Govt to launch operation to mend security in Poso<\/p>\n
Badri Jawara, The Jakarta Post, Poso<\/p>\n
The government will launch a Security Restoration Operation on
\nMonday in an effort to stop the latest outbreak of sectarian
\nviolence that has claimed hundreds of lives in the town of Poso,
\nCentral Sulawesi, the Coordinating Minister for Political and
\nSecurity Affairs, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said here on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Central
\nSulawesi provincial authorities, local figures and
\nrepresentatives of the warring groups at the gubernatorial
\noffice, Susilo said that the operation would start with the
\ndisarmament of all members (civilians) of the two warring camps.<\/p>\n
\"For this purpose, a total of four battalions of the military
\n(from the Wirabuana Military Command) and police will be fielded
\nto perform the operation, which will be controlled by Central
\nSulawesi Police Headquarters,\" Susilo said, adding that one
\nbattalion of police would be standing by as reinforcements in
\ncase of emergency.<\/p>\n
Responding to questions about whether a state of emergency
\nwould be imposed in Poso, Susilo said that the government had to
\nbe very careful in weighing up such a move. \"We are not going to
\nmake any half-baked decisions.\"<\/p>\n
The retired four-star general said that the operation must be
\nproperly carried out in an equitable and realistic manner. \"The
\nCentral Sulawesi Police are responsible for the operation.\"<\/p>\n
\"Security restoration, stopping the current conflict and
\npreventing any new conflicts are the first three steps in our
\ncoordinated agenda. The next step will be the enforcement of the
\nlaw, and last will come physical rehabilitation, social and
\neconomic reconstruction and -- finally -- reconciliation,\" Susilo
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"The Security Restoration Operation will initially last for
\nsix months. Then we will review it,\" he said without providing
\ndetails.<\/p>\n
Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Zainal Abidin said
\nthat he was awaiting President Megawati Soekarnoputri's order to
\nstart the operation. \"The minister (Susilo) will meet the
\nPresident this afternoon. Whatever the government's decision is
\nwe are ready to execute it for the sake of security in Poso.\"<\/p>\n
Susilo and Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno arrived in
\nthe conflict-torn town of Poso on Wednesday to discuss with local
\nauthorities the best way to settle the conflict between
\nChristians and Muslims, which has been on and off the boil for
\nthe last three years.<\/p>\n
Susilo and his entourage left for Wirabuana Military
\nHeadquarters in Makassar before flying to Jakarta on Thursday
\nafternoon.<\/p>\n
The Poso conflict, which has claimed hundreds of lives on both
\nthe Christian and Muslim sides, was sparked by competition
\ninvolving a the election of a local regent.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of buildings, including homes and facilities, have
\nbeen destroyed during the festering conflict.<\/p>\n
One of the efforts made by the government to curb the violence
\nhas been to bring those instigating clashes before the courts.<\/p>\n
The local district court handed down death sentences on
\nFebianus Tibo, 55, Marinus Riwu, 43, and Dominggus da Silva, 37,
\nwho were found guilty of instigating riots and promoting
\ngenocide.<\/p>\n
The Supreme Court turned down their appeals for clemency on
\nOct. 19, 2001, meaning that the three are now awaiting execution.<\/p>\n
Despite the harsh sentences for those found guilty of
\nprovoking riots and murder, the conflict continues and more
\nvictims are falling almost by the day.<\/p>\n
Over the last two weeks alone, scores of people have been
\nkilled and hundreds of buildings, including mosques, churches and
\nhouses, have been destroyed in an orgy of violence.<\/p>",
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