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Do
not hoist separatist flag, TNI orders
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The
Jakarta Post
April
11, 2003
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Do not hoist separatist flag,
TNI orders
AMBON (JP): The Indonesian Military
(TNI) warned the separatist Maluku Sovereign Front (FKM) on Friday
not to hoist the flag of the South Maluku Republic to mark its
anniversary on April 25.
"I will arrest those who hoist
the RMS flag," chief of the Pattimura regional military
command, Maj. Gen. Agustadi SP, was quoted by Antara as
saying.
Maluku Sovereignty Front
secretary-general Mozes Tuanakotta had recently said that he and
2,500 supporters of the RMS were ready to hoist the RMS flag on
April 25.
He said he was prepared to accept
all risks, including being shot by government forces.
"I will not shoot the
separatists but I will arrest them and bring them to the
authorities for further legal action," Agustadi said in
response to Tuanakotta's threat.
Agustadi, however, said additional
troops would not be drafted in prior to the RMS anniversary.
"We will maintain security the
situation as usual. People need not be worried as supporters of
the RMS can be detained under the prevailing law," he said.
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