Jubilee Campaign USA, June 10, 2002
RENEWED TERRORISM AGAINST
CHRISTIANS IN POSO
A bus traveling from Palu to Tentena, Central Sulawesi, with about
forty-five Christians on board was bombed yesterday, killing four. Dr Jeff
Hammond, IFC Indonesia, reports that one of the dead was a Pentecostal
pastor who was sent from Palu to assist IFC in rebuilding homes in the
Poso region. Another seventeen were injured in the attack, including a
mother and child who are among those on the 'critical list'. The bomb was
planted at the back of the bus. A second bomb under a seat at the front
of the bus failed to detonate.
This attack comes just five days after the Indonesian Military began
withdrawing troops from Poso, Central Sulawesi. The military commander
had been quoted in last Friday's Jakarta Post as saying, "the pullout
showed that the situation in Poso had improved greatly." Five days has
certainly changed all that!
Laskar Jihad boasts that 600 of its fighters are still active in the Poso
region and Christians now fear a repeat of the terror which led to attacks
on 21 Christian villages late last year. The presence of Laskar Jihad, and
their ability to arm themselves with firearms and bombs places the "Malino
Peace Agreement" in a tenuous position. This latest attack has placed the
large Christian town of Tentena on high alert.
Mona Saroinsong of the Crisis Centre in Central Sulawesi reported that
Christian leaders have "warned the police and the army in Poso to stop all
public transports from and to Palu to operate, because the mass cannot
be controlled any more." There are also concerns that younger Christians,
who have been growing up in a culture of violence for the last four years
may strike with a revenge attack. Meanwhile Christian leaders have
appealed for calm. IFC team leader, Bernas Hasibuan said today, "Please
pray that the Lord will intervene to prevent bloodshed and that Christians
will not retaliate but instead have wisdom and their faith strengthened."
Dr. Jeff Hammond, further reports that just ten days ago two Christians
were killed in Masane, 10 km from Poso. These were refugees coming from
Tentena to harvest their fruit trees. Both were shot and one beheaded.
Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed reports of further bomb attacks in the
Poso region in the last 48 hours. These reports are yet to be confirmed.
Information provided by IFC Australia on June 6, 2002
Sincerely,
Ann Buwalda
Jubilee Campaign USA
email: jubilee@jubileecampaign.org
voice: 703-503-0791
web: http://www.jubileecampaign.org
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