Martial law powers include news blackout

Martial law powers include news blackout

JAKARTA (JP): The government's decision to declare a state of
military emergency in East Timor allows the local military chief
to take whatever steps necessary to restore peace and order.
Although not specifically stated, this includes a news blackout.

The 1959 State of Emergency Law allows the President to
declare three types of emergency: a state of civil emergency, of
military emergency, and war.

Under a state of military emergency, power is vested in the
local military command, and its chief is empowered to take all
necessary measures in carrying out his job.

This means that, effective from Tuesday, the task of
maintaining security in East Timor was taken over from the
police. All authorities in the territory, including the governor
and the police chief, become subordinates of the military chief.

Under the emergency law, the military can:

* restrict or ban the movement and possession of firearms and
explosives.

* take over the post office, telecommunications and radio
broadcasting facilities.

* regulate or restrict the use of open fields.

* close down buildings, meeting halls, places of
entertainment, garages, shops and factories.

* regulate, restrict or halt the flow of goods into and out of
the territory and the distribution of goods within the territory.

* regulate, restrict or halt the operation of land, sea and
air transportation facilities.

* restrict performances, printing, publication, announcement,
dissemination, storage, circulation, trading and display of
writing, in any form, paintings, slides and pictures

* confiscate and censor all mail and cables.

* bar people from remaining in the region, or expel them, or
order them to stay.

* order the militarization of facilities.

* arrest and detain people for 20 days, extendible to 50 days.
They must be investigated within 10 days. Warrants must be issued
for their arrest.

Only the President can terminate the state of emergency, but
the restrictions imposed can be retained if necessary for up to
six months afterwards.