Army troops not wanted

Army troops not wanted

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Leaders of four political parties in
the province have rejected the presence of Army Strategic
Reserves Command (Kostrad) troops sent in to secure election
campaigns in Poso.

The political parties say the presence of troops is
inconsistent with their agreement to secure their campaign
activities by themselves.

They argued that the troops would cause a sense of fear among
the public.

The four political parties which reject the troops are the
Indonesian Democratic Union Party, the Democratic People's Party,
the Indonesian Unity in Diversity Party and the Islamic Community
Party.

Mohamad Taufik, chairman of the local Indonesian Democratic
Union Party, said the presence of Army troops would scare people,
especially at night.

The soldiers have been deployed at strategic places and
streets across the town, Antara reported.

Meanwhile, Pose Police chief Lt. Col. Deddy Woeryontono said
he was unaware of the political parties' objections.

Poso and Palu have been identified as the most vulnerable to
rioting during the election campaigns. (pan)