Introduction
The Hodgepodge of Peacekeeping-
One Year Sojourn at the Peacekeeping Front in East Timor
As I
am writing this, I’m listening to
the music of Black Sabbath entitled “Heaven and Hell.” At the end of the
rock and roll, the lead singer said, “thank you so much everyone… and
we love you.” And then the cheers and shouts of the people at the concert.
I can
exactly count with my ten fingers my few days remaining in the mission. The
closer it gets, the harder it becomes to compose myself.
I begin to wonder back to memory and
attempt to gather the traces, the
sight and colors, the boredom and challenges, the ifs and buts, the what and why
not, and the rest of the one year backtrack.
The
mountain towards Aileu close and south of the United Nations Peace Keeping Force
(UNPKF) Headquarters gets my
interesting attention, daily. It’s been almost a year. I had this mystical
admiration. It has filled up the
respite of boredom when the sun permits it a clear view for anyone afflicted
with the art of searching questions or simply introspection.
Getting a dash to the rooftop for a quick smoke from the PI room which is
on the 3rd floor south-wing of
the HQ building, I cannot help but to
seek for answers from the same mountain that I almost gaze daily during meals at
the Crocodile Alley Mess at the Kobe Camp located just across of HQ. Perhaps,
the same mountain posits some questions
at the same time it may provide some easy answers.
This
personification that it played in my one year stint is very
memorable not only for any sentimental reason
but greater as well of its
probative value i.e., as
proof of time in oblivion. I mean
the barren truth and its nakedness ignite a wishful thinking
or any assertive optimism. It tells a tale of struggle from any
historical periods in East Timor.
On
board a C-130 UN Flight to Dili in August last year, as I looked down from
the window to observe the topography of the country, I saw clearly the
color brown painted on its surface. I
was never wrong that the rain didn’t come too often if not the absence of it
in this time of the year. As I refer back to the mountain again,
it now tells me it’s been a year since.
It’s time to go back home after a year of peacekeeping mission in East
Timor.
I’m
too keen to pick-up answers from time-to-time changes in the immediate environment. It
might be that I find enjoyment seeing relationships even with ordinary things
and its strategic impact
on peoples’ lives. I’m serious at doing prognostications which had
kept me busy the year round. Perhaps,
it is because of the nature of my job in public information, or
just writing stories to give
credits on what other peacekeepers are doing in the mission area, or mainly that
as a senior lecturer in political and social sciences at the University of the
Philippines. By all means, it’s a professional commitment or enrichment.
I
consider my period of peacekeeping as the most challenging time of the mission,
save any conceited proclamation. Mostly,
the major events and incidents existed in this time-frame.
It’s consequences have truly rendered a critical point of policy
consideration within the management of the peacekeeping front and its foresight
after East Timor has gained independence i.e., when this new state has
substantiated all possession and enjoyment
of the requisites of an
equally sovereign state in the family of nations.
In
retrospect therefore a quick rewind of the
significant past where in one way or another I’ve been directly or indirectly
involved, is in order.
The Peace Keeping
Force keeps the “Balance of Life” in ET
Chapter
1
“Veni
Vidi Vici”
We
(my group of Filipino PKF Staff is
conveniently referred to as the Magic 7) arrived in the mission area on the 25th
of August 2000. We were met at Dili
Airport by Lt. Col. Dante Balao who was then the Chief Plans, PKF.
The next day, we were introduced during the
Morning Brief at the PKF
Headquarters after mastering the “Thai Bow”. We
did it perfectly in unison as we greeted the Force Commander, Lt. Gen.
Boonsrang Niumpradit who in turn welcomed us with a short remarks.
In the succeeding, each of us has been introduced to our respective
assignments to start a year of peacekeeping mission.
