From: John MacDougall Subject: IN: SCMP - Religious leaders in talks to ease tensions To: apakabar@clark.net (John MacDougall) Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 19:18:46 -0500 (EST) South China Morning Post Tuesday December 31 1996 Indonesia Religious leaders in talks to ease tensions after rioting AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE in Jakarta Officials held talks with religious leaders yesterday in a bid to ease tensions in a West Java town where riots last week left at least four people dead. "The meeting was in the framework of consolidation so that stability and security can be safeguarded in West Java," Tasikmalaya district spokesman Asep Rashid said. He said it was attended by Muslim and Christian religious leaders from all over West Java, Religious Affairs Minister Tarmizi Taher and police and military chiefs. A Muslim mob went on the rampage in Tasikmalaya on Thursday, picking out mainly Christian targets and destroying or damaging more than 100 buildings. They were angered by alleged police mistreatment of three Muslim teachers. The meeting was called by West Java military commander Tayo Tarmadi. Mr Rashid said it was mainly to call on religious leaders "not to fall prey to incitements to violence from certain sides" and to "forge a common vision and perception" on security and stability in West Java. Officials said the meeting was also to brief the religious leaders on the riot and to enlist their support in restoring order. A National Commission on Human Rights team, which praised the military for not opening fire to quell the riot, was also in Tasikmalaya to determine the cause, reports said. Police are still holding 89 suspects after the riot. On Friday it spread to surrounding towns including Cibalong, where an explosion in a mosque on Sunday injured eight children. ----- End Included Message -----