Ambonese to pray for peace in mass event

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Residents in ravaged Ambon will hold a massive prayer session to commemorate the 425th anniversary of the city on Sept. 7, hoping for a better and peaceful life.

At least 1,000 people from various religious groups, mostly from warring Christian and Muslim sides, would take part in the event, titled Ambon Berdoa (Ambon Prays), at Merdeka Park in Ambon, Mayor Chris Tanasale said on Friday.

"The event is being jointly arranged by local community and religious leaders in the hope that no more violence will take place during this cooling off period and that we can start rebuilding," Chris said.

Students and children from both sides would take part in a reconciliation parade, he said.

"We'll pray for those who have been separated from their families, those living in refugee camps and the innocent people who have been killed," he said.

Tight security would be in place to avoid disputes, he said.

Civil emergency administrator Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina together with related authorities will jointly lead the event.

The venue is at the 15,000-square-meter Merdeka Park, which is part of the Victoria fortress compound in downtown Ambon, built during the Dutch colonial era.

The park, considered by locals as "neutral turf", is located across from the gubernatorial office and surrounded by military compounds, such as the headquarters of the 733 Masariku Infantry Battalion.

In a related development, Governor Latuconsina and Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani left Ambon for Jakarta on Friday to attend an emergency briefing with President Abdurrahman Wahid.

"It's probably about the evaluation of the civil emergency in Maluku, because it's due to end on Sept. 23, and the overall security condition," Latuconsina said at Pattimura Airport, adding that both of them would be return on Monday.

Separately, provincial council Speaker Etty Sahuburua urged that the civil emergency status be extended.

"Open conflicts here are decreasing; if necessary the (civil emergency) must be extended," Sahuburua said on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Navy seized 20 detonators along with several rounds of ammunition, such as 5.56 mm bullets and triggering devices, from the KM Danau Rana in the waters off Teluk Ambon Baguala, civil emergency spokesman Col. Adi Mulyanto said on Friday.

"The ship was surrounded on Wednesday as the captain refused to anchor at Slamet Riyadi Port or Halong Naval Base for a search by a routine patrol," Adi said, adding that the captain of the ship was being questioned while all 300 passengers, after a thorough search, were free to leave.

On Thursday, Pattimura Military Commander Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa said the military was considering the opening of a military district (Kodim) for two new regencies of Buru and Maluku Tenggara Barat in Maluku province.(49/edt)