ABC 25/04/2002 16:05:29
Anniversary of Maluku separatist group in Indonesia
There's been a protest by hundreds of loyalist Muslims in the eastern Indonesian city
of Ambon, as supporters of independence for the province of Maluku marked the
anniversary of a separatist group.
Security forces tried to calm about 1,000 Muslim protesters who had gathered in the
provincial capital, angry over the authorities' failure to stop the flying of the separatist
flags.
There have been no reports of violence.
Troops blocked roads to prevent the protesters from marching to Christian areas.
Separatists used air balloons to fly about 10 flags of the South Maluku Republic, a
separatist movement with a predominantly Christian support base, to mark the 52nd
anniversary of the group.
Security forces shot down two of the flags.
Officials are concerend that support from the RMS may affect a fragile state-brokered
peace agreement between Muslims and Christians that was reached in February.
Christians make up about half of Maluku's population.
25/04/2002 16:05:29 | ABC Radio Australia News
© 2001 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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