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, January 14, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report no. 225
1. FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE ATTACK ON RUTONG – As we reported
yesterday, on Sunday, January 13, 2002, the Christian village of Rutong, on the South
coast of the island of Ambon, was attacked. During the three years of conflict, this
was the fourth time that an attack was launched on this little village. About 500
assailants, carrying AK-47, SS-1, M-16 rifles and FN pistols, came down the hills and
got as far as about 60 meters from the border of the village. However, Brimob police
forces, assisted by local civilians, ordinar police and military troops, at last
succeeded to beat off the aggressors. The assailants withdrew into the direction of the
muslim sites of Air Kuning and Kebun Cengkeh at the outski! rts of the city of Ambon.
After they had retired from the place, one unknown freshly killed male was found,
presumably one of the attackers. Most of the women and children meanwhile had
been evacuated to safer places. Mrs. Len Maitimu (75), when fleeing to the
neighbouring village of Leahari, was injured by a stray bullet; she died not long
afterwards. Another civilian, Ferry Maspaitella, while fighting the attackers, was also
badly injured.
2. COMPLETING LATEST REPORT – The last sentence of Report 224 no.3 was
mutilated. Here we repeat the whole text: What keeps the conflict going on: This is an
often asked question. It is sufficiently evident that the conflict now is mainly restricted
to the city of Ambon and neighbouring villages. Though there still is much mutual
mistrust and ill-feeling between Christians and Muslims, however, up to yesterday
there were hardly any large-scale attacks and destructive activities any more. Police
Chief Commander Farouk Mohamad Saleh is of the opinion that recent bombings and
other terrorist activities have their source not in one of the opposing parties, but are
carri! ed out by a third party, that wants the conflict to go on for reasons of business,
specifically to foster the need of weaponry and drugs. Military Chief Commander
Mustopo, asked whether any security forces are involved in this trade of weaponry and
drugs, answered that he did not rule out the possibility.
C.J.Böhm MSc,
Secretary of Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
Received via e-mail from : Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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