Fretilin separatists kill four youths, military says

Fretilin separatists kill four youths, military says

DILI, East Timor (JP): The Armed Forces accused yesterday
Fretilin separatist rebels of the recent murder of four youths
from Sare village, Maubara district in Liquisa regency.

East Timor Military Commander Col. Salamat Sidabutar told the
press yesterday that the badly wounded bodies of Imersio,
Fernando, Fatrecio and Bendito were found buried in a hole near
their village Wednesday morning.

Salamat said that the victims were tied to one another.

He said that the four youths had been acting as guards for a
religious ceremony on Nov. 18 in their hometown, led by Dili
Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, when they were approached by a
group of men claiming to be from Ermera regency.

When the ceremony was underway, the visitors suddenly pounced
the Liquisa youths, and took the four hostage.

Sidabutar said he regretted the fact that the villagers failed
to promptly report the incident to the authorities.

He said several security personnel had been patrolling the
area, outside of the ceremony venue, because it had been
requested by the Catholic youths.

He said Bishop Belo was shocked by the news, and urged the
authorities to talk to the head of the parish in Liquisa, who was
away yesterday.

Sidabutar promised the local police would investigate the
murder.

East Timor integrated into Indonesia in 1976, but the United
Nations still recognizes Portugal as the administering power.
Among those who led the campaign against the integration was Jose
Ramos Horta, cowinner of the Nobel peace prize last year along
with Belo.

It was also reported yesterday that an Indonesian student had
been attacked in London by a group of Horta's supporters. The
student was on his way to a meeting at Oxford University where
Horta was due to give a speech.

In Jakarta, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas called the
attack an act of terrorism targeting Indonesian citizens and
representatives abroad.

"They were afraid that the Indonesian students (attending the
meeting) would reveal the true facts through their questions,"
said Alatas.

He said the incident should not have happened as freedom of
speech was respected among the academicians.

"What kind of concept of democracy is held by Horta and his
group if they curb the freedom of speech, and how can a man with
such a vague concept (of democracy) be trusted?"

Alatas also said the case of jailed labor leader Muchtar
Pakpahan had been blown up to place Indonesia in the
international spotlight.

"For example, certain countries announced they were concerned
about Pakpahan's medical treatment (something) that was
reportedly neglected by the Indonesian government. It's totally
incorrect," he said.

He said the government had done its best to provide medical
assistance for Pakpahan. (33/09/aan)