Two killed in East Timor raid

Two killed in East Timor raid

DILI, East Timor (JP): Two people were killed when the army
yesterday raided a house used by Fretilin separatist guerrillas
as an ammunition depot.

The raid occurred Tuesday evening after the military was given
a tip by local residents.

Brig. Gen. Willem T. da Costa, the chief of staff of the
Udayana Military Command overseeing Bali, West and East Nusa
Tenggara and East Timor, yesterday said soldiers were fired upon
as they neared the house and an exchange of gunfire was
unavoidable.

Pvt. Atek Rubyanto, 30, and the wife of the owner of the house
were killed in shootout which ended with the separatist
guerrillas fleeing into the woods.

The house is located at in Wailili, Bacau, about 160
kilometers east of here.

Injured in the raid were Sgt. Wayan and the house owner's
child. The house owner, identified as SL, was arrested.

There were no immediate reports of casualties from the rebels,
who escaped to nearby forests. No details were available on how
many rebels lived in the house.

According to Costa, a small 2x4 meter bunker was found under
one of the beds in the house. The underground ward was used to
hide ammunition.

An assortment of various weapons, ammo and other field
equipment were found including a large Pentax monocular which
Costa claimed is not owned by the Armed Forces.

He said the military would continue to crack down on Fretilin
rebels who refused to surrender to the authorities.

When asked about the strength of rebels still at large, Costa
estimates that there about 100 left scattered in the east,
central and west sector of the province.

Meanwhile, the provincial police have launched an
investigation into Manuel Carrascalao and Francisco Carvalho, two
leaders of the East Timor Reconciliation Movement (GRPRTT), for
allegedly sowing public hatred against the government. They
reportedly sent letters critical of the government to officials
in Jakarta and to foreign leaders.

Carrascalao said he established the organization because he
wished to unify all East Timorese, including those in exile
overseas. (33)