HTML pages designed & maintained by Alifuru67 Copyright © 1999/2000 - 1364283024 & 1367286044		Want to Help? 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 THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 148 1. NATIONAL DIALOGUE AT KEI Today the more than a thousand participants, gathering from the whole Moluccas, were ready to start the three day National Dialogue on Revitalizing Local Culture for Rehabilitation and Development in the Moluccas towards a New Indonesia in Tual-Langgur, Kei-Kecil, S.E.Moluccas (see Report 146 no. 1). Large tents have been set up at the Msgr. Aerts Memorial site near the shore at the village of Langgur. The participants have been received with much exultation by the local population with dances according to local tradition. Eight villages were appointed as hosts to the guests. Only one thing failed this morning: the chartered airplane from Jakarta has stranded in Makasar due to some technical defect. On the plane are keynote-speaker Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs and several other speakers and panelists. It is expected that the airplane will arrive at Tual tomorrow and that the National Dialogue can be opened at 11.00 AM. 2. NOSTALGIA We wonder why the Communication Forum Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama ah at Yogyakarta by its regular bulletins keeps on mistrusting the sincere intentions of the christians in the Moluccas, while constantly calling them infidels and RMS . We have kind of nostalgic feelings to the time when the conflict was still a purely Moluccas conflict and there was no interfering from outside. Allow us to recall to mind a COMMON APPEAL from and to the ISLAM AND CHRISTIAN FAITHFUL in the Moluccas, dated 22 January 1999 (when the conflcit was three days old}: We, Islam and Christian Believers in the Moluccas, while evaluating the situation and condition which come upon us on the island of Ambon, appeal to everybody: (1) The Islam and Christian Communities to be consistent in maintaining their unity in matters of religion and not to be influenced by various negative insinuations or provocations from and by anyone ore anywhere which intend to destroy our Pela and Gandong and to disintegrate society. (2) To maintain the brotherhood between those who are from different faiths, and honour the Human Rights; not to indulge in attacking one another, destroying, burning people s possessions, facilities and houses, shops, markets so that wil be restored peace and harmony for the sake of the nation. (3) In order to protect the inter-religious unity in the Moluccas, especially on the island of Ambon, we do not tolerate anybody from outside to disrupt our society. (4) We appeal to the police and military forces to take forceful measures according to the law, fair and just, without favouring one to another. Thus this our appeal which we issue in close togetherness. Ambon, January 22, 1999 LEADERS OF ISLAM AND CHRISTIAN FAITHFUL in the Moluccas, 1/ Chairman of the Synod of the Moluccas Protestant Church (signed) Pdt. Sammy Titaley 2/ Bishop of the Diocese of Amboina (signed) Msgr.P.C.Mandagi MSC 3/ Chairman MUI Maluku (signed) H.R.R.Hasanussy 4/ Chairman of the Community of Al-Fatah Mosque, Ambon (signed) H.Abd.Soulissa Known to the Governor of the Moluccas Province (signed) Dr.Ir. M.S.Latuconsina So far this quotation. Though belatedly, effectuation of its contents might solve the problem and put an end to the conflict. C.J.Böhm MSc, Secretary of Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina Received via e-mail from : Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina Copyright © 1999-2001  - Ambon Berdarah On-Line * http://www.go.to/ambon HTML pages designed and maintained by Alifuru67 * http://www.oocities.org/maluku67 Send your comments to alifuru67@egroups.com