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CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA Ambon, April 7, 2001 THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 161 1. RADIO SPMM Though the Governor of the Moluccas, Dr.Ir. M.S. Latuconsina, on March 27 ordered the local military chief commander and the police chief commander to take firm action against the Ambon based radiostation Suara Perjuangan Muslim Maluku (SPMM, The Voice of Moluccan Moslem Struggle) because of the provocative nature of its news broadcasts, nevertheless this SPMM is still on air and has not mitigated its provocative messages. 2. FRESH JIHAD FORCES Though not officially acknowledged, there are many rumours that fresh Jihad troops are coming in on virtually every passengership from Java. Also their training in this case in Ahuru/Ambon is said to go on unhampered. Apparently the Responsible for the Civil Emergency State and his staff refrain from any actions which might displease the mighty Jihad forces and their nationwide back up. 3. NEW BOOK BY RUSTAM KASTOR After his much criticized Laskar Jihad Handbook Konspirasi Kristen dan RMS Menghancurkan Umat Islam di Ambon-Maluku (Christian and RMS Conspiration to annihilate the Muslim Community of Ambon-Moluccas), Rustam Kastor has published another book titled Damai sekarang atau Perang berlanjut (Either Peace now or continue War). Christians urge the Responsible for the Civil Emergency (governor M.Latuconsina) to have this publication withdrawn immediately because of its provocative contents. The local attorney-general says he has not read either of these books; at least he should have his intelligence staff read it and see that seeds for renewed conflict are being sown there. 4. HEAVY GUNFIRE Last night at about 10 pm a military post on the AM Sangadji Street in the centre of Ambon town and the police quarters at Perigilima, Ambon, were shot at. There ensued heavy gunfire, seemingly each side not knowing who was shooting at whom, the more so since at Perigilima there was no electricity, so there was total darkness. C.J.Böhm MSc, Received via e-mail from : Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |