Dili, 25 April 2000
One New Zealand Sergeant died today at Lalotoe, in the district of Suai, in a road traffic accident. There was no other vehicle involved, but three other soldiers were injured.
Staff Sergeant William Edward White was 37 years old, was married with two children.
The three survivors were treated in Suai and were later evacuated to Dili where their condition is reported as stable. They will undergo further examination at the UN Military Hospital in Dili.
The circumstances of the accident are as yet unknown. A full investigation is under way.
FIRST TENDERS FOR RECONSTRUCTION
Last week, UNTAET initiated the first tenders for the architecture and engineering services for 23 future Government buildings in Dili.
The buildings to be rehabilitated include the Ministry of Education, Justice, Health, Labor and Social Affairs, Central Payments Office, Central Fiscal Authority, the Court of Appeals, and the Departments of Water and Roads.
The architecture and engineering proposals are to be submitted for evaluation on 3 May. After that, and before the end of June, the tender for the construction will be completed, the contracts will be signed, and the rehabilitation works should begin.
The rehabilitation of these 23 public buildings is expected to be over in the next eight months.
The total budget is of about US$7,5 million.
LOCAL STAFF STRIKES
More than 100 Timorese staff hired by UNTAET went on strike today to demand an unspecific increase of salaries and better working conditions. It is difficult to know exactly how many people went on strike since the number fluctuated during the day, with some people working for a couple of hours, leaving on strike for another couple, and going back to work after that.
UNTAET currently employs more than 1,100 Timorese.
Yesterday, UNTAET s Head of Personnel met with the representatives of the local staff drivers, mechanics, security and Building Management Services.
But later, a different group asked to be received by UNTAET Administration arguing that they were the new representatives of the strikers. UNTAET has been encouraging the Timorese staff to create an association. Right now, they have no firm representation.
Since November, there were some strikes of local staff in Baucau and in Dili.
The salaries of local staff go from US$131 to US$500 a month.
