Withdrawal of troops from Poso likely

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Police and military reinforcements would likely be withdrawn soon from the Central Sulawesi regency of Poso, wracked by years of bloodshed and sectarian conflicts since 2000, as peace has largely been restored there, say officers.

Sr. Comr. Sukirno, deputy chief of the Central Sulawesi provincial police, said on Monday that the planned withdrawal of soldiers and police officers was due to the improving security conditions in Poso.

The move was connected with the end of their terms of assignment in the former strife-torn town, he added.

However, South Sulawesi Military Commander Brig. Gen. M. Sulchan on Tuesday could not confirm the planned departure, saying he was not notified about it.

He said he would welcome the plan if it was already decided.

Sulchan said military forces had so far been stationed in Poso under the operational control of the Central Sulawesi police.

Therefore, it was left to the police authorities whether to pull out all the reinforcements from Poso or not, he added.

"The withdrawal is gratifying because it means that the security conditions in Poso are getting better, which we have all been striving for," Sulchan said. --Antara