Poso reconciliation team under fire

POSO, Central Sulawesi (JP): The team formed by the Central Sulawesi provincial administration to facilitate a reconciliation between conflicting groups in Poso has come under fire for its poor performance.

The criticism surfaced during a meeting on Monday between the provincial legislature, Poso district administration, Central Sulawesi provincial administration, the reconciliation team members and the security forces in Palu, Central Sulawesi's capital.

Councillor Arena Jaya Parampasi lashed out at the team for its lackluster efforts in resolving the recurring communal conflicts pitting Christians against Muslims.

Citing as an example, he regretted the absence of representatives of the Poso regent and legislative council speaker and the Christian camp at the meeting.

"How can we talk about reconciliation if they fail to turn up for the talks?" asked Arena.

Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Zainal Abidin Ishak joined the chorus of criticism, but promised to help the 160- member team restore peace in the region.

Poso military commander Lt. Col. Syamsuridjal, meanwhile, said that the reconciliation team had failed to live up to expectations because it did not enjoy grassroots support.

He pointed out that several measures already taken to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict, like the Rujuk Sintuwu Maroso peace agreement declared in the presence of President Abdurrahman Wahid not long ago, had proven to be fruitless.

The coordinator of the Poso Conflict Resolution Working Group, Tahmidi Lasahido, said that the reconciliation team's activities were not sustainable.

He said the resignation of Central Sulawesi Deputy Governor Kiesman Abdullah at the end of his tenure had brought the activities of the team, which was formed in 2000, to a standstill, whereas the new deputy governor, Ruly A Lamadjido, had acted too late, with the result that a fourth outbreak of violence had erupted in Poso. (24)