Poso's rival factions agree to end conflict

Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Malino

For the fifth, but hopefully last, time, delegates of the two warring factions in strife-torn Poso, Central Sulawesi, have agreed to end the three-year conflict that has claimed more than 2,000 lives.

Delegates of government-sponsored peace talks met in Malino, around 40 northeast of South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar, on Wednesday. They comprised religious and tribal leaders and field commanders of militias from the two conflicting camps.

Representing the Christian Red Group were, among others, Renaldi Damanik, Luther Maganti, Anton Kongkoli, Ar. Rampotji, Ar. Tobundo, J. Kambodji, Jimmy Tumbelaka and Tonimba, the last two being Catholic priests. Several of them are commanders of the Bat, Red and Gray militias.

Those representing the Muslim White Group were, among others, Adnan Arsal, Umar Nana, Yahya Al Hamrie, Adnan Bola, Yusuf Dumo and Agus Dwi Karna. They are field commanders of the group's military wings, including Jihad, Jundullah and Hizbutthahir militias.

Habib Saleh, an influential figure among Poso Muslims, was absent from the meeting for unclear reasons.

The meeting, held at the Celebes Hotel in the mountainous town, proceeded with a greeting ceremony for the two warring factions' delegates under the tight security of 300 local police officers.

All delegates, including local officials, underwent a tight security check before entering the venue.

The meeting began with separate talks between mediators representing the government and the two groups' delegates.

The peace talks were held after the conflict, which had worsened over the last two months, sparked increasing protests both at home and overseas.

More than 2,000 civilians have been killed, thousands of houses, places of worship and school buildings have been burned down since the conflict was triggered by an argument between two groups of youngsters from different religions in 1998. The conflict had ethnic and sectarian nuances that spread to villages. It was exacerbated by a demand for the regent to be replaced.

Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla has been acting as mediator in the peace talks. Accompanying him at the meeting were local officials, including South Sulawesi Governor HZB Palaguna, Central Sulawesi Governor Aminuddin Panulele and Maj. Gen. Achmad Yahya, chief of the Wirabuana Military Command overseeing Sulawesi.

The two sides' delegates were scheduled to sit down at the same table to discuss the peace deal in detail with government mediators on Thursday.

Most delegates of the two warring factions expressed a strong commitment to end the prolonged conflict and to create peace in Poso without reservation.

Hamid Awaluddin, spokesman for the White Group, said that despite opposition from several delegates, his side was prepared to make peace with their rivals.

He emphasized the need for a commitment to peace and mutual respect.

B. Pelima, spokesman for the Red Group, concurred and said his side was prepared for peace without any conditions.

Asked about human rights abuses over the last three years, Pelima said both sides should trust law enforcers to handle all such cases according to the law.

"The important thing is that the two sides must be ready to end the conflict, create peace and entrust all law infringements to law enforcers," he said.

Both Awaluddin and Pelima conceded that all peace agreements that the two warring factions had made in the past had been ineffective since all field commanders who were directly involved in clashes were not involved in previous talks.

Minister Kalla hailed the first session of the two-day meeting, saying both sides had agreed to end the conflict and proceed to the second session to follow up a detailed peace agreement on Thursday.

According to him, the meeting was different from previous ones because besides the presence of religious and tribal leaders, field commanders of the warring factions also participated it.

"Despite some differences among delegates, the two sides' commitment to peace is major progress toward a permanent solution to the conflict," he said.

Kalla hoped that no clashes would erupt after the meeting because their leaders and field commanders had agreed to end all hostilities and strive for permanent peace in Poso regency.

Meanwhile, in Jakarta, Vice President Hamzah Haz insisted that foreign intervention was not needed to solve the Poso conflict.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endiartono Sutarto, after meeting President Megawati Soekarnoputri, said that the military would stage war exercises in Poso next month for unspecified reasons.