REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE

MINISTÉRIO DOS NEGÓCIOS ESTRANGEIROS E COOPERAÇÃO

MEDIA RELEASE
Saturday, 7 January
2006
For Immediate Release

Border Incident Being Investigated

Yesterday, 6 January 2006, three suspected militia men were fatally wounded near Tunubibi, Bobonaro District in Timor-Leste, near the border with the Republic of Indonesia. The Timor-Leste government is investigating the incident and has advised the Indonesian Embassy that Indonesian officials are invited to take part in the investigation.

A routine Border Patrol Unit (BPU) made up of four Timor-Leste police observed three men covertly approaching them at around 11 am. Upon being sighted these men withdrew into the thick vegetation. The first member of the BPU was then unexpectedly attacked by an assailant who attempted to seize his patrol machine gun. Immediately after this two other members of the BPU were simultaneously attacked in an attempt to
gain their weapons too. The fourth member of the BPU was some distance further behind.

During this process one of the BPU police officers fatally shot the man who had attacked him and then fatally shot the two other assailants attacking his colleagues. Three of the BPU officers were injured, with one immediately
requiring hospitalization for head and hand wounds.

One of the assailants was instantly recognized by the police officers and has since been officially identified as Mr. José Mau Sorte. He was a known militia member who was frequently sighted in Cailaco and Atabae and was involved in a bus holdup in Atsabe in 2002. He is listed as a militia member by the Serious Crime Unit and is
wanted for crimes against humanity.

Reports in the media that the men were merely fishing are illogical. It is the rainy season and heavy rains have been falling resulting in the Malibaca River running rapidly with some flood water problems. These types of conditions would make fishing in the river impossible.

Autopsies and investigations are currently underway by the Timor-Leste police with the assistance of an advisor from the United Nations. To ensure further transparency the Government of Timor-Leste has contacted the Indonesian Embassy to request that Indonesia observe the investigation. The Timor-Leste government is
taking this investigation very seriously and is concerned about the continued border occurrences.

END