AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MEGAWATI SUKARNOPUTRI December 4, 2001 Hj. Megawati Sukarnoputri Dear Madam President: Warmest greetings to you during the holy season of Ramadan. I am writing on behalf of the Christian Conference of Asia, a fellowship of 115 churches and councils from 18 countries Asia, and whose total membership is approximately 55 million individual Christians. We are also in fellowship with the World Council of Churches and many regional ecumenical Christian bodies all over the world. We are concerned about the situation in Central Sulawesi, where reliable reports have indicated that the Laskar Jihad is harassing non-Muslims to the extent of burning their houses and killing them, apparently without being controlled by the police or military. We strongly appeal for your urgent intervention through the pulling out of all those who come from outside the conflict area and mandating them to return to their places of origin, as they are now in Poso, Central Sulawesi and elsewhere in Indonesia. It is also quite important at this critical moment in Indonesia to disarm the civilian people in order to minimize the violence in such areas as Ambon, North Maluku, Aceh, Irian Jaya. Above all, it is urgent that the human rights of the Indonesian people to live in peace and security be ensured. We seek your urgent intervention to ensure that all of the citizens of Indonesia can live peacefully, regardless of their religion, thus upholding the internationally well-known history of religious tolerance and respect in Indonesia. We hope for all this so that all Indonesians may celebrate Idul-Fitri, Christmas and the New Year in joyful harmony and unity. As we Christians are also celebrating the Advent Season around this time, we join you in your prayers for peace and justice for all. We wish you a meaningful Ramadan season and a glorious Idul-Fitri. Yours faithfully,
AHN Jae Woong Sent by Fax: 62-21-344 2223 Hong Kong December 4, 2001. |
