Dili, 1 May 2000
The Transitional Administrator, Sergio Vieira de Mello, declared a policy of zero tolerance for individuals carrying objects that could be used as weapons, such as machetes, knives, iron bars, clubs or sticks, after a violent disturbance on Sunday in Dili.
As an exceptional measure, the SRSG also authorized the UN Civilian Police in Dili to carry side arms.
On Sunday, around 4 p.m., a gang of around 70 people went from the market area of Dili to the Sports Stadium and attacked spectators who were watching a martial arts presentation and getting ready for a soccer match. As a result, five people were injured and admitted to the hospital. Two motor vehicles, two motorbikes, and a house were also damaged. There were no fatal victims.
CivPol dispatched its officers to the stadium, who were later joined by the Rapid Response Unit and the Peacekeeping troops. After a several hours operation, the forces of law and order, in cooperation with the CNRT, brought the situation under control and arrested 11 people. Today, two more people were detained, and around 60 sticks were apprehended. The situation remains calm.
With no provocation whatsoever, a group of extremists attacked people who were peacefully going to a soccer match on a Sunday afternoon in the capital. This is shocking, Vieira de Mello said. From last night on, we will not tolerate people carrying rocks, sticks machetes or any object that could be used for a violent purpose. They will be detained and sent before a judge.
In a UNTAET radio interview, the SRSG also asked people not to dramatize the situation, since this is a group of people determined to sabotage the normalization process, and turn the economic and social situation even more difficult. But they will not succeed.
On Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, the SRSG met CNRT President Xanana Gusmão, CNRT vice-President José Ramos-Horta, and other Timorese leaders, and also CivPol and Peacekeeping Forces. Together, they reviewed the situation and decide on the necessary actions, among which that they will work together.
JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS DILI
A grant agreement worth US$ 91,000 was signed on Sunday by the Transitional Administrator Sergio Vieira de Mello, and the Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia, Takao Kawakami. The Japanese Foreign Minister, Yohei Kono, witnessed the signing ceremony.
The grant is for the project Listening to East Timor and the money will be used to acquire some 8,500 radio receivers. These receivers will be distributed in the areas covered by radio Voz de Esperança, radio Kmanek and radio UNTAET. Lospalos and Maliana will also get some receivers, as they are the first places where community radio stations are being set up.
This is yet another demonstration of Japan s commitment. And this one is particularly important as it concerns communication, which is a current weakness, said Vieira de Mello.
During the half day visit to Dili, the Japanese delegation also visited Primary School number 7 in Becora, which has various needs in terms of rehabilitation and equipment, for which the Japanese have US$20,000 available immediately.
Japan also announced that they would provide US$ 950,000 for each of the three following years to assist East Timorese students who want to finish their studies in Indonesia, Singapore or Malaysia.
Finally the Foreign Minister stressed that Japan is committed to raise the East Timor situation during the forthcoming meeting of the G8 (Group of Seven Industrial Nations and Russia), that will take place in Japan.
POSTAL SERVICE OPENED
The East Timor Postal Service in Dili was opened on Saturday by the SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello, in the presence of CNRT President Xanana Gusmão, CNRT vice-President José Ramos-Horta, and the Head of the Portuguese Diplomatic Mission, José Manuel Santos Braga. About one hundred Dili residents attended that ceremony.
There is now international recognition that East Timor is a country on its way to independence with mail ready to be delivered to the country s residents, Vieira de Mello said. As a result of the opening of the first post office, half a tone of correspondence that had been lying in Australia since September is now being distributed to the Timorese. So you can imagine the importance of the opening of this public service.
The reopening of the postal service is part of the reconstruction of East Timor. From now on, the Timorese can communicate with others inside and outside the country, Xanana Gusmão said afterwards.
The Head of the Portuguese Mission compared letters and other correspondence to water and electricity.
The first letters sent from the East Timorese Post Service were to the President of Portugal, the United Nations Secretary-General, and the chairman of the Portuguese Postal Service.
