Ambon,
May 9, 2002
1.
ADJUSTMENT OF BAN ON VISITORS The government is still
wary on visits by foreigners to the Moluccas. The governors
spokesman declared on local TV last night that:
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Tourists are only allowed to visit relative stable areas.
These areas include the South East Moluccas, the Western
S.E.Moluccas and the Banda Islands, however with previously
granted permission of the governor and after thorough screening.
-
Those with a diplomatic mission and officially recognized
international NGO employees that already had been given
permission to enter the area prior to April 30, 2002, are
allowed to enter the Moluccas, however, they will be screened
meticulously. Of course there is no objection that those that
have no previous permission, contact the Governor in order to
obtain permission to enter the Moluccas, specifically Ambon, if
they have a specific reason.
There
was no mentioning of any likely permit being granted to foreign
newsreporters. We have the impression that for them there is no
way of entering the area. They deserve better!
2.
REPORTS FROM OUR LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES IN JAKARTA
The 35 member Ambon Council yesterday met with the
Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono. Among other items, the subject of the Independent National
Investigation Team (see
Report 279 no.4) was raised. The Minister declared that the
team will consist of eleven members: five Muslims, five
Christians and one Hindu. The Provincial House of
Representatives meanwhile had a meeting with House Speaker Akbar
Tanjung. Next May 10 Tanjung said a mission of
parliamentarians will be dispatched to Ambon for a brief visit.
Yesterday
afternoon the Provincial and Ambon Council members totalling
80 were received in audience by President Megawati
Soekarnoputri.
3.
INTERNAL CONFLICT ON THE ISLAND OF SAPARUA The
Christian villages of Porto and Haria on the island of Saparua
once again went to war one against the other yesterday, like
they did earlier on April 10, 2002. On that occasion three
people were killed. Now again three persons were killed. Seven
persons were injured by bullets, three of them critically. Six
houses were burned.
C.J.Bφhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
