HTML pages designed & maintained by Alifuru67 Copyright © 1999/2000 - 1364283024 & 1367286044		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, September 10, 2000 THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 51 1). The Tabligh Akbar ( official lecture ) by the leader of the Jihad Communication Forum Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah, Ustad Jaffar Umar Tahlib, in the Ambon Al-Fatah Mosque on September 3, which was broadcasted on Radio Gema Suara Muslim is still much being talked and written about. The governor ordered him to be arrested on account of his provocative words, which jeopardize the recent relative conducive situation in Ambon. However, such a thing is not easy, for it may induce unanticipated reactions. Nevertheless people are asking: What is the use of having isolated Ambon during one month (August 10th - September 10th) if provocators like this Jaffar Tahlib have been able to enter unhindered? 2). It is reported that the christian/muslim delegation from Ambon which had a meeting with President Gus on September 2 (see Report 49 no. 3) was met by the president separately: the muslims by themselves / the christians by themselves. The two delegations also returned to Ambon on separate airplanes. 3). Starting on September 11, Ambon will be open again to the PELNI passengerships. However, to forestall any unwanted irregularities, the ships will not dock at the main harbour (Jos Sudarso Harbour, dominated by muslims), but at the neutral naval base of Halong, somewhat farther into the Bay, about 7 km from Ambon town. Security forces will escort disembarking passengers by road from Halong to Ambon. This road leads alternatively throught muslim and christian quarters. 4). 8.402 christian refugees from the island of Obi (North Moluccas) and from the town of Ambon were evacuated to the S.E. Moluccas and have been staying there since March 2000. It is reported by the secretary (Drs. J.M.Wattimena) of the newly established Kabupaten (sub-province) of Maluku Tenggara Barat (Western S.E.Moluccas), of which Saumlaki on the Tanimbar islands is the capital, that many of these refugees live in distressful circumstances, lacking enough food and sufficient medical care. This applies more specifically to the majority who have no family in those places. The 1.251 refugees from Obi up to now received rice just once (26 tons) via the local Social Department. The 7.151 refugees from Ambon are said never to have received anything but 10 tons of rice which was forwarded to them by benevolence of a local merchant. For non-natives it seems to be difficult to obtain permanently a plot of land to build a shed and to grow crops on it. In fact, for the time being, they just depend on the mercy of local residents. Their future is far from bright. NGO-s hardly reach that far up to now. 5). On September 7, Ambon celebrated its 425th anniversary. The modest celebration of it went without any irregularities. The day before, the official Moluccas Protestant Church (Gereja Protestan Maluku GPM) celebrated its 65th dies natalis, likewise without any disturbance. 6). As a whole, the situation in the Moluccas is quiet. It is just the population s anxiety that continuation of this conducive situation is solely dependent on the decision of the still numerous jihad warriors: whether or not to stop the confrontation. It is therefore that the christians only want to come to a dialogue with the muslims when these jihads will have left the area. CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA, Msgr Jos Tethool MSC Auxiliary Bishop 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://go.to/ambon HTML pages designed and maintained by Alifuru67 * http://www.oocities.org/ambon67 Send your comments to alifuru67@egroups.com