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)