Military seeks Red Cross help

Military seeks Red Cross help

DILI, East Timor: The security forces assisted by the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were negotiating
with rebels to secure the release of two military officers held
hostage since Nov. 9, Antara reported.

The chief of the Wira Dharma Military Resort, Colonel Tono
Suratman said on Saturday the negotiations had been started in an
attempt to secure the release of the two officers without
bloodshed, adding that the military would attack if the hostages
were not released.

Rebels led by Tera Mau Bulak attacked the military resort on
Nov. 9 and took 13 officers hostage.

Nine officers have since escaped.

Suratman said his men had arrested four people suspected of
involvement in the attack on the military resort.