FIRST EAST TIMOR DEFENCE FORCE BATTALION INAUGURATED
The first East Timor Defence Force (ETDF) battalion was formally inaugurated today at a ceremony at which their Australian-built facility was officially handed over to the people of East Timor.
“The raising of the first East Timorese Infantry Battalion and the opening of the Metinaro training facility are truly significant milestones in the history of this country,” Acting SRSG Dennis McNamara said at a ceremony marking the events. “Following independence next year, this battalion, trained at this center, will be charged with protecting and upholding the sovereignty of Timor Lorosae.”
Acting Chief Minister José Ramos-Horta, Chief of Australian Defence Force Admiral Barry, ETDF Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, and Peacekeeping Force Commander Winai Phattiyakul were among the other dignitaries attending the ceremony.
Ramos-Horta thanked the international community for its support in helping create the ETDF, and expressed hope that donor countries would remain involved in the reconstruction and development of East Timor.
Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak told the ETDF troops that they might be deployed soon. “It is possible that by the end of the year you will take up responsibility for the Lospalos district of our country,” he said.
The recruitment and selection process for the first 600-member battalion was completed in January 2001, and 250 of these recruits completed their basic training at their former base in Aileu in June. Their 12-week basic training was conducted by Portugal, with specialist training conducted by Australia.
The remaining 350 battalion recruits are currently undergoing basic training at Metinaro. Thirty-two of the first class of graduates are serving as instructors for the second basic training course, alongside ten Portuguese specialists.
The process of recruiting men and women to join a second ETDF battalion is also now underway. In the first phase, the Office for Defence Force Development is recruiting some 260 new soldiers above the age of 18, who are expected to begin basic training in January.
RAMOS-HORTA TO MEET INDONESIAN OFFICIALS AT THE BORDER
Acting Chief Minister José Ramos-Horta, UNTAET Chief of Staff N. Parameswaran and ETDF Commander Taur Matan Ruak are expected to meet with high-level Indonesian officials tomorrow at the border area of Salele in East Timor’s Suai sub-district.
The officials from both sides will be in Suai to watch the arrival of another large group of East Timorese refugees expected to cross the border tomorrow morning. The officials are also expected to discuss the issue of the thousands of refugees who still remain in West Timor.
The Indonesian officials will include Minister for Coordination and Welfare Jusuf Kalla, Minister for Works and Transmigration Yacob Nuwawea, Minister for Health Achmad Sujudi, Minister for Social Affairs Bachtiar Chamsyah, UDAYANA Regional Commander William da Costa and West Timor Governor Piet Tallo.
More than 400 East Timorese refugees crossed at the same border checkpoint yesterday and have been transported back to their respective villages by the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration.
In a continuing bid to encourage the refugee return process, Parameswaran, the Council of Minister’s Advisor for Human Rights Isabel Ferreira, and Minister for Internal Administration Antoninho Bianco traveled to Cassa in Ainaro distict today to meet the returnees and local community leaders.
The purpose of the visit was to gain a first-hand understanding of how recent returnees have been received in the Cassa area. Former deputy Mahidi militia leader Nemésio Lopes de Carvalho, who returned to East Timor in September, attended the meeting.
TWO LAKSAUR MILITIA MEMBERS ARRESTED UPON RETURN
Two former members of the Laksaur militia group were arrested by UNTAET Civilian Police in Suai district yesterday after returning from refugee camps in West Timor. They are accused of committing Crimes Against Humanity in September 1999.
The pair was arrested after confessing involvement in the killing of as many as five people each in separate incidents following the 1999 Popular Consultation. They also admitted to taking part in the Suai Church massacre. The two men were brought to Dili this afternoon and are scheduled to appear before a judge on Monday, 29 October.
The residents of Lokeu village in Suai district have refused to allow the suspects’ families to return to their communities. Suai District Administrator Abel do Santos and Deputy District Administrator Alipio Moniz yesterday met the residents and appealed to them to accept the families of the two accused men.
“We understand your anger but let the law take its course,” said deputy District Administrator Alipio Moniz. “No one should take the law in his or her own hands. Women and children suffer the worst consequences of violence. It is our duty to accept our fellow citizens if the process of reconciliation is to succeed,” he added.