HTML pages designed & maintained by Alifuru67 Copyright © 1999/2000 - 1364283024 & 1367286044		Want to Help? CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA Jalan Pattimura 32 - Ambon 97124 - Indonesia Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337 E-mail: comamq@ambon.wasantara.net.id Ambon, May 22, 2001 THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 182 1. AFTERMATH OF RECENT VIOLENCE To yesterday s report on the burning and slaughtering of christians last Sunday night, March 20, we can add some further details. The number of wounded is at least seventeen. The deathtoll is nine people killed, among whom two soldiers. The bodies of the latter were found wearing military dress and bulletproof jackets. They had several grenades on them and other military outfit. The name of one of them was in tattoo on his arm: Djafar S. This added to the common assumption among the christians that some military servicemen were involved in these recent attacks. Military Chief Commander I Made Yassa, however, was reluctant to acknowledge any involvement of his forces in this recent eruption of violence. The Police Chief Commander, Darnadi, meanwhile declared to Suara Maluku daily at noon on Monday, that up to that moment he had not been informed yet about these recent attacks having taken place. The Governor, Dr.Ir.M.Saleh Latuconsina was not in Ambon during that night of violence. He is expected to arrive from Jakarta today. Many influential christians can be heard to urge this Governor to be replaced by someone with the qualities of the Governor of the North Moluccas, Muhyi Effendi. 2. AMBASSADOR OF THE NETHERLANDS BREAKS OFF VISIT The ambassador of the Netherlands to Indonesia, Mr. S.Baron van Heemstra, who on March 20 arrived in Ambon with Mrs. van Heemstra and a small company for a nine day visit to the Moluccas, in which besides Ambon, also the Banda Islands and the Kei Islands were on the program, eventually had to cut short his visit. Having met with the leaders of the Catholic Church and of the Protestant GPM Church, a meeting was held with the Deputy Governor Dra.Paula Renyaan (the Governor himself being in Jakarta) together with the Military and Police Chief Commanders. During this meeting it became evident that the situation was so serious that the Ambassador had to leave Ambon immediately. Though this was a disappoinment for the MUI (Muslim leading board), that could not be met with and also for the Kei Islands where a special program had been prepared, nevertheless Mr. van Heemstra and his company took this advice and having been flown over from the town of Ambon to Pattimura airport by helicopter left for Jakarta today. C.J.Böhm MSc, Secretary of Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina Note for a "Riupassa" somewhere in Germany. I must tell you the sad news that indeed Peter Riupassa is among the victims of the recent violence. His body was taken to Saparua yesterday and buried there. Received via e-mail from : Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina Copyright © 1999-2001  - Ambon Berdarah On-Line * http://www.go.to/ambon HTML pages designed and maintained by Alifuru67 * http://www.oocities.org/maluku67 Send your comments to alifuru67@egroups.com