TEMPO, Monday, 03 May, 2004 | 13:39 WIB
National
National Police Sends More Mobile Brigade Troops to Ambon
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:To help in the settlement of the conflict in Ambon, the
National Police sent another company of the police's Mobile Brigade to Ambon on
Sunday morning (2/5).
National Police chief, Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, made this announcement during a press
conference held at the National Police headquarters (HQ), Jakarta, on Sunday (3/5).
According to Bachtiar, the sending of the additional troops is aimed at supporting the
search for illegal weapons in Ambon.
"If the number of security personnel in Ambon is limited, it will be difficult for them to
conduct the search for illegal weapons," stated Bachtiar.
The search for illegal weapons and assembled bombs has been carried out following
the increasing number of snipers and bomb-blast cases that have taken place in
Ambon during the past few days.
Bachtiar stated that the National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) have been
able to re-occupy the places used as shooting locations by the snipers.
However, the police are still hunting these snipers as they might find new shooting
locations.
Regarding the attempt to arrest the executive leader of the Maluku Sovereignty Front
(FKM)/South Maluku Republic (RMS) in the USA, Bachtiar said that the police had to
obey international regulations by officially requesting Interpol for the arrest of the
fugitive.
In addition, Bachtiar will also involve several religious figures in order to decrease the
tension in Ambon.
On Monday (3/5), Bachtiar will visit Ambon together with well-known Muslim figure,
KH Abdullah Gymnastiar (A'a Gym) and chairman of Indonesian Churches
Association, Reverend Nathan Setiabudi, to make an approach to the parties in
dispute.
Up to Sunday morning (2/5), sounds of shots and bomb blasts were still to be heard
near the area of Batu Gantung Waringin.
This area has been the center of the conflict in Ambon following the commemoration
of the RMS anniversary last week. (Indra D., dan Faisal A. dan Yusnita - Tempo News
Room)
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