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 Ambon, February 21, 2001 THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 140 1. VISIT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION On February 20, a delegation of the European Union arrived at Ambon. Among the delegates were the Ambassadors of Swedia, the Netherlands, England and Kuwait, also delegates from Australia, Japan, USA and the European Union. Present were also the Indonesian Minister of Permukiman & Prasarana Wilayah (Housing & Regional Facilities), Ir. Erna Witoelar. The delegation on its travel from the airport to the town of Ambon by road (about 40 km) visited several sites, such as the villages of Laha, Wailete (where rebuilding activities have started), Hative Besar and Wayame (famous because of its mixed moslem/christian population, living in peace together). Next was the Campus of the Pattimura University at Poka (destroyed on July 2-4, 2000). Having rounded the bay, the group of delegates arrived at the naval base of Halong and met with the local moslem and christian refugees. Having arrived at the town of Ambon, the evening was spent having a three hours meeting with the Governor and other civil, military and police officials at the Governor s mansion in the neighbourhood of Manggadua. The delegates guaranteed their help in any any efforts to come to sincere dialogue and reconciliation in order to restore normal conditions in the Moluccas. The governor brought forth an eight item government planning, mentioning: handling of the refugees, housing, rebuilding of churches and mosques, rebuilding of public facilities, transportation, enhancing seriousness among the security forces, press coverage and jihad presence. In 2001, priority should be given to rebuilding the island of Ambon. During this meeting the Bupati (governmental head) of the Central Moluccas at Masohi (Ceram), Mr. Rudolf Rukka, asked for an additional battalion of security forces for the island of Ceram, because on that very large island unrest is flaring up again and again. Today the delegation is visiting various sites in Ambon and will then go on to the North Moluccas (Ternate). 2. REFUGEES OF BURU DEMAND THEIR RIGHTS Christian refugees from the island of Buru, many of whom now staying at the refugee camp of the naval base at Halong, island of Ambon, ask the government authorities to guarantee their rights, such as the right to return to their original homesteads and villages on the island of Buru, the right to cast their votes at the election of the Bupati of Buru, the exposure of forced islamisation that happened on Buru, much the same as in Salas (Ceram) and on the islands of Kesui and Teor. 3. CANCELLING OF REPATRIATION A planned repatriation of two thousand moslem refugees to the the village of Garua, Kecamatan (region) of Tobelo, North Halmahera (North Moluccas) was suddenly cancelled. They were due to leave for their original homesteads, for which longsheds already had been erected, on Tuesday, February 20. However, the day before a christian of Mamuya, near Tobelo, was killed, which enraged the local christians. The governor of the North Moluccas, Mr. Muhy Effendi, who himself was to accompany the returning refugees, dare not take the risk of renewed conflict and had no choice than aborting the project. It is apparent that somebody or a certain group in this way try to prevent the planned repatriation and reconciliation.  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