Military warns of worse conflicts in Maluku

JAKARTA (JP): Sectarian strife in Maluku has expanded and escalated into a full-blown conflict between Muslims and Christians, Lt. Gen. Suaidi Marasabessy warned on Tuesday.

The chief of general affairs of the Indonesian Military (TNI) told a seminar in search for a solution in Maluku that the second phase of the conflict, which began in July, has been far more devastating than the first one that went on for six months.

Unless the conflict was contained, it would get even worse, he said as quoted by Antara.

The first phase of the conflict claimed 213 lives, including two security officers; the second phase led to 381 deaths, including 14 security officers, he said.

"Two days ago, 41 people were killed in several hours of conflict," he said of the severity of the situation.

The province has practically been segregated, he said, adding that the minority ethnic Chinese population, who were caught in the middle, had virtually fled.

The warring parties were using military-standard rifles, some were even equipped with silencers and telescopic sights, he said.

Government aid and social services, especially help for displaced persons, have been slow in arriving, and the court system has been even slower, trying and convicting only two out of 98 arrested so far.

Meanwhile, TNI Commander Adm. Widodo A.S. visited the strife- torn Maluku on Tuesday for a meeting with representatives of the conflicting communities as well as the local government.

In the meeting in Ambon, the capital of Maluku, he called for dialog to resolve the conflict.

"Anger and hatred will only cause further conflicts and more casualties," Widodo told the meeting at the gubernatorial office.

Widodo said the military would take part in the search for a solution to the conflict and would not abandon the territory.

He promised neutrality among his troops.

He also disclosed a plan to send fresh troops to replace existing ones who have been in Maluku for some time.

Widodo, who was accompanied by National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi during the one-day visit, thanked the warring camps for agreeing to a truce prior to his arrival from Jakarta.

He visited the Pattimura Military Headquarters and met with refugees in the Halong shelter, located about six kilometers east of Ambon, before flying back to Jakarta.

Roadblocks that were removed prior to his arrival in recognition of the truce were put up again after his departure.

"We can't take any risks," said one resident.

Many of those present at the meeting with Widodo expressed disappointment at the brevity of the visit. "It didn't have any impact. We want a real dialog," said a local leader.

Meanwhile, 13 human rights organizations issued a statement calling for United Nations intervention to stop the violence in Maluku.

They said the UN Human Rights Commissioner should send a special rapporteur to investigate human rights violations in Maluku because the government had failed to end the rampant atrocities in the province.

The organizations said the presence of an international investigator was needed to end the killings, torture, disappearance, cruel and inhumane treatment and destruction of property among Christians and Muslims in the province.

They slammed the National Commission on Human Rights for its lack of seriousness and inconsistency in probing gross human rights abuses in the province.

The organizations signing the statement included the Commission of Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) and Baileko Maluku.

They criticized the military's failure to contain the violence.

They said the military should send troops who were neutral to bring an end to the conflict, and that the police must be given full authority to restore order in the province. (48/edt/prb/emb)