TWO UN POLICE OFFICERS DETAINED IN CONNECTION WITH RAPE

A Dili District Court Investigative Judge has ordered that two United Nations Civilian Police officers be detained in connection with the alleged rape of an East Timorese woman. The two suspects were arrested last night, 5 July, following an alleged incident that took place at a Dili hotel. The two CivPol officers were staying at the hotel in which the victim is employed as a cleaner. The victim is being treated in hospital. “As the suspects were off duty, I have confirmed that they enjoyed no immunity,” SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello said today, adding that “the Police Commissioner ordered an immediate investigation into these grave allegations.” “We are treating this matter extremely seriously,” the SRSG said. “This proves that in East Timor no one is above the law.” The Prosecutor ordered that both suspects be detained – one in a UN security compound and the other under house arrest – for 30 days pending further investigation.

PACT OF NATIONAL UNITY SET TO BE SIGNED ON SUNDAY

Leaders of the political parties registered in the upcoming 30 August Constituent Assembly elections are scheduled to sign a Pact of National Unity this Sunday at a ceremony called the “Peace, Tolerance and Democracy Celebration”. The ceremony, to be led by Bishop of Dili Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, will be held at the Lapangan Pramuka football field in the capital. SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello, Xanana Gusmão, the Bishop of Baucau Diocese Basílio do Nascimento, and representatives from the Transitional Cabinet, the National Council, NGO’s and the diplomatic community are scheduled to attend the ceremony. The signing is also expected to draw thousands of East Timorese people. The 14-point Pact of National Unity will guide the electoral campaign activities for the 30 August elections, and the inter-party relations for the months ahead. The pact calls for the support, respect and dissemination of the principle of non-violence; the unconditional acceptance of the 30 August 1999 popular consultation results; and the respect of the results of the upcoming elections. In addition, the text calls for the support of a multiparty democracy, peace and stability; the respect for non-discrimination principles and the Constitution that will be approved by the Constituent Assembly.

ETDF COMPLETES MARCH FROM AILEU TO METINARO BASE

Six hundred members of the East Timor Defence Force (ETDF) this morning arrived at the ETDF’s purpose-built training facility at Metinaro after a 30-hour march from their former base in Aileu district. SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello and Peacekeeping Force Commander Lt. Gen. Boonsrang Niumpradit joined the ETDF soldiers for the final eight kilometers of the march. “The ETDF has arrived in their new center which will provide them with a dignified environment for their further training and for the training of the next battalion recruited later this year,” the SRSG said today. “I wish them a warm welcome in Metinaro and much success in their continued important task,” he added. Two hundred and forty-seven of those marching were inducted into the East Timor Defense Force on 21 June after completing a four-month training course in Aileu. ETDF Commander Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak has approved the names of 32 of these graduates to train the next class of 348 cadets scheduled to undergo basic training at Metinaro later this month. These instructors will work under the supervision of Portuguese military trainers.