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, April 29, 2004
THE SITUATION IN AMBON/MOLUCCAS – Report No. 425
1. JAKARTA CARES - The National House of Representatives has dispatched a
seven member team to Ambon to carry out an investigation on the recent regrettable
development in Ambon.
As we already reported yesterday, the minister for Political and Security Affairs
(MenKo PolKam), Hari Sabarno, came to Ambon, too. He was accompanied by
Military Chief General Endriartono Sutarto and Police Chief Da'i Bachtiar. From 10.00
a.m. to 04.00 p.m., a meeting was held at the airport, Laha, with the governor and
other authorities, religious leaders and representatives from various organisations. The
meeting was closed to the mass media. Of course the precarious situation of Ambon
was main point of discussion. The team also gave instructions on every one's
function, responsibility and duty in this conflict situation. Thus was confirmed to the
press afterwards. It is not clear why the team did not drive into the city of Ambon.
Perhaps for reasons of security against snipers and bombers.
2. LATEST FIGURES - Due to the conflict, up to now have been killed 36 persons,
most of them by bullets. Those wounded number at least 159. Houses and buildings
destroyed: at least 200.
3. KUDAMATI MEETS WITH AUTHORITIES - Since the Kudamati neighbourhood,
Ambon, apparently is the main target of muslim attackers, representatives of the
residents of this area last night had a meeting with governor Karel Albert Ralahalu
together with deputy governor Mohammad Abdullah Latuconsina, Military Chief
Syarifudin Suma, Police Chief Bambang Sutrisno and Attorney Masridjinin. The
Kudamati representatives read a four-point statement in which they (1) rejected all
separatisme, (2) refused to be stigmatized as FKM/RMS adherents, (3) asked the
military and police to deal with the conflict according to the law, (4) asked the central
and provincial government to take appropriate steps to end the conflict.
4. ACTUAL MOOD IN AMBON - Yesterday, in the city of Ambon, most shops were
closed, many houses have been left, traffic was sparse. Several roadblocks erected,
garbage piling up at the roadsides. During the night there was only sparse shooting.
This morning the situation is more "normal". Headmasters have been ordered to run
their schools as usual. Schoolchildren that cannot reach their schools, have to report
to the school that is nearest to the place they are staying.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
