Gus Dur: No martial law in Ambon

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid has vowed not to impose martial law in Ambon, Maluku, which has seen 63 people killed in bloody conflicts since Sunday.

Abdurrahman stressed that he did not consider martial law a means to end the conflict, but asserted that military reinforcements would be deployed in the area where the military had taken up the security command from police on Wednesday.

"I'm not considering putting martial law into effect there but in one or two days military intervention will be needed," he told journalists at his Bina Graha presidential office on Wednesday.

Abdurrahman also reiterated that military intervention could not resolve the bloody feud, but it could mediate between the conflicting factions.

The problems have to be settled by the locals, he said.

The latest reports from Ambon reveal 63 people have now died since Sunday, raising the total number of casualties since the outbreak of conflict in January to about 850.

Abdurrahman added that the decision to deploy forces and the takeover of security command in Maluku by the Indonesian Military (TNI) from the police was done in response to requests made by the local administration, in particular, Governor Saleh Latuconsina.

But the President conceded that a strong military presence may not have the desired results.

"We don't know what the effect of this military intervention will have. We will only find out later whether their arrival is welcomed or not," he said.

In Ambon, Pattimura Military Commander Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela confirmed that he received orders to instill order and to quell the outbreak of violence.

"I will take this responsibility before God. The most important thing for me is to salvage human lives," he said, while describing the two warring factions as "brothers".

However, it has often been the very presence of military and police forces which some say have only deepened the conflict.

There have been wide accusations that the forces in Maluku may be impartial by siding with one of the conflicting sides. Many have also questioned how the warring parties have gained access to rifles and others weapons which have worsened the conflict.

There are an estimated 2,000 soldiers in the Ambon area.

The Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) issued on Monday a strong statement demanding international peacekeepers in Ambon if the military and police refuse to be held accountable for the violence.

Eggs

Ambon resembled a war zone on Wednesday as volleys of gun shots and explosions of grenades and homemade bombs were heard in various corners of the city.

"The worst hit residential areas are Pohon Pule, Urimeseng, Bethlehem Church and those close to Silo Church, which was burned down on Sunday," a resident said.

"More areas in the provinces of Maluku and North Maluku are now boiling," he said.

The local branch office of state electricity company PT PLN caught on fire again on Wednesday.

Life in general has come to a standstill, while City Hall and military institutions have generally been closed to the public.

"Now and then electrical power is cut, telephone conversations have been frequently interrupted or overlapped or cut abruptly," another resident said.

Basic necessities are becoming increasingly high in demand as supply is unsteady.

"Two days ago eggs cost Rp 3,000 each, but today they cost Rp 1,200 after a new supply came in from Manado," the resident said, adding that the price of a kilogram of chicken has doubled to Rp 30,000.

"Fuel and gasoline have become rare."

As Ambon continued to burn, politicians were at odds on how to approach the latest troubling developments.

House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung rebuffed the PGI's call for international peacekeepers.

Speaking during a visit to Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Akbar said on Wednesday that self-restraint was the key to stopping the bloodbath.

He also appealed to security forces to uphold their neutrality in managing the conflict.

"Stern measures have to be taken against whoever commits violence," he told Antara.

Meanwhile in Jakarta, House Deputy Speaker for political affairs and security Soetardjo Surjoguritno welcomed the increased military presence in Ambon.

"Since the situation there has become worse, we have to accept the military's arrival for the better interest of the nation," Soetardjo said, conceding that it was a difficult decision to make, given that many were also opposed to it.

Soetardjo remarked that given the escalation of violence, the situation seemed to necessitate military intervention.

However, he stressed that the military's presence must be periodically evaluated.

He then criticized the government for having no clear policy on resolving the Ambon crisis and decried Abdurrahman's remark that it was up to the people of Maluku to settle.

"What's the use of the government if they submit it to local residents?" he charged. (48/sur/emf/jun)