AsiaNews [Italy], 3 May, 2004
MOLUCCAS - INDONESIA
John Paul II writes to tortured Christians in Ambon
The family of Christian separatist leader has been arrested, while it is suspected
Laskar Jihad militants have arrived in the region.
Rome (AsiaNews) - John Paul II sent a telegram to the bishop of Amboina to express
his sorrow for the victims of Christian and Muslim clashes. In the telegram the pontiff
also asked for an immediate end to the violence that erupted last week.
The text of the pope's telegram to Msgr. Petrus Canisius Mandagi, was sent by way
of the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano. The message read: "His
Holiness John Paul II has been informed of the new outbreak of violence in Ambon,
which has led to the loss of many lives, serous injuries, looting and burning of homes,
schools and churches. During this time of suffering and great unrest, he wants to
assure all the Christian population (of the region) that he shares his heartfelt fatherly
sentiments and solidarity with them. He offers his deepest prayers so that public
order will soon be restored and that there will be peaceful relations between the
(area's) various religions and sectors of society. His Holiness has prayed to God, our
merciful Father, so that He may grant (eternal) peace to those who have died and
comfort and consolation to all those who are suffering and in mourning. The Holy
Father sends his heartfelt holy apostolic blessing to you, as Pastor of the Catholic
Community, as well as the priests, missionaries, male and female religious and to all
faithful (of the region), so that you may dray strength from the Lord."
Despite the fact that clashes have died down recently, there is still great tension felt
in Ambon. Widespread fear has also led to reduction in travel to the islands,
especially via airplane.
The interim minister of political affairs and security, Hari Sabarno, has asked the
leader of the Islamic fundamentalist organization, Laskar Jihad, not to send militia
forces to Ambon, as was announce a few days ago. The minister ordered the army
and police to stop members of the organization from entering the region. However,
Christian sources say thousands of the militants have already entered the Moluccas
Islands via small ports located in Namlea (Buru Island) and Hitu (on the northern coast
of Ambon).
Last year, the Muslim leader, Jafar Umar Thalib, commander of the Laskar Jihad
militia that killed hundreds of Christians in the last Moluccas conflict (1999-2001), was
released on orders from a Jakarta order.
On Saturday, May 1, police raided the home of Alex Manuputty and found a list of 295
names of FKM members, who are now the object of a manhunt. After having
confiscated several personal belongings from his residence, among which were 2
RMS flags, police arrested his wife Oly Manuputty and daughter, Christina, in addition
to 2 other "suspicious" women that were at his home.
Alex Manuputty, leader of the Sovereignity Moluccas Front (FKM) separatist
movement fighting to found a the Southern Moluccas Republics, is currently in the
United States.
Alex Manuputty and separatist cohort, Samuel Waileruni, were both arrested in 2002
and sentenced to 3-year jail terms for having urged their followers to fight for
independence. Last year, Manuputty (who says the Indonesian legal system is biased
against Christians) fled to the US while awaiting to make his appeal in the Supreme
Court.
Indonesian authorities have outlawed his organization for having called a referendum
for the region's full autonomy, similar to what has happened in East Timor under UN
supervision.
Meanwhile, the toll of victims is growing in the Moluccas: a 16 year-old boy, Ricky
Jacob Mahulette from the village of Latuhalat, was killed by sniper fire while fishing
with a group of 18 others.
Clashes so far have provoked 37 deaths and injured 211 persons, of whom 86 are still
undergoing treatment in hospitals. (MR)
Copyright © 2003 AsiaNews All rights reserved
|
