Dili can't confirm death of Santana

JAKARTA (JP): Military officials in Dili, East Timor said yesterday it could not confirm reports that Fretilin separatist leader Coni Santana had died in a car accident because his body has not been found.

"Until today, we have not received any report on the car accident that supposedly killed Santana on March 11," Dili military spokesman Col. J. Surya Prabowo, said as quoted by Antara.

Prabowo said he believes the reports are merely rumors.

"Anyone could have made up this trick to gain sympathy from the international community," he said.

Santana is believed to have succeeded Fretilin leader, David Alex, who was shot in an encounter with the military last year.

A Portuguese television station recently aired a story on the Portuguese government offering its condolences over Santana's death.