In
the first week of September, I’ve organized a media trip to Sector West
consisting of 14 international journalists for a quick view of Suai,
Bobonaro and Junction-Point Alpha. We
were able to cross the bridge that led to the Indonesia’s side as Australian
troops and Indonesia’s TNI had practically
met to shake each others’ hands. The
meeting was cordial and showed no trace of distrust.
The only sign of distrust is the embankment on each side with all the protective sandbags around an
observation post equipped with a direct phone to access communication on each
end but embossed with a 30 or 60 caliber machine gun directed on each side.
I
was introduced at the regular bi-weekly press conference of UNTAET-OCPI at the
main building of the transitional government on the last Tuesday of August by then Chief PI, Lt. Col Brynjar Nymo,
a Norweigian. He was the official
PKF Spokesman but during his two months remaining in the mission specially
during his short leave of absence, I acted in his behalf at the presscon. The
major issue during this time that I had addressed with was an encounter at the border by New Zealand troops (NZBATT)
with suspected militia, thus killing one of the latter, in connection with the
PKF Rules of Engagement. By this time, there was already a change of the
original ROE by PKF’s adoption of an amplified ROE foregoing with the Warning
Signal by the troops in faced of a threat source manifestly showing “hostile
intent” which would give them the right to “self-defense” and as a
professional judgment of the on-scene commander. Another related issue on this
was the killing by the militia of NZBATT’s Pvt. Leonard Manning on 24th
Jul 2001 and the search of his missing weapon as well as the suspects
prominently led by a certain Jacobus Bere who was later caught by TNI soldiers
in January 2001 to be brought to Court.
It
was only sometime in February, this year that Lt. Col. Tor Aarnseth (succeeding
from his predecessor in 19 Oct), the Chief PI had designated me as one of the
spokesmen after a deliberate consideration of prevailing realities in the
mission.
Chapter
II
“Good
News Bad News”
Read
some of the Media Releases which I
personally had a hand with to get to know some of the major incidents or
accidents during my tour of duty,
as follow:
Peacekeeping
Force to Continue Search for Militia
(27
Sep 2000)
Recent media reports indicate that a militiaman,
Jacobus Bere, a suspect in the killing of New Zealand soldier Private
Manning in July, was killed in West Timor over the period
September 10-12, this year.
The reports claimed that Bere was killed in an act of retribution by
supporters of militia leader Olivio Moruk, following Moruk's funeral which
sparked the violence that resulted in the death of three UNHCR staff
recently.
Investigations conducted by the Peacekeeping Force and UNTAET Civilian
Police revealed that the name "Bere" is a common name in East and West
Timor.
Colonel Phil Gibbons, the Chief of Operations for the Peacekeeping Force
said "there are indications that Jacobus Bere is from the Laktutus area in
West Timor and commonly uses the alias 'Bere Haluk' and he is believed to be
still operating within East Timor."
The Peacekeeping Force and Civil Police
continue to attempt to locate Jacobus Bere alias "Bere Haluk"
in order that he can be detained and questioned in relation to Private Manning's
death.
PKF
Exchange Fire with Militia Group- One Militia Killed
(26
Sep 00)
Members of the New Zealand Battalion of the United Nations Peacekeeping
Force (PKF) in East Timor engaged a group of four militia armed with SKS assault
rifles and wearing TNI-like uniforms east of Tilomar today. The engagement
resulted in the death of one
militia member. There were no injuries sustained by the PKF forces involved.
This engagement came as a result of clearing operations being conducted
by a New Zealand patrol operating in an area where frequent militia sightings
had occurred over the past few weeks.
The militia group of four is believed to be part of a larger group of
militia who were moving southwest towards the border between East and West
Timor, earlier in the day.
PKF elements recovered one SKS rifle from the scene and are continuing to search the area for the other militia
members who dispersed during the engagement.
Further details will be released when a fuller appreciation of the
situation has been ascertained.
