East Timor police fire tear gas to disperse former freedom fighters
East Timor police fire tear gas to disperse former freedom fighters
Agence France-Presse, Dili
East Timor police fired tear gas on Tuesday to evict former freedom fighters who had occupied a government building to demand reform of the police.
Some 100 anti-riot officers charged into the seafront building that houses several ministries and the prime minister's office after about 30 protesters ignored their call to quit the premises.
Officers fired tear gas and beat some protesters, witnesses said, but no serious injuries were reported. Police declined to confirm reports that five people were arrested.
The protesters were former members of the Falintil guerrilla army which had battled Indonesian rule in the territory. They began demonstrating at the site on Monday afternoon.
Some carried banners and posters demanding Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri order a reform of the national police.
Alkatiri said the protesters had been given until 8 a.m. to leave the building after rejecting the government's offer of dialog.
"But because after 8 a.m. they still had not left I ordered the police to take action," he told reporters after a meeting with President Xanana Gusmao to discuss the matter.
"I'm confused because their demand is not clear -- whether they want reform in the government or in the police force only," he said.
Gusmao said he was trying to find a solution to the standoff and arrange talks between the protesters and the government.
Residents said the protest was sparked by police action against Cornelio Gama, one of the demonstration leaders, when he was caught using a government vehicle on a weekend.
As part of an efficiency drive, personal use of government vehicles is banned.
Former Falintil members have demonstrated several times in the past, saying they have been left out of the country's development.
East Timorese voted to separate from Indonesia in August 1999, which intensified a spate of Indonesian army-backed attacks on independence supporters.
The country was Asia's poorest when it became independent in May 2002 after a period of United Nations stewardship.
Two people were killed and 25 injured when riots broke out in December 2002 in Dili. Some 10 buildings were torched, including Alkatiri's home.