INCIDENT INVOLVING XANANA GUSMÃO’S SECURITY

Three East Timorese men were arrested today by United Nations Civilian Police after a disturbance in which CNRT/National Council President Xanana Gusmão’s security was put at risk during a student conference in Dili. The first man was arrested after disobeying police orders to stop and not proceed in Xanana Gusmão’s direction, who was still addressing the students. Disturbance followed with two other men being detained. Arrest warrants had been issued for two of the three last February, following the burning of two United Nations cars in Comoro, Dili. Yesterday, Civilian Police and CNRT had received information on the possibility of an incident at today’s meeting, organized by a student organization to give Xanana Gusmão an opportunity to explain the East Timorese youth the transformation of Falintil into the new East Timor Defence Force. “The incident that took place today at Dili’s gymnasium reminds us of the importance that law and order be ensured for a peaceful transition of East Timor to an independent and democratic nation. In preventing an aggression against Xanana Gusmão, Civilian Police has done its duty,” said DSRSG and Acting Transitional Administrator Jean-Christian Cady today. “The political process in which we are now engaged can only succeed in an atmosphere in which dialogue and tolerance win out over violence.”

CABINET DISCUSSES PENAL INSTITUTIONS
AND DEFENCE FORCE

The East Timor Transitional Cabinet considered today in detail a draft regulation that would govern the administration and functioning of penal institutions in East Timor. The draft regulation will be considered again at a meeting of the Cabinet this Friday, before a final version is forwarded to the National Council. The Cabinet also discussed the provisional salary rates for trainees of the East Timor Defence Force. Finally, the Cabinet was briefed by IOM, USAID and the World Bank on developments concerning the Falintil reinsertion and adaptation program. This program supports those members of Falintil who have not been recruited to the East Timor Defence Force.