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, February 17, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report No. 238
1. A NINE MONTHS' TERM TO END THE CONFLICT – In accordance to the
suggestion of the Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono during his visit to the Moluccas on January 26-27, 2002, the local
government wishes to hold on a period of nine months to restore an atmosphere of
tranquillity in the Moluccas. Apart from all other funds that have already been granted
or promised, the central Government in Jakarta has set aside additional funds
amounting to the impressive sum of 300 billion rupiahs (equalling about US$
30,000,000.- or Eur 33.700.000,-), especially for mental and physical rehabilitation
during this period.
2. CLARIFICATION ON THE MOLUCCAS AGREEMENT – The Malino agreement is
officially called the "Kesepakatan Maluku" = the Moluccas Agreement. So that is
what we will call it from now on. Yesterday the Christian leaders organized a meeting
in the large Protestant Maranatha church on the Pattimura Road, just opposite the
Governor's Office Building. A large crowd both inside and outside the church building
followed the clarification that was provided by Synod Chairman Minister Dr. I.W.J.
Hendriks and other members of the Christian delegation to Malino (the Catholic
Bishop, Msgr. P.C. Mandagi could not be present due to important duties in Jakarta).
Questions were answered in a satisfying way, so that those that attended the meeting
increasingly felt encouraged to do their utmost to implement the Moluccas
Agreement. When privately interviewed, Minister Hendriks confessed that among the
Christians there still was much doubt about the capability of the government to ensure
the effectuation of the agreement. Anyway, the government itself also has its program
of clarifying the result of the meeting in Malino. The Churches will continue and
"socialize"(like they use to say here: "mensosialisasikan”) the outcome of the
meeting in the various Christian communities, including farther-off places like South
Buru, Seram, Saparua and the other Leasa Islands.
3. FINANCIAL AID FOR REFUGEES – On Saturday, February 16, 2002, financial aid
was distributed among the thousands of refugees in Ambon. Each person was to be
paid the sum of 230.000,- Rupiahs (about US$ 23.- or Eur 25,85). It was not quite
understandable why at several places about 9% was withhold, so this maneuver
locally caused quite some uproar.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
|
