E. Timor religious forum told to avoid politics

JAKARTA (JP): An East Timorese councilor has called on religious leaders grouped in the newly established forum for inter-religious consultation in the province to stay away from politics.

Samuel Alex Petruz, deputy chair of the East Timor provincial legislative council, said in Dili yesterday that the forum, established last week by the government to curb racial and religious tension, should not be "saddled by political problems".

"It's not a place for politicking, it's a communication forum for different religious groups meant for solving relevant problems here," he told Antara news agency. "Otherwise, it would achieve nothing."

Members of the forum consist of representatives of the Roman Catholic Church in East Timor, the local chapters of the Indonesian Community of (Protestant) Churches, the Indonesian Ulemas Council, the Indonesian Hindu Council and the Dharma Buddha Foundation.

The forum was set up in an effort to restore peace and harmony in the province following last month's ethnic riots in which many people were injured. Later on, other riots also flared up, which were apparently triggered by what the authorities described as conflicts between gangs.

In a related development, East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares lashed out yesterday at groups of East Timorese in exile who are campaigning against Indonesia.

Abilio said the groups claim to be representing the East Timorese here, while actually they are only fighting for their own interests.

"They have spoken out against Indonesian in various international forums, but they are actually only seeking material profits for themselves," he told Antara.

He said the groups were free to do anything, but should not campaign at the expense of the East Timorese.

"They misuse the issue of East Timor for their own benefits," he said. "They should be ignored."

He called on the local people to be wary of the campaign lest it affects the development program in the province.

"If the province continues to be remain in a chaotic condition, the development program will be damaged," he said.

The former Portuguese colony, East Timor, integrated into Indonesia in 1976 to become the 27th province. The United Nations still recognizes Lisbon as the administrative power over the territory. (rms)