ABC AUSTRALIA, 17/11/2003 14:41:46
INDONESIA: Photographs focus on peace in Maluku province
17/11/2003 14:41:46 | Asia Pacific Programs
Christians and Muslims in Indonesia's Maluku islands are trying to learn again how to
live with each other, almost 2 years after a peace accord ended years of bloody
fighting. When Indonesian photographer Tantyo Bangun visited the city of Ambon two
months ago, he was able to capture visual testaments of the first steps towards
peace.
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Transcript:
Meena David: This was Ambon at the height of the bloody clashes in 1999. A minor
argument on a public bus triggered violence on an unprecedented scale. In the
following three years, the brutality escalated as Muslims and Christians who'd
peacefully lived together for centuries turned on each other. Nearly 7,000 people died
and hundreds of thousands fled the mob violence. Ambon became a divided city,
partitioned into Muslim and Christian zones. But these images captured a little over a
month ago by Indonesian photographer Tantyo Bangun, tell a story of recovery,
reconstruction and hope.
Tantyo Bangun: We still have some areas that still in conflict situation. And I think
this documentation will be a good learning tools to other area that, within the civil
society, if there is a will and there is interaction between them, I think the peace
process is not impossible.
Meena David: In February last year, the opposing factions supported a peace
agreement. Unauthorised militia groups from both sides were to surrender their
weapons. Militant groups from outside the province who'd been involved in inciting
violence, like Laskar Jihad, were to leave. But the ink was barely dry on the peace
deal when hostilities erupted again. Yet, when Tantyo Bangun went there two months
ago, he was able to document several milestones in a remarkable progress towards
peace.
Tantyo Bangun: Her name is Stella and she's two years old. She was born in the
refugee camp. And then that day she's visiting her house for the first time. On the way
to the cities, it's very calm, very peaceful. People walking everywhere and there's
markets open. There are also some moments, like Indonesian independence
celebrations, which is successful, and it's very peaceful. People come to the
celebration, thousands of them, and this from both communities. Ambon anniversary,
the city anniversary, is like a week long, people celebrating on the streets, night and
day.
Meena David: But intermingled with Tantyo's images of hope are the poignant
reminders of the bitter past, and the spectre of violence is ever-present.
Tantyo Bangun: I think most of them agree that they still have victims on both sides,
but they cannot rely on the graves, and on the sadness to work to the future. Most of
them agree that they still have victims on both sides, but they cannot rely on the
graves, and on the sadness to work to the future
Meena David: The will to maintain peace may be there, but Tantyo Bangun admits the
forces behind the escalation of violence might not have been quelled. While last year,
the militant Muslim group Laskar Jihad announced it was disbanding, Tantyo Bangun
says members are still active in the province. And radical Christian separatist
movements could also provoke trouble. With a presidential election due to be held in
Indonesia next year, there are now fears that small militant political parties may also
reignite divisive issues.
Tantyo Bangun: If the Ambon people can resist that issue, it will be a successful and
peaceful election. And if not, it will have a serious consequences.
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17/11/2003 14:41:46 | Asia Pacific Programs
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