Bosnian mufti seeks RI support
Bosnian mufti seeks RI support
JAKARTA (JP): The grand mufti of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mustafa
Ceric, appealed on Saturday for greater Indonesian support in his
country's struggle for survival.
Ceric said he hoped the people of Indonesia, which has the
largest Moslem population in the world, would step up their
support the Bosnian struggle.
Ceric was in town over the weekend as part of a tour of the
region to solicit greater support and aid for his country.
He expressed appreciation for the support Indonesia has
provided to date, but said that developments in the war-torn
former Yugoslav republic have placed the Bosnian people in a
situation of even more dire need.
Ceric, considered one of Bosnia's most senior religious
leaders, said that it would be more effective if aid were
transferred through established institutions, rather than on an
individual person-to-person basis.
Speaking at a discussion on Bosnia sponsored by the Center for
Information and Development Studies, Ceric said that by making
donations through formal institutions, the aid provided would be
more easily accounted for and managed in meeting the needs of the
people.
Indonesia's Moslem community has shown concern over the plight
of the predominantly Moslem people of Bosnia.
Thousands of Indonesian youths volunteered last to fight in
defense of the besieged country, although they were never sent to
Bosnia.
Private groups, led by the Indonesian Solidarity Committee for
Bosnia-Herzegovina, have also contributed substantially to the
cause. This committee is estimated to have given more than US$1.5
million to the Bosnian government.
Committee Chairman Probosutedjo, the brother of President
Soeharto, pledged a further $400,000 during a meeting with
visiting Bosnian Prime Minister Haris Siladjzic last year.
The Indonesian government has also extended strong diplomatic
and financial support to Bosnia, donating $5 million. However,
Jakarta has so far been reluctant to supply armaments, citing the
fact that Indonesia is not a major arms producer.
The government has said it is willing to financially support
the establishment of a Bosnian embassy here, with businessman
Yukeng Susilawan donating the use of a Rp 3.5 billion house in
Menteng, Central Jakarta, for the purpose. (mds)