NO. 216/HMS/II/02 

Press Release

Agreement Reached by Rival Parties to End Conflict

The Muslim and Christian representatives have agreed to end their conflict that had lasted for more than three years.  This consensus in the search for peace and tranquility culminated in the agreement sealed by both parties.  In this respect, intensive talks were held from 11-12 February, 2002 in Malino, South Sulawesi, and the two sides were represented by an equal number of 35 delegates from the Muslim and Christian sides, as well as 8 mediators and 30 observers.

It is expected that this agreement will be followed by other appropriate measures and activities to ensure the proper implementation of the agreement. Foremost among these, is that the agreement envisages the establishment of two commissions, namely, on law and order and on socio-economic matters.

The 11 points of agreement reached by the concerned parties includes the following:

1. To end the conflict and violence.

2. To uphold legal supremacy firmly, justly and impartially.

3. To reject any separatist groups such as the RMS movement.

4. To reaffirm the rights of every Indonesian citizen to live and work in the entire state of the Republic, while according full respect to the local culture and traditions.

5. To ban all illegal armed organizations and failure to disarm would be dealt with according to the law.  Foreign parties causing unrest must leave the region immediately.

6. To establish a national independent investigative team.

7. To return displaced people gradually to their homes by rehabilitating and rebuilding social and economic infrastructures, such as educational and health facilities.

8. All kind of limitations hindering people’s freedom of movement must be lifted to revive economic and social life.

9. The Military and Police force (TNI/Polri) must stand unified and committed to carrying out their duties in line with their respective functions.

10. To ensure harmonious relations among the religious communities, parties must demonstrate mutual respect to local cultures and diversity in carrying out religious propagation.

11. To support the restoration of University of Pattimura.

This agreement was yet another positive result achieved by the Indonesian Government in its efforts to find a comprehensive and lasting solution to the sectarian conflicts in the country.  Present during the intensive talks, among others were the Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare, Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the National Police Chief General, Da’i Bachtiar, Governors of Maluku and South Sulawesi, Saleh Latuconsina and HZB Palaguna, respectively.

The event was considered to be an encouraging step forward by all the participants to reach a lasting peace to the Maluku conflict. A similar tone was  echoed during the government-sponsored talks to halt the sectarian conflict in the District of Poso, Central Sulawesi, resulting in a positive outcome with the conclusion of an agreement on 20 December 2001. On that occasion too, a declaration was read in the presence of the conflicting sides and respective government officials.  Since then, the progress recorded has been significant in Poso, especially as normalcy and tranquility have returned.

New York, February12, 2002