MILITIA
EXCHANGE INVESTIGATIONS UNDER WAY
(27
Sep 2000)
Investigations have started into the exchange between the New Zealand
Battalion patrol operating as part of the United Nations Transitional
Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) Peacekeeping Force and a militia group at
Kulit, some 10 kms west of Suai in East Timor, earlier today.
One member of the militia group was killed. No New Zealanders were
injured in the exchange.
The Operations Officer for
the Peacekeeping Force, Col. Phil Gibbons said
"the area is continuing to be cleared by New Zealand troops
today as part of an ongoing
operation. An investigation team had already deployed to the area and commenced
its task."
Colonel Gibbons said the incident involved "a small party of four
militia approaching the New Zealanders' position in a manner that suggested
hostile intent. The militia were moving in a tactical formation with their
weapons at the ready. They were in a
state that would have allowed them to
react immediately to anything they came across."
Reports further indicated that the militia came within 30 meters when the
New Zealanders initiated contact. The militia returned fire but very quickly
dispersed. They were all armed with SKS rifles and were wearing a mix of TNI-like uniforms and civilian clothes.
Colonel Gibbons said "the rules
of engagement for the peacekeeping force permitted the New Zealanders to open
fire in a situation such as this where the suspected militia were displaying
hostile intent and the New Zealand soldiers were in real and immediate
danger."
The clearance of the area and the detailed investigation into the
incident will continue today.
MILITIA
MEMBERS SURRENDER FOR SAFEKEEPING
(29
Sep 2000)
The
Falintil Liaison Officer brought to
Central Sector headquarters two alleged
militia members residing at Suko
Mascarenhas, Dili, for safekeeping
at dawn today. The two namely
Mario Jose Pacheco and Orlando Mendes had been
accused and reportedly been
assaulted by the locals for being former militias at Suko Mascarenhas where they
are presently residing.
The
two were taken under custody by the Peacekeepers to protect them from further
assault by the locals. Both are now
undergoing custodial investigation as they were turned over to the Civilian
Police early this morning.
Meanwhile,
reports indicate that another two
militia members were sighted yesterday afternoon 7k southeast of Alas by the
Portuguese Battalion operating in the area.
One
was armed with one SKS and both were seen wearing black civilian clothes.
Patrol
elements when dispatched to the area found two packets of cigarettes presumably
left by the militias.
Reports
also indicate that the militia elements are now facing difficulties with food
supplies from the villagers and had resorted
to stealing anything they come across with in the fields.
SPEAKING
NOTES
Friday,
22 Sep 2000
Coming
in the heel of Security Council's
Resolution 1319, the Peacekeeping Force is continuously conducting an
intensified clearing operations particularly in some areas close to the border
and nearby southern areas of the
Central sector.
Peacekeepers
from the Portugal Battalion had chanced upon several militia as early as
Wednesday morning numbering about 7 to 8, who traded few gunshots before running
off to the dense areas seven kilometers east of Alas. No one was reported hurt
by such encounter. Porbatt and
Philbatt elements are presently conducting clearing operations in Alas, Manufahi
and around these areas.
At
the border, the same type of operations is being undertaken by Australian
and New Zealand Battalions who are in-charge of border security.
Some indications were observed this week that several militias are moving
towards the west-side of the border.
TNI disbands
militias.
With
the promise of Indonesian
authorities to disband the militia gangs in the next few days, the PKF is at the same time very watchful along the border for any
militia movement towards East Timor. But
we are also very mindful that some militias might take this opportunity
to manifest their intentions to reconcile and assimilate peacefully with
their families or relatives situated in villages inside East Timor.
By this, the peacekeepers in their respective areas of operations are
relentlessly pursuing the line of peaceful reconciliation of the militias
who may opt to live a normal life and help
in the reconstruction of their
country without delay. Programs to this effect have been adopted by
the PKF or in cooperation with other UN agencies and most especially the
source of humanistic compassion and
understanding, i.e., the Church. Contingency plan is being implaced
between and among the concerned agencies.
