19 March 2001 -- The United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) today said no further violence had been reported in the territory's eastern district of Viqueque following a riot last week that left two people dead.
In the 12 March incident, which had resulted from a fight between youth groups from two villages, some 40 houses were burnt and 25 partly destroyed, UNTAET said in a statement issued today in Dili.
With the overall security situation calm and life back to normal, District Administrator Ilda Maria de Conceicao launched an information campaign yesterday on a "zero tolerance" policy against violence, similar to the one established in Dili last April.
Public meetings, posters and leaflets will be used to extend the campaign to all five sub-districts of Viqueque. The campaign will also involve the church, with priests addressing the issue during Sunday Mass, UNTAET said.
The 200 displaced people who lost their houses in the riot are at Viqueque Church compound. However, all East Timorese who had sought refuge in the mountains have returned to Viqueque town and most have returned to their homes. All UNTAET staff have also returned to their houses.
In other news, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hedi Annabi began a four-day visit to East Timor today, where he is accompanied by Louise Laheurte, Deputy Director of the Asia and Middle East Division. Both officials met UNTAET chief Sergio Vieira de Mello upon their arrival in Dili, and later met with the Deputy Special Representative, Jean-Christian Cady, and Force Commander Lieutenant-General Boonsrang Niumpradit.
Tomorrow, the delegation will meet Carlos Valenzuela, UNTAET's Chief Electoral Officer, as well as Cabinet members. The delegation will visit Oecussi district on Wednesday, and Suai district on Thursday, when they will also be briefed by Brigadier-General Taur Matan Ruak, Commander of the East Timor Defence Force.
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