Poso's rival factions agree to end conflict

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.