Protests greet Maluku negotiators

Jupriadi and Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Makassar

The peace accord for Maluku signed in Malino, Central Sulawesi on Feb. 12, 2001 was tested once again as protesters greeted the delegates upon their return in Ambon, the Maluku provincial capital, on Thursday.

In their protest against peace, a vocal group of Muslims condemned the peace delegations as they were on their way from Pattimura airport to the Maluku governor's office in the city.

Another group apparently from the local Christian community also pelted the cars carrying Muslim delegates with stones as they passed the Navigasi seaport area en route to the governor's office. A window of a delegate's car was broken in the incident.

Antara news agency reported that the situation became very tense when hundreds of Muslims gathered at the Al-Fatah Mosque, only 200 meters away from the rock-throwing Christians, but, later, both groups were dispersed without further incident.

On Wednesday, two bombs were detonated in Mardika-Batumerah subdistrict at 11 p.m. local time but there were no casualties reported. The local police are still investigating the incident.

The Java-based paramilitary force, Laskar Jihad has come out squarely in opposition of the peace agreement which, among other things, specifically names them and requires the 3,000 or so armed militiamen to leave the province. The force's leaders, however, claim they should not have to leave because they are Indonesian, and they intend to conduct "humanitarian" operations.

In addition to clashes with security personnel, the presence of Laskar Jihad had contributed to the prolonged conflict, according to experts.

Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina, who was visiting Jakarta on Thursday, ordered the police chief and the Pattimura military command chief to investigate the bombings and rock-throwing and arrest those responsible.

Maluku Provincial Police Chief Brig. Gen. Sunarko who felt ashamed by the two incidents, said the police would investigate thoroughly and would deal harshly with those found guilty of violating the law and groups who were trying to breach the peace accord.

"I will not stay calm. harsh measures will be taken against the people who are trying to ruin the peace agreement. The law shall be enforced strictly and equally," he said.

Sunarko who joined the entourage to welcome all the delegates, expressed his disappointment with the two incidents, which he considered a real test for security authorities to keep the peace and enforce the law in the province.

The 70 members of the two rival delegations flew in together aboard a military Hercules C-130 aircraft from Makassar to Ambon, symbolizing the peace among them. But they are facing a daunting task to explain the accord containing eleven important points among the people, some of whom oppose it.

One of key points is point number six on disarming both sides.

Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, chief of the National Police which is in charge of security in Maluku, vowed to impose stern penalties against anyone trying to dismantle the accord, regardless of their religious or ethnic background.

The police were giving three months for the two rival factions to disseminate the points in the peace accord to their own supporters before launching their disarmament operation in the province.

"After the three-month socialization period, the police will disarm everybody to create a conducive situation for peace in the province," he said.

He also said the state of civil emergency would depend much on the situation. "The emergency state will be lifted only after the situation is truly conducive in the province," he said.

Commenting on Wednesday's bombings, Da'i said an investigation was under way.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the government would be tough on those who promoted violence.

"If there are one or two people who disagree with the Malino peace deal, it's their right. But, should there be anyone who leads, incites or becomes part of a new conflict, the government will deal with them severely," he said.

Vice President Hamzah Haz also called on the security forces to search for weapons and disarm the people.

Separately, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the government would soon send judges to the province because of the prolonged conflict.

"Judges will be sent to Ambon only after the situation is truly peaceful," he said.

The two rival groups have urged the central government to send more judges and prosecutors to Ambon since many law enforcers had quit their jobs during the conflict.