Private Devi Ram Yaishi, a United Nations Peacekeeper from Nepal, was killed yesterday, August 10, as a result of a shotgun wound inflicted during a militia attack in Suai district, East Timor, about 30 kilometers from the border with West Timor, Indonesia.
The incident occurred at 5pm when a patrol of Nepalese soldiers, working within New Zealand battalion, was attacked approximately 14 kilometers north east of Suai.
As a result of the clash, two soldiers and one civilian were evacuated to the Peacekeeping Force medical facility in Suai, while two other soldiers – in a serious condition - were evacuated to the United Nations Military Hospital in Dili.
SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello and Force Commander Lt. Gen. Boonsrang Nuimpradit went to Suai to assess the situation with Sector West Peacekeeping Command today.
Later in the afternoon they attended a memorial service at the Dili airport, before the body of the Nepalese soldier was flown to Darwin, en route back to Nepal.
“It seems that there are a few groups of fairly well-trained and well-coordinated militia operating in the district of Suai and Covalima, possibly having entered also the Ainaro district,” Vieira de Mello said at the airport.
“The solution is what we have been requesting from the Indonesian Government since October last year: identify – and that is not difficult – disarm and detain those extremist elements who are operating from within the [refugee] camps, and those political extremist leaders who continue to influence the population and feed them with disinformation and lies on the situation in East Timor,” the SRSG said. “That is what needs to be done.”
Private Devi Ram Yaishi died while being evacuated to Dili for medical treatment. He was 26 years old and is survived by his wife.
Two other soldiers and a civilian, who was an innocent bystander, underwent surgery and are in stable conditions. A fourth soldier was slightly injured and returned to his unit today.
The PKF says a Nepalese patrol of 15 soldiers was initially fired upon by militia. They called for assistance and another group of 15 Nepalese came to their aid, but they were also fired upon.
Today, Peacekeeping Forces conducted follow-up operations to try to track down the militia group, believed to number up to 30.
The Nepalese company is about 150 strong and has been part of the New Zealand battalion since 27 April this year.
US COINS ARRIVE
The Central Payments Office of East Timor received the initial stock of small change in US currency, a total number of 3,400 million coins. The coins include three denominations – 5 cents, 10 cents and 25 cents – and are expected to be released into circulation in two weeks.
Initially, the coins will be released through banks, the post office, supermarkets and other businesses and through salary payments to public sector workers.
This is the first shipment of coin and more will be available in accordance with the country’s needs.
NATIONAL COUNCIL SELECTION PROCESS FINALIZED
The second part of the selection process of the 33 representatives of the National Council has been finalized.
The CNRT leadership will nominate seven representatives, with the aim of fully representing women. The list will be given to the Transitional Administrator for final approval on or before September 11.
The Transitional Administrator will select the three representatives from other political parties outside CNRT, after consulting with those parties.
The Transitional Administrator will also choose the representatives for the religious groups following consultation with religious leaders.
The other 20 representatives will be nominated by the general public. The nomination phase starts on Monday, 14 August, and will last for three weeks. Every district will then send at least four names to the Transitional Administrator, two men and two women, who have to follow a set of requirements.
The forms will be available in all districts and public places.
