Troops kill two rebels

Troops kill two rebels

DILI, East Timor: Troops killed two rebels, seriously injured
another and seized one rifle in a skirmish in Bobonaro, about 80
kilometers west of here Saturday, the military announced
yesterday.

A spokesman for the local military command, L. Simbolon, said
the shootout occurred after a group of Fretelin separatists
refused the Armed Forces' call to surrender. He said one wounded
rebel managed to escape.

Simbolon said the rebels had often stirred up unrest among
residents in Bobonaro regency.

He reiterated the authorities' call for rebels to surrender
voluntarily if they want clemency. The local administration has
promised jobs to rebels who quit the armed struggle and turn
themselves in. (yac)