Reconciliation efforts stepped up in Maluku

Reconciliation efforts stepped up in Maluku

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Maluku civil emergency administrators
stepped up reconciliation efforts on Thursday amid seemingly
endless terror and violence in the ravaged province of Ambon.

From a vessel, gunmen carried out a drive-by shooting on a
speedboat off the Teluk Ambon Baguala waters on Thursday
afternoon, injuring one man, police said.

Due to the incident, transportation from Benteng to Galala was
cut off as no speedboats dared to cruise the waters.

Shortly after the episode, at about 3 p.m. local time, Maluku
Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani met with two prominent
grassroots Christian camps led by Berti Loupatty and Agus
Wattimena in a one-and-a-half-hour briefing in the Kuda Mati area
of downtown Ambon.

"I plead with these groups to support the administrator of the
civil emergency to restore order in Ambon and Maluku. We strongly
urge the groups to practice self-restraint," Firman said after
the meeting.

The camps welcomed the motion, but warned the authority that
their Muslim rivals must have the same commitment under certain
preliminary conditions.

"We want all members of Laskar Jihad Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah
(Jihad Force) to be expelled from Maluku, the 'partial' security
forces to be removed from the islands and the riot rehabilitation
program to continue," Wattimenna said.

He added that the Christian camps wanted police, instead of
soldiers, to actively handle the unrests.

Firman promised to channel the groups' demand and also said
that he would soon meet with the leaders of Ambon Muslim camps
spread across the areas of Batu Merah, Waehaong, Soa Bali, Jalan
Baru, Galunggung, Kebun Cengkih, Kapaha, Kota Jawa and Air
Salobar.

Rumors of massive renewed attacks swept through the city on
Thursday as overnight explosions and gunfire were heard in the
areas of Urimesing, Diponegoro, Talake and Kampung Kolam.

"We've heard reports about the planned attacks that will be
intensified right after the closing of Annual Session (of the
People's Consultative Assembly in Jakarta) on Aug. 18, but we
hope they remain rumors and we plead with people not to be
provoked," Firman said.

Separately, civil emergency administrator Maluku Governor
Saleh Latuconsina said that at least 200 members of the Jihad
Force were transported back home to Java on the KM Rinjani from
Yos Sudarso Port in Ambon at about 5 p.m. local time on
Wednesday.

Approximately 300 Jihad Force members left Maluku for Java on
the KM Lambelu last week.

Latuconsina also announced tight controls of the waters off
Maluku following the start of a one-month isolation on the ports
in the province which began on Thursday.

The decision bars any passenger ships of the state shipping
line, PT Pelni, namely the KM Tatamailau, KM Rinjani, KM
Dobonsolo, KM Bukit Siguntang and KM Lambelu, from carrying
passengers.

"These ships are barred from entering ports in Ambon and
others in Maluku province from Thursday through Sept. 10.

"The main reason is because the minor isolation imposed in
Ambon is not effective enough to prevent 'unwanted outsiders' and
weapons smuggling as the passengers used to threaten the ships'
crews," Latuconsina explained on Wednesday.

Tankers are allowed to enter Maluku as it is far easier to
check and control their cargo rather than dealing with people,
Security Commander of the Eastern Fleet Commodore Djoko Sumaryono
pointed out.

In accordance with the isolation, Merpati Airlines has agreed
to add to its regular flights to and from Ambon every Friday,
making a total of four trips per week. (49/edt)