CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 -- Ambon 97124 -- Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337
E-mail: crisiscentre01@hotmail.com
Ambon, March 29, 2003
THE SITUATION IN AMBON/MOLUCCAS - Report No. 360
1. DEMONSTRATION ANTI AMERICA – On Thursday, March 27, a group of
students from the Muslim STAIN Academy went up to the provincial House of
Representatives building at Karang Panjang to protest against the attack on Iraq by
the USA and its allies. One of their statements was their objection against the
inauguration of the recently built new UN Office building on Anthony Rheebock Street,
Ambon, since the UN proved to be unable to properly protect human rights. It was
even suggested that they were backing up the Moluccas Independence Movement
(RMS).
In order to forestall any disturbance of the present calm situation in Ambon, it has
already been decided by the authorities that the official opening ceremony of this
office – originally planned to take place today – will be postponed. Thus was
confirmed by Police chief commander Bambang Sutrisno on local TV.
2. OCHA’S MISSION – Local TV this evening showed OCHA chairman Michael
Elmquist providing to the mass media explanation on the stance of the OCHA (Office
for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs) in connection with recent protest actions
by Muslim students against the official opening of the new UN Office, even against UN
presence in the Moluccas. Mr. Elmquist stressed that the various UN activities in the
Moluccas were exclusively aimed at dealing with humanitarian affairs, more
specifically in relation to the 330.000 refugees, and did not interfere whatsoever with
political issues. This was sternly confirmed by the local head of social affairs, Mr. I.
Umarella, who also said that the Moluccas still could not do without this valuable UN
assistance.
Mr. Elmquist further emphasized that the various UN offices in the Moluccas do not
support or endorse any political group, including the FKM (Front Kedaulatan Maluku)
and RMS (Republik Maluku Selatan).
3. CLASH BETWEEN MILITARY UNITS – On 25-26 March, a trivial argument
between some personnel of on the one side the Armed-16 battalion and on the other
side the Zipur-5 battalion at Wayame, a village on the northern coast of the Bay of
Ambon, resulted in fearful shooting, terrifying local residents. The shooting, however,
did not result in any casualties or significant physical damage, and not long
afterwards peace was restored.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
