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THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 158 (30/03/2001) #941
Ambon is also being visited by two representatives of the National Assembly of the Uniting
Church in Australia, Rev. John Barr (secretary for Indonesia and East Timor) and Ms. Joy
G.Balazo (Secretary for International Human Rights). They are eager listeners to various
information by the Protestant Synod, the Diocesan Crisis Centre and others.
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 157 (28/03/2001) #939
MOSLEM TRAINING ACTIVITIES The Governor ordered both chief commanders also to crack
down on the alleged armed, physical and military-style training activities by moslems in Waai
village, a former christian site, which was totally destroyed by moslem forces and consequently
was occupied by moslems renaming it Waai Salam (starting at July 6, 2000 see our Reports
No. 12 sqq.).
A war only God sees (28/03/2001) #938
Seattle Times Monday, March 26, 2001 - With her home destroyed and her church burned to
the ground, 14-year-old Marina Rumakur knew there was only one way to survive: Convert to
Islam and submit to a painful rite of mutilation. Trapped by Muslim extremists on the tiny
Indonesian island of Kesui, she and more than 900 fellow Christians surrendered. Hundreds of
Catholics and Protestants were forced to undergo female genital excision or male circumcision
with kitchen knives and razor blades as the island was "purified" of all its Christians.
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 156 (28/03/2001) #936
PROVOCATIVE RADIO STATIONS Two radiostations in Ambon in their daily late afternoon and
evening broadcasts are considered by the christians as provocative for their moslem listeners
and slanderous for christians, namely Radio Gema Suara Muslim (GSM) and Radio Suara
Perjuangan Muslim Maluku (SPMM). It is very irritating to hear so many false newscasts being
sent out, twisting facts and even concocting events that never occurred. The Governor as the
Responsible for the Civil Emergency State is urged to reprimand or to close down these
stations, since the Laskar Jihad in this way seems to try to prevent that any reconciliation be
achieved.
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 155 (26/03/2001) #932
LETTER FROM MIRIAM ABDULAH TO CHRISTINA SAGAT C.S. Several Indonesian speaking
readers of these Reports, asked us for the complete text in Indonesian of the letter from
Miryam to Christina, of which we sent out a translated abbreviated edition in our latest report.
So here it is, while apologizing to those who do not master Indonesian.
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 154 (26/03/2001) #931
MISINFORMATION BY LASKAR JIHAD COMMUNICATION FORUM Last Thursday, March 22,
the deceased christian leader Agus Wattimena was buried. The burial was attended not only
by many common people, but also by representatives of the chief commanders of the military
and police forces. In honour of the deceased leader, there were salvos of gunfire. Next day the
Laskar Jihad Communication Forum at Yogyakarta in one of its regular e-mail bulletins reported
on what happened after the burial: The RMS dissidents attacked the military forces in the
villages of Kudamati and Batugantung, Ambon& Making use of molotov cocktails and organic
weaponry, these agitators spouted numerous fusillades towards the military forces, starting at
5.00 pm up to 6.30 pm. Being thus assaulted by these insurgents, the military responded by
even more powerful gunfire&etc. We just want to ask: when will this unholy twisting of facts by
this Communication Forum stop? For in fact that afternoon not any shot was fired except firing
in the air in honour of a hero.
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 153 (26/03/2001) #930
WITHDRAWAL COMBINED BATTALION The present conducive situation in the Moluccas is
mainly attributed to the firm stand of the Military Combined Battalion (Batalyon Gabungan or
Yon-Gab). However, it has already been decided that this battalion will be withdrawn from the
Moluccas within short. They have been on duty in the Moluccas for seven months now, and will
be replaced by other troops. However, at least the christians urge the military leaders to come
back on this decision and maintain these special troops that have proved their reliability.
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 152 (23/03/2001) #925
25 APRIL, DAY OF THE RMS? Next April 25, the RMS exists 51 years. There are rumours in
Ambon that on that date christians will put out the RMS flag. However, christian leaders once
again stress that in Ambon the RMS is extinct. Malik Selang, secretary of the moslem MUI
Maluku guarantees that from moslem side there will be not any violence on that day. Anyhow,
security forces will be on the alert to forestall any irregularities.
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 151 (21/03/2001) #922
A National Dialogue Committee is currently being held (14-17 March) in Tual, Southeast
Maluku. Some 200 Muslim and Christian participants travelled together from Ambon on the
same ferry - in itself a big step forward. The Dialogue aims to bring people together from the
whole province to propose ways to rehabilitate all aspects of their communities and to work
towards reconciliation. The cultural principles of tolerance inherent in Maluku are being used as
basis for the way forward. About 1,500 people are participating.
Paul Taylor's testimonial to USCIRF (20/03/2001) #919
As an anthropologist who has been studying the Moluccas since 1976, I have been asked to
provide a brief "Situation Analysis," to assist the very important work of your Commission. I
speak here entirely as a private citizen, on leave today from the Smithsonian Institution and not
representing that organization in any way with these comments.
Holy war in the Spice Islands (20/03/2001) #918
The Economist Mar 15th 2001 - There is still gunfire every night in Ambon, the capital of the
Moluccas, and sometimes a shattering bomb blast. Once a thriving commercial city, it is now
a deadly maze of Christian "red" areas and Muslim "white" ones, a pattern of demarcation that
has spread to the neighbouring islands. Children play near the front line and cheerfully tell
visitors to relax when "there is no shooting at the moment." But virtually all adult Moluccans
are tired of the killing, which has ruined their beautiful islands. Yet that does not mean it is
over...........For all Dr Manuputty's fine words about living together in peace, even moderate
Muslims in Ambon see his FKM as a threat. Laskar Jihad has started putting angry references
to FKM alongside those to the RMS in its propaganda outside Ambon's main mosque. Its
members are turning more radical. Afghan-style turbans can often be sighted in the Muslim
sector of Ambon, and it is becoming more common for women to cover their heads in public.
Refugees from Muslim areas of the archipelago have horrific tales to tell of forced
Islamicisation, with death the only alternative to conversion. And many believe this is part of a
wider long-term strategy to turn not just the Moluccas, but all of Indonesia, into a
fundamentalist Islamic state.
Explosions rock Ambon (20/03/2001) #917
Jakarta Post March 18, 2001 - After weeks of calm, gunfire and explosions rocked Ambon on
Sunday as three explosions took place near the Wijaya II hotel in the restive border area of
Batu Merah - Mardika at around 5 p.m. local time.
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 150 (20/03/2001) #916
NATIONAL DIALOGUE LANGGUR On Sunday, March 18, the inter-religious National Dialogue
on Revitalizing Local Culture for Rehabilitation and Development in the Moluccas towards a
New Indonesia in Tual-Langgur, Kei-Kecil, was closed. One of its recommendations called the
Pesan Langgur said: On behalf of our belief in God Almighty and in order to enhance human
values and dignity, we, the participants of the National Dialogue, have reached an accord to
proclaim what we will call The Langgur Recommendation i.e. The firm and unvacillating intent to
find a solution to end the conflict and the violence which up to now have unsettled the
Moluccas and North Moluccas . It was also agreed upon that the dialogue at Langgur had to be
seen as a step in the ongoing process of dialogue to end the conflict, encompassing all those
who are involved in the unrest. Though there will always be religious and ethnic differences,
however, adat (local custom) and especially adat houses should be permanent meeting points
for all . The participants also pledged after returning to their locations in the Moluccas and
North Moluccas to be ambassadors of the Langgur Recommendation.
Maluku provocateurs 'must be punished' (19/03/2001) #912
LANGGOR, Maluku (JP): While expressing confidence that they can solve the prolonged
sectarian clashes themselves, Maluku people on Friday asked the central government to take
stern measures against parties that continue to provoke them.
Indonesia: Overcoming Murder and Chaos in Maluku (19/03/2001) #911
Lacking an effective security force, the Abdurrahman Wahid government has allowed the killing
in the Maluku region to simmer for almost two years without formulating a clear strategy to
overcome the violence. One element of such a strategy must be the removal of the Laskar
Jihad from the two provinces but this will not be enough. It is essential that the security forces
are capable of protecting both communities and particularly that the removal of the Laskar
Jihad is not followed by renewed attacks by Christian militias on Moslems. Peace cannot be
restored until both Moslems and Christians feel that their own personal security is guaranteed.
It is crucial that the government regain control of its police and military forces in Maluku and
that these forces act in a neutral way between the rival communities.
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 149 (19/03/2001) #910
On March 15, the last day of the Synodal Conference of the Moluccas Protestant Church
(GPM), the Synod Chairman for the next period (2001-2005) was elected. The chosen one to
replace Pendeta Sammy Titaley, chairman during the period 1996-2000 was Pendeta Dr. I.W.J.
Hendriks. As the Secretary General was elected Pendeta S.J. (Buce) Mailoa. Majority of the
votes for the offices of Vice Chairpersons I & II went to Pendeta L.Lohy and Pendeta
H.S.Leleury. General opinion, also from the side of the catholics and the moslems, was in
favour of the elected persons.
