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, January 11, 2001 THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS - Report no. 122    RECONCILIATION BETWEEN CHRISTIAN FACTIONS - The young christians of Batugantung, town of Ambon, have ended their recent conflict which resulted in the death of a young man, named Erick Latumeten (see Report 120 no. 1). To forestall similar conflicts to happen in future they have founded a Satgas Bersama (kind of joined Crisis Center) mainly to prevent any one from outside to provoke internal conflict. They also confessed their neglectfulness in regard to attend worship and guidance meetings, causing their minds being more and more contaminated by actions of violence. Thus we read in today s Siwalima newspaper.   PROCLAIMING DIALOGUE - On occasion of a Meeting of Thanksgiving by a number of christians at the start of the New Year on January 9 in the Baileo Oikumene ( Oecumenic Center ) several speakers proffered promising language. Grassroots leader Agus Wattimena stressed that Moluccan christians and muslims were being played off against each other by outsiders. Minister Sammy Titaley, chairperson of the Moluccas Protestant Church (GPM) urged the grassroots to become ambassadors of peace , opposing any provocator as their common enemy. Governor M.Saleh Latuconsina informed those present that a large-scale dialogue ( musyawarah ) is being planned to take place next March. The Governor also mentioned the distressing situation on the islands of Kesui and Teor, calling it a most serious issue which is not easy to solve. However, he said, I ask you to entrust this case to the Responsible for the Civil Emergency ( = the Governor himself) and the security forces (summarized from Suara Maluku newspaper January 11).   THE SULTAN OF BACAN WANTS REFUGEES TO RETURN - The sultan with adat chiefs and the population of the island of Bacan [pronounced batyan ], North Moluccas, declare that within short the christians of Bacan, several hundreds of whom fled to the Tanimbar islands, S.E. Moluccas, about ten months ago, will be persuaded and facilitated to come back to their homesteads at Bacan. Thus was confirmed by the Governor of the Province of the North Moluccas, Mr. Muhyi Effendie, to press agency Antara at Ternate.   FKM LEADER DETAINED - FKM is short for Front Kedaulatan Maluku , which means Moluccas Sovereignty Forum . On own responsibility a much disputed declaration of sovereignty was pronounced by its leader, Dr. Alex Manuputty on December 18, 2000. Several influential persons, including protestant and catholic church leaders, had tried in vain to prevent such ambiguous declaration. Afterwards Mr. Manuputty denied that he had separative intentions. Now, at last, Dr.Manuputty has been arrested for further investigation on several accusations. Though the FKM is thought to have not many adherents, nevertheless we perceived that his detention caused some commotion among christians.   VILLAGE ON TEOR ATTACKED - This morning, January 11, at 6.00 am, an attack was launched on the christian village of Rumoy on the island of Teor. However, the attackers could be beaten off by Yonif 623 security forces. Thus was declared this evening on local TV by Military Chief Commander I.Made Yassa.   CASUALTIES AT GALUNGGUNG - The improving situation in the town of Ambon induces some daring christians to pass through muslim neighbourhoods. However, a car with five christians on its way through the muslim neighbourhood of Galunggung was attacked, resulting in three of them wounded, whereas the two others are missing. Likewise a limousine car was thrown at and shot at near a mosque at Batumerah, resulting in two christians being seriously wounded.     BAY OF AMBON STILL UNSAFE - This afternoon a speedboat, bound for Galala, left Gudang Arang (Ambon town) but met disaster. It was shot at, causing the death of one christian; eleven others were wounded, among whom four seriously.   ANOTHER MISINFORMATION - Via laskarjihad@mailandnews.com, Forum Komunikasi Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama ah at Yogyakarta on January 8 informs its readers that: "The christians aspiration to establish an independent nation, separated from the Republic of Indonesia, is more and more evidents On Saturday January 6, RMS posters and flags were placed along the streets and at civilians houses - This was done at all christian sites" - Reading this, we are just baffled. No muslim dares to come into christian neighbourhoods or villages. So who is sending this nonsense to Yogyakarta? It is simply not true, and we are very sorry that such reports are being sent out all over Indonesia. Careful checking on the facts would help a lot to promote the process of reconciliation and peace in the Moluccas, which is sincerely being hoped for by all Moluccans. Meanwhile we have sent an urgent letter to this Forum Komunikasi asking for mutual consultation whenever possible in order to avoid any misinformation leading to further unrest in the Moluccas. N.B. CORRECTION: Writing on withdrawal of security forces in our latest report (Report 121 no.2) we mistakenly mentioned Yonif 404. This should be Yonif 403.   C.J.Bohm MSc, Secretary of Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina  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/maluku67 Send your comments to alifuru67@egroups.com