A Christian-dominated secessionist movement in the Spice Islands sputtered along for years. For nearly two years, Christians and Muslims have been battling in and around the provincial capital of Ambon. As many as 4,000 have died, and more than 100,000 people have fled. Many have made the treacherous boat trip to surrounding islands. There are more than 8,000 Christian refugees on another island in the city of Manado, and more are arriving daily.
Death is a daily occurrence.
In denying that a massacre had occurred last year, military spokesman Lt. Col. Iwa Budiman explained that It was just normal fighting between the two sides. Lobulisa Leo, a retired general, notes that local Christians and Muslims would start fighting, and then normally two or three days later settle it. This was a normal happening. In his view, local people have tired of the killing. Ambonese, Christians and Muslims of Moluccan origin, are fed up.