An anti-integrationist trap

An anti-integrationist trap

The statement by the chairman of the Indonesian Council of
Ulemas, KH Hasan Basri, that the current case involving (East
Timor Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes) Belo does not concern
religion comes as a relief. So does the statement issued by the
chairman of the Commission for Interreligious Relations of the
Bishops Council of Indonesia, Monsignor AB Sinaga, that the case
has nothing to do with the Catholic Church.

We can understand that the patriotic sentiments of the
majority of Indonesians have been stirred by the interview (with
East Timor Bishop Belo) that was published on October 14 by Der
Spiegel magazine. Nevertheless, we believe that restraint should
be exercised by everyone because the correctness of the published
interview is still being studied.

If it should be proven correct, it would be Belo as an
individual who must bear the responsibilities rather than the
church to which he belongs. Any reactions against his remarks
should therefore be addressed to Belo as a person and should not
be allowed to spread any further.

We must all be aware of the fact that anti-integration and
anti-Indonesia groups will always try to spread their divisive
propaganda for the purpose of inciting unrest in that youngest of
Indonesian provinces. Therefore, those who fall into their trap
would unconsciously be marching to the drum of the anti-
integrationists.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta