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, December 23, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS - Report No. 338
1. RETURNING OF IDP-s – 79 Christian families (320 persons) that had fled the
island of Bacan (Province of the North Moluccas) almost three years earlier and had
found refuge in Kairatu, South Ceram, returned to their island yesterday. Acting
Governor Sinyo Harry Sarundayang witnessed their embarking at Waisarissa, Ceram.
He said that during his tenure as the acting Governor of the North Moluccas he had
already paved the way for their return. More than twice this number will return to
Bacan – he said – on January 10, 2003. In a similar way almost 300.000 other IDP-s
still have to be returned to their respective areas. However – he added – nobody will
be compelled to return to his original homestead.
2. PRESIDENT TO VISIT THE NORTH MOLUCCAS – Mrs. Megawati, President of
the Republic of Indonesia, is scheduled to visit the North Moluccas on December 26,
2002.
3. AMBON TOLERANCE – Though any fireworks in connection with the New-Year's
celebrations were banned early this month (see Report 334), up to now, since the
beginning of this month, there has been virtually no end to the exploding of crackers
and similar devices, even right in front of the police-station. However, nobody among
the Hermandads seems to care.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
