Liquor blamed for crimes

DILI, East Timor: Chief of the local military command Col. Mahidin Simbolon said Saturday that "every crime" in the youngest province could be traced back to liquor.

"The root of every crime here is liquor. But strangely, in every dialog, youths always ask questions related to prostitution and gambling," he told journalists. "They don't have the guts to raise the liquor problem with me."

Simbolon complained that drinking alcohol motivated youths to commit crimes and stir up social unrest.

He called on youth organizations to help the government curb the illegal distribution of alcoholic beverages in East Timor, Antara reported. (pan)