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Layanan Informasi Aktual
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 - Ambon 97124 - Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337 E-mail
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Ambon, November 8, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS - Report No. 326
1. INVOLVEMENT ARMED FORCES IN MOLUCCAS CONFLICT - We read on
"infomaluku" that reports of possible involvement of Indonesian Military
Forces (TNI) keep appearing in the media. There seem to be ties between on
the one hand two hard-line muslim organizations, namely the Jamaah Islamiyah
and the Laskar Jihad, and on the other hand some TNI generals. Recently
arrested members of the (supposedly) terrorist Coker gang in Ambon already
confessed that they received training and funds from the Kopassus (TNI elite
force). CNN mentioned the statement of an Ambonese Muslim warrior, who had
joined the Laskar Jihad, that the Laskar Jihad was disbanded by TNI generals
in order to hide their individual ties with the organization. The TNI,
however, denies any ties between the military and the Laskar Jihad.
2. BERTY AND MEMBERS COKER GANG POSSIBLY IN PAPUA - The police is
still searching for the whereabouts of Berty Loupatty, leader of the
Christian Coker gang, who is suspected to be an instigator of violence in
Ambon. The police in Jayapura (Irian / Papua) began to suspect that Berty
and seven Coker thugs are in Papua after the arrest of two men, Daniel
Sangor and Ronald Fautngilyanan, connected with an incident at the
Cendrawasih University's campus, where Daniel possibly wanted to start a
conflict. Both have been detained by the Jayapura police for further
investigation, because they are suspected to be members of the Coker gang
(Coker is short for Cowo-Cowo Keren - Ambonese, meaning "Bold Youngsters",
see Report 89 no.4).
3. NEED FOR EQUIPMENT TO RAISE THE WRECKAGE OF THE SUNK VESSEL - The
"Masohi Star" motorboat that sank in the bay of Ambon on November 3, is
believed to contain the bodies of more than sixty drowned passengers.
However, in Ambon there is no equipment available to raise the vessel from
its estimated 100 meters / 110 yards depth. So the governor has submitted a
request for the appropriate equipment.
C.J.B�hm msc, Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
