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, May 5, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report No. 277
1. JAFAR UMAR THALIB ARRESTED – Yesterday at 4.00 p.m. (W.-Indonesia Time
= 6.00 p.m. Ambon Time) Laskar Jihad Commander Jafar Umar Thalib was arrested at
Juanda Airport, Surabaya. He was immediately sent on to Jakarta, where he
subsequently was detained at Police HQ, whereas his seven accompanying aides
were detained in Surabaya.
2. REACTION IN AMBON ON JAFAR'S ARREST – As soon Jafar's arrest was
known in Ambon, masses convened and moved threateningly towards Christian
quarters. We could hear the frightening sound of exploding bombs and gunfire. People
in the endangered areas fled to safety. Security forces succeeded in preventing major
bloodshed. In the turmoil one person was killed and more than a dozen were
wounded.
3. DPRD-s LEAVE FOR JAKARTA – In accordance with what had been decided last
Thursday, May 2, the members of the Provincial House of Representatives (DPRD
Maluku) left for Jakarta yesterday, to plead the cause of the Moluccas with the central
Government. Of its 45 members only 34 departed, but others will follow on first
opportunity. On their flight from Surabaya to Jakarta they were on the same plane as
Jafar Umar Thalib.
DPRD Kota Ambon, the 35 member Town's Council, will leave for Jakarta today.
For the purpose of these visits, see our Report No. 275 (May 3rd). The Governor
meanwhile acknowledged he did not mind the Government being impeached by the
Town's Council (see Report No. 275).
4. LAND MINES – It seems that those who attacked and destroyed the village of
Soya last April 28, upon leaving the village early in the morning, placed a number of
land mines near the village. One of these exploded wounding Yongky Pesulima (30)
severely at his left hand.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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