Dili, 14 June 2000
The bodies of two UNAMET personnel, killed in the violence last September, were exhumed in Ermera on 10 June. This is the first exhumation done in connection with investigations into the deaths of UNAMET staff.
The decomposed bodies are now in refrigeration at UNTAET’s Human Rights Center morgue in Comoro, Dili. Forensic experts are examining the bodies and death certificates are expected to be issued next week.
The bodies, both male, were found in graves, with one of them exhumed from a coffin, in the village of Babolete, Atsabe sub-district.
Nine UNAMET local personnel were killed during the violence after the popular consultation on 30 August.
UNAMET was in East Timor between July and September last year.
150 FAMILIES HOMELESS AFTER MUDSLIDES
The number of families that have been made homeless by the mudslides in Baucau now stands at 150. Six villages in the Quelicai sub-district are the worst hit, and it is estimated that about 3,000 people are affected.
In addition to the destroyed homes, rice paddies, coconut trees and cassava crops have been drenched by the mud masses. There have been no reports of casualties.
The biggest mudslide has occurred between the villages of Bualale and Laisoro Lai. It is estimated that the mud covers an area of about one kilometer long and 100 meters wide.
The World Food Programme carried out a reconnaissance mission today. Based on their findings, WFP is dropping food from the air into the affected areas. It is estimated that the drops will supply the population with enough food to last a month.
On 6 June, UNTAET brought in 1,200 tonnes of fish to approximately 600 people. UNTAET also supplied affected people in the area with 105 plastic sheets and 100 ration packs. The World Food Programme brought in 6,2 tonnes of rice and corn on 8 June. In addition, CARITAS has supplied 108 families with cooking oil and beans to last one month.
More reconnaissance flights are required to make an accurate assessment of the damage.
INVESTIGATIONS INTO CIVPOL DROWNING COMPLETED
The Civilian Police (CivPol) has completed its investigation into the drowning of a Malaysian police officer last week off the coast of Oecussi. The investigation results have been submitted to the office of the Chief Administrative Officer and a board of inquiry is expected to be convened soon. The Peacekeeping Force has completed its own investigation into the tragedy.
The board of inquiry will present its findings at a coroner’s hearing to officially declare the CivPol dead.
The drowned police officer has been identified as Sergeant Kanagarethnam Mallaiappen.
NCC MEETS ON HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS AND BUDGET
The National Consultative Council met today, 14 June, to consider two matters on the agenda. A draft of a regulation on the Budget Law was introduced and the Humanitarian Pillar presented its final report on the assistance and emergency rehabilitation programmes from September 1999 to May 2000.
The humanitarian report concludes, among other things, that more than 162,000 refugees have returned to East Timor so far, 36,000 metric tonnes of food and 10,000 shelter kits have been distributed, 5,000 homes completed, 734 primary schools opened and 70,000 vaccinations provided.
WOMEN’S FIRST NATIONAL CONGRESS
More than 500 women from across East Timor gathered in Dili today, 14 June, for the first national congress on women’s issues. The main objective of the Congress is to unify East Timorese women to promote equitable development in national reconstruction. The delegates discussed issues ranging from economy and health to human rights and reconciliation.
“The road to a free East Timor has been one of arduous struggle and sacrifice, destruction and impoverishment. And women have been at the forefront of this struggle: as freedom fighters, advocates, mothers, wives, daughters and sisters,” Mr. Jean-Christian Cady, Deputy SRSG said, speaking on behalf of SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello, who is overseas.
“Those who are marginalised, such as returnees, either as refugees or internally displaced – the majority of whom are women and children – have to be heard in the process of reconciliation,” Mr. Cady added.
The Congress closes on Saturday, 17 June.
UNTAET’S INFORMATION OFFICE LAUNCHES BOOK PROJECT
UNTAET’s Office of Communication and Public Information is currently working on a book on the first anniversary of the popular consultation. The book aims at describing the subsequent destruction and the current rebuilding process of the country through oral stories, anecdotes, photographs and documents.
Ten thousand copies will be printed in time for the first anniversary of the referendum in August and will be distributed for free in East Timor.
