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)