CIDES clarifies

I would like to refer to an article published on Oct. 21, 1998, page 2, CIDES laments revival of sectarian politics, which is seemingly a stance that is the only vision of Center for Information and Development Studies (CIDES) scholars.

Actually, it is only the visions of some CIDES scholars, not all. For me, democratization should not be confined by any ideological constraints, be they Islamic, Christian, Socialist or anything else. The consensus we have is that a power struggle among parties must not be grabbed through violence, low politics, manipulation or any other bad means. We have to be open-minded on this new revival, let it be. We must not repeat the mistakes of the New Order's regime by creating unnatural constraints.

Let the people decide their own fate through peaceful means. For some other news points, they belong to the respective speakers.

TAUFIQURRAHMAN

CIDES -- Jakarta