E. Timor religious forum told to avoid politics

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)