ASSOCIATED PRESS, Thu Apr 25, 2002 4:15 AM ET
Muslim mob burns half-built church in Indonesia's Ambon city
AMBON, Indonesia - A Muslim mob in the Indonesian city of Ambon torched a
partially constructed Christian church Thursday as protests against the flying of
separatist flags turned violent, witnesses said.
At least four people were injured when government security forces opened fire to stop
the attack on the Protestant Silo Church, which was being rebuilt after it was razed
during violence between Muslims and Christians that started in 1999.
The incident is the latest in a series that is testing the strength of a peace deal signed
in February between the two communities. The truce had succeeded in stemming
much of the sectarian fighting that has left up to 9,000 people dead.
Earlier Thursday, a mostly Christian separatist group hoisted about a dozen
independence banners around the capital of Maluku province. At least seven large
flags were attached to balloons and released into the sky shortly after dawn.
Around 1,000 Muslim protesters took to the streets in protest over the flags. Police
fired warning shots to prevent them from reaching a Christian area of the coastal city.
Three large explosions were heard, witnesses said. But there were no reports of
injuries or property damage.
The Maluku Sovereignty Front, known by its Indonesian acronym RMS, had
repeatedly warned it planned to mark the 52nd anniversary of a failed independence
bid on Thursday.
The RMS is a small group banned in Indonesia for its aggressive campaign to make
the southern part of the Maluku archipelago an independent nation, demanding a
referendum on self-determination in the province.
It has come to represent hardline Christian aspirations in the region, 2,600 kilometers
(1,600 miles) east of Jakarta. Its presence is often cited by local Muslims as
justification for their own militancy.
Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, but Maluku's two million inhabitants are evenly
divided between Muslims and Christians.
The group claims widespread support. But analysts say its reach and influence are
small compared to separatist groups in Aceh and Papua province.
"We don't want violence, but we are determined to keep struggling for independence,"
said its secretary general, Moses Tuankota.
Two of its leaders were arrested last week and have been charged with treason.
Earlier this month, a bomb exploded in a Christian area of the city, killing seven and
injuring scores of others. It was the first major violation of the cease-fire.
Copyright © 2002 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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