Violence in Maluku

I regret Donna K. Woodward's letter Gen. Wiranto's Berlin Wall? in The Jakarta Post on Jan. 5, 2000. The violence in Maluku involves conflict between Christians and Muslims. The former wants to annihilate the latter. As history teaches us, if Muslims are a minority in a country, they are always the target of the majority of that country. Look at what happened in India, the Philippines, China, USA, Europe, etc. On the other hand, if Muslims are the majority, they do not disturb the minority, but, instead, they protect them as we witness in this country.

Gen. Wiranto's proposal for territorial separation originally came from the military team that went to Maluku some time ago. This temporary separation is one possible alternative at the moment that may curb the violence there.

Woodward's comment on Gen. Wiranto is not fair and is out of proportion. It seems to me that she was talking out of hatred and emotion which leads to ambiguity. No legal jeopardy has been proven yet. What has taken place was the clarification of information with the human rights committee. Woodward went too far in proposing that Gen. Wiranto step down as coordinating minister for political affairs and security. She only gave provocative and harsh criticism but proposed no alternative to solve the situation.

MUHD RAMZY HASIBUAN

Jakarta