Alex already dead, says S. Sidabutar<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): East Timor's military chief, Col. S. Sidabutar,
\nsaid yesterday anti-integrationist activists overseas had failed
\nto disprove Indonesia's report that separatist leader David Alex
\nwas dead.<\/p>\n
\"It is useless to argue that David Alex is still alive. I was
\none of those who brought him from Baucau to Dili,\" Sidabutar was
\nquoted as saying by Antara.<\/p>\n
The military says Alex was shot in a morning raid on his cave
\nhideout near Baucau on June 25. He died of blood loss in Dili's
\nWira Husada Hospital about 7 p.m. the same day and was buried
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
Five other separatist rebels in the hideout were captured
\nalive.<\/p>\n
The military identified Alex as the deputy commander of the
\nFretilin separatist movement's armed wing. He allegedly operated
\nin the rebels' Region II, which covers Viqueque, Lautem and
\nManatuto.<\/p>\n
His group is believed responsible for the recent attacks on
\nmilitary and civilian targets in East Timor.<\/p>\n
But activists from the East Timor International Support Center
\nin Darwin, Australia, dismissed the military's report, saying
\nthey believe Alex is still alive.<\/p>\n
They theorized Alex and three others were captured uninjured
\nand taken to Baucau where they were probably still alive.<\/p>\n
The support center's spokesman, Donny Inbaraj, said last week
\nhis group had spoken to witnesses who said Alex and three others
\n-- Jose Antonio Belo, Manuel Loke Matan and one identified only
\nas Gil -- were intercepted by a patrol on the morning of June 25
\nwhile searching for medicine for Alex in Kaibada near Baucau.<\/p>\n
\"News that Alex was still alive might have been disseminated
\nby irresponsible people,\" Sidabutar said.<\/p>\n
Alex's left hand and right thigh were injured, he said.<\/p>\n
Sidabutar said he flew by helicopter to Baucau after hearing
\nAlex had been caught.<\/p>\n
\"Anyone whose blood vessels were shot would very probably die
\nof blood loss,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said the authorities had done everything possible to save
\nAlex, including flying him to Dili even though it was dusk and
\nnot safe for a helicopter to fly.<\/p>\n
Sidabutar said foreign groups wanting to investigate the
\nincident were welcome to do so provided they followed procedures.<\/p>\n
\"They should follow Indonesian rules and if higher officials
\nin Jakarta permit them, we will welcome them,\" he said. (pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/alex-already-dead-says-s-sidabutar-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}