UNPol in East Timor Security Briefing 04 June 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 security situation in the country as a whole has been stable. However, Viqueque remains a trouble-spot after a series of shootings yesterday in which two men were killed.

The first incident occurred one hour after the completion of a campaign rally in Viqueque town. A man from the nearby town of Ossu was fatally shot in a marketplace at 15.45, following an altercation between rival supporters. UNPol responded quickly and brought the situation under control with the use of tear gas and warning shots to disperse the crowd.

The man was believed to have been shot by an off-duty PNTL officer and a search is underway to apprehend the suspected person.

The second incident occurred when a group of supporters returned the body of the deceased man to Ossu.  Initial reports indicate that PNTL fired shots to control a crowd at a roadblock near Ossu. A 24 year old man was fatally shot and a second 16 year old youth was injured.

UNMIT's senior leadership attended a meeting convened by President Jose Ramos-Horta, with Prime Minister Estanislau da Silva, Minister of the Interior Alcino Barris, the International Stabilisation Forces and the F-FDTL in Dili this morning.

Timor-Leste's most senior leadership also insisted in today's meeting that retaliation for yesterday's event will not be tolerated and have again urged political supporters to remain calm and abide by democratic principles to ensure a free and fair election process.

Security in Viqueque has now been boosted. The ISF has deployed a platoon to the region and UNMIT will reinforce its security plan ahead of the June 30 election.

There have been no other significant security incidents reported in the last 24 hours.

The Police advise to avoid traveling during the night to the most affected areas. Report any suspicious activities and avoid traveling the areas affected by disturbances. Call 112 or 7230365 to contact the police 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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