State of Emergency Declared in Moluccas

Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid formally declared a civil state of emergency in the Molucca Islands, saying fierce street fighting between Muslims and Christians had spiraled out of control. Wahid said he had assumed ultimate control of security in the islands, where scores have been killed in the past week. “The situation is out of control,” he told reporters after a special meeting of key members of his Cabinet. In the latest clashes in the battle-scarred main city, Ambon, seven people were killed and a mosque and dozens of houses were burned Monday, witnesses said.