The Jakarta Post, 15 Dec. 2001
Maluku's intelligence is very weak: Latuconsina
AMBON, Maluku (JP): Civil emergency administrator, Maluku Governor Saleh
Latuconsina said that the poor intelligence system has contributed to the security
forces' failure in anticipating outbreaks of violence in the restive province.
Latuconsina said recent bloody incidents on the islands took place due to inaccurate
intelligence, such as the fray in Iweri village of Buru Selatan regency on Buru Island.
"In the Iweri case, security forces had actually anticipated it ... but due to inaccurate
intelligence reports, they miscalculated the number of troops to be assigned in the
area and the personnel were outnumbered by the armed rioters," Latuconsina said on
Thursday.
At least three people were killed in the Iweri incident last month, while around 1,000
villagers fled their homes and hid in the jungle as rioters burned down the
predominantly-Christian village.
Latuconsina also urged the Maluku police and military authorities to uphold the law
and to take stern action toward defiant personnel, as well as provocateurs and
bombers, who have already been identified.
Meanwhile, the search and rescue team found on Thursday the body of a Marine First
Sgt. Wajar Anglia, the chief of a taskforce that was assigned to guard the KM
Kalifornia. The vessel was traveling towards Galala Port from Benteng waters on
Tuesdaymorning when an explosion on the ship killed at least 11 people nd injured 45
others.
The bloody sectarian violence in Maluku and North Maluku first broke out on January
19, 1999. It was triggered by a petty dispute between a local and a migrant, which
quickly degenerated into a full-scale riot involving Muslim and Christian camps.
At least 8,000 people have died since then, while more than 500,000 people have
been forced to flee the province. (49/edt)
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