Moslem snipers attack Christians in Ambon

Aid agencies report that refugees are continuing to flee the sectarian violence in the Moluccas. On Monday, three Christians were critically injured in an attack in Ambon Bay. The missionary news service MISNA reported that Sacred Heart missionary Father Kees Bohm described one incident in which three passengers on motor boats crossing the bay were gunned down in a hail of machine gun fire. Though the identity of the attackers has not been confirmed, a spokesman said that a group of Muslims was responsible for the incident. In the last few days, the Christian village of Alang Asaude (south-western coast of the Island of Ceram) was attacked by around a thousand Islamic extremists. The Indonesian army has been ordered to trace and escort Christians to safety due to the increasing fear of a renewed outbreak of clashes.