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)