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, June 23, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report No. 296
1. GRADUAL CHANGE FOR THE BETTER – As a whole, there is an undeniable
tendency towards an improving mutual trust among the erstwhile mutually opposing
common people in Ambon. The road through the Galunggung area to the east of the
city is more and more frequently used by the Christians; and the Muslim residents of
Tulehu are not afraid any more to pass through the large Christian village of Passo.
Also the Pohon Mangga area (a Muslim enclave to the West of the city of Ambon) is
open now to all traffic, except to the "ojek"-s (motorbike taxis), since some of these
are regarded as unruly and apt to cause trouble.
2. DESTROYING OF WEAPONS IN MASOHI – Recently a total of 1752 weapons,
both home-made and standard, were destroyed in Masohi, the Central Moluccas
capital on South Seram, witnessed by military chief commander Djoko Santoso. This
weaponry had on earlier occasions either been confiscated or voluntarily been handed
over by civilians.
3. FOREIGN NGO ACTIVITIES – The ban on any foreigners entering Ambon –
issued on last April 11 and renewed on May 2 – is still in force, but this does not
apply to those foreigners that were in Ambon already before those dates. Neither does
it apply to the S.E.Moluccas and the Province of the North Moluccas.
The OCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) sends out weekly
detailed reports on the impressive activities of several foreign NGO-s
(Non-Governmental Organizations) in Ambon and on various islands in the Moluccas
and North Moluccas. Those interested may visit www.reliefweb.int .
4. DIALOGUE ON IDP-s IN THE NORTH MOLUCCAS – In OCHA's 81st report
(dated 21 June 2002), we read: A local NGO, Lembaga Mitra Lingkungan (LML), with
USAID-OTI assistance, organised a dialogue in Ternate on IDPs (Internally Displaced
Persons) and returnees, from 18 to 21 June. Government officials from the North
Moluccas, North Sulawesi, international and local NGOs and IDP camp coordinators
attended the 3-day sessions and discussed problems of returnees and IDPs. The
organiser will submit the recommendations to both local governments. LML also
invited over 20 journalists from Jakarta, Manado and local media to meet with the
participants at the end of the dialogue. The media representatives, accompanied by
local NGOs and IDP camp coordinators, will visit IDP camps in the North Moluccas
and North Sulawesi and meet returnees and local communities in the North Moluccas
over the next few days.
5. WARNING BY CARETAKING GOVERNOR OF THE NORTH MOLUCCAS –
According to the same OCHA report, the North Moluccas acting Governor, Harry
Sinyo Sarundayang, warned at a military ceremony on Wednesday 19 June, that
fresh violence could again erupt in the province if the people are not vigilant. He called
on both Muslim and Christian leaders to be wary of provocateurs that may use religion
to damage the reconciliation process.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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