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.