Withdrawal of troops from Poso likely

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would likely be withdrawn soon from the Central Sulawesi regency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