CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 -- Ambon 97124 -- Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337
E-mail: crisiscentre01@hotmail.com
Ambon, February 6, 2003
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS - Report No. 353
1. ARRIVAL OF LASKAR MUJAHIDIN – Rumours abound in Ambon on the recent
arrival of numerous Laskar Mujahidin. Asked on this topic, military chief commander
Djoko Santoso answered that he had instructed his intelligence section – in
cooperation with police intelligence personnel – to explore on the veracity of these
rumours. One of our Crisis Centre members witnessed some 50 to 60 Laskar
Mujahidin disembarking from the Bukit Siguntang passengership at Yos Sudarso
harbour, Ambon, last Saturday, February 1. They were clad in grey-brownish robes,
he said. Undoubtedly they have come for social and religion-related activities in the
local Muslim community. We do not know about possible other preparedness.
2. MILITARY CHIEF COMMANDER REPLACED – Like everybody else, military chief
commander (Pangdam XVI Pattimura) Djoko Santoso, too, had to learn from the
newsmedia that he was to be promoted and given a new task in Jakarta. The one to
succeed him as the military chief in the Moluccas is Brigader General Agustadi.
3. RELIGIOUS LEADERS ON IRAQ – With concern, the leaders of the Christian and
Muslim communities in Ambon follow the development in connection with the threat of
war being waged on Iraq by the USA and its allies. Not only do they feel sorry for the
people of Iraq, but they also fear a declaration of war on Iraq will have its negative
impact on the now rapidly improving relationship between Christians and Muslims in
the Moluccas: any attack on Iraq might be interpreted as an attack of Christian
"crusaders" on a Muslim state. That is why, in close cooperation, the Muslim,
Protestant and Catholic religious leaders sent out a "Call for Peace" (which we sent
yesterday as Report 352). In a press conference yesterday, they explained on this
message; it got ample coverage in the local newsmedia today.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
