CABINET RECOMMENDS SIGNING OF WEAPONS REGULATION

The East Timor Transitional Cabinet today recommended that the Transitional Administrator sign a regulation governing firearms, ammunition, explosives and other instruments, such as knives and machetes, when used as weapons. The regulation will take into account the National Council’s proposed amendments made by the Standing Committee on Judicial Affairs when the regulation was approved by the Council on 2 April. In particular, Cabinet agreed that knives and machetes be included within the ambit of the regulation. The Cabinet also agreed with the National Council’s proposal to increase the penalties for unauthorized activities connected with the above types of weapons. The regulation is controlling the production, manufacture, possession, sale, import and export of firearms, ammunition and explosives and is intended to help ensure security in East Timor.