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 9, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report No. 280
1. ADJUSTMENT OF BAN ON VISITORS – The government is still wary on visits by
foreigners to the Moluccas. The governor’s spokesman declared on local TV last
night that:
- Tourists are only allowed to visit relative stable areas. These areas include the South
East Moluccas, the Western S.E.Moluccas and the Banda Islands, however with
previously granted permission of the governor and after thorough screening.
- Those with a diplomatic mission and officially recognized international NGO
employees that already had been given permission to enter the area prior to April 30,
2002, are allowed to enter the Moluccas, however, they will be screened meticulously.
Of course there is no objection that those that have no previous permission, contact
the Governor in order to obtain permission to enter the Moluccas, specifically Ambon,
if they have a specific reason.
There was no mentioning of any likely permit being granted to foreign newsreporters.
We have the impression that for them there is no way of entering the area. They
deserve better!
2. REPORTS FROM OUR LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES IN JAKARTA – The
35 member Ambon Council yesterday met with the Minister for Political and Security
Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Among other items, the subject of the
Independent National Investigation Team (see Report 279 no.4) was raised. The
Minister declared that the team will consist of eleven members: five Muslims, five
Christians and one Hindu. The Provincial House of Representatives meanwhile had a
meeting with House Speaker Akbar Tanjung. Next May 10 – Tanjung said – a
mission of parliamentarians will be dispatched to Ambon ! for a brief visit.
Yesterday afternoon the Provincial and Ambon Council members – totalling 80 –
were received in audience by President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
3. INTERNAL CONFLICT ON THE ISLAND OF SAPARUA – The Christian villages of
Porto and Haria on the island of Saparua once again went to war one against the
other yesterday, like they did earlier on April 10, 2002. On that occasion three people
were killed. Now again three persons were killed. Seven persons were injured by
bullets, three of them critically. Six houses were burned.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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