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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]
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THE
SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS - Report No. 299
2002-06-10
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Ambon,
July 10, 2002
1.
WARNING BY THE GOVERNOR Though the general
situation in Ambon and in the Moluccas as a whole has much
improved lately, nevertheless the Civil Emergency Administrator of
the Moluccas, Governor M.S.Latuconsina, does not exclude the
possibility of renewed conflict. Last Monday, July 8, the Governor
expressed his concern based on the fact that undoubtedly there was
still quite a lot of weaponry and ammunition circulating among the
civilians, which could incite new violence, not only between the
opposing groups but also internally. The recent strife between the
Christian villages of Porto and Haria on the island of Saparua (10
April and 8 May 2002, see
Reports 259 and 280) were in fact not unusual, but now was
fought with firearms and grenades, resulting in a lot of
casualties.
The
Governor also estimates that there is still a lot of
revengefulness among the people, which could explode into renewed
clashes. A similar warning was uttered by police chief commander
Sunarko.
Another
potential source of conflict is the imminent succession of the
Governor and several Bupatis
(precinct chiefs) in the Moluccas. Last May 30, in Tual,
South-East Moluccas, the turmoil accompanying the election of the
local Bupati resulted
in a number of casualties (see
Report 293). The election of a new Governor will take place
next November.
2.
ARRIVAL OF THE INDEPENDENT INQUIRY TEAM
The long awaited Tim Penyelidik Independen Nasional (TPIN) (see
Report 297 and references) will arrive today to start its
investigation, which will take an estimated six months time. Police
chief commander Sunarko said he will guarantee the team members
safety. He asked everybody to cooperate
with the team in replying to any questions by them
according to the truth.
3.
RECONSTRUCTION OF PATTIMURA UNIVERSITY POSTPONED
Impressive funds are waiting to be spent on reconstruction of the
national Universitas Pattimura. However, the situation in the
Muslim area of Poka/Rumahtiga the original site of the
university is considered not safe enough to immediately start
construction. So part of the funds will be reallocated in favour
of the alternative campus at the fairly neutral zone near the
Pohon Pule bridge in the city of Ambon. Some large new buildings
are already under construction there.
4.
MODERATE SUCCESS OF SWEEPING ACTIVITY During a
house-to-house sweeping action in the Christian neighbourhoods of
Mangga Dua, Batugantung and Gudang Arang, some weaponry, bombs and
ammunition was confiscated.
C.J.Bφhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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