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CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 - Ambon 97124 - Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337
E-mail: compro@ambon.wasantara.net.id
Ambon, December 11, 2000
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS - Report no. 105
- ATTACK ON ARIATE - The christian village of Ariate, West-Ceram, was attacked by
muslim forces, enforced by Jihad troops, on Saturday, December 9, at about 11.00 a.m.
There is no information available yet about any damage or casualties, but for one
christian being wounded. After several hours the assailants were beaten off by local
christians together with the security forces that are stationed there. An additional 30
security forces have been flown in from nearby Kairatu by helicopter to ensure security.
- ISLAMISATION - Agus Wattimena (aged about 60), leader of the christian "grassroots"
fighters with headquarters in the neighbourhood of Kudamati, Ambon, declared to
"Siwalima" newspaper that it is more and more apparent that in the Moluccas there is a
process of islamisation underway. Forced conversions of christians to the islam have
been frequent lately, not only on the island of Keswui, but also elsewhere in the central
Moluccas. Though it upsets the international community, up to now nothing has been
done to stop this process. The ultimate goal seems to be: islamizing the whole
Moluccas. Since up to now there are no apparent or visible appropriate measures being
taken by the Indonesian government to put a halt to this process, it is likely to be part of
a scheme i.e. to change Indonesia into a Muslim state. Well - Agus said - in that case,
in the name of our honor and the dignity of our christian identity, we will use any means
to baffle the Responsible of the Civil Emergency State.
He urges the Moluccan Legislative Council (DPRD) not to close their eyes on this grave violation of human rights. He further said: The protracted conflict which has been going on for almost two years now, proves that Indonesia has no longer any leaders that are to be trusted: "All of them have been contaminated by their desire for personal profit".
- WITNESS OF ISLAMISATION - Today's "Siwalima" newspaper proffers a lengthy
interview with a Mrs. Hero Renyaan from Wunin, Keswui. Here is a summary of this
lady's report. After the village of Utha, island of Keswui, was attacked on November 23,
three days later it was the turn of Wunin Eldedora to undergo the same fate. We had no
chance. All of us fled to the woods. On November 28 our muslim brothers from the
village of Tamer Timur came after us to take us - they said - to the mosque of Tanah
Baru, where - again they said - 200 christians from Karlomin had gathered already. So
full of hope we went with them. Having arrived at Tamer Timur, they collected any
weapons that were still in possession of our men and we were divided into two groups:
One group (I myself was among them) was led to the mosque of Tanah Baru, whereas
the other group was taken to Kelbof. On arriving at the mosque of Tanah Baru, a lot of
muslims, including their imams, were awaiting us.
Still in front of the mosque a shower of questions was poured upon us by the imams. They said: "By order of the Jihad, now you have come down from the woods, this means that you have to embrace Islam. If you are not willing to do so, we have to separate you from the others and you will be killed". So what were we to do? Some of us started to pray, like: "Lord Jesus, we are Yours. You have chosen us to be Your children. If therefore we have to be killed, so be it". But others said, one to another: "Let us just do it, if only the Holy Spirit's candle in our hearts will not quench". Mrs. Renyaan was among the latter. In her report nothing was said about anybody in fact holding on his/her christian faith.
- INVESTIGATION TEAM RETURNED FROM KESWUI - Just now we learned about the
arrival baack to Ambon of the investigation team that had been sent to Keswui to
compile clarification on the islamisation of local christians. The whole team consisted of
muslims but for two catholics, among whom Father Ferry Binsasi SVD, on of the two
parish priests of Masohi (Keswui is part of the large parish of Masohi, South Ceram).
We have not yet had the opportunity to meet any of these. We will report on it later
today or tomorrow.
- WORKSHOP OF CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS IN YOGYAKARTA - A meeting of
Moluccan christians and muslims was held in Yogyakarta, Java, on December 4 - 11,
2000. Both groups were composed of about fifty representatives. It was the third meeting
of the kind and was meant to pave the way for a genuine reconciliation between the two
conflicting parties in the Moluccas. Reporters from two Ambon newspapers, "Siwalima"
(christian) and "Ambon Expres" (muslim), were present. too. Earlier meetings had been
held last August and October. The delegates agreed to the following five items:
(1) Starting of dialogue among the Moluccans,
(2) The establishing of two neutral zones in Ambon to facilitate economy and education,
(3) Protection of these two areas by local residents themselves as a Peace Keeping Force,
(4) Action "Baku Bae" = Being of Good Will, for whole Indonesia,
(5) Guaranteeing justice to be done in the whole Moluccas.
Also was called for a People's Dialogue ("Musyawarah Rakyat") to be organized inthe Moluccas in April 2001. The result of this workshop should be spread and promoted worldwide. Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X of Yogyakarta, who was also present at this workshop, wrote his directive on a white piece of cloth: "Restoring Peace is the Plead of Everybody's Inner Voice". He said that restoring peace in the Moluccas can only be done by the Moluccans themselves, but the first step should be done through a clean intermediary team.
C.J.Böhm MSc,
Secretary of Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
Received via e-mail from : Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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