Ambon now resembles battlefield

Ambon now resembles battlefield

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Ambon began to resemble a battlefield on
Sunday, as violence entered its fifth consecutive day with
security forces seemingly powerless to stop it.

Another 14 people died in the city as heavily armed rioters
continued their attack on several areas, causing thousands to
flee to the mountains or to Halong Naval Base.

The attacks began at around 6 a.m., when an armed mass of
people struck the areas of Perigilima, Batu Gantung Luar, Kampung
Kolam and the border of Mardika and Batu Merah.

A police housing complex and detention center in Perigilima,
as well as dozens of houses and a church were burned to the
ground.

As a result two people died en route to Halong Naval Hospital,
four more in Dr. Haulussy Hospital and eight others in Al Fatah
Hospital.

The executive secretary of the Indonesian Ulemas Council
coordinating post in Maluku, Malik Selang, claimed many were shot
by snippers.

"Many from our group have been killed by snippers hiding in
tall buildings on the other side," he said adding that Abdullah
Sima-sima Sohilauw, 36, an Al-Fatah elementary school teacher was
killed by snipper fire Sunday afternoon.

At about the same time an attack was also launched from
Jasirah Leihutu on the areas of Mangga Dua Bawah, Nanian, Negri
Lama, Paso and Galala.

The latest casualties brought the death toll in the renewed
fighting, which first erupted on Wednesday, to at least 52.
Around 200 others have been injured.

As of Sunday evening, residents said gunfire and explosions
were still being heard in several parts of the city.

"We are terrified as calls of war against Christians have been
broadcast through mosques," Maya, a local resident, claimed.

Hundreds of refugees from Mangga Dua Bawah and Perigilima
sought refuge in the gubernatorial residence in Mangga Dua on
Sunday.

"I already asked Pak Max Tamaela to take strong repressive
action against the rioters. (But) He said soldiers were
hesitating in taking firm action as they fear legal charges maybe
brought against them in the future if they open fire on mobs".

"I told him (Maluku Military Chief Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela)
that, as a governor, I was fully responsible for this decision,"
Governor Saleh Latuconsina said.

Latuconsina also accused Brig. Gen. (ret) Rustam Kastor of
being a provocateur.

"He's the one who is creating this mess. He's always actively
attending meetings or mass tabligh akbar prayers," he said,
adding that he had asked the new police and military chiefs to
investigate and arrest Kastor soon.

A local Catholic priest Agus Ulayana told The Jakarta Post
that the situation had simply gotten worse.

"Everything is paralyzed here, communications have been cut
and no transportation is available," Agus said on Sunday.

The priest also said Ambon Police chief Brig. Gen. I Dewa
Astika and Max Tamaela had been sheltering in Manise Hotel since
Saturday night.

Separately, Ambon Archbishop Tetol told the Post that the
church had sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi
Annan on Saturday asking for UN intervention.

"Everything is unclear here, most Christians have fled while
Muslims are using sophisticated weapons. We cannot confirm how
many people have died. It's too dangerous to go out," he said.

Meanwhile in Jakarta, the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) strongly rejected allegations made by North Maluku
Council Deputy Speaker Abdulrahim Fabanyo that it was involved in
espionage under the pretext of humanitarian assistance.

Abdulrahim claimed the ICRC had also rejected a joint health
team involving the military and Ministry of Health.

In a statement made by the deputy head of its delegation in
Indonesia, Phillipe Guinand, the ICRC said its activities in
North Maluku were conducted in close cooperation with the
Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and strictly followed the principle of
impartiality.

"The whole joint PMI and ICRC operations have been closely
coordinated with local military and civilian authorities, who
have been kept informed about its objectives and results on a
regular basis."

The statement also noted that the PMI and ICRC had responded
to requests from local officials in Ternate to deliver needed
supplies to health structures in Galela and Tobelo.

It also noted that on Sunday the Red Cross assisted local
health officials by transporting a doctor from Ternate to Tobelo
on a chartered helicopter.(49/edt/dja)