Ammunition seized on New Year's Eve

AMBON, Maluku: Joint security personnel here seized two MB- type automatic standard guns, a Roger Mini gun loaded with nine bullets, a revolver, two homemade bombs, a long rifle and 2,700 bullets during a raid on New Year's Eve in the Galunggung area, Sirimau subdistrict, an officer said on Monday.

Civil Emergency Post spokesperson John Tomasoa told reporters on Monday that the raid which was led by Ambon's First Sector Commander Col. A. Siswanto was held after they heard of a possible clash between two religious groups on New Year's Eve.

Meanwhile, Amboina Catholic Diocese Bishop P.C. Mandagi criticized both the central and local government for their sluggish progress in settling the Maluku conflict, suggesting international involvement.

Mandagi said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson called him recently after he sent an S.O.S. call to the UN Secretary-General and foreign ambassadors. (49/hdn)