Maluku people prepare Aug. 17 celebrations

Maluku people prepare Aug. 17 celebrations

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Maluku geared up on Tuesday for
Independence Day when around 1,000 Muslim and Christian students
staged a dress rehearsal in Ambon of planned celebrations to mark
the day.

"We really hope this 'uneasy calm' improves and doesn't end up
in unrest," civil emergency administrator Governor Saleh
Latuconsina said after the rehearsal ended around at 11:30 a.m.
local time.

The two-hour practice took place in Merdeka park, the venue
for Thursday's anniversary celebrations. Pupils from elementary
to high school sang patriotic and reconciliatory songs
accompanied by the Pattimura Military Command's marching band.

Governor Latuconsina is scheduled to attend the ceremony.
Unlike in previous years and in other cities, the flag-hoisting
ceremony will be performed by three military members, instead of
the usual group of 17.

Thirty-four students from the two warring camps will also
pray together for their future and the nation's.

"Among the works being sung on Thursday by the student choir
is Sampe Jua (This is the End), which contains a message that we
are all very tired of this conflict and we want a peaceful life
back," a local said.

Many people shed tears upon hearing the children choir's
singing at the rehearsal.

"There is no parade, no carnival ... only the remains of
violence. We have lost our homes and our relatives and yet this
still continues," Sanamase, a local Ambon resident, said.

The 15,000-square meters Merdeka park is part of the Victoria
fortress compound in downtown Ambon. It was built during the
Dutch colonial era, next to the monument of national hero Thomas
Matulessy, alias "Captain Pattimura".

The field, considered by locals as "neutral turf", is located
across from the Gubernatorial office and is ringed by military
compounds, such as the headquarters of the 733 Masariku Infantry
Battalion.

"We hope that all community and religious leaders will attend
the ceremony," the governor said.

Until late on Tuesday, no major incidents had been reported,
but sounds of explosion and gunfire were still heard.

Independence celebrations were skipped in the Malukus last
year following 18-months' of bloody Christian-Muslim violence.

The bloodletting has left over 3,000 dead and left thousands
others injured and homeless.

Later in the day, the governor met Pattimura University rector
Mus Huliselan, who demanded a security guarantee for new classes
starting next month in five temporary buildings in Mangga Dua
area.

"I'll coordinate the security with military and police
chiefs," Latuconsina said.

Many buildings on the 30-hectare Pattimura University campus
were gutted in an arson attack by armed people from Jasirah
Leihitu area on July 4.

Meanwhile, 1,000 refugees in Kairatu district, Central Maluku
regency, are living in squalid conditions and suffering from
starvation and dehydration, officials and reports say.

"The refugees only eat once a day," a local reporter said.

Central Maluku Regent Rudolph Ruka said the local
administration had no more money and, moreover, it still had to
handle 46,000 refugees in Central Maluku regency.

"We are also hit by communication and transportation problems
as the area is very remote," he said. (49/edt)