Ambon now resembles battlefield<\/p>\n
AMBON, Maluku (JP): Ambon began to resemble a battlefield on
\nSunday, as violence entered its fifth consecutive day with
\nsecurity forces seemingly powerless to stop it.<\/p>\n
Another 14 people died in the city as heavily armed rioters
\ncontinued their attack on several areas, causing thousands to
\nflee to the mountains or to Halong Naval Base.<\/p>\n
The attacks began at around 6 a.m., when an armed mass of
\npeople struck the areas of Perigilima, Batu Gantung Luar, Kampung
\nKolam and the border of Mardika and Batu Merah.<\/p>\n
A police housing complex and detention center in Perigilima,
\nas well as dozens of houses and a church were burned to the
\nground.<\/p>\n
As a result two people died en route to Halong Naval Hospital,
\nfour more in Dr. Haulussy Hospital and eight others in Al Fatah
\nHospital.<\/p>\n
The executive secretary of the Indonesian Ulemas Council
\ncoordinating post in Maluku, Malik Selang, claimed many were shot
\nby snippers.<\/p>\n
\"Many from our group have been killed by snippers hiding in
\ntall buildings on the other side,\" he said adding that Abdullah
\nSima-sima Sohilauw, 36, an Al-Fatah elementary school teacher was
\nkilled by snipper fire Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n
At about the same time an attack was also launched from
\nJasirah Leihutu on the areas of Mangga Dua Bawah, Nanian, Negri
\nLama, Paso and Galala.<\/p>\n
The latest casualties brought the death toll in the renewed
\nfighting, which first erupted on Wednesday, to at least 52.
\nAround 200 others have been injured.<\/p>\n
As of Sunday evening, residents said gunfire and explosions
\nwere still being heard in several parts of the city.<\/p>\n
\"We are terrified as calls of war against Christians have been
\nbroadcast through mosques,\" Maya, a local resident, claimed.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of refugees from Mangga Dua Bawah and Perigilima
\nsought refuge in the gubernatorial residence in Mangga Dua on
\nSunday.<\/p>\n
\"I already asked Pak Max Tamaela to take strong repressive
\naction against the rioters. (But) He said soldiers were
\nhesitating in taking firm action as they fear legal charges maybe
\nbrought against them in the future if they open fire on mobs\".<\/p>\n
\"I told him (Maluku Military Chief Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela)
\nthat, as a governor, I was fully responsible for this decision,\"
\nGovernor Saleh Latuconsina said.<\/p>\n
Latuconsina also accused Brig. Gen. (ret) Rustam Kastor of
\nbeing a provocateur.<\/p>\n
\"He's the one who is creating this mess. He's always actively
\nattending meetings or mass tabligh akbar prayers,\" he said,
\nadding that he had asked the new police and military chiefs to
\ninvestigate and arrest Kastor soon.<\/p>\n
A local Catholic priest Agus Ulayana told The Jakarta Post
\nthat the situation had simply gotten worse.<\/p>\n
\"Everything is paralyzed here, communications have been cut
\nand no transportation is available,\" Agus said on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The priest also said Ambon Police chief Brig. Gen. I Dewa
\nAstika and Max Tamaela had been sheltering in Manise Hotel since
\nSaturday night.<\/p>\n
Separately, Ambon Archbishop Tetol told the Post that the
\nchurch had sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi
\nAnnan on Saturday asking for UN intervention.<\/p>\n
\"Everything is unclear here, most Christians have fled while
\nMuslims are using sophisticated weapons. We cannot confirm how
\nmany people have died. It's too dangerous to go out,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Jakarta, the International Committee of the Red
\nCross (ICRC) strongly rejected allegations made by North Maluku
\nCouncil Deputy Speaker Abdulrahim Fabanyo that it was involved in
\nespionage under the pretext of humanitarian assistance.<\/p>\n
Abdulrahim claimed the ICRC had also rejected a joint health
\nteam involving the military and Ministry of Health.<\/p>\n
In a statement made by the deputy head of its delegation in
\nIndonesia, Phillipe Guinand, the ICRC said its activities in
\nNorth Maluku were conducted in close cooperation with the
\nIndonesian Red Cross (PMI) and strictly followed the principle of
\nimpartiality.<\/p>\n
\"The whole joint PMI and ICRC operations have been closely
\ncoordinated with local military and civilian authorities, who
\nhave been kept informed about its objectives and results on a
\nregular basis.\"<\/p>\n
The statement also noted that the PMI and ICRC had responded
\nto requests from local officials in Ternate to deliver needed
\nsupplies to health structures in Galela and Tobelo.<\/p>\n
It also noted that on Sunday the Red Cross assisted local
\nhealth officials by transporting a doctor from Ternate to Tobelo
\non a chartered helicopter.(49\/edt\/dja)<\/p>",
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