Presentation of Maria Sliwa at the Jan Karski Wellspring of Freedom (19/03/2001) #906
Two days ago, the South China Morning Post reported that "Faith is a big issue these days for
Ambon's beleaguered Christians," after a series of onslaughts by well-armed Muslim forces, left
at least half the city in ruins. On the same day this article was published, the LA Times
reported that "The Christians, (are) often outnumbered and outgunned by the Muslims." And
that "Muslims and Christians who wish to see each other must meet in one of the city's few
neutral zones-the governor's office, the airport or the military hospital."
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 148 (15/03/2001) #902
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).
'Purified' in the Name of Allah (15/03/2001) #901
AMBON, Indonesia-With her home destroyed and her church burned to the ground, 14-year-old
Marina Rumakur knew there was only one way to survive: Convert to Islam and submit to a
painful rite of mutilation.... Trapped by Muslim extremists on the tiny Indonesian island of
Kesui, she and more than 900 fellow Christians surrendered. Hundreds of Roman Catholics and
Protestants were forced to undergo female genital excision or male circumcision with kitchen
knives and razor blades as the island was "purified" of all its Christians. The victims ranged
from a 6-year-old girl to a 74-year-old woman.
Teen Relives 'Nightmare' of Life as a Muslim Slave (15/03/2001) #900
WAIPIA, Indonesia-For seven months, Benhard Leinussa lived the life of a Muslim slave...
Forced to convert to Islam and undergo circumcision after his village was destroyed, the
17-year-old said his Muslim captors gave him a new Islamic name, Suadin, and put him to
work.
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 147 (14/03/2001) #899
On March 12 a delegation with religious background arrived at Ambon. This delegation, which
intends to stay in Ambon up to March 16, consists of representatives of the Dutch interfaith
Moluccan organisation Hain , the Dutch Council of Mosques, and the Global Ministries of the
Uniting Churches in the Netherlands. Since last November they have joined their actons for the
population of the Moluccas as a whole in the so-called Aksi Selamat . This delegation
meanwhile has visited government and religious leaders and has had talks with various
organisations that are involved in reconciliation efforts and humanitarian aid to the victims of
violence. Also several refugees sites have been visited.
Lawmakers told of atrocities against Moluccan Christians (14/03/2001) #897
CNS March 12, 2001 - Illustrating their personal testimony with photographs and horrific video
images, American civil rights workers and Indonesian atrocity victims told U.S. policymakers
Friday of a systematic butchering of Christian civilians by Islamic warriors in Indonesia's
Moluccan islands...."Christians I met with on the Moluccan islands witnessed their loved ones
being hacked to pieces by 'Jihad Warriors,'" said Steven Snyder, president of International
Christian Concern, a civil rights group.
In God and pipe bombs they trust (14/03/2001) #896
South China Morning Post Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - They are the shock troops of a
crusade to defend the Christian faith and they are mostly still at school....They call themselves
"Agas", an abbreviation for "Church Children who Love God". It also means "gnat". Several
dozen of them live in the half-finished Catholic cathedral in Ambon, the main city in Indonesia's
troubled Maluku Islands, sleeping on the pews without mattresses or sheets.
THE UNTOLD TRAGEDIES OF MALUKU (14/03/2001) #895
The findings of International Christian Concern following a fact-finding trip to Indonesia in
February 2001. On February 21, 2001, as the ICC team was in Indonesia, according to the
Jakarta Post (February 24, 2001 issue) the predominantly Christian village of Alang Asaude in
the Seram islands was attacked by members of the Laskar Jihad. The attack, the third since
January 19, 1999, took place during the early morning hours as armed assailants made their
assault from three directions, by sea, land, and along mountain tracks. Three local residents
were killed and the remaining residents fled to the jungles and were later evacuated by the
military. Most of the houses were gutted by fire. John Tomasoa, a civil emergency
administration spokesman in Ambon was quoted as saying, The attackers were reportedly
members of the Laskar Jihad. It is terrible that these people keep on provoking unrest and
looking for the chance to create chaos.
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 146 (13/03/2001) #893
NATIONAL DIALOGUE AT KEI-KECIL - The Crisis Centre of the Diocese of Amboina, in
cooperation with the Go-East Institute at Jakarta and the local Government, organizes a 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. More than one
thousand participants are gathering for this special event, which is to take place on March 14
17, 2001.