Presently,
there are 168,795 internally displaced persons who returned to their villages
in all the 13 districts, among others Dili, Baucau and Ainaro Districts,
with a returning ratio of more or
less 70% to date. In Dili area alone, there are about
85,000 who voluntarily
retuned to date.
SPEAKING
NOTES, 26 SEP (TUESDAY)
Two
militia sightings were reported, one
group was seen few kilometers southwest of
Same and the other group was
seen at Tilomar area few kilometers south of junction point Echo.
These sightings did not however manifested hostile intentions
from the militias whose movements were observed to be moving out towards
West Timor. It is observed that
these sightings are occurring mostly South of the island in the general
direction of Betun area.
With
the continuous clearing operations by the Peacekeeping Force, it is expected
that transporting militias in East Timor who
have temporarily sojourned would
eventually move towards the West
border or would manifest to give-up and reconcile with the people in the
villages.
(4
Oct 2001)
A
Portuguese "Aloutte III" helicopter crashed yesterday afternoon
killing two of the five people on board during "Operation Cobra", a
security operation being carried
out by the Portuguese Battalion in Manufahi District.
The
accident occurred 4 km south of
Alas, in the Manufahi District.
The
fatalities are First Sergeant Vitorino Fernandes and Private Jose Lopes who were
members of the Portuguese Battalion.
The
three injured received only minor injuries and are expected to be released from
the United Nation Hospital in Dili
sometime today.
The
ongoing security operation by the Portuguese Battalion at the Central Region is
part of peacekeeping efforts to
restore the confidence of the people in East Timor by creating a secure
environment.
The
cause of the crash is not yet known but an investigation has been launched into
the cause of the accident.
03
OCTOBER 2000
PRESSCON,
GPA BLDG
Two
UN soldiers from the Philippine Battalion died
early this morning (Sunday) when a military truck in which they were
traveling overturned along a hillside portion
of Becora Road, 3 k east of Dili,
East Timor.
The
fatalities are Tsg Antonio Bagano
of the Philippine Army and Sgt Emmanuel Villanueva of the Philippine Air Force.
The
Philippine Battalion Commander, Colonel
Jerry V Jalandoni said in a report that the two Filipino peacekeepers assigned
with 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company were among 16 personnel
who were en route to Manatuto District
at 5:30 a.m. in three M-35
six-by-six truck,
transporting military equipment to the Battalion Headquarters located at
Manatuto, East Timor.
Preliminary
investigation revealed that
while the convoy was traveling downhill, the last vehicle
developed a mechanical defect and lost its brake prompting the driver
to stop it by hitting a flat hillside which caused the vehicle to
overturn.
Both
fatalities were seated on the front seat with
the driver who
suffered minor injuries. The
driver was brought to the UN Military Hospital in Dili, together with four other
soldiers from the back of the truck who also sustained minor injuries.
The
convoy departed Dili early this morning after completing a security mission in
Tasitulo IDP (Internally Displaced
Person) Center in Dili.
Dili, East Timor: Three suspected militia have been detained by the Indonesian Army (TNI) following an incident near Laktutus on the border with East and West Timor at approximately 1pm yesterday (Friday 27 Oct 00).
A
fourth man, militia leader Jacobus Bere, escaped but was reportedly injured. The
extent of his injuries are unknown. Bere is allegedly involved in the murder of
UN peacekeeper Private Leonard Manning at Nanu on July 24.
The
TNI a retrieved a ‘Minimi’ Light Support Weapon (a 5.56mm light machine gun)
from the militia members.
At
the time of his death Private Manning was carrying a Minimi but it was taken by
his killers. It is not confirmed that this weapon belonged to PTE Manning.
Discussions
with the Peacekeeping Force and the TNI are in progress to identify the origin
of the Minimi. The TNI are conducting an investigation into the incident and are
prepared to share information once the investigation is complete.
