Poso's Christians, Muslims sign truce

Poso's Christians, Muslims sign truce

Jupriadi and Erik W., The Jakarta Post, Malino/Palu

True to the words that came from their first meeting,
representatives of the Christian and Muslim groups of Poso who
have been locked in fighting for three years, pledged Thursday
afternoon to end their hostilities.

The agreement came at the end of a relatively smooth, two-day-
long conference at a cool mountain resort area about 70
kilometers southeast of South Sulawesi capital Makassar.

Just prior to the signing of what has been called the "Malino
Declaration," Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf
Kalla, who has been acting as mediator in the peace talks, read
10 points from the written agreement.

The two sides have promised to cease all conflicts and
disputes; abide by due process of law; request that the state
take firm and impartial measures against any violators; reject
civil emergency status and interference from foreigners and
outsiders and reinstate property to their rightful owners.

After reading the document, Kalla let 24 delegates from the
Christian Red Group and 25 delegates from the Muslim White Group
sign it. They then shook hands and embraced.

The delegates comprised of religious and tribal leaders, along
with field commanders of militias from each of the two camps.

"With this declaration signed, we hope the road to
reconciliation will crack open," Kalla said.

Ten other officials and observers who also signed the
declaration, along with Kalla, included South Sulawesi Governor
H.Z.B. Palaguna; Central Sulawesi Governor Aminuddin Ponulele;
National Police representative Insp. Gen. Jusuf Manggabarani;
South Sulawesi Police Chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani, Central and
Sulawesi police chief Brig. Gen. Zainal Abidin Ishak.

It was the fifth such agreement reached by the two groups, who
have been involved in ongoing sectarian conflict in Poso, about
700 kilometers to the north of Makassar.

The two factions also agreed to set up two joint commissions
in the immediate future. One will deal with law and order; the
other, social and economic conditions.

Some stipulated work scheduled thus far includes disseminating
the contents of the Malino Declaration to people by the Law and
Order Commission between Dec. 21 and Jan. 6, 2002 as well as
returning refugees from Feb. 7 until March 7.

There will also be a processing of legal cases from Feb. 7 to
five months ahead.

Asked to comment on the declaration, Johannes Santos of the
Christian group said he was optimistic that peace would finally
arrive in Poso. "We all are very happy we can forgive each
other," he told The Jakarta Post.

Crisis coordinator of Central Sulawesi churches, priest
Reinaldy Damanik, held a more guarded optimism. "This does not
mean the end of our efforts; there are things to be implemented
as yet," he said.

Damanik emphasized the need for legal enforcers to act
impartially. "I think this kind of things needs an extra effort
from us all," he said.

Yahya al-Hamrie from the Muslim White Group, meantime, said
his group viewed the declaration as a step forward. "We are all
grateful that we are working to end the conflict," he said.

Another member of the Muslim group, Adnan Arsal, said this
would be the final attempt to achieve peace.

"If this agreement is betrayed again, the Poso Muslims will
declare a Jihad -- there will be no retreat anymore," he said.

Kalla said the tone, and outcome, of the peace talks were
different from earlier ones.

"You can see for yourself that the rival factions were very
sincere, and they have come to realize that they have caused
numerous sufferings in the conflict," he said.

Separately, the national police chief, Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, who
went to Poso and Tentena Thursday, said he was convinced that the
Poso people would act in good faith end their enmity.

"The people wish to have a peaceful life as they had before
the conflict," he told reporters on his arrival in Palu.

Life has already returned to normal in both Poso and Tentena,
he said.