two joint battalions.<\/p>\n
The joint battalion, known by its abbreviation Yongab,
\ncomprises three elite military units from the Navy's Marine, Air
\nForce's Paskhas and Army's Kopassus.<\/p>\n
The general also announced that a fresh deployment, Joint
\nBattalion III, would soon enter Maluku.<\/p>\n
\"The first joint battalion has been serving in Ambon for six
\nmonths and it's time for them to be replaced by the third joint
\nbattalion.<\/p>\n
\"Yongab III is being briefed in Jakarta by local Pattimura
\nmilitary chief of staff and intelligence unit chief as well as
\ntrainers at TNI headquarters,\" the general added.<\/p>\n
The joint battalion was established by TNI headquarters, not
\nby the Pattimura Military Command, he said.<\/p>\n
\"The battalions contain effective riot-breaking troops and I
\nfully support their existence. Therefore, they should be
\nmaintained in the Malukus,\" Yasa said. (49\/edt\/dja)<\/p>",
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