Written question asked by Baroness King of Bow (Labour) on Monday, 15 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 19 July 2002. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Friday, 19 July 2002 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the recent violence in the Moluccas Islands directed towards Christians and other minorities by the Liskar Jihad movement, and the breakdown of the Malino Peace Agreement between the Christian and Muslim communities.

Answer: Ms Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Fore ign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a state ment on the recent violence in the Moluccas Islands directed towards Christians and other minorities by the Liskar Jihad movement, and the breakdown of the Malino Peace Agreement between the Christian and Muslim com munities. [70773] Mr. Mike O'Brien: Tensions remain high in the Mol uccas with Christian and Muslim extremists trying to undermine the Malino Agreement. HMG deplores the continuing violence. The Indonesian Government is tak ing steps to improve coordination between the army, pol ice and the civilian governor, including the appointment of a new regional military commander. A National Inves tigation Team has been appointed by the President to assess the progress of the Malino Agreement and to draw attention to areas of concern. We have offered to share with police officers in the Moluccas the UK experience of policing inter-communal conflict.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 389 c609-10W; 70773
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Armed conflict Minority groups Muslims Violence Maluku Islands Islam Indonesia Christianity
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk