UN peacekeeper wounded in suspected militia attack in East Timor
12 December -- A peacekeeper from the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) was wounded in a suspected militia attack near the capital Dili, the UN Mission said today.
According to UNTAET, Private Christopher Carter of Australia received minor shrapnel injuries to his legs in an explosion on Monday night apparently caused by a grenade thrown at the UN position at Aidabaleten, about 60 kilometres west of Dili.
The soldier was provided with first aid at the scene and brought by helicopter to the UN Military Hospital in Dili, where he is said to be in "satisfactory" condition. An investigation has been launched into the incident, UNTAET said.
In other news, the UN Mission announced today an upcoming visit to East Timor of a pro-autonomy leader who is said to be able to influence repatriation decision-making of East Timorese refugees in West Timor. João Corbafu is due to arrive in East Timor on 14 December for a one-week stay, during which he is expected to meet with UNTAET chief Sergio Vieira de Mello, Bishop Belo, Manuel and Mario Carrascalao, as well as family and friends.
Mr. Corbafu arrived in East Timor's Oecussi enclave in Indonesia yesterday for the first time since last year's violence. In meetings with representatives from UNTAET and the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) there, he stressed that he had come as an individual and former Indonesian civil servant, and not as a pro-autonomy leader. He also said he would like to move back to East Timor permanently, but not before next March.
