Dili: Fretilins’ Office Set on Fire
Friday, 09 June, 2006 | 16:54 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Dili: A group of young people in Timor Leste plundered and burned the provincial office of the government’s party, Fretilin, in Gleno, Ermera District, yesterday. Parliament Chairman Francisco Guteres said the house of one of the party’s officials, about 40 kilometers South of Dili, was also assaulted. “I curse those who attacked the representative in Ermera District and burned our office,” said Guterres at a press conference yesterday (8/6).

The rebel troops, whose headquarters are in Gleno, denied being involved in the incident. They charged that the incident was only propaganda. This is the first act of violence which has been reported outside Dili since the rioting broke out last year.

There has not been any report on the victims. However Satumino Bobo, Fretilin Chairman for the province, said the party’s representative was assaulted by the crowd on his way to office, his official car was robbed. “They blockaded his way and forced him to go home,” said Babo. The crowds, according to Babo, then went to the party’s office, destroyed and burned it.

Australian Catholic aid organization, Caritas, yesterday made a statement that the number of victims died of the rioting could be higher than the official report. So far, 21 people are reported dead, including nine police officers shot by troops on May 25, and six people burned together with their house.

More than 2,000 personnel of foreign peace-keeping troops, mostly from Australia, were in Dili since the government of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said he was unable to handle the rebellion and the rioting. The crisis was elicited by dismissal of 594 soldiers deserting their barracks on May 17. Major Alfredo Reinado, leader of the deserters, demanded Alkatiri resign.
AP, AFP, CNN, BBC and Yanto Musthofa