Rival Maluku groups sign peace accord

Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Malino

Under the government's mediation, the two delegations of opposing factions, Muslims and Christians, signed a peace agreement that may end the three-year sectarian conflict that has claimed more than 6,000 lives and displaced some 700,000 people.

The peace accord containing 11 main points was signed by the two delegations' 70 members at 3:05 p.m. local time on the second day of their two-day peace talks held in Malino, some 70 kilometers northeast of the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar on Tuesday.

Both government officials and observers appeared satisfied when the two groups of delegates shook hands after signing the accord and began to sing the national anthem Padamu Negri (for you, my country).

The nine mediators representing the government in the peace talks were Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla, Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina, South Sulawesi Governor HZB Palaguna, chief of the Pattimura Military Command supervising Maluku and North Maluku Brig. Gen. Mustopo, National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, Ambon Mayor Max Papilaya, Maluku Provincial Police Chief Brig. Gen. Sunarko, Maluku Legislature Chairman Z. Sahuburua and Maluku Deputy Governor Paula B. Renyaan.

In addition to the mediators, 19 figures representing numerous groups who attended the meeting as observers, also witnessed the signing of the peace deal.

According to the accord, the two sides agreed to end the conflict that erupted on Jan. 19, 1999 and to uphold the law in endeavors to create peace in the violence-torn province.

Minister Kalla hailed the peace agreement, saying: "This a progressive step towards creating a peaceful situation in Maluku and allowing the people in the province to put this prolonged crisis behind them. It is binding not only for the two warring factions but also for other sides, including the government, military, police and religion-based groups."

Thamrin Ely, leader of the Muslim delegates, said he would now be committed to complying with the peace accord, but with one possible exception.

"Yes, we are all committed to implementing the peace deal," he said.

He added, however, that the Muslims in Maluku did not want the Maluku administration to expel Laskar Jihad -- the Java-based paramilitary troops -- by force.

"They should be allowed to stay in Maluku as long as they do not violate the law because they are also Indonesian citizens," he told The Jakarta Post.

Tonny Paraile, leader of the Christian delegation, said the two sides must be accountable for their own members or supporters found guilty of violating the law and the peace accord.

"We are optimistic the two sides will be able to end the conflict and create peace," he said.

Amboina Bishop Mgr. P.C. Mandagi, a member of the Christian delegation, said there were no other alternatives for the two sides but to end the conflict and work together to create peace.

"The government should play its role as a fair judge to supervise the implementation of the peace agreement," he said.

From Washington, the United States government welcomed the peace agreement to end the sectarian bloodshed.

"Such dialog is key to resolving the conflict in Maluku," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said in a statement.

"These talks are an important step in Indonesia's efforts to end violence, re-establish the rule of law and provide for reconstruction in the troubled province," he said.

The United States has provided nearly six million dollars in assistance to victims on both sides of the conflict and will continue that support for reconstruction and reconciliation, Boucher said.

The peace talks began on Monday at a neutral venue in the hill resort of Malino.

Unrest broke out in Ambon, the capital of the Malukus, following a trivial dispute in January 1999. Apart from some 6,000 deaths, the conflict has forced more than half a million people from their homes. Related story on Page 2

In the pact, the two sides agree to end all conflict, enforce the law equally, reject separatist movements, accept the presence of migrants, reject the presence of all militias, including Laskar Jihad, set up an investigation team, return all the displaced people, rehabilitate all damaged assets with government aid, ask security authorities to remain neutral and normalize education activities at Pattimura University.