Warring groups agree to end clashes

JAKARTA (JP): Representatives of Ketapang residents reached an agreement with members of the Ambonese community in Jakarta on Monday to bar against a repeat of the bloody Nov. 22 clash between the groups.

Leaders of both sides told reporters the initiative was their own but they had agreed to make a formal declaration before police officers.

The decision was reached under the auspices of city police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman at city police headquarters on Monday.

Twenty-two Ketapang residents and 16 Ambonese attended the four-hour-long meeting.

The riot unfolded following a rumor, later found to be baseless, that people of Ambonese descent had burned a local mosque. Residents went on the rampage, burning churches and ransacking buildings.

At least 13 fatalities were recorded and material losses, particularly to churches and schools, are believed to number in the hundreds of million rupiah.

"We agree to forgive one another and therefore we don't intend to lodge any legal suits against each other," said Isaac Sairlela, head of the Ambonese group.

Abdul Azin M. Balhur of the Ketapang residents echoed Isaac's sentiments.

Abdul added that the residents' grievance was with the owners of two amusement centers, Keno and C&C, on Jl. KH Zainul Arifin in West Jakarta where the clash erupted.

"The owners never mingled with local residents and they never asked for permission before setting up the buildings for their amusement centers."

Both centers employed Ambonese security guards. Keno was razed by fire and C&C vandalized in the unrest.

Also witnessing the declaration were city police spokesman Lt. Col. Edward Aritonang and police detective chief Col. Gories Mere.

In his remarks, Noegroho praised the groups' initiative and invited them to work together to safeguard the neighborhood.

"I urge you to participate in city security as the police alone will not work efficiently without your help." (emf)