U.S. diplomat visits Dili

DILI, East Timor: Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares briefed a visiting official from the U.S. State Department on Wednesday about the circumstances surrounding this month's death of a prominent East Timor separatist rebel leader, Antara said.

The visitor, Douglas Hartwick, raised the issue during a meeting with the governor.

David Freitas, alias David Alex, was shot when he attempted to escape after his arrest in Baucau district. He later died in hospital.

Governor Abilio told the American visitor that David Alex would still be alive if he had not tried to escape.

Antara said Hartwick was in East Timor to look at development in the former Portuguese colony. He also wanted to gather information from officials and people here. (10)