Two Fretilin rebels killed in armed clash with military
Two Fretilin rebels killed in armed clash with military
DILI, East Timor (JP): Two members of the armed separatist group Fretilin were killed in a clash with the military in the Bobonaro district on Wednesday, the local military chief said.
Col. Kiki Syahnakri said on Thursday that another rebel had surrendered and three others got away after the early morning clash in Maumela village.
He did not say whether there were any casualties among the members of the Bobonaro military unit.
The military has donated some money to the relatives of the two dead rebels to help pay for burial costs.
The gang of rebels had been disturbing and stealing from the villagers, according to Ladean Simbolon, the spokesman for the East Timor military command.
He identified the two dead rebels as 30-year-old Benyamin, alias Auleri, and Yulio, aged 32. The rebel who surrendered was identified as Apresio Miguel Soares, 20-years-old.
The military also managed to seize a G-3 long rifle that had been used by the Portuguese colonial army, four grenades and several rounds of bullets from the rebels.
The military operation came after villagers complained of repeated disturbances by the rebels, Ladean said.
He explained that during the investigation, Apresio said that Fretilin's strength was eroding and fast running out of ammunition and morale.
Meanwhile, Col. Syahnakri made a special appeal to all East Timorese, including the remaining Fretilin members hiding out in the jungle, to help create an atmosphere conducive to a reconciliation meeting among the conflicting East Timorese factions in Austria next month.
He said the East Timorese people should give their leaders a chance to help bring about reconciliation.
The meeting, planned for June 2-5 in Austria, will bring together East Timorese leaders both for and against integration with Indonesia. The meeting was organized by the United Nations with the support of the Indonesian and Portuguese governments. (yac/emb)