Rebel member shot dead in East Timor attack

DILI, East Timor (JP): About 20 armed men, believed to be Fretilin separatists, attacked the 713th Territorial Battalion's barracks Wednesday in Purugua village, Bobonaro regency, some 80 kilometers west of here.

One rebel died in the clash. He was identified as Mauleqi, 50. He was found with a Mauser gun, 43 bullets and Rp 46,000 (US$19) in cash.

East Timor's Wiradharma military commander Col. Salamat Sidabutar spoke to The Jakarta Post yesterday about the incident after a ceremony to mark the 21st anniversary of the territory's integration into Indonesia.

"As ordered, there were not any battalion members outside the post then," Sidabutar said. "It was a surprise attack."

On June 25, the military shot dead David Alex, a separatist leader, in his cave hideout near Baucau. He was brought to the capital but died of blood loss in the Wira Husada Hospital on the same day.

Five other separatist rebels in the hideout were captured alive.

The military identified Alex as the deputy commander of the Fretilin separatist movement's armed wing. He allegedly operated in the rebels' Region II, which covers Viqueque, Lautem and Manatuto.

His group is believed to be responsible for the recent attacks on military and civilian targets in East Timor.

Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares led yesterday's ceremony attended by local and military leaders.

In his speech, Abilio said the integration in 1976 gave the territory's people a "strategic foundation" on which they could prepare themselves for globalization.

"For us, integration into Indonesia should not be questioned. Instead it should be maintained and marked with development to improve people's welfare," he said.

"The integration (anniversary) should remind us of East Timorese's struggle and our heroes," he said.

The former Portuguese colony was integrated into Indonesia in 1976. This has never been recognized by the United Nations which still considers Lisbon the territory's administrator.

Many foreign activists and organizations have repeatedly used East Timor's integration to criticize Indonesia.

"Remembering the past is not meant to fire up again the feelings of hatred, animosity and rage that were once exploited by the Portuguese," he said.

Abilio said the proof of successful development in East Timor included the establishment of 55 kindergartens and 709 primary schools throughout the province's 442 villages.

The ceremony was also attended by deputy governor Johannes Haribowo, provincial legislative council chief Antonio Freitas Parada, Mgr. Antonio Jose da Costa of the Dili church and Salamat Sidabutar. (33/swe)