Ambon residents stock up in anticipation of violence

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Residents in Ambon on Wednesday stocked up in anticipation of violence expected on Thursday.

The police and Military chiefs issued appeals that residents refrain from violence and should not be influenced by rumors. Meanwhile various unofficial papers have published reports of expected unrest, adding to anxiety here.

"Some of the circulars said Muslims were going to attack and others said Christians were going to move," a resident said.

Some were signed and others were not, he added. He said his family had bought supplies for a week.

Residents late on Wednesday were seen preparing to begin their night watch.

"If everyone refrains from violence we will be able to see who is instigating the unrest," Military Commander Brig.Gen. Max Tamaela said. "Those circulating the rumors do not understand the conditions here," he said.

The tension has been building up for the past few weeks due to rumors of large scale attacks scheduled for Sept. 9.

Christians and Muslims have bristled over accusations that they are involved in the violence in Maluku which has led to several hundred being killed since January. Some have accused the military and police of spreading the rumors.

Both sides have expressed deep distrust of security personnel, said to be biased against either Muslims or Christians.

Muslims have voiced anger over the implication of "the Muslim right" in the violence, mentioned by, among others, Muslim leader Abdurrahman Wahid.

The head of the Protestant Maluku Church, Sammy Titaley, said here on Monday that the authorities should make clear the charges, of Christians involved in the separatist Republic of South Maluku (RMS) movement, based on evidence and arrest them instead of letting the rumors spread.

Residents said they were unaware of who the RMS people were as most of them are living in the Netherlands. Both Muslims and Christians are found in the remnants of the group.

On Monday a statement sent to The Jakarta Post from the Maluku Islam Front warned humanitarian activist Sandyawan that the group would not hesitate to conduct "a physical attack" on the priest's "location of activities" in Jakarta, charging him of inciting the violence.

"We have never heard of him," a Christian resident here said.

Front coordinator Faizal Assegaf had cited "reliable sources" in Maluku. The Front had also demanded that the current Maluku police chief Col. Bugis Saman and Military commander Brig.Gen. Max Tamaela be replaced, saying they could not be trusted.

On Wednesday the Military commander said so far there was no evidence of either group being involved in separatist movements.

Governor Saleh Latuconsina said the Pattimura airport was safe. Until Wednesday there were no commercial flights operating. Saleh told reporters he had again written to the management of the airport and airlines to reopen commercial flights.

"The Yos Sudarso port is also safe," he said, although people going to and from the port have said they must be accompanied by security personnel to avoid being harmed on the way.

Many residents have fled by ship to Manado in North Sulawesi and to Irian Jaya.

On Tuesday the Ambon mayoralty commemorated the 424th anniversary of the town without fanfare.

"The commemoration is simple because the city is in shambles, and revenue has slid to zero while it was previously an average of Rp 8 billion a year," Ambon mayor Chris Tanasale said. (48/anr)