Indonesians leaving East Timor after riot
KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (Antara): Indonesians working and residing in the Timor Lest capital Dili have started to leave the city following a riot by deserters from the East Timor armed forces, an Indonesian Military officer said Wednesday.
"There were about 30 Indonesians who fled Dili and entered East Nusa Tenggara province Tuesday afternoon following the riot," said the commander of the Wirasakti Regional Military Command, Col. APJ Noch Bola.
"There are about 300 fully armed deserters running riot in Dili and another 300 deserters are consolidating in the forests in East Timor," he added, quoting reports.
The riot started March 25 when the deserters weredecommissioned by East Timor armed forces commander Brig. Gen. Taur Matan Ruak.
The deserters -- more than one-third of the country's soldiers -- went on strike Feb. 8 complaining about poor living conditions and selective promotion.
The rioters ransacked the residence of the East Timor police deputy chief, which is located near the Indonesian Embassy in Dili. They also pillaged houses in several towns.
Bola urged all Indonesians still in East Timor to immediately leave the former Indonesian province.
"The possibility of a civil war is there in East Timor after the UN ends its mission there on May 20. The deserters brought with them their weapons," he said.
"Not even their commander and President Xanana Gusmao are able to stop them."
Indonesia annexed East Timor in 1976 after its colonial master, Portugal, pulled out in 1975.
The annexation got tacit approval from Western countries, especially the United States and Australia, fearing a communist domino effect following the American defeat in Vietnam.
During Indonesia's rule, the deserters belonged to Gusmao's left-leaning Fretilin resistance group. (***)
"There were about 30 Indonesians who fled Dili and entered East Nusa Tenggara province Tuesday afternoon following the riot," said the commander of the Wirasakti Regional Military Command, Col. APJ Noch Bola.
"There are about 300 fully armed deserters running riot in Dili and another 300 deserters are consolidating in the forests in East Timor," he added, quoting reports.
The riot started March 25 when the deserters weredecommissioned by East Timor armed forces commander Brig. Gen. Taur Matan Ruak.
The deserters -- more than one-third of the country's soldiers -- went on strike Feb. 8 complaining about poor living conditions and selective promotion.
The rioters ransacked the residence of the East Timor police deputy chief, which is located near the Indonesian Embassy in Dili. They also pillaged houses in several towns.
Bola urged all Indonesians still in East Timor to immediately leave the former Indonesian province.
"The possibility of a civil war is there in East Timor after the UN ends its mission there on May 20. The deserters brought with them their weapons," he said.
"Not even their commander and President Xanana Gusmao are able to stop them."
Indonesia annexed East Timor in 1976 after its colonial master, Portugal, pulled out in 1975.
The annexation got tacit approval from Western countries, especially the United States and Australia, fearing a communist domino effect following the American defeat in Vietnam.
During Indonesia's rule, the deserters belonged to Gusmao's left-leaning Fretilin resistance group. (***)
posted by novski | 3:24 PM
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