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Ambon, April 25,
2004
THE SITUATION IN AMBON /
MOLUCCAS
(Report No. 419)
1. TUMULTUOUS COMMEMORATION RMS ANNIVERSARY – Today is the 54th anniversary of the Moluccas RMS Independence Movement. Its commemoration in Ambon is not going unnoticed. The police hauled down 51 RMS flags. A clash between a group pro-RMS and contra-RMS, in which stones were thrown at each other, was quenched by the police at the cost of eight people being wounded by bullets. Twenty persons were detained for interrogation. 2. DISAPPOINTED WITH NEW DWELLING – According to authorities in charge, up to now about 35 thousand new houses have been built for refugees in Ambon and nearby islands. However, apparently many of these remain vacant, because they are very small and lack facilities like water and electricity. Public facilities are not available either. So a number of refugees have returned to their refugees sites, where they enjoy the luxury of these amenities. In many cases the government leaves it to the refugees themselves to build their houses, providing for each family a maximum of 10 million rupiahs (± EUR 980,-). However, not seldom the temptation to spend this “unbelievable” amount of money on luxury goods is too strong… That is why they usually receive part of their share in natura : cement, wood, etc. But these materials, too, not seldom are sold to others… C.J. Böhm msc, Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina Ambon, April 25, 2004 (04.30 pm) LATEST NEWS ON THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report No. 420 EXPLOSION OF FULL-SCALE VIOLENCE IN AMBON – The provocative behaviour and hoisting of numerous RMS-flags by RMS/FKM supporters apparently has infuriated a number of people in such measure, that several buildings are being burned. Fleeing people come hurrying this way, while carrying a few belongings. We are told that among the buildings on fire are the UN building and the recently rebuilt (not yet finished) Silo Church. C.J. Böhm msc, Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
