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CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA Jalan Pattimura 32 - Ambon 97124 - Indonesia Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337 E-mail: compro@ambon.wasantara.net.id Ambon, October 17, 2000 THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS - Report no. 78  SOLDIER KILLED - Monday afternoon, October 16, a conflict between some military marinirs and some Brimob policemen in the christian neighbourhood of Gudang Arang, Ambon, resulted in the death of a military intelligence soldier, named Karel Paulus. Three Brimob policemen, apparently drunk, had come down from their post at the Television Station, Gunung Nona, to Gudang Arang. An ensuing conflict was initially settled by the commanders of each unit, but was immediately overruled by undefinite shooting. An unidentified bullet struck Karel Paulus; he died shortly afterwards in hospital.   DIALOGUE - A growing willingness, even eagerness, to come to a dialogue is to be perceived on both sides. Last Saturday, October 14, some muslim and some christian (former) residents of Poka/Rumahtiga/Tihu met in the Governor's Office for a pre-dialogue. It was agreed upon that there should be formed a reconciliation team. There should also be socialisation of the will to put aside animosity and revenge. Funds should be made available to this purpose as well. On this occasion a muslim named Th.Kaplale, was heard to say: All of us should be ashamed when we see the harmony between christians and muslims in Wayame (nearby village consisting of mixed religion, but still untouched by the conflict). We should follow their example! It was noticed that the recent visit of the delegation of the European Union again and again stressed the need of mutual approach and dialogue. Protestant Minister Ds. Chris Sahetapy STh, member of the Provincial Legislative Council at Ambon, stressed than this dialogue should not be held between on one side Muslims and on the other side Christians, but "among brothers" ("orang basudara"), regardless of their religious adherence. He said that the Moluccans were not facing each other, but they together should face conspiration of certain elite persons on national level to destroy the Moluccas. The laskar jihad should be left alone: they are not our business, but the central government's business. But they should not participate in this dialogue. Also the muslims' condition that the christians should apologize to the muslims first, should be dropped. If there were to put a precondition to this dialogue, it should be an apology by local and national leaders of government, military and police for what they have done or permitted to be done to the Moluccans.   ELECTRICITY SUPPLY - Everybody understands that normal functioning of the PLN (Perusahaan Listrik Negara - National Electricity Company) in these circumstances should hardly be possible. All the more is praiseworthy that the PLN during these past two years has managed to operate near to normal. Their financial deficit since the start of the unrest in January 1999 is reported to have accumulated to a total of 40 billion rupiahs (Rp 40.000.000.000,-) = about US $ 4,700,000.- There has already been done a lot of repairing on damaged connections. However, due to the fact that of the eight generators four cannot be operated due to serious break-down, there is no choice than to effectuate a schedule of distribution, especially during the evening hours from about 6.00 to 10.00 p.m., leaving parts of the island of Ambon in the dark by turns (each other day).   Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina C.J.Böhm MSc Secretary   Received via e-mail from : Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina  Copyright © 1999-2000  - Ambon Berdarah On-Line * http://www.go.to/ambon HTML pages designed and maintained by Alifuru67 * http://www.oocities.org/alifuru67 Send your comments to alifuru67@egroups.com