INDONESIA: AMBON: CHRISTIAN MOBS BURN MUSLIM OWNED HOUSES

(1 Mar 1999) Natural Sound

Christian mobs have burned two dozen Muslim-owned houses and hurled gasoline bombs at a mosque full of worshippers in Indonesia.

At least five people were killed - four of them shot by police according to community leaders.

In Jakarta, Indonesia's military chief warned that chronic unrest was endangering national unity.

He launched a rapid reaction force to curb riots in the world's fourth most populous nation.

In the latest violence, Christians attacked a mosque in the village of Ahuru on the outskirts of Ambon, the capital of Maluku province.

The Christian Ambonese resent Muslims who belong to ethnic groups from neighbouring islands.

Indigenous Ambonese dislike the Muslim migrants for yet another reason - many migrants are entrepreneurs who have made inroads in the region's trade.

During the latest unrest five people died - one Christian man was killed in a brawl with Muslims - and troops fatally shot at least four Muslims.

The unrest in Maluku province has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.

Indonesia's military has responded by parading 5-thousand anti-riot troops equipped with helmets, radios, tear gas canisters and M-16 rifles at the headquarters of the mobile brigade police on the outskirts of Jakarta.

The military has warned that the so-called Anti-Massive Riot Troops will go anywhere in the archipelago nation to combat rioters.

The military has been widely criticised both for its slow response to unrest and its willingness to use lethal force against mobs.

Indonesia's military chief General Wiranto force has been tainted by human rights abuses and links to the ousted President Suharto and has urged the soldiers to hunt down the instigators of riots with restraint.

More than 150 people have been killed this year in fighting in and around coastal Ambon.

Public buses have stayed off city roads and fearful traders are reluctant to open their shops, making it hard for residents to find basic commodities.

Unrest in the region is caused not only by religious tension.

The deadly violence has also stemmed from economic hardship, political upheaval, gang feuds and ethnic tensions.

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