JAKARTA (JP): Army chief of staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto on
Wednesday called on all elements involved in the Maluku conflicts
to surrender their weapons to the security authorities, reports
said.
Endriartono told the media upon his arrival in Ambon on
Wednesday that as long as people in Maluku still had weapons, it
would be hard to bring peace to the province. Maluku has been torn
apart by bloody communal conflicts which have claimed atleast
6,000 lives.
"Therefore I urge people to quickly hand over the weapons
... because that is one of the preconditions to stop violence in
Maluku," he said as quoted by El Shinta radio.
Endriartono will officially install Maj. Gen. Djoko Santoso as
the new Pattimura Military chief, replacing Brig. Gen. Mustopo
during a ceremony in Ambon on Thursday. (edt)
