Weapons seized by military in Maluku

JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of knives and other sharp weapons were confiscated in raids on Sunday as security personnel searched homes as well as travelers entering and leaving Ambon in Maluku province.

Twenty were arrested in Ambon city's port as they arrived by boat from nearby islands with weapons, including arrows, daggers and sickles, Reuters quoted witnesses in Ambon.

The agency also reported from the Vatican that Pope John Paul on Sunday has appealed for an end to the fighting in Maluku.

He said in his weekly address that the fighting had "overturned the traditional harmony of coexistence between Christians and Muslims".

"Faced with such worrying events, I address to all, especially those who foment the disorders, an appeal to abandon violence, which causes uncountable sufferings, to get back on the path of harmony," he said.

Meanwhile military police are investigating at least nine members of the Armed Forces (ABRI) who were allegedly involved in a riot last week, Antara reported. The violence of March 10 broke out in Air Mata Cina in Nusaniwe district and Tantui, Baguala district.

"The shooting was believed to have violated procedures," military police commander Maj. Djuhendi S. said Sunday.

At least seven people died in the shooting last Wednesday, which reportedly also took place in other areas. Djuhendi cited witnesses who said the officers unexpectedly appeared and opened fire on crowds.

He added one of the soldiers was probably emotional because his house was among many which have been set ablaze, leading him to recklessly fire on the crowds.

Djuhendi however said investigation would be difficult because no one would come forth as witnesses, while at least two witnesses were needed to bring a military member to trial.

He added the soldiers were charged with inciting people to riot, a crime for which they face a sentence of at least five years jail, the agency said.

Antara also reported Saturday that the special team of indigenous ABRI officers sent to Maluku witnessed a peace pact among community leaders in Saparua, Central Maluku, which has also seen communal clashes. The leaders of the islands of Haruku, Saparua and Nusalaut pledged to end the bloodshed and help renovate and rebuild destroyed homes and facilities.

Military commander Col. Karel Ralahalu, who is now responsible for security on the island since the authority was handed over by police last week, said at the event that he hoped people would hand in their weapons rather than being searched.

If residents resisted, he warned the government might be forced to declare a state of emergency on the islands.

Agencies reported that Christians in Ambon conducted Sunday mass, some in the ruins of burned out village churches. Many mosques have also been burned along with thousands of homes, stores and other buildings. "Let's pray that this violence is over and that Christians and Muslims can live in peace again," a priest, Father John Ruhulessin, said as quoted by the Associated Press.

On Saturday, Antara reported that National Police Chief Gen. Roesmanhadi on his visit to Ambon, which lasted less than an hour, reminded police officers not to take sides.

Both Muslims and Christians have charged the security personnel with being discriminatory.

Asked why security personnel were still unable to end the violence that had entered its 54th day on Saturday and killed more than 182 people, he said: "That's because the rioters have not yet realized their mistakes and are still charged with emotions."

Batam

The agency also reported thousands of migrants from Maluku living in Batam held a night of concern and fund raising for fellow islanders. At the gathering the Muslims, Protestants and Catholics appealed to fellow islanders not to be provoked by the tragedy which had become a serious religious conflict.

In Lampung, students including those grouped in Muslim and Christian student organizations, on Saturday demanded security forces end all forms of violence and use of religious conflict as a "political commodity" to serve "the interests of the backers of the status quo."

A similar call was made by an organization of Indonesian Muslim students in Britain, KIBAR. Its president Tommy Firmansyah on Saturday blasted the military for arbitrary shooting of residents "with a view to provoke, cause trouble and promote certain political interests."

The organization demanded the Armed Forces and its commander, Gen. Wiranto take firm action against military personnel who opened fire on residents.

"If ABRI is unable to uphold this responsibility, Gen. Wiranto must resign," they said, and answer a court's questions on his policies in Ambon. The organization also demanded that the government and Christian leaders exhort their people to exercise self-restraint. (anr/swe)