UNPol in East Timor Security Briefing 31 January 2007

The general situation in Dili still remained relatively calm and peaceful.

On 27 January 2007, in a ceremony held at UIR Compound at Hudi-Laran, in Dili, the Prime Minister, Dr. Ramos-Horta, told the officers not to be scared to act against the people creating violence and destabilizing the country for fear of human rights abuse accusations. Ramos-Horta said if anyone criticizes them of human rights abuse they should directly speak to him.

He added that he personally requested UNMIT to speed up the re-integration of UIR and that the officers would be entitled to carry long weapons and pistols. Minister of Interior Alcino Barris also informed that soon PNTL Transit Unit would be reactivated.

On 29 January 2007, In the night, fighting between PSHT and 7-7 gang members erupted in Bairo Pite. Police units and FPU responded. FPU deployed rubber bullets to disperse the crowd and restore order in the area. The perpetrators had also set fire to three shops, of which two of them were totally destroyed.

On 30 January 2007, Rock fights also erupted in Kampung Alor involving about 20 people. The perpetrators had fled prior to the arrival of Police units and FPU. Police then cleared 10 roadblocks that were set up with big rocks along Comoro Road leading to the mosque.

On 31 January 2007, the Minister of Interior, Mr. Alcino Baris, in consultation with organs of Sovereignty of Timor-Leste and the UNPOL Commissioner has announced the following appointments:

PNTL Interim General Commander – Inspector Afonso de Jesus

Deputy Comander Operations - Inspector Jorge Monteiro

Deputy Commander Administration - Inspector Hermenegildo da Cruz

Dili District Commander - Inspector Eugenio Pereira

Deputy Dili District Commander - Sub-Inspector Delfim da Silva

This has been a daily broadcast of the UN Police in Timor-Leste, for the people of Timor-Leste