|
|
|
Lawamena
Victoria
Reports
by
CRISIS
CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 - Ambon 97124 Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337
e-mail [email protected]
|
THE
SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS - Report No. 343
2003-08-01
|
Ambon, January 08, 2003
1.
INVOLVEMENT KOPASSUS IN UNREST – Today's "Ambon Expres"
local newspaper reports on several statements by Christian
"Coker" gang leader Berthy Loupatty, who is in detention
at Brimob Police Headquarters in Jakarta. Berthy said that their
acts of violence in the Moluccas that happened after the Moluccas
Agreement of Malino (February 2002) were backed by the KOPASSUS
troops (Kopassus = Special Army Forces). Berthy's legal
representative, Christian Rahayaan, confirmed to the press in
Jakarta yesterday that Berthy in the attacking and bombing
activities of his gang towards both Muslims and Christians, not
only was backed up but even was paid for by the Kopassus.
Christian said that it were not just individual Kopassus personnel
but Kopassus as an institution that made sure that these acts of
violence were carried out. The Coker gang was provided with
weapons and bombs to accomplish their "mission". Thus
– Christian said – the post-Malino terrorist acts were the
government's doing.
However, what could be the motive of this triggering of mutual
hostility between Muslims and Christians? Christian says he is
quoting Berthy when stating that initially Berthy c.s. were asked
by the Kopassus to help fostering security, specifically spying on
the FKM (Forum Kedaulatan Maluku): whether they might be a
reincarnation of the RMS (Republik Maluku Selatan separatist
Movement). Apparently the FKM did not bring about any violence; it
was just an ethical movement among the Christians of Ambon. So the
Kopassus started its own series of brutalities together with the
coker gang who were moderately, even meagerly, paid for it.
The reporters then went up to Lieutenant Colonel D.J. Nachrowi of
the Army. Nachrowi denied any involvement of Kopassus troops in
the Ambon conflict. He did not understand why the Kopassus should
be the culprit in that latest phase of the Moluccas conflict.
Several other high-ranked army officers answered likewise.
2. RETURNING REFUGEES – We read in "Ambon Expres"
daily the following information on IDP-s, provided yesterday by
the local head of the Social Affairs Department, Dr. Ishak
Umarella. The total number of refugees in the Moluccas that have
returned to their original homesteads is 1,700 families. The total
number of IDP-s is still a staggering 63,000 families or more than
330,000 persons. Earlier (on January 3, 2003), Acting Governor
Sarundayang admitted that the IDP-s problem is very complicated.
He said that the IDP-s would have to be consulted: they could not
be returned just like that. And their return has to be guided
well.
We read elsewhere that the total number of IDP-s in the whole of
Indonesia is estimated at 1,3 million persons; 80% of this number
meanwhile has lost its official status as "IDP" at the
end of 2002. The secretary general of the department of Social
Affairs, Drs. Rochadi, recently stated that the government is
trying to enable the IDP-s to earn their own living.
3. STATEMENTS ON THE SITUATION IN THE MOLUCCAS BY ARMY COLONEL
– According to Java based "Republika" daily newspaper,
colonel Tony Hoesodo of the Indonesian Army, stated on January 3,
that in its security strategy for the Moluccas in 2003, special
attention will be paid to the separatist RMS Independency
Movement, which (according to him) is considered to be one of the
main instigators of unrest and violence in the Moluccas.
He added that, thanks to the relative calm situation during the
past period, the strength of the five battalions that are
stationed in the Moluccas, will be reduded from 682 to 450
personnel per battalion.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
|
