Aversion to govt policies sparked E. Timor rioting

JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights has attributed last month's religious and ethnic rioting in East Timor to the many unresolved political and social problems of the territory.

Strained relations between indigenous residents and migrants, poor communication between the government and the people, continuing social conflict and malfunctioning political institutions all contributed to the frustration that burst into the open between Sept. 2 and Sept. 14, the commission concluded.

The spate of rioting in the capital Dili was triggered by a Moslem prison official's statement which offended local Catholics.

Commission deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman said that the rioters were venting their frustration at the numerous problems plaguing the predominantly Roman Catholic province.

"The incidents were an outburst of accumulating problems," Marzuki said when announcing the commission's findings.

The commission concluded that in the course of the rioting, there had been numerous rights violations in the areas of religion, personal safety, property as well as the right to be free of fear.

Between Sept. 2 and 14, Dili saw youths on the rampage. Migrants were harassed and their houses attacked, mosques and Protestant churches vandalized, vehicles set on fire and market places burned down.

The authorities have since arrested more than a dozen rioters and detained the Meliana prison official who allegedly insulted the church when he was addressing inmates.

Marzuki said that the relationship between indigenous East Timorese and migrants, who dominate the local economy, are particularly sensitive.

The commission suggested that political institutions in the province improve their functions to better accommodate local needs. In addition, he said, local government officials, community leaders and the public need to improve communication.

It also recommended that local religious leaders hold more dialogs to address any differences that may exist between the people of different religions.

The commission's report has elements in common with the findings of the Armed Forces.

Chief of the Armed Forces Gen. Feisal Tanjung said during a recent hearing with Commission I of the House of Representatives that the riots had their origins in three unrelated incidents: the announcement of the results of the civil service entrance test, which angered those who were not admitted; remarks by an official that denigrated Roman Catholicism, which is the main religion in East Timor; and the marriage of two people from different churches, which fueled anger among the local people.

Earlier, the government said the riots had racial and religious characteristics because the targets were the migrants, who are mostly Moslem.

Meanwhile, about 100 ulemas from Jakarta and its surrounding townships went to the House of Representatives yesterday to express their concern with the tension in East Timor.

The delegation was received by Aisyah Amini of the Moslem- based United Development Party, who is also chairwoman of Commission I for security and political affairs, and two colleagues, Abu Hasan Sazili and Ali Rasjidi.

Led by Nur Muhammad SQ, the ulemas and principals of Moslem boarding schools in Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi lodged a petition with the House, calling on the government to take prompt actions to solve the problem.

The ulemas called on the government to establish a fact- finding mission to obtain clear data on what triggered the incident and the actual number of casualties.

They suggested a number of actions be taken, including a meeting to gather together Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo of the predominantly Roman Catholic region, ulemas, the National Commission on Human Rights, the Armed Forces and the government.

They also called on the public to exercise self restraint and on Moslems to pray for solutions to the problems in the territory. (imn/swe)