Calls for int'l troops in Maluku brushed aside

Calls for int'l troops in Maluku brushed aside

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Local officials here brushed aside calls
for international troops to be sent to the province, saying the
overall situation was improving and security forces had
confiscated and destroyed weapons seized from the warring
parties.

"Just give us more time, as of now we are still optimistic
that we can handle the situation. We don't yet need international
troops here," Governor Saleh Latuconsina said on Saturday.

"We'll accept it if the international community wants to give
us more humanitarian aid or some suggestions on how to solve the
sectarian violence," Latuconsina said after witnessing the
destruction of scores of weapons confiscated from locals.

Pattimura Military Commander Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa was of the
same opinion, saying the situation in the area was improving.

"It's not necessary for them (international forces) to come
in, just see in the next few months," Yasa said at the same
event.

During a series of weapons sweeps since the implementation of
a state of civil emergency on June 27, the Maluku authorities
have confiscated 32 Army-standard rifles, including several AK
47s, SMR Bren MK 3s and Rugers, and 278 homemade rifles.

They also confiscated four rocket launchers, hundreds of
grenades and 3,070 rounds of ammunition.

A military officer said most of the weapons were standard
military equipment stolen during an attack on a police post in
Tantui last month.

"Of the 823 standard rifles stolen, 115 of them have been
retrieved by us and we will continue our raids to get the rest of
them," the one-star general said.

Separately, Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani said
some of the confiscated weapons originally belonging to the
police would be returned to officers.

Firman also said approximately 10 percent of his 2,300
officers had failed to report to police headquarters. He could
not explain why these officers had not returned to their posts.

"I don't know their location, whether they have deserted or
joined the rioters. There are also some who have asked to be
transferred out of the area," Firman said.

Also on Saturday, the acting governor of North Maluku, Abdul
Muhyi Effendie, witnessed the destruction of confiscated weapons,
including 23 standard rifles, including two M-16s, 4,279 homemade
rifles, 2,278 homemade bazookas and 1,097 detonators.

"Most of the weapons were made in the Philippines and
confiscated mostly during raids on passengers at sea ports,"
North Maluku Military Commander Col. Sutrisno said.

Waai victims

In the ravaged village of Waai, 19 more people reportedly died
on Saturday and Sunday, bringing the death toll since Tuesday's
attack on the village to 55.

Most of the latest victims died of gunshot wounds, severe cold
and starvation.

"Most of them were seniors and children," Rev. Jambormias of
the Maluku Protestant Church in Waai said on Sunday.

The number of casualties will likely rise as many Waai
residents are still trapped in ravines on Salahutu mountain,
located about a kilometer from the village.

Security forces have attempted since Wednesday to evacuate a
total of 6,224 residents of Waai village, about 30 kilometers
south of Ambon, from their shelters in the ravines to safer
ground in the neighboring villages of Suli and Paso.

Waai has been the target of a series of attacks in recent
weeks, reportedly the work of armed locals and some military
personnel.

According to data gathered from Gideon Church in Waitatiri,
Suli village, so far 3,776 Waai refugees have come down from the
mountain. Some 3,600 are in Paso while the rest are sheltering in
Kampung Lateri in Suli village.

"Around 1,000 more Waai residents are still up on the mountain
waiting to be evacuated," Jambormias said.

Approximately 30 people are being treated at Halong Naval Base
and Negri Lama Hospital for dehydration and gunshot wounds, said
Ristianto, a doctor from the emergency team handling the
evacuation.

Witnesses said it was normally a 10-hour walk from Waai to
Suli. "But under these rough conditions and heavy rain these
refugees can walk for days without food or drink," a local
journalist said.

Many of the refugees attempting to reach Suli must make the
journey with badly injured hands and feet, and some people are
found attempting to reach Suli bleeding from deep cuts inflicted
by tree branches and rocks, Ristianto said.

In downtown Ambon, gunfire and bomb explosions continued to be
heard coming from Trikora, Urimesing and Diponegoro late on
Sunday. (dja/49/edt)