Maluku may get new leaders<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid may soon replace
\nMaluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina and Pattimura Military
\nCommander Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela with individuals who are
\nethnically and religiously distinct from the warring factions in
\nMaluku.<\/p>\n
Ambon Catholic Bishop Petrus Mandagi, speaking after a meeting
\nwith the President on Wednesday, told The Jakarta Post that
\nTamaela would likely be replaced by a Hindu Army officer from
\nBali, while the governor's post would temporarily be taken over
\nby a senior government official from outside Maluku.<\/p>\n
According to the bishop, the President said his decision was
\nnot a reflection of disappointment in the two men's performance,
\nbut merely an effort to find new people to resolve the prolonged
\nconflict.<\/p>\n
No names were disclosed during the meeting and there was also
\nno comment from military sources.<\/p>\n
\"The longer the officials are in their positions, the less of
\na sense of crisis they may have,\" Mandagi quoted Abdurrahman as
\nsaying during the meeting at Bina Graha presidential office.<\/p>\n
Also present during the meeting was Vatican Ambassador Mgr.
\nRenzo Frantini who conveyed an Idul Fitri greeting from Pope John
\nPaul II to the President.<\/p>\n
The President during the meeting also said he ordered the
\nmilitary to take tougher measures to stop the violence.<\/p>\n
\"The President was very saddened by the ongoing violence in
\nMaluku, and he promised to take all necessary measures to end the
\ntragic events,\" Mandagi said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S.
\nvowed on Wednesday to make an all-out effort to end the bloodshed
\nin Maluku and North Maluku provinces.<\/p>\n
Speaking before attending a Cabinet meeting on political
\naffairs and security at Bina Graha presidential office, Widodo
\nsaid TNI would be ready to send more troops to the area, but
\npointed out there were already 12 military and police battalions
\nin Maluku, with another two in North Maluku.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Gen.
\nWiranto disclosed that the government may soon isolate the two
\nprovinces, including from media coverage, to prevent outside
\ninfluences which could foment the violence.<\/p>\n
\"The isolation does not mean that Maluku will be sealed off
\n(to the outside world) but we hope with the isolation,
\ndisproportionate reports can be stopped,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Relative<\/p>\n
Earlier in Ambon, Tamaela told journalists that the situation
\nhad calmed down on Wednesday with only sporadic reports of
\nviolence.<\/p>\n
The situation is \"relatively\" under control, he said as quoted
\nby Antara.<\/p>\n
\"The forces deployed have succeeded in establishing a barrier
\nbetween the two parties,\" he said after visiting several of the
\nareas hit by escalating sectarian fighting in the past week.<\/p>\n
What began as a petty sidewalk argument in January 1999
\nerupted into a communal conflict in the greater Ambon area. The
\nviolence spread throughout Maluku, leading to an estimated 1,000
\ndeaths.<\/p>\n
It flared up on Halmahera, North Maluku, in the past week,
\nwith an estimated 450 killed.<\/p>\n
Tamaela called on all parties to remain calm but conceded that
\nthe level of animosity was high.<\/p>\n
\"I recognize that between the two sides there is suspicion,
\nbut please restrain yourselves,\" he urged.<\/p>\n
The flow of refugees from various parts of Maluku continued on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
At least 110 refugees were taken by ship from Tual, Southeast
\nMaluku, to Surabaya, East Java.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the head of the crisis coordinating agency in
\nMaluku, Paula Renyaan, said it was endeavoring to extend the
\narrival of new refugees to areas other than Ambon.<\/p>\n
\"We estimate the number of refugees being accommodated in
\nAmbon as a result of recent tension has gone up about 40 percent
\nfrom the original number of 40,000.\"<\/p>\n
Paula argued that Ambon lacked the facilities to accommodate
\nthe increasing refugee numbers.<\/p>\n
At the Vatican, Pope John Paul II singled out Maluku in a
\nmessage for peace.<\/p>\n
\"May the message of peace from Bethlehem echo forcefully in
\nplaces struck by catastrophe and war, particularly in Maluku,\"
\nthe pontiff told 7,000 pilgrims attending the weekly general
\naudience.<\/p>\n
\"May this message of peace break the chain of vengeance, heal
\nthe wounds of hatred, drive away temptations of violence and
\nencourage Christians and Muslims to see themselves as members of
\nthe same human family.\" (prb\/mds)<\/p>",
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