Rebels shoot civilian dead

Rebels shoot civilian dead

DILI, East Timor: Local military chief Col. Mahidin Simbolon
confirmed yesterday that Fretilin rebels killed a civilian last
week in Manufahi, but denied reports that two soldiers died in an
anti-government demonstration in Ermera.

He said up to eight rebels stopped a truck in Manufahi, about
136 kilometers south of the capital Dili on Thursday. They shot
dead one passenger and robbed the other eight before fleeing.

Eyewitnesses identified the victim as Muhamad Idris, a South
Sulawesi immigrant. The other passengers were from Java, Sumatra
and East Timor. They were let go unharmed after the rebels blew
up the truck, one eyewitness said.

Simbolon, stressed that there was no truth to reports that two
soldiers were killed on Aug. 10 in an anti-government
demonstration in Ermera, about 50 kilometers west of Dili.

He said security authorities killed three Fretilin rebels in a
clash in Lautem, about 225 kilometers east of the capital, on
July 24. (yac)