Gus Dur calls for peace in Maluku<\/p>\n
AMBON, Maluku (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri issued a joint appeal to the
\npeople of Maluku on Sunday to stop the bloody sectarian clashes
\nwhich erupted almost a year ago.<\/p>\n
They said the conflict between Muslims and Christians would
\nnot leave any parties the winner.<\/p>\n
Speaking in front of about 300 representatives of various
\ngroups at Governor Saleh Latuconsina's office, the President
\ninsisted it was up to local people to end the protracted
\nconflict.<\/p>\n
\"It is not good if you expect everything from the central
\ngovernment, it is only the Maluku people who are able to solve
\nthis problem. We, the central government, can manage only to
\nsupport and encourage you,\" said Abdurrahman, who is popularly
\nknown as Gus Dur.<\/p>\n
\"If we still kill each other, what we will see in the future
\nis the total destruction of the entire society and islands in
\nMaluku,\" the Vice President added.<\/p>\n
The two leaders arrived in Ambon on Sunday afternoon amid
\ntight security. They traveled to the meeting hall in their
\nofficial bulletproof limousines which were transported by a Navy
\nwarship.<\/p>\n
The meeting itself was delayed for 45 minutes from the
\noriginally scheduled 1:15 p.m. local time.<\/p>\n
Marines and snipers from the Presidential Security Guard
\n(Paspampres) guarded the building as guns and other weapons are
\nrife among the local population.<\/p>\n
The leaders were accompanied by 12 ministers, including
\nCoordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Gen.
\nWiranto and Minister of Home Affairs Surjadi Soedirdja.
\nIndonesian Military (TNI) chief Admiral Widodo A.S. was also
\npresent.<\/p>\n
The President expressed sadness at the loss of a sense of
\nhumanity among people in the province. He said he was moved
\nat the sight of children cheerfully greeting him as he drove
\nthrough the city.<\/p>\n
\"They just don't understand with what is going on, without any
\nknowledge of it, yet they voice the future (of the nation).\"<\/p>\n
No rebels<\/p>\n
The President dismissed allegations that the South Maluku
\nRepublic (RMS) separatist movement provoked the conflict in the
\nprovince, saying its leaders were also concerned about the unrest
\nand eager to help effect a resolution.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman made a light aside despite the grave situation.<\/p>\n
\"Where is your joget (dance)?\" he said as he burst into
\nlaughter.<\/p>\n
Megawati said people should not be enslaved by selfishness and
\nthe desire to kill others. She called on the warring groups to
\nsit together and discuss their differences.<\/p>\n
She promised to accompany the people during the difficult
\ntimes and urged them to abandon their weapons.<\/p>\n
\"Think deeply about what we have achieved until now, apart
\nfrom the loss of properties, blood and lives. I want you to stop
\nall of this (violence),\" said the Vice President.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman Wahid, who described Megawati as his younger
\nsister, also used the opportunity to counter criticism which
\nblamed Megawati for being slow in settling crises in Maluku,
\nIrian Jaya and Riau. The President has assigned her to end strife
\nin the three provinces, while he himself will handle Aceh.<\/p>\n
\"She keeps quiet because she continues seeking ideas from all
\nparties,\" said the President.<\/p>\n
The two-hour meeting was often disrupted by sound system
\nproblems. Soon after the two leaders ended their remarks, the
\nmaster of ceremonies asked two Muslim and Christians leaders to
\nlead the prayer, although the President had announced that he
\nwanted the audience to convey their aspirations.<\/p>\n
\"Our visit here is to listen and not just to preach,\"
\nAbdurrahman said.<\/p>\n
Paso subdistrict chief Frederik told both Abdurrahman and
\nMegawati their visit would be useless if it was not followed up
\nby concrete measures.<\/p>\n
\"We trust Bapak and Ibu to settle our problem. People at the
\ngrass roots have suffered very much. Please no more, we are
\nexhausted.\"<\/p>\n
Pattimura University student Abdul Muin Matdoan proposed the
\ndivision of the state university for Christian and Muslims
\nstudents. He complained that it was unsafe for Muslim students to
\ngo to campus.<\/p>\n
\"It is not simple to remove the campus,\" the President
\nreplied.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of Megawati's supporters waited in front of the
\ngovernor's office and shouted her name: \"Mega, Mega\". The
\nPresident and the Vice President shook hands with the people,
\nwith Megawati's car forced to move slowly as the people
\nsurrounded it.<\/p>\n
\"Ibu Mega, please help us, do not just leave us,\" a tearful
\nold man said as he knocked on her car.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman returned to Jakarta after the meeting, while
\nMegawati will leave here for Biak in Irian Jaya on Monday and
\nvisit Bitung in North Sulawesi on Tuesday. (48\/prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-dur-calls-for-peace-in-maluku-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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