UNPol in East Timor Security Briefing 22 February 2007

This is a broadcast of the UN Police in Timor-Leste to provide you with information about the security situation around the country.

The situation in Dili remains tense and volatile with numerous incidents of rock fights and stone throwing, though the last few hours the situation is under control. The main areas of concern remained the Comoro sub-district including, Fatuhada, Bairro Pite and Fomento.

The Police have established three new posts to face this uprising violence. Bairro Pite, Fatuhada and Kampung Baru now have a permanent police presence 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Large gatherings remained around the Government and WFP warehouses which were secured by UNPOL and ISF. The biggest gatherings were witnessed at Bebora and Bebonuk warehouses where people have made

several attempts to break in.

These areas continue to be secured by the ISF and UNPol that are preventing the looting of rice, which would only worsen the rice shortage situation. The police has been stoned during these confrontations.

38 UN vehicles, 24 from UNPol have been stoned and smashed during the last two days and 7 UNPol officers got injuries during their quest to restore peace and order in the city.

37 people were arrested (total 117 in two days) in the last 24hrs and a number of traditional weapons and articles being used for destruction have been seized during these UNPOL operations.

Today, at 14h30, the MUNJ decided to postpone the demonstration until further notice. The demonstrators that already had arrived to Dili were escorted out of the district and back towards their homes.