Calls for int'l troops in Maluku brushed aside<\/p>\n
AMBON, Maluku (JP): Local officials here brushed aside calls
\nfor international troops to be sent to the province, saying the
\noverall situation was improving and security forces had
\nconfiscated and destroyed weapons seized from the warring
\nparties.<\/p>\n
\"Just give us more time, as of now we are still optimistic
\nthat we can handle the situation. We don't yet need international
\ntroops here,\" Governor Saleh Latuconsina said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\"We'll accept it if the international community wants to give
\nus more humanitarian aid or some suggestions on how to solve the
\nsectarian violence,\" Latuconsina said after witnessing the
\ndestruction of scores of weapons confiscated from locals.<\/p>\n
Pattimura Military Commander Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa was of the
\nsame opinion, saying the situation in the area was improving.<\/p>\n
\"It's not necessary for them (international forces) to come
\nin, just see in the next few months,\" Yasa said at the same
\nevent.<\/p>\n
During a series of weapons sweeps since the implementation of
\na state of civil emergency on June 27, the Maluku authorities
\nhave confiscated 32 Army-standard rifles, including several AK
\n47s, SMR Bren MK 3s and Rugers, and 278 homemade rifles.<\/p>\n
They also confiscated four rocket launchers, hundreds of
\ngrenades and 3,070 rounds of ammunition.<\/p>\n
A military officer said most of the weapons were standard
\nmilitary equipment stolen during an attack on a police post in
\nTantui last month.<\/p>\n
\"Of the 823 standard rifles stolen, 115 of them have been
\nretrieved by us and we will continue our raids to get the rest of
\nthem,\" the one-star general said.<\/p>\n
Separately, Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani said
\nsome of the confiscated weapons originally belonging to the
\npolice would be returned to officers.<\/p>\n
Firman also said approximately 10 percent of his 2,300
\nofficers had failed to report to police headquarters. He could
\nnot explain why these officers had not returned to their posts.<\/p>\n
\"I don't know their location, whether they have deserted or
\njoined the rioters. There are also some who have asked to be
\ntransferred out of the area,\" Firman said.<\/p>\n
Also on Saturday, the acting governor of North Maluku, Abdul
\nMuhyi Effendie, witnessed the destruction of confiscated weapons,
\nincluding 23 standard rifles, including two M-16s, 4,279 homemade
\nrifles, 2,278 homemade bazookas and 1,097 detonators.<\/p>\n
\"Most of the weapons were made in the Philippines and
\nconfiscated mostly during raids on passengers at sea ports,\"
\nNorth Maluku Military Commander Col. Sutrisno said.<\/p>\n
Waai victims<\/p>\n
In the ravaged village of Waai, 19 more people reportedly died
\non Saturday and Sunday, bringing the death toll since Tuesday's
\nattack on the village to 55.<\/p>\n
Most of the latest victims died of gunshot wounds, severe cold
\nand starvation.<\/p>\n
\"Most of them were seniors and children,\" Rev. Jambormias of
\nthe Maluku Protestant Church in Waai said on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The number of casualties will likely rise as many Waai
\nresidents are still trapped in ravines on Salahutu mountain,
\nlocated about a kilometer from the village.<\/p>\n
Security forces have attempted since Wednesday to evacuate a
\ntotal of 6,224 residents of Waai village, about 30 kilometers
\nsouth of Ambon, from their shelters in the ravines to safer
\nground in the neighboring villages of Suli and Paso.<\/p>\n
Waai has been the target of a series of attacks in recent
\nweeks, reportedly the work of armed locals and some military
\npersonnel.<\/p>\n
According to data gathered from Gideon Church in Waitatiri,
\nSuli village, so far 3,776 Waai refugees have come down from the
\nmountain. Some 3,600 are in Paso while the rest are sheltering in
\nKampung Lateri in Suli village.<\/p>\n
\"Around 1,000 more Waai residents are still up on the mountain
\nwaiting to be evacuated,\" Jambormias said.<\/p>\n
Approximately 30 people are being treated at Halong Naval Base
\nand Negri Lama Hospital for dehydration and gunshot wounds, said
\nRistianto, a doctor from the emergency team handling the
\nevacuation.<\/p>\n
Witnesses said it was normally a 10-hour walk from Waai to
\nSuli. \"But under these rough conditions and heavy rain these
\nrefugees can walk for days without food or drink,\" a local
\njournalist said.<\/p>\n
Many of the refugees attempting to reach Suli must make the
\njourney with badly injured hands and feet, and some people are
\nfound attempting to reach Suli bleeding from deep cuts inflicted
\nby tree branches and rocks, Ristianto said.<\/p>\n
In downtown Ambon, gunfire and bomb explosions continued to be
\nheard coming from Trikora, Urimesing and Diponegoro late on
\nSunday. (dja\/49\/edt)<\/p>",
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