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, August 23, 2005
THE SITUATION IN AMBON/MOLUCCAS - Report No. 484
1. SWEEPING ON ILLEGALLY POSSESSED WEAPONS - Last August 19, the
Province of the Moluccas joyfully celebrated its 60th anniversary. On that occasion
three RMS flags were spotted hoisted both in the Kudamati area of Ambon and in the
large village of Passo, Ambon island. In the subsequent search in Passo for evidence,
the police found a number of rifles and pistols and a large quantity of ammunition.
Three persons were detained and taken to the district police office.
2. PEACE CONCERT IN AMBON - We summarize the following report from The
Jakarta Post newspaper of August 22: Many thousands of Ambon people attended a
concert to mark National Independence Day. Over a hundred singers, musicians and
artists were flown in from Jakarta to the city. At least 177 performers appeared during
the event, including a large number of top national acts from the Moluccas itself. The
barrier between Muslims and Christians appeared to break down. Commentary of
Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu: "This great concert shows that a sense of
togetherness has returned to the Moluccas".
3. TROOPS PULLED OUT - More and more troops are being withdrawn from the
Moluccas now that apparently all violence has been done with. Last week two
batallions (à 600 troops) from Jakarta and East Borneo (Kalimantan) and a company
(100 troops) from the Brawijaya Military Command in Surabaya returned home.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
