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, January 24, 2003
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS - Report No. 349
1. VICTIMS OF SNIPER – The large village of Waai is/was a christian enclave in the
midst of the predominantly muslim area of Salahutu at the eastern end of the northen
peninsula of Ambon island. Waai was totally destroyed in July 2000 with a huge death
toll and was consequently claimed by Muslims to become ("again" – they said) a
Muslims village, altering its name in Waai Salam. The place has become a desolete
one since. When two Muslim men were gathering firewood near Waai last January 20,
they were unexpectedly shot at by a sniper, killing one of them and injuring the other.
The police so far has no clue about the sniper's identity but hastened to ensure the
citizens of Ambon that this was a purely criminal act.
2. AUTOMOBILE SHOT AT – A car-driver was injured when struck by a bullet early
this morning while, driving his pick-up car, he passed through the notorious ascending
road through Galunggung, at the eastern end of the city of Ambon. A man clad in a
black jacket stood openly at the side of the road, aiming his gun and shooting at the
four people that were in the car.
Events like these, however, apparently do not influence the growing mutual
understanding and gradual intermingling of both communities.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
