Eight caught in dawn raid

Eight caught in dawn raid

DILI, East Timor: East Timor military commander Col. Slamat
Sidabutar said troops had ambushed and captured eight members of
the Fretilin separatist movement.

He said the ambush occurred as the eight suspected separatists
were about to hold a meeting in a house in Ainutin village, just
outside of Dili.

The ambush occurred at 4:30 a.m.

He said various items had been confiscated, including
pamphlets which attempted to pit Armed Forces members against
local students.

One of those captured, Carlos Goncalves, 38, was shot in the
leg when he tried to escape.

"He is now being treated in hospital," Sidabutar said as
quoted by Antara yesterday.

He particularly acknowledged the assistance of local residents
who revealed that the meeting was to take place. "Without the
report from local residents, the Armed Forces could not have
moved that quickly," he explained.