Poso conflict and intelligence

Poso conflict and intelligence

From Media Indonesia

The communal conflict in Poso, Central Sulawesi, is a tragedy
of humanity that should be solved by finding its fundamental
causes. The discovery by intelligence that some of its
perpetrators were formerly involved in the same rioting, and the
arrests of several suspects in the attack on local villagers,
indicate a heartening achievement by security authorities and a
serious endeavor by the government to thoroughly settle the
conflict.

In this context, observers and politicians should exercise
restraint in making statements, to avoid subjective and
tendentious comments without concrete evidence. The security
apparatus should be given the opportunity to unveil the case. If
suspicion is left unchecked, the world image of national
intelligence, and Indonesia as a whole, will be spoiled.

For instance, Dr GJ Aditjondro's statement accusing
intelligence personnel of being involved in the Poso conflict is
highly illogical. One should not always put the Indonesian
military and intelligence service in a corner.

The recent unveiling, capture and trial of culprits in the
crimes against humanity prove that the security and intelligence
personnel are not as bad as described by some political
observers.

SUMIATI MUHID

Jakarta