The Australian

By Jill Jolliffe and Rob Taylor in Dili
May 25, 2006

HEAVY casualties have been reported in the centre of Dili where a fierce gun battle raged between rival military factions today.

One report monitored on the United Nations radio communications network said: "20 police injured. Many dead."

The North American voice on the radio added that "a lot of ambulances" were needed.
Heavy gunfire and grenade blasts could be heard in the distance from Dili's airport.
A contingent of 150 Australian commandos along with a Hercules and Blackhawk helicopters were rushing to East Timor.

They were to secure the airport, which has been cut off from Dili by gun battles on a main road.
At least three bursts of machine gun fire was heard close to the airport at 2 pm (1500 AEST).
US Marines from the American embassy were at the airport as East Timorese officials waited the arrival of the vice chief of the Australian Defence Force, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie.
The general is to negotiate the rules of engagement for the deployment up to 1300 Australian peacekeepers.

The security situation across many parts of Dili had deteriorated dramatically in recent hours with fighting reported in Dili's western eastern and southern districts as well as near its centre.
Reporters at the scene said fighting had taken place near the offices of President Xanana Gusmao.

Shots were also heard near the US embassy on Dili's waterfront and the nearby residence of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri.

AAP reporter Olivia Rondowunu reported seeing a truckload of men in camouflage driving through the city at high speed firing automatic weapons in the air.

UN staff sheltering at their headquarters in central Dili reported intense shooting around the national police barracks about 1.30pm (1430 AEST).

Security staff monitoring Dili police radios had said earlier the barracks had been surrounded by pro-government FDTL army troops and appeared as if they were poised to attack.
Rivalry between East Timor's army and police has been an undercurrent of the present conflict in the country.

FDTL soldiers have frequently accused the police of having collaborated with the Indonesian army which occupied East Timor between 1975 and 1999.

Army commanders are mostly ex-guerilla who fought the Indonesians.

"There was intense firing at the police HQ, which frightened many refugees sheltering in a nearby UN building, and now there is a pause," one UN official said.

A large plume of smoke was also seen above the city.

Police radio operators calling for fire trucks said it was from a house near the UN High Commission for Refugees in the suburb of Balide.

Dili today was a city on the edge waiting for the arrival Australian troops.
Residents were confined indoors and could only gauge the progress of the conflict from the direction of shooting.

It was thought to be mainly from regular army troops moving systematically through the city in a bid to gain control before the Australians arrived.

The number of casualties from the fighting was far from clear.

Pro-government army sources said at least five people – from both sides – had been confirmed killed in the past three days.

Two were killed overnight, including an army captain.

At least seven people have been seriously wounded – some with bullet and shrapnel wounds. At least one man was hit by an arrow.

Associated Press quoted a spokesman for forces following rebel army officer Major Alfredo Reinado as saying two rebels had been killed and 14 wounded.

A United Nations official said he had heard a report of an Australian being shot and wounded in the leg two days ago. He was treated at a hospital in the western town of Liquica.
Details of his case were not available.

Meanwhile an expatriate employee at International Organisation of Migrations at Tasi Tolu said her house guard was shot dead on Tuesday and his body was lying there unrecovered today.
The number of casualties from the fighting was far from clear.

Pro-government army sources said at least five people – from both sides – had been confirmed killed in the past three days.

Two were killed overnight, including an army captain.

At least seven people have been seriously wounded – some with bullet and shrapnel wounds. At least one man was hit by an arrow.