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