Ambon needs another chopper

Ambon needs another chopper

AMBON, Maluku: The local military has asked Minister of
Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto
to send a Superpuma helicopter to help quell rioting which has
spread to other cities in the province.

Riots first broke out in Ambon last month.

Chief of the Pattimura Military Command Col. Karel Ralahalu
was quoted by Antara as saying the two police helicopters sent
earlier by Wiranto had a limited capacity and cruising range.

Ralahalu said Governor Saleh Latuconsina conveyed the same
request to Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo H.S. and National
Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi when they visited here early this
month.

One hundred and five people were killed in the communal
clashes that broke out in Ambon and neighboring regions. The most
recent violence took place on Sunday in Haruku Island, killing
another 20, according to Antara. Rioting also reportedly spread
to Saparua island.

Meanwhile, Southeast Sulawesi Governor La Ode Kaimoeddin said
he had requested President B.J. Habibie's assistance to handle
the 15,000 people who fled the violence in Maluku, fleeing to
their hometowns of Buton and Muna in Southeast Sulawesi.

He said the local budget would not cover the expenditure for
the refugees' resettlement. "Unless they are well taken care of,
the refugees could create social and environmental problems such
as deforestation (in the opening up of forest land)," he said.

He said 40 children who lost their parents in Maluku were
being sheltered at various places, including at an orphanage in
Bau-bau. (swe)