Private
Manning, from the New Zealand Battalion (NZBATT) was the first UN peacekeeper to
be killed in action since the deployment of the UNTAET peacekeeping force in
January.
Dili
Accident Claims Two Dead
(02
Oct 2000)
Two
UN soldiers from the Philippine Battalion died
early this morning (Sunday) when a military truck in which they were
traveling overturned along a hillside portion
of Becora Road, 3 k east of Dili,
East Timor.
The
fatalities are Tsg Antonio Bagano
of the Philippine Army and Sgt Emmanuel Villanueva of the Philippine Air Force.
The
Philippine Battalion Commander, Colonel
Jerry V Jalandoni said in a report that the two Filipino peacekeepers assigned
with 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company were among 16 personnel
who were en route to Manatuto District
at 5:30 a.m. in three M-35
six-by-six truck,
transporting military equipment to the Battalion Headquarters located at
Manatuto, East Timor.
Preliminary
investigation revealed that while the convoy was traveling downhill, the last vehicle
developed a mechanical defect and lost its brake prompting the driver
to stop it by hitting a flat hillside which caused the vehicle to
overturn.
Both
fatalities were seated on the front seat with the driver who suffered
minor injuries. The driver was
brought to the UN Military Hospital in Dili, together with four other soldiers
from the back of the truck who also sustained minor injuries.
The
convoy departed Dili early this morning after completing a security mission in
Tasitulo IDP (Internally Displaced
Person) Center in Dili.
The
victims were scheduled to return soon to the Philippines after
completing a 6-month UN
mission in East Timor.
A
full investigation into the tragedy is ongoing.
UPDATE
Meanwhile, PKF Force Commander Lt. Gen. Boonsrang Niumpradit
called on everyone at Headquarters Peacekeeping Force for a period of silence
during a 3-minute prayer for the
death of the two soldiers, at
Monday's early morning brief.
Lt.
Gen. Boonsrang said "vehicular accidents contribute to great loss," as
he reminded the troops to be
extra careful in their daily tasks.
He
said that other two separate vehicular accidents involving a minibus and
a 4 by 4 occurred previously
almost in the same area where the UN truck overturned yesterday. The
4 by 4 even crushed to the
bottom of the
100-meter cliff.
Funeral
services which consist of a 16-man
pall bearer and 12 gun salute are
scheduled at Comoro Airport, Dili on October 3 at noontime when the remains will be flown to
Darwin and finally to the Philippines , this week.
(7
Oct 2000)
Amidst
strong calls to stop any militia incursions in East Timor,
another militia member has
ignored his chance to see another day.
This
militia member has crossed the firing line when he approached a New
Zealand peacekeeping patrol harboring 4 km north of Suai
and almost instantly volleys of fire welcomed him at 30 to 40 m distance
about 7 p.m. last night.
None
of the New Zealand soldiers were injured in the incident. The New Zealand patrol
could not have waited putting their lives on the line. They made sure that no
one could have come near them.
Chief of Operations for PKF Colonel Phil Gibbons says, "The New Zealand soldiers were in a static position, in order to observe any militia movement within the area of operations. Three sightings of militia members close to the incident sight were reported to the New Zealand Battalion yesterday."
The
Peacekeepers later searched the area and found one militia dead.
Recovered from the scene were one SKS assault rifle and rounds of
ammunitions belonging to the militia.
They
believed that the lone militia must have been a lead scout of a bigger group
traversing the area.
Peacekeeping
Force Commander Lieutenant General Boonsrang Niumpradit
lauded
the efforts being put particularly by the New Zealand troops near the border.
Lt.
Gen. Boonsrang said, "it's
high time that some remnants of the militia gangs must
now realize that their
actions are suicidal and must fail."
"Reconciliation
channels are still open," he said.
The
New Zealand peacekeepers have been
in serious mission securing a
portion of West Sector vis-à-vis the Australian Battalion who
secures its upper portion.
