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.