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, May 26, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report No. 290
1. ARRIVAL OF STRIKING-FORCES – National KOSTRAD Chief Commander
Lieutenant General Ryamizard Ryacudu recently sent two battalions (3000 men) of
PPRC to Ambon. KOSTRAD stands for Komando Strategis Angkatan Darat =
"Strategic Army Command". PPRC stands for Pasukan Pemukul Reaksi Cepat =
"Instantly Reacting Striking Forces". The PPRC will mainly occupy themselves with
training activities. Ambon is chosen to this purpose in order to make them familiar
with the local geographic situation, so that in any future case of emergency they will
be able to "react instantly as a striking force". They will stay in Ambon for two
months. They earlier trained in the Posso area (island of Sulawesi) to the same end.
2. ATTACK ON SPEEDBOAT – In the morning of Saturday, May 25, 2002, a large
speedboat on its route from the village of Kamarian, West-Seram, to the village of
Haria on the island of Saparua, was shot at by two smaller speedboats, killing four of
the 55 Christian passengers and injuring 12. Thus was confirmed on local TV by
Police Chief Commander Sunarko. Among those injured was one of both police
servicemen that accompanied the speed boat on its voyage. The attacking
speedboats are thought to have departed from the island of Haruku.
3. CRITIZING WEAKNESS IN INTELLIGENCE GATHERING – Governor
M.S.Latuconsina expressed his disappointment with the performance of the
intelligence units, both of the military and of the police forces. It is hardly ever
detected when and where assaults or other acts unrest are being prepared. Post
factum, too, the delinquents are seldom traced. He seriously hopes full cooperation of
all civilians to report on any suspect activities that may trigger unrest.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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