Poso reconciliation team under fire

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)