Military warns of worse conflicts in Maluku
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)