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, October 31, 2003
THE SITUATION IN AMBON/MOLUCCAS – Report No. 397
1. HAND-OVER OF WEAPONRY – During the month of October, 2003, on four
occasions weapons, ammunition and grenades have been handed over by civilians to
the armed forces, mostly in secret ways, without disclosing people's identity. The
latest was a surrender of 22 (twenty-two) homemade bombs and two standard rifles.
The latter apparently orginally came from the weaponry storage buildings of the
Brimob Police Headquarters at Tantui. which was looted and consequently burned on
June 21-22, 2000.
2. 16 SHOPS BURNED – On October 29, sixteen shops not far from the Al-Fatah
Mosque in the centre of the city of Ambon burned down. Since it was the fourth major
fire within a week, some are inclined to believe that arson is involved.
3. THE RMS LAWSUIT – On October 29 the case against RMS-suspected Jhon Rea
c.s. was continued (see Report 395). The nine defendants acknowledged at last the
legality of the process by an Indonesian court. The numerous spectators meanwhile
kept on behaving unorderly. After the session, the police could narrowly prevent a fight
between the supporters of Jhon Rea c.s. and the witnesses (police personnel that had
arrested the band last April).
4. VISA – Up to now sixty countries have been enjoying visa-free entry into
Indonesia. However, a new visa policy comes into force next December 1. From then
on, Indonesia will allow tourists from 20 countries and Taiwan to obtain a 30-day
renewable visa on arrival. These countries include Australia, New Zealand, several
European nations and the United States.
Visa-free entry is now being restricted to 10 mainly Asian countries and territories that
give Indonesia reciprocal rights. The new policy has sparked protests from the tourism
industry, which is still struggling to recover from the impact of the Bali bombings in
October last year.
Thus is reported by ABC News / Radio Australia.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