"The
New Zealand Battalion continues with its operations today, which will focus on
the clearance of the area and the securing of the incident site.
An investigation team has been dispatched to the area to assist, said
Col. Gibbons.
Another
militia was killed by members of the New Zealand Contingent
at Tilomar area just over a week ago.
Dili, East Timor: The captured weapon of a New Zealand peacekeeper killed by militia in East Timor was returned to his comrades just before noon today about 11:45 a.m. by the Indonesian Army at Suai in the territory's south-west.
Armed
militia stole the Minimi Light Support Weapon (a 5.56mm light machine gun) from
the body of Private Leonard Manning whom they had just killed during a clash at
Nanu on 24th July.
The
Minimi was recently retrieved by the Indonesian Army (TNI) following the
detention of three suspected militia near Laktutus on the border with East and
West Timor on 27th October.
It
was handed-over to
Brigadier Ken Gillespie, Commander Sector West by Colonel Budi Heryantu,
TNI Commander West Timor who flew into Headquarters Sector West in Suai earlier
via a Bell 205 TNI helicopter.
Brigadier
Gillespie will be handing back subsequently the recovered weapon to New Zealand
Battalion under his command at Sector West.
The
Acting UN Force Commander, Major General Mike Smith, welcomed the return of
Private Manning’s weapon.
"I
thank Major General (Kiki) Syahnakri (Commander KODAM IX) and the TNI for the
action they have taken to recapture Private Manning's weapon from the militia
and return it to the New Zealand Battalion before their departure from East
Timor," he said.
"It
was the expressed wish of Private Manning's family that his weapon be returned
and not used to kill or injure anyone else".
Following
the detention of the militia suspects at Laktutus, the UN Peacekeeping Force and
the TNI have been involved in regular discussions to identify the origin of the
Minimi and then to arrange for its return.
Private
Manning, from the New Zealand Battalion (NZBATT) was the first of two UN
peacekeepers to be killed in action since the deployment of the UNTAET
Peacekeeping Force in February.
UNITED
NATIONS PEACEKEEPER WOUNDED IN EAST TIMOR
(1 Dec 2000)
BALIBO, EAST TIMOR: A United Nations peacekeeping soldier from Australia was wounded in the leg following a shooting incident near Balibo in East Timor today (Friday 1 Dec 00).
The incident took place at approximately 1pm.
The
soldier was one of two occupants of a Landrover vehicle traveling on a road at
Fatuklaran 2 km south of Balibo this afternoon (Friday 1 Dec 00) when twenty to
forty shots were fired from a vacant building nearby. The soldier suffered a
wound in the upper left thigh.
Additional
troops responded to the incident and have secured the area.
The
soldier from AUSBATT (the Australian battalion from the UN peacekeeping force in
East Timor) was evacuated from the immediate scene by an armoured ambulance and
flown to the UN military hospital in Dili by Blackhawk helicopter.
His
condition is serious but not life threatening. The soldiers involved in the
incident did not return fire.
No
sighting was made of the person/s who fired the shots.
The
name of the soldier will be released when next of kin have been notified.
FILIPINO
PEACEKEEPER’S BODY DEPARTS EAST TIMOR
(26
Dec 00)
The
body of a Phillipines soldier who died in East Timor as a result of a heart
attack, left Dili, East Timor this morning (Tues 26 Dec 99) bound for Darwin,
Australia on a United Nations transport aircraft.
Corporal
Edgar Gallego, suffered a cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead in the early
hours of Friday morning (22 Dec 00).
CPL
Gallego, aged 32, was serving as a radio operator with PHILBATT (the Filipino
Battalion) based at Manatuto on East Timor’s north coast as part of the United
Nations peacekeeping force.
He is
the fourteenth peacekeeper to die in East Timor since the UN took over security
and protection tasks from InterFET (the Australian-led International Force in
East Timor) in February.
CPL
Gallego’s body is expected to arrive at his home in the Phillipines later this
week.
