Inventory made of Timor weapons

This story is from our news.com.au network Source: AAP


By Max Blenkin in Dili
June 09, 2006
AUSTRALIAN and other international troops have launched a full inventory of weapons in East Timorese military armouries in a bid to assess just how many have leaked into the community.
At the height of the troubles, numerous military and police weapons, ranging from handguns to assault rifles, disappeared.

Many have since been surrendered while others have been seized, but the number outstanding remains unknown.

In Baucau today, the multinational inspection team visited one of East Timor's key military bases, checking the serial numbers of weapons in the armoury with East Timorese Defence Force records.

A similar inspection was also conducted at the Metinaro Barracks. The actual shortfall was unknown but the count tallied closely with the East Timorese assessment of what weapons remained in store.

The inspection at Baucau coincided with a visit of UN special representative Sukehira Hasegawa to meet East Timorese military commanders and the district administrator.

Mr Hasegawa said the issue of missing weapons was specifically raised in discussions with the military leaders, including East Timor Defence Force Chief of Staff Colonel Lere Anan.

Of particular concern were weapons distributed to civilians, allegedly at the instigation of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, who has denied the claim.

"They (the officers) feel there there is a need to disarm these civilians who have received weapons. They hope that this will be carried out as soon as possible," Dr Hasegawa said.

"They did not mention specifically the quantity of weapons that had been distributed. They said that these weapons had been distributed and they mentioned a considerable number of items have been distributed from PNTL (East Timorese police) armouries.

"These weapons should be identified and and those who are possessing them disarmed."

In Dili, the commander of the Australian infantry task group, Lieutenant Colonel Mick Mumford, urged members of a so-called 30-member death squad to hand in their guns.

It has been alleged the squad was given orders by Dr Alkatiri, via former interior minister Rogerio Lobato, to eliminate political opponents. Dr Alkatiri has denied the charges.

Lieutenant Colonel Mumford said he had no specific knowledge of the group.

"So far we have been told a lot of people are heavily armed," he told reporters.

"We have not encountered any of those that have showed any desire to oppose us. Our response to all heavily armed groups is to hand back their weapons and become part of the peaceful arrangements that are currently being put in place."

Lieutenant Colonel Mumford said Australian troops were providing security for Dr Alkatiri.

"He has security provided by us. We are providing security here in Dili," he said.

"Certainly if there is any intention by anybody to provoke violent protests here in Dili, then we will be taking active steps to prevent that violence from occurring."

Lieutenant Colonel Mumford said the security situation in Dili was much improved but he was not claiming it was beaten.

"We are very pleased with the way the situation is going," he said.

"We are very well poised to engage with any of the gangs or any groups that decide to bring violence to Dili."