Two East Timor rebels captured

DILI, East Timor (JP): The military has captured two rebels in Ermera, about 85 kilometers west of here, but plans to return them to their families instead of punishing them.

The new chief of the East Timor military command, Col. Syahnakri Y.K., said yesterday that Domingos Gomes, 25, and Delfonso, 23, were captured on Sept. 4 due to a citizen's tip.

In his first press briefing since being appointed last week, Syahnakri said Gomes and Delfonso were among nine Fretilin guerrillas who were on their way to attack a military post.

The seven other rebels managed to escape after a shootout, he said.

According to Syahnakri, 228 Fretilin rebels armed with 107 rifles and a small quantity of ammunition still roam East Timorese jungles.

Operating in the regencies of Lauten, Baucau, Viqueque, Ermera, Ainaro and Manufahi, the separatists have to rob local residents in order to survive, he said.

"They use their rifles only in critical situations, such as when their victims resist," he said. "But they don't hesitate to kill innocent people to get food."

He said a Fretilin commander for eastern East Timor, Firgilio, had replied positively to the Armed Forces' offer of peace talks.

"If the two sides agree on the terms, Firgilio will come down with 20 other rebels," he said. (yac/pan)