ABC AUSTRALIA, 28/04/2004 21:23:19
Indonesian security chiefs hold emergency talks in Ambon
Indonesia's security chiefs have flown to the eastern island of Ambon for talks with
local leaders on ways to quell Muslim-Christian fighting, which has killed 36 people
since Sunday.
The delegation includes the acting security minister, Hari Sabarno, the military chief,
General Endriartono Suhtarto, and the national police chief, General Dai Bachtiar.
The security chiefs have met with Maluku provincial officials and about 100 local
leaders for closed-door talks at the airport.
It is not clear whether they will drive into the city, where snipers and bombers killed
one civilian and injured 11 earlier on Wednesday.
Officials say the violence is the worst since a pact in February 2002 ended three
years of religious battles in Ambon, in which about 5,000 people were killed.
More than 150 people have been injured and at least 200 homes and many other
buildings, including the United Nations mission, were set ablaze on the weekend.
28/04/2004 21:23:19 | ABC Radio Australia News
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