Maluku may get new leaders

Maluku may get new leaders

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid may soon replace
Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina and Pattimura Military
Commander Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela with individuals who are
ethnically and religiously distinct from the warring factions in
Maluku.

Ambon Catholic Bishop Petrus Mandagi, speaking after a meeting
with the President on Wednesday, told The Jakarta Post that
Tamaela would likely be replaced by a Hindu Army officer from
Bali, while the governor's post would temporarily be taken over
by a senior government official from outside Maluku.

According to the bishop, the President said his decision was
not a reflection of disappointment in the two men's performance,
but merely an effort to find new people to resolve the prolonged
conflict.

No names were disclosed during the meeting and there was also
no comment from military sources.

"The longer the officials are in their positions, the less of
a sense of crisis they may have," Mandagi quoted Abdurrahman as
saying during the meeting at Bina Graha presidential office.

Also present during the meeting was Vatican Ambassador Mgr.
Renzo Frantini who conveyed an Idul Fitri greeting from Pope John
Paul II to the President.

The President during the meeting also said he ordered the
military to take tougher measures to stop the violence.

"The President was very saddened by the ongoing violence in
Maluku, and he promised to take all necessary measures to end the
tragic events," Mandagi said.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S.
vowed on Wednesday to make an all-out effort to end the bloodshed
in Maluku and North Maluku provinces.

Speaking before attending a Cabinet meeting on political
affairs and security at Bina Graha presidential office, Widodo
said TNI would be ready to send more troops to the area, but
pointed out there were already 12 military and police battalions
in Maluku, with another two in North Maluku.

Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Gen.
Wiranto disclosed that the government may soon isolate the two
provinces, including from media coverage, to prevent outside
influences which could foment the violence.

"The isolation does not mean that Maluku will be sealed off
(to the outside world) but we hope with the isolation,
disproportionate reports can be stopped," he said.

Relative

Earlier in Ambon, Tamaela told journalists that the situation
had calmed down on Wednesday with only sporadic reports of
violence.

The situation is "relatively" under control, he said as quoted
by Antara.

"The forces deployed have succeeded in establishing a barrier
between the two parties," he said after visiting several of the
areas hit by escalating sectarian fighting in the past week.

What began as a petty sidewalk argument in January 1999
erupted into a communal conflict in the greater Ambon area. The
violence spread throughout Maluku, leading to an estimated 1,000
deaths.

It flared up on Halmahera, North Maluku, in the past week,
with an estimated 450 killed.

Tamaela called on all parties to remain calm but conceded that
the level of animosity was high.

"I recognize that between the two sides there is suspicion,
but please restrain yourselves," he urged.

The flow of refugees from various parts of Maluku continued on
Wednesday.

At least 110 refugees were taken by ship from Tual, Southeast
Maluku, to Surabaya, East Java.

Meanwhile, the head of the crisis coordinating agency in
Maluku, Paula Renyaan, said it was endeavoring to extend the
arrival of new refugees to areas other than Ambon.

"We estimate the number of refugees being accommodated in
Ambon as a result of recent tension has gone up about 40 percent
from the original number of 40,000."

Paula argued that Ambon lacked the facilities to accommodate
the increasing refugee numbers.

At the Vatican, Pope John Paul II singled out Maluku in a
message for peace.

"May the message of peace from Bethlehem echo forcefully in
places struck by catastrophe and war, particularly in Maluku,"
the pontiff told 7,000 pilgrims attending the weekly general
audience.

"May this message of peace break the chain of vengeance, heal
the wounds of hatred, drive away temptations of violence and
encourage Christians and Muslims to see themselves as members of
the same human family." (prb/mds)