Killings test
truce
Talks continue, but fear builds
Peace talks between Christian and Muslim groups continue in Indonesia’s troubled
Moluccas Island region, although two Christians were killed in an outburst of
violence that threatened a cease-fire.
Two Christians, a father and
daughter, found murdered on March 17, may be victims of anti-peace hard liners.
These were the first casualties since the signing of a peace agreement at Malino
on February 12.
Alexander Puasa and his
15-year-old daughter Netty, were last seen alive as they went to work in their
farm plot on March 16. The alarm was sounded when neighbors noticed that the
father and daughter had not returned home that evening. The bodies were found
early the next morning, about 200 yards from their farm. Police autopsies showed
that both victims died of multiple stab wounds.