Moslem leaders plan conference on Moro<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The official Indonesian anger at a conference on
\nEast Timor in the Philippines has spread to non-governmental
\norganizations, who say they are ready to highlight poor treatment
\nof members of the Moslem Moro rebel organization in retaliation.<\/p>\n
Moslem leader Lukman Harun said a number of groups, as well as
\nstudents from the National University, are now planning to hold a
\nmeeting on \"the plight of Moro Moslems.\"<\/p>\n
If the Philippines fails to respect Indonesia's stance on East
\nTimor, and violates \"the spirit of ASEAN friendship\", \"then we
\nare ready to do the same\", Lukman said.<\/p>\n
Strong reactions to the planned May 31 to June 4 meeting on
\nEast Timor have also been issued by other groups.<\/p>\n
Students from the Jakarta-based Jayabaya University, scheduled
\nto participate in a Harvard University-sponsored conference of
\nAsia-Pacific students in Manila from June 4 to 7, may also cancel
\ntheir trip.<\/p>\n
\"We are waiting for a green-light from the government,\" Rector
\nTubagus Achyani Atmakusumah said.<\/p>\n
A delegation of businessmen have also threatened to pull out
\nfrom a regional business conference in Davao next week, unless
\nthe Philippines satisfactorily explains why it does not ban the
\nmeeting on East Timor.<\/p>\n
North Sulawesi governor C.J. Rantung, who was to head the
\nIndonesian delegation, told Philippine officials his group would
\nnot attend the East ASEAN Business Conference.<\/p>\n
The planned meeting of academics and NGOs will discuss
\nIndonesia's rule over the former Portuguese colony.<\/p>\n
Ramos<\/p>\n
President Fidel Ramos has distanced his government from the
\nprivate meeting on East Timor, which he has said he is powerless
\nto prevent.<\/p>\n
He sought to placate Indonesian feelings on Monday by sending
\na special envoy to Jakarta with a message for President Soeharto.<\/p>\n
Ramos said in a statement the mission would make clear his
\ngovernment \"disassociates itself from the conference (and) that
\nit looks with disfavor upon the use of Philippines territory to
\nquestion the territorial integrity of friendly neighbors.\"<\/p>\n
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas, however, expressed
\nanger and dissatisfaction over Manila's stance, saying the
\nmeeting could affect relations between the two countries.<\/p>\n
He also said that the seminar was not an academic forum as
\nEast Timorese exiles opposed to Indonesian rule would use it \"to
\nfurther their political ambitions\".<\/p>\n
Lukman told The Jakarta Post here yesterday that many Moslems
\nin ASEAN countries have been holding back their anger over the
\nMoro question.<\/p>\n
\"If the Philippines wants to embarrass Indonesia with East
\nTimor question, we can bring up the issue of Moro, too,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has acted as a mediator between the largely-Catholic
\nPhilippines with the minority, mainly-Moslem Moro ethnic group,
\nwhich wants autonomy in the southern Philippines. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/moslem-leaders-plan-conference-on-moro-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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