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)