Poso reconciliation team under fire<\/p>\n
POSO, Central Sulawesi (JP): The team formed by the Central
\nSulawesi provincial administration to facilitate a reconciliation
\nbetween conflicting groups in Poso has come under fire for its
\npoor performance.<\/p>\n
The criticism surfaced during a meeting on Monday between the
\nprovincial legislature, Poso district administration, Central
\nSulawesi provincial administration, the reconciliation team
\nmembers and the security forces in Palu, Central Sulawesi's
\ncapital.<\/p>\n
Councillor Arena Jaya Parampasi lashed out at the team for its
\nlackluster efforts in resolving the recurring communal conflicts
\npitting Christians against Muslims.<\/p>\n
Citing as an example, he regretted the absence of
\nrepresentatives of the Poso regent and legislative council
\nspeaker and the Christian camp at the meeting.<\/p>\n
"How can we talk about reconciliation if they fail to turn up
\nfor the talks?" asked Arena.<\/p>\n
Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Zainal Abidin Ishak
\njoined the chorus of criticism, but promised to help the 160-
\nmember team restore peace in the region.<\/p>\n
Poso military commander Lt. Col. Syamsuridjal, meanwhile, said
\nthat the reconciliation team had failed to live up to
\nexpectations because it did not enjoy grassroots support.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that several measures already taken to seek a
\npeaceful resolution to the conflict, like the Rujuk Sintuwu
\nMaroso peace agreement declared in the presence of President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid not long ago, had proven to be fruitless.<\/p>\n
The coordinator of the Poso Conflict Resolution Working Group,
\nTahmidi Lasahido, said that the reconciliation team's activities
\nwere not sustainable.<\/p>\n
He said the resignation of Central Sulawesi Deputy Governor
\nKiesman Abdullah at the end of his tenure had brought the
\nactivities of the team, which was formed in 2000, to a
\nstandstill, whereas the new deputy governor, Ruly A Lamadjido,
\nhad acted too late, with the result that a fourth outbreak of
\nviolence had erupted in Poso. (24)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/poso-reconciliation-team-under-fire-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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