INDONESIA COALITION PRESS CONFERENCE (12/03/2001) #891
First and foremost, Jubilee Campaign and this Coalition believe that an end to violence and
restoration of peace in Indonesia should be the Bush administration's top priority as it relates to
Indonesia. The United States must take a lead in promoting this process and not seek to
delegate that responsibility to others.
Groups of provocateurs identified in Maluku (12/03/2001) #890
Jakarta Post March 12, 2001 - Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina revealed on Saturday that
civil emergency authorities have identified groups of defiant security officers responsible for
provoking chaos in the strife-torn province.
US aid groups no longer stand quietly (12/03/2001) #889
Christian Science Monitor Thursday, March 8, 2001 - International Christian Concern (ICC)
and Christian Aid have launched a campaign, in support of local pastors, to rescue more than
7,000 villagers under threat from Laskar Jihad. One rescue mission by boat has been carried
out and 22 others are planned.
A Collection of Radio and TV News about Maluku Tragedy (08/03/2001) #886
Listen to what observers, politicians and journalists say about Maluku Tragedy.
MEDIA RELEASE - UNITING CHURCH, AUSTRALIA (07/03/2001) #885
The Riverland congegations (South Australia) of the Uniting Church in Australia in conjunction
with Uniting Church Oveseas Aid will be launching a National Appeal tommorrow, 8 March in
Berri, South Australia. The Appeal is for the Kei Islands in the southeasten region of the
Maluku Islands. We have strong contacts with people in the region and a delegation will be
travelling from Australa to Indonesia in May to meet with leaders from Kei. Rev Professor
James Haire, President of the Uniting Church in Australia will lead the delegation
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 145 (07/03/2001) #883
GPM SYNOD On March 4 the GPM (Gereja Protestan Maluku = Moluccan Protestant Church)
opened its 34th Synod, which is to last to March 14. In his opening address Minister Sammy
Titaley STh, chairman of this largest and most influential of the Protestant Churches in the
Moluccas, provided a summing up of the situation of the GPM after more that two years of
bloody conflict in the Moluccas: 2000 church members killed, including several ministers; 179
protestant communities scattered; 190.000 church members live as refugees; 192 church
buildings destroyed; destroyed also 8 Classis offices with all of their inventories.
It's impossible to bring total peace in Malukus (05/03/2001) #882
Jakarta Post March 03, 2001 - "Basically we are wary about the fragile calm in Maluku. Many
contributing factors are involved here, from the social-cultural character of Maluku people who
are known to have hot tempers to the fact that there are complex security problems and that
distrust among all elements of society runs high," Firman Gani said.
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 144 (05/03/2001) #881
The governor of the Province of the North Moluccas, Muhyi Effendie, confirms that the North
Moluccas are closed to people from outside, both Indonesians and foreigners if they cannot
prove to have a proper reason to enter the area. According to Jakarta Post 28/2/2001, thirteen
foreigners have been deported from the North Moluccas for illegal entry during the recent period
of January and February. The last to be deported were two Australians, one American and one
New Zealander," North Maluku Police chief Adj. Snr. Commr. Zulkarnain told press agency
Antara . Earlier, on January 26, the police deported three Dutchmen who planned to attend the
meeting of the Christian community in Halmahera, together with six others from Pakistan.
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 143 (02/03/2001) #879
Mariners sentry post at Halong-Atas, east of the town of Ambon, unexpectedly and for no
apparent reason was assaulted by a fusillade from the direction of the moslem site of Kebun
Cengkeh at 7.30 PM on February 28. The mariners answered the gunfire, and got enforcements
meanwhile. Local residents panicked. No casualties were reported.
Bombs, gunfights in Ambon (02/03/2001) #876
Jakarta Post 28/2/2001 - Sporadic bomb explosions and gunfire hit several parts of Ambon
island in from Monday to Tuesday, officials reported later in the day. "Bomb explosions took
place in Batu Merah area as well as in Galunggung and the outskirts of Ambon," civil
emergency authority spokesman John Tomasoa said by phone on Tuesday.
Maluku conflict needs specific touch (02/03/2001) #875
Jakarta Post 1/3/2001 - The widespread conflict in Maluku is "specific and needs significant
handling" compared to unrest in Aceh and in Central Kalimantan, a military officer said. "The
case in Maluku is far different from those in other parts of the country since it involves religious
matters," Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Air Rear Marshall Graito Usodo told a session
on journalism in conflict areas here.
English News February 2001 (Arumbaikole)
English News from 31st December 2000 - 31st January 2001 (Maluku67)
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