Ambon remains restricted to foreigners

Ambon remains restricted to foreigners

AMBON: Despite the improving security condition in Ambon, the
local administration has yet to lift the restriction for
foreigners to enter the formerly conflict-torn province as it is
still technically under a state of civil emergency.

"The decree banning foreigners from entering the province
remains as long as the province is still under a state of
emergency," Ambon immigration office chief Wiryono told The
Jakarta Post on Saturday.

He said his office had, in the past two months, denied entry
to 12 foreigners who had no clear purpose in visiting the
province, where conflict between Muslims and Christians has
killed over 5,000 people since it broke out in January 1999.

He, however, said foreign humanitarian workers were still
allowed to enter the province. Currently, 148 foreign
humanitarian workers are in the province.

Wiryono said those foreigners had the clearance from Ambon
state of emergency administrator Sinyo Harri Sarundajang to
support the reconstruction of the province.

The state of civil emergency was imposed in the province in
2000 following prolonged sectarian clashes. The central
government is currently evaluating the possibility of lifting the
emergency status. --JP