UNREST IN DILI OVER THE WEEKEND FOLLOWING FDTL DISMISSALS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DILI 000144 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MTS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV MARR ASEC TT SUBJECT: UNREST IN DILI OVER THE WEEKEND FOLLOWING FDTL DISMISSALS, BUT SOME CALM RESTORED EARLY IN WEEK REF: A) 05 DILI 313, B) DILI 96, C) DILI 113, D) DILI 13 DILI 00000144 001.2 OF 003 ¶1. Summary: Beginning late last week and escalating over the weekend, there have been a number of incidents of unrest around Dili involving intimidation and threats as well as attacks on houses and other property. As of Monday night (March 27), widespread police patrols have resulted in a significant reduction in the number of occurrences. These incidents began in the environment of escalated tensions following the dismissal of 591 soldiers from the armed forces (FDTL) who were on strike because of alleged discrimination by commanders from the eastern districts ("Lorosa'e") against soldiers from the western districts ("Loromonu"). See reftels B, C and D. The incidents have typically been perpetrated by members of martial arts groups with a history of violent conflict among themselves, as well as some ad hoc groups, most of whom appear to be seizing on the East-West issue as a pretext for their own more localized agendas. Although a handful of the dismissed soldiers appear to have joined in some of the attacks, there is no indication of any organizational links between the group of dismissed soldiers and these events. The spate of incidents combined with the high profile of the FDTL developments, has created a climate of fear among many Dili residents and rumors of increased violence have proliferated. However, police responses, particularly in the last day or so, appear to be bringing the situation under control in the areas that have seen the most disturbances. End summary. Incidents of unrest in Dili -------------- ¶2. Following the public announcement by Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, the Commander of the FDTL, that the 591 soldiers that remained on strike would be dismissed (see reftel D) there has been increased focus on the issues of discrimination raised by the soldiers. Beginning late last week and escalating over the weekend, incidents of intimidation and some violence, primarily targeted at houses and other property, have occurred in several areas of Dili. The incidents have typically not involved firearms or other serious weapons, employing instead primarily rocks to break windows and other property and some machete-wielding threats. The perpetrators are primarily members of martial arts groups, although some have also appeared to be ad hoc groups of people identifying themselves as either "Loromonu" or "Lorosa'e". In some cases the groups have focused their attacks on anyone they identify as Lorosa'e. In other cases, the incidents have involved fighting between specific groups with some history of conflict. (Note: There are a dozen or more martial arts groups in East Timor. These groups were mostly established during Indonesian times and are focused primarily on the training and practice of specific martial arts forms. However, they also have a long history of engaging in fights with each other, some of which have been quite violent in the past. In 2004 President Xanana Gusmao organized a national dialogue to put an end to a wave of violence between these groups. This resulted in a joint declaration of non-violence signed last June and until this last weekend, conflict among the groups had been only sporadic. See reftel A. End note.) ¶3. Some examples of the types of incidents occurring are as follows. In one of Dili's major markets, an unidentified group staged attacks on Friday and Saturday nights (March 25 and 26) during which they declared their intention to destroy the market and proceeded to destroy the stalls of two Lorosae vendors and throw stones at several "Lorosa'e" houses. In another neighborhood across town, members of the SHT martial arts group that had split into two rival Lorosa'e versus Loromonu groups targeted each other's houses causing considerable damage to several and the destruction of one house and several vehicles. These incidences have taken place almost exclusively in Dili. However there was one confirmed case of an international NGO staff member from the eastern region being beaten in Maliana, near the western border, and unconfirmed rumors of incidences of Loromonu versus Lorosa'e tension occurring in Liquica and Maubisse over the weekend. ¶4. All in all, incidents occurred several nights running in about five main areas, and sporadically in several others. Apparently as a result of widespread police patrols, especially in and around those areas that have seen the most unrest, there was a dramatic reduction in incidents on Monday and Tuesday nights March 27 and 28. The Embassy understands that these patrols will continue until the situation returns to normal. DILI 00000144 002.2 OF 003 Dismissed soldiers remain in limbo -------------- ¶5. Although the perpetrators of these events have seized on the dismissal of 591 striking FDTL members as justification for instigating East versus West conflict, there has been no indication of any organizational link between the group of soldiers and the various incidents. According to Embassy sources and news reports, a handful of the dismissed soldiers have joined in some attacks, and at least two arrested as a result. But these appear to be the exception to the rule. ¶6. Meanwhile, the group has found itself in some limbo as it continues to wait for the President to respond to their request for an audience in order to deliver their uniforms, and possibly to make a last appeal for his intervention. The group's spokesperson, Lieutenant Salsinha, reports some frustration with the lack of response to date to their requests. He has also stated that they are planning a demonstration, either in connection with the uniform delivery, or, if they are unable to see the President, to protest that as well. A planned demonstration by the group on Monday was called off by Salsinha allegedly because the President, Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense were all out of town to attend the anniversary ceremony for the national police in the town of Liquica. However, one source reported that when the group gathered to prepare for the demonstration, only 50 or 60 of the dismissed soldiers showed up. It is possible that many have already returned to their homes. Many Dili residents frightened, taking refuge elsewhere -------------- -------------- ¶7. Although the incidences described above have so far involved little in the way of direct attacks on people, the climate of fear that they have produced among many of Dili's residents has been palpable. As a result, many people have abandoned their homes for the time to relocate to places where they feel safer, often with relatives in other parts of the city. Several Embassy staff members reported taking in family or neighbors who felt unsafe in their own homes and several sources have noted the phenomenon of Lorosae families not returning to their usual homes. A number of the Embassy guards also expressed concern about returning home at night when working the evening shift. These fears seem to have been somewhat ameliorated by the resumption of some measure of calm the last two nights. ¶8. However, it is clear that a number of Dili residents still do not feel safe enough to return to their homes. In a dramatic example of this is the approximately 200 people, including entire families, have taken refuge in a Catholic Church compound, run by the Salesian Order, in the Comoro area of Dili. Embassy staff yesterday (March 28) visited the site and found that all of the families are sleeping in the same hall on the floor and several children have fallen ill (one was taken to the hospital). They reported that some of their homes had been attacked directly, while others were just afraid of staying in their neighborhoods. Most of the families are Lorosae, but several are Loromonu. One woman expressed her opinion that they were in this situation because of their "leaders' words" and expressed hope that the Government would quickly resolve the situation so that they could return to their normal lives. The Minister of Interior reportedly visited the compound on Monday afternoon to try to convince them that it was now safe to return, but so far all of the families appear to be remaining. Police response: so far so good -------------- ¶9. The national police (PNTL) in Dili has in general responded effectively and professionally to the situation. Over the weekend they were reported to respond to calls quickly, have been calm and professional on arrival, and remained to patrol the area for several hours after. Beginning Monday afternoon, they established patrols in all the main problem neighborhoods and along main transportation routes. Monday and Tuesday nights therefore saw a dramatic reduction in incidences, with only a few reported in areas where the police did not have a presence. ¶10. Observers have noted that the PNTL response so far has been orchestrated under the direction of Police Commissioner Paulo DILI 00000144 003.2 OF 003 Martins as the Minister of Interior, who normally sets the tone for police responses to security threats, was ill for several days, only appearing in public again on Monday. Martins is widely regarded as both ethical and competent, but his decision making authority is often overshadowed by the Minister whose is more inclined to politicize such situations and turn a blind eye to police brutality. Martins set the tone for a more measured response by the PNTL in a public address delivered over the weekend in which he called for calm and stated that the PNTL would carry out its duties without reference to where people came from or other affiliations. SHIRATORI