Timor Leste Deserters Run Amok Again
Wednesday, 24 May, 2006 | 20:27 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Dili: A Timor Lestean soldier died from an attack by a group of soldiers who had deserted in Dili yesterday (23/5).

Another four soldiers and a police officer were wounded.

Timor Leste's President, Xanana Gusmao, has invited more than 600 soldiers who have deserted to have a dialog as soon as possible.

The attacks by the deserters, suspected to be members of the group of Major Alfredo Alves Reynaldo, occurred at two places.

Some of the deserters attacked unarmed soldiers heading to their Metinaro headquarters, after picking up their wages from the Ultramarino National Bank, Dili.

The other attack took place at a security post that was under construction.

“The soldier who died was Jose Vicente,” said the government's spokeperson, Antonino Bianco at a press conference at the Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri's office yesterday.

The wounded victims are being treated at the Guido Valadares National Hospital, Dili, and the Baucau General Hospital.

Bianco has called on members of the general public to stay calm.

“The situation is under control and there is a 24-hour guard,” he emphasized.

According to Bianco, the army is working together with the police are hunting Major Alfredo's group.

“Foreign Affairs Minister Jose Ramos Horta has contacted Alfredo. He admitted he was at the scene when the incident took place,” said Bianco.

More than 600 Timor Leste security personnel are absent from duty, 591 of whom left their barracks in March.

They complained about ethnical discrimination by Military Commander Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak.

The remainder are made up of military police officers led by Major Alfredo as well as special police units.

They joined forces and then scattered in the forests of Aileu and Ermera.

Timor Leste President Xanana Gusmao, according to plan, will have a dialog today with the deserters group to try and resolve their problems.

The dialog invitation was delivered by Horta when meeting with the group of deserters in Gleno, Ermera, yesterday afternoon.

The dialog will be held at a church, around one kilometer away from Xanana's home. “The president and I invite you for a dialog,” Horta told the group of deserters during the one-hour meeting.

One of the leaders of the groups of deserters, Gastao Salsinha, told Tempo his side will accept the invitation.

Faisal Assegaf (DILI)