(13
March 2001)
Hera,
East Timor:
A New Zealand soldier serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force
(PKF) has died, believed drowned, in East Timor.
He
was swimming on Tuesday night (13 March) at the port of Hera, about 15
kilometers east of Dili and was reported missing by his comrades the following
morning.
CIVPOL
divers recovered his body near the Hera Wharf late this afternoon.
An
autopsy to determine the cause of death will be performed in Darwin and CIVPOL
(the UN civilian police) will carry out an investigation in East Timor.
The
soldier, nineteen-year-old Private Boyd Atkins, an infantryman from NZBATT3, was
at Hera port for a four-day in-theatre rest period from duty.
NZBATT3
(the UN’s New Zealand Battalion) arrived in East Timor in November last year
and is responsible for security in the Cova-Lima District along the border with
Indonesian West Timor.
The
UN PKF Commander, Lieutenant General Boonsrang Niumpradit, expressed his
condolences to Private Atkins’ family and thanked those who assisted in the
search and the members of CIVPOL who retrieved the body.
(May
2001)
Viqueque,
East Timor. Two
Thai peacekeepers were injured in a vehicle accident approximately three kilometers north of Viqueque at 1345 pm
yesterday (Sunday 6 May).
The
peacekeepers suffered minor injuries.
Both
were flown by UN aero-medical helicopter to the UN Military Hospital in Dili.
They remain in the hospital in a satisfactory condition.
They are expected to return to duty within a few days.
The
names of the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
More
than 700 Thai soldiers are serving with the 7700-strong United Nations
Peacekeeping Force (PKF) in East Timor, providing a safe and secure environment
to help the people rebuild following last years militia violence which left much
of the territory in ruins.
The
cause of the accident is under investigation.
Security
Situation at the Border Stable
(20
Jul 01)
“Security at Sector West is stable
but militia threat remains significant at the moment,” Brigadier Richard G.
Wilson, Sector West Commander said
yesterday.
“The level of threat is still the
same because there are still rogue elements as it was before,” he said. The
militias have dwindled in number and are now having a hard time for lack of
access to resources nor support from the people.
“But
security is much stable at the
moment.”
“Sector West provides security
against external threats from the border but also internal threats.”
The good work done by the Australian
Battalion (AUSBATT) and New Zealand Battalion (NZBATT), and other nations at
Sector West, particularly in maintaining a good relationship with the people of
East Timor contributed immensely in achieving a stable security environment.
He said,
they are prepared to support the election process to achieve a “free
and fair elections that is successful.”
Although security is still their main
concern, they are prepared to
support the election process if there need be at the last resort like
transportation, saying “a “successful election is a very important to
reach.”
Meanwhile,
at approximately 9 pm last night,
an element of the Australian Battalion reacted to a report of 10 personnel armed
with knives in the vicinity of Marko in the Bobonaro District.
The Australian Battalion secured the area by establishing a cordon and
maintaining observation onto the personnel who had occupied a house.
Negotiators were used at approximately midnight, to urge the personnel to
exit the house without their knives and talk to the soldiers.
The personnel left the building peacefully and AUSBATT are conducting a
routine investigation into the operation today.
The
operation was conducted in close consultation with the United Nations Military
Observer Group and the Civilian Police.
No
United Nations or civilian personnel were injured during the security operation.
Peacekeeping
Troops Along the Border Being Fired Upon
(28
Jul 01)
Peacekeeping
troops on forward patrol along the
border 4k southwest of Tilomar took cover positions after one shot was
fired at them by still unidentified number of armed men but suspected
to be militias from West Timor across the border at 1 p.m. today.
The
patrol team belonging to the New Zealand Battalion (NZBATT) returned fire and
immediately moved to a secure position.
A
helicopter was immediately deployed
in the area to augment the team effort to identify the exact location where the
shot came from. A man across the
border was observed to be running for cover dressed in blue shirt and sporting a
white hat with a weapon.
