The Jakarta Post, April 8, 2002
Cabinet entourage visits strife-torn Ambon
JAKARTA (JP): A Cabinet entourage led by Coordinating Minister for Political and
Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono arrived in Ambon, the capital of the
disputed Maluku province, on Sunday in a bid to obtain firsthand information onlast
week's bomb attack, which killed four people and injured at least 58 others earlier this
week.
The bombing incident triggered outrage among residents in Ambon and led to the
arson attack on Maluku's gubernatorial office, the same day, Wednesday.
The incident was the first significant act of violence since both warring Muslim and
Christian camps agreed to bury the hatchet and end three years of bloody conflict in
Maluku in a government-sponsored peace deal dubbed the Malino II pact in February.
Also joining the entourage were the peace broker for Malino II, Coordinating Minister
for Social Welfare Jusuf Kalla, Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno and Indonesian
Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S.
The top officials also witnessed the destruction of 9,000 weapons and assembled
bombs gathered during the ongoing Maluku conflict, SCTV reported.
The Cabinet members were having a meeting with MalukuGovernor Saleh
Latuconsina, Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Soenarko and Pattimura Military
Commander Brig. Gen. Mustopo on Sunday evening to further discuss the latest
development in Ambonand Maluku in general.
"We are informed that security authorities here in Maluku are close to finding the real
culprits behind the bombing," Susilo said in a live phone interview on the private
television station, adding that all Maluku people have a common stance that they
wantpeace and no longer tolerate violence and its perpetrators
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