Ambon refugees to be resettled

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The provincial administration declared its readiness to resettle natives who fled Maluku following the fatal unrest that killed at least 105 people, Antara said.

The head of the local social services office, A. Aziz, said on Wednesday that Southeast Sulawesi natives who migrated to Maluku and returned to the province would be welcome.

"We are ready to settle them here," Aziz said.

Around 15,000 natives of Southeast Sulawesi left the Maluku capital of Ambon following the unrest and returned to their hometowns. This number is expected to increase.

At least 40 children who lost their parents in the violence in Ambon are now being sheltered in orphanages.

Separately, Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina called on Jakarta to provide special treatment during elections for residents of Maluku who were still traumatized by the violence.

"Many residents are still taking refuge in various shelters because they lost their homes in the unrest," Saleh said.

He also suggested that to avoid creating new problems, campaign rallies be abolished in areas where riots occurred.