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(18 Oct 1999) Indonesian/Nat Violence continues to plague two remote Indonesian provinces, despite the coming change in leadership. Ambon and Aceh have been trouble spots all year. And whoever becomes the next president will have to find an approach to try and avoid the chaos that continues to reign in those regions. Violent ethnic conflicts in Indonesia are not limited to East Timor. In Ambon there are still regular clashes between Christians and Muslims. This attack, by a group comprised of men from three local villages, led to two deaths. More than 500 people have been killed in the conflict that broke out in January in Ambon, 1-thousand-440 miles northeast of Jakarta, and spread to other islands in the province. The Muslims were led by a military commander, Muhamad Lajean, who saw none of his men killed. But two were killed on the Christian side, including one soldier helping them to defend their neighbourhood. Such attacks from both sides are commonplace...residents of Ambon appear to be armed down to the high school students. While the airport has been closed down intermittently, businesses closed and public services shut down, there has been no declaration of martial law. The situation would appear to be out of the control of the Indonesian armed forces. This is one more blow to the political aspirations of defence minister General Wiranto, who is at least one party's choice for vice president. Wiranto also has his hands full in Aceh. Muslim separatists have been battling the Indonesian military for years. The G-A-M, or Free Aceh Movement, have stepped up attacks on government offices, and have allegedly threatened government employees. Several general strikes have shut down the province for days. Wiranto has threatened martial law, but so far has resisted it. It is widely assumed that the separatists will intensify their campaign since East Timor's independence vote was successful. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...