Earlier
at 8:30 a.m. yesterday, an Australian Aviation patrol noticed in the same
vicinity the presence of about 12
persons carrying at least one weapon.
Another
person was seen 2km up north, carrying a spear or weapon and was noticed to be
brandishing it aggressively at the direction of the aircraft.
Earlier
at 11 a.m., another sighting was reported 4
km southeast of Tilomar where 5 persons were seen moving on the eastern bank of
the river Mota Tafara heading in a northwest direction.
They were observed to be in civilian
clothes, with back packs but no weapons visible.
A
forward patrol heard one shot.
Sector
West is being secured by peacekeepers from Australia and New Zealand Battalions
under the leadership of Brigadier Richard Wilson.
The
Peace Keeping Force has always been vigilant against
a militia threat from West Timor, and elements of the militia who may have
infiltrated into East Timor.
(Only
Briefing Note 30 Aug Presscon)
Lieutenant
General Boonsrang Niumpradit, Force Commander of the United Nations Peace
Keeping Force (PKF) in East Timor has expressed regrets over the
death of a TNI soldier named First Sgt. Lirman Hadimu
during a clash Saturday at the border.
The
Force Commander contacted Major General
William Da Costa, TNI Area
Commander over the phone later.
The
peacekeeping troops were conducting a security patrol at the border when they
exchanged fire after at least a shot was aimed
at them.
The
TNI soldier was in civilian clothes and was armed when the incident happened.
PKF
and TNI authorities have consulted each other
to establish the full circumstances over the incident.
They
both agreed that this was a regrettable incident and an investigation is
to be conducted as soon as possible to determine the facts and to prevent future
occurrences.
A
Board of Inquiry has already commenced at the
Battalion level.
PKF Commander
expresses regret over death of a TNI soldier
(30 Jul 01)
Lieutenant
General Boonsrang Niumpradit, Force Commander of the United Nations Peace
Keeping Force (PKF) in East Timor has expressed regret over the
death of a TNI soldier First
Sgt. Lirman Hadimu during an incident at the border on Saturday 28 July 2001.
The
Force Commander contacted Major General William
Da Costa, TNI Area Commander over
the phone to extend his condolences, and that the PKF
will work toward establishing the fact of the incident.
Investigation on Border Incident Finds
that Peacekeepers Acted within Reasonable Grounds
(6 Aug 01)
An
Independent Investigation has reported its findings into an incident on the 28
July at the border between East and West Timor.
The incident involved an exchange of fire by UN Peacekeeping Force (PKF)
with a suspected militia, who subsequently transpired to be a TNI soldier.
The
Investigation Team consisting of United Nations Military Observers (UNMO)
concluded that the UN peacekeepers had acted within reasonable grounds, in
engaging a man who they believed had fired on them from over the border from
West Timor.
The
investigation established that the exchange of fire took place across the border
(TCL) but that the UN Peacekeeping Force (PKF) patrol remained at all times on
the East Timor side of the border. The
PKF had earlier established an observation post following reports of activity by
suspicious armed persons in the vicinity of the subsequent fatal incident.
The
investigation established that the deceased man was a TNI SGT who was out of
uniform, carrying a service rifle close to the TCL contrary to orders from his
superiors. It was further confirmed
that two rounds were missing from the magazine of the weapon that was recovered
at the scene. A spent shell casing was also recovered at the scene.
The
PKF has been involved in a number of confrontations with armed elements close to
the border with West Timor since the peacekeeping mission was established in
East Timor.
The
PKF wishes to note that the deceased had placed himself in great danger by
walking armed and in civilian clothing in the vicinity of the TCL.
The
PKF Commander Lieutenant General Boonsrang Niumpradit has expressed his regret
over the incident and has extended his condolences on the death of
Sgt. Lirman Hadimu.
Australian peacekeepers at the frontline