Masariku Network, 01 December 2003
Terrorists Continue to Assassinate and Provoke Christians in
Poso
Joko Harmono, Poso, Nov 27 2003
Last night the sound of bullets whistling through the air, bombs exploding and the
cries of "Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar" (Allah is great) again broke through the balmy
tropical evening in equatorial Poso, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Along with panic stricken residents fleeing their homes we ran into the streets in the
still of the evening anticipating that the town was about to be attacked by these
savage terrorists. Our fears deepened even further when suddenly the electric supply
went dead and the town was thrown into utter darkness. This was just another night in
Kawua on the edge of Poso, the scene of vicious Al-Qaeda, Jamaah Islamiyah,
Laskar Jihad and Laskar Jundullah attacks over the last five years. This was not an
isolated incident, but this is the terror these people are subjected to day in, day out.
Mrs. Luis Ticoalu, a Pentecostal pastor's wife had to put on a brave face as she
comforted the flock gathering in the streets not knowing would this be the night they
would meet their Creator. Some of those who huddled together in the streets had
been victims of previous attacks. Some had been shot and wounded. Some had seen
their loved ones massacred. Most had witnessed the destruction of their homes,
shops and churches.
Night after night, day after day the Christian community of Central Sulawesi is
subjected to terror. Sometimes it is the physical terror of a village being attacked by
well-armed hit squads dressed in black, shooting innocent women and children,
looting and burning down homes. Sometimes it is psychological terror by the use of
well-timed gunshots and the explosions of bombs at various intervals in different
directions to create the impression of a possible imminent attack. This is terrorism
pure and simple.
These terrorists are acting according to a plan. This is not communal violence. After
the Malino Accord in December 2001, the Christian community who had previously
armed themselves with homemade weapons to protect their women and children had
handed them in as part of the peace accord. Unfortunately these Al Qaeda trained
terrorists did not hand in their high-grade military arsenal and this has left the
Christians in an even more vulnerable position. All the Christians can do is pray.
A secret document outlining the plans of these terrorists, dated November 17, was
intercepted and passed on to authorities. The document, addressed to Jihad Sector
Coordinators stated, "We advise the Sector Chairmen and the Chairmen of the District
Coordinators to mobilize the masses and forces to destroy [the Christians]." The
document went on to advise that as to the techniques and methods to launch their
murderous attacks: "It is put into the hands of each sector and local coordinator. You
should try and produce a major and deadly impact, for example: sudden multiple
simultaneous attacks to shock them, blockading of their logistic and strategic routes,
and killings of important leaders among them. Accompanying these attacks, let there
be killings of people wherever and whenever they may be."
The same message was contained in a pamphlet being distributed in the mosques
and throughout the Muslim community. It said:
"Join together with the core force [Al-Qaeda, JI, Laskar Jundullah] that has already
been prepared. Join with your finances, your souls and even your lives. We are going
to carry out the following activities:
1. Mass attacks to cause shock.
2. Mass burnings and evictions from the city and surrounding districts.
3. Mysterious killings of leaders and important people among the Christians.
4. Blockading logistic and strategic transportation routes of the Christians.
5. Murders and burnings whenever and wherever we can. Do not allow the Christians
to have control.
To this end, make all the necessary preparations to take revenge and satisfy the
demand for vengeance held deep in our hearts. Sacrifice your possessions and souls
and even your lives to herald in a future which is in our hands."
This is exactly what is happening. The above letter and pamphlet are not just
propaganda. It is not just rumor. It is happening just as they said it would.
In several villages, on November 20, simultaneously from Tonipa and Toini 8 km to the
west of Poso to Matako, 32 km to the east of Poso there were gunshots and bomb
explosions around the villages. On the 21st in Bategencu, 15 km from Poso there was
a rumor that the village would be attacked that night and some prepared to leave.
Then they too heard shootings at the back of their village. They were too scared to
stay and too scared to leave. On the 23rd the same happened in the village of Sepe
just 6 km through the jungles from Poso. This is the terror daily facing the Christians
of Poso, Central Sulawesi.
On Monday, November 24, the Pentecostal Church (GPdI Ekklesia) in Palu was
bombed for the third time. The bomb was discovered and dragged to safety by the
police where it exploded in the open. A police spokesman said that there were still 20
bombs that they know of that are searching for and that all should remain on alert.
On Tuesday night, November 25, around 9.30 pm the Jamaah Islamiyah terrorists
carried out sporadic shootings in the direction of the housing of villagers in the
Christian village of Buyumboyo, 3km east of Poso. Ferdinand Saerang of the Poso
Watch reported, "no-one was killed, but several were wounded. The residents fled to
seek shelter in the direction of the Television and State Electricity complexes where
there is a military post. The people of Tentena immediately felt the echo of these
series of shootings, so that the town was tense all night long and guard posts were
set up. It was thought these terrorists might even attack in Tentena. Then near
midnight two bombs exploded near the Hero shop (a shop owned by a Christian and
no longer being operated) in Irian Street, Poso. There was another one that did not
explode. Half an hour later another bomb exploded in the ruins of the Poso Ekklesia
Pentecostal (GPdI) Church. The nearby village of Ranononcu was also terrorized
during the night with more rounds of automatic weapons and explosions.
This is the terror the Christians of Poso must continue to endure, but what is the
Government doing about it?
According to Tempo Interactive, November 24, the Minister for the Coordination of
Politics and Security (MenkoPolkam), Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, affirmed, that
"the situation in Poso was under control." Meanwhile Tempo Interactive reported "the
police are still looking for those who spread the rumors of an attack on Poso during
Idul Fitri. "The rumor is not true," said General Da'i Bachtiar, Chief of Indonesian
Police (Kapolri).... Apart from Poso, there was also the rumor of a homemade bomb in
a church in Palu. Apart from the rumors of an attack, there were also circulars
containing provocative rumors. "We don't know where they came from," said Da'i."
Such statements from the two most senior Government security leaders do little to
assure the Christians of Poso who continue to live under this reign of terror. Are their
statements just meant to divert attention from what is really going on and to appease
international concerns? How can their statements be so far from reality? Who are
they listening to or are they even complicit in this religious genocide being so openly
and freely perpetrated by these agents of Al Qaeda?
The mystery continues. The terror still reigns. The Christians are still being
massacred. And the Government says everything is under control!
MASARIKU NETWORK
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