The Jakarta Post, May 11, 2002
Kostrad soldiers deployed to Maluku
JAKARTA (JP): The government will deploy a battalion of soldiers to Maluku to help
maintain security in the restive province, an official said on Friday.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
said that the deployment of the soldiers from the Army's Strategic Reserve Command
(Kostrad) was aimed at backing up the local civil authorities.
"Besides the deployment of the Kostrad soldiers, the government will also send an
assistance team to help the local governor execute his policies in the community,"
Susilo said.
He explained that a Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) force would also be deployed
there and would be assisted by a reserve force, which could be moved any time they
were needed.
"However, such deployment will not be effective without support from all the
components of the civil emergency authorities through effective coordination and
cooperation," Susilo said as quoted by Antara.
Over 20 people have been killed in fresh violence that broke out despite the historic
Malino peace pact, including several powerful bombs and the burning of the governor's
office last month.
The latest violence came on April 28 when a gang of masked, well-trained assailants
attacked the Christian village of Soya, near the Maluku capital of Ambon. (hhr)
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|
