Maluku governor declares 'cease-fire' in Ambon
Maluku governor declares 'cease-fire' in Ambon
AMBON, Maluku (JP): Maluku Governor M. S. Latuconsina,
declared a cease-fire and appealed for peace in the riot-torn
province during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan and
Christmas.
"Religious figures, informal and youth leaders, security
personnel from the military and the police should make use of
this time to earnestly hold negotiations and dialogs toward
(achieving) a peaceful and secure situation during the fasting
month and the arrival of Christmas," he said here.
The governor called on locals to remain on the alert against
provocation and asked security personnel to take strict action
against third parties attempting to create chaos or provoke
clashes among conflicting groups, particularly in the provincial
capital of Ambon.
The governor declared Thursday a holiday in the province to
allow people to become acquainted with the unilateral cease-fire.
Ethnic and religious clashes have rocked the province since
January, leaving some 1,000 dead and severely damaging the
territory's infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Protestant Church and the Roman Catholic Church
in the province issued pastoral letters on Wednesday to follow up
the governor's declaration.
Mgr. C. Mandagie, the bishop of the Amboina Diocese, called on
Catholics in the province to respect the Muslim fasting month and
to fill the Advent month with religious activities in greeting
Christmas.
"Muslims and Christians should apologize to one another and
end the prolonged conflict in an endeavor to create lasting peace
in the territory," he said in his pastoral letter, which he asked
to be read in all Catholic churches in the province.
Meanwhile, Muslim and Christian religious figures agreed on
Wednesday to establish demarcation lines in Ambon. The lines will
be guarded by security personnel and joint teams in order to
avoid new clashes.
Two Muslim representatives and four Christian representatives
were named to serve as liaison officers to develop the
coordination and communication between the joint teams and
security personnel. (rms)