24 apprehended in E. Timor protest<\/p>\n
DILI, East Timor (JP): Local police chief Col. Andreas
\nSugianto said security authorities arrested 24 people in a new
\npro-independence demonstration here yesterday.<\/p>\n
Several dozen people staged the demonstration at the East
\nTimor University, where police also seized 10 posters containing
\nanti integration-messages and demands for the release of rebel
\nleader Jose Alexandre \"Xanana\" Gusmao, now jailed in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Andreas told The Jakarta Post that police had discovered that
\nthe demonstrators were not students but people who used the
\ncampus to dramatize their political demands.<\/p>\n
Security officers had blocked the campus yesterday and Andreas
\nsaid they tightened security on the campus last night.<\/p>\n
Eyewitnesses said that the demonstration started at
\napproximately 9.30 a.m. when a group of youths unfurled banners
\nand chanted slogans when they entered the university.<\/p>\n
Their presence provoked a quarrel with students. The intruders
\nran away when security personnel, firing several warning shots,
\narrived at the scene.<\/p>\n
The tumult continued in nearby streets when angry students
\npelted passing vehicles with stones. Many shops and offices were
\nclosed, apparently in fear of vandalism.<\/p>\n
Eyewitnesses also said that security authorities stopped
\nseveral foreigners from filming the incident and escorted them
\nfrom the area.<\/p>\n
Security officers, many in anti-riot gear, across the town
\nwere seen tightening their vigilance.<\/p>\n
The incident happened as Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali
\nAlatas and Portuguese counterpart Jose Durao Barroso were about
\nto start talks on the East Timor question in Geneva, under the
\nauspices of UN Secretary General Boutros-Boutros Ghali.<\/p>\n
The former Portuguese colony integrated into Indonesia in 1976
\nbut the UN is yet to recognize it. (yac\/pan)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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