Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DILI404
2006-08-08 10:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dili
Cable title:  

INCREASED GANG ACTIVITY STRETCHES LIMITS OF INTERNATIONAL

Tags:  KPKO PHUM ASEC AU TT 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3644
PP RUEHCHI RUEHNH RUEHPB
DE RUEHDT #0404/01 2201016
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 081016Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY DILI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2870
INFO RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0641
RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE
RUEHXX/GENEVA IO MISSIONS COLLECTIVE
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 0715
RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON PRIORITY 0632
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0470
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 0497
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 0571
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 0365
RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI 2198
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DILI 000404 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EAP/MTS
PACOM FOR POLAD AND JOC
NSC FOR HOLLY MORROW
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO PHUM ASEC AU TT
SUBJECT: INCREASED GANG ACTIVITY STRETCHES LIMITS OF INTERNATIONAL
POLICE IN DILII


DILI 00000404 001.2 OF 003


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DILI 000404

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EAP/MTS
PACOM FOR POLAD AND JOC
NSC FOR HOLLY MORROW
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO PHUM ASEC AU TT
SUBJECT: INCREASED GANG ACTIVITY STRETCHES LIMITS OF INTERNATIONAL
POLICE IN DILII


DILI 00000404 001.2 OF 003



1. (SBU) Summary: There has been a notable increase in
disturbances around Dili in recent days, beginning late last
week and continuing through today. These have mostly occurred
in neighborhoods that have been regular sites of conflict during
the last few months. Additionally, there has been a resumption
of threats to internally displaced people (IDP) camps, but while
in the past these mostly involved loud intimidation only, there
have now been more concerted attacks. The incidents have mostly
involving stone throwing, but in a number of cases attackers
have also been armed with machetes and other sharp-edged
weapons. Groups involved have a variety of profiles including
local groups of unemployed youth, groups that claim to be
protecting their neighborhoods, and martial arts groups and
organized gangs. There is a noticeable trend of increased
organization among the groups, as well as indications that many
have a sense of impunity in their actions. International police
resources are reportedly stretched thin in their ability to
respond, especially as incidents often occur concurrently, but
note that they are adjusting their operations to more
effectively address the situation. End summary.

Increased disturbances in Dili
--------------


2. (U) There has been a marked increase in disturbances,
particularly attacks and intimidation tactics carried out by
gangs or ad hoc groups of mostly young men. This has been most
severe in the Comoro area in western Dili and its adjacent
neighborhoods, but has occurred in several other areas as well.
There have been a number of reports of injuries, primarily
resulting from rock throwing or beatings, but numbers are
anecdotal at this point. On Friday, a mob of over 100 attacked
the IDP camp at the airport, which has a mostly Lorosae (people
from the eastern part of the country) population. The
international NGO, Care, also reported repeated attacks over the
weekend on one of their IDP camps by a gang of about 20 men
armed with machetes and able to escape quickly on motorcycles.
While the attacks on IDP camps have reportedly resulted in few

injuries, they are effectively terrorizing the population
within. Aid workers are also reporting a number of cases where
people who have gone home have been attacked, resulting in their
return to the camps. They are concerned that this new spate of
gang activity will further underscore the extreme reluctance of
most IDPs to return home.


3. (SBU) In addition to the IDP camps, examples of the recent
incidents include:
-- In one of the Comoro neighborhoods, an Embassy staff member
reported that four groups staged simultaneous attacks on his
neighborhood. However, the community had organized its own
security and successfully rebuffed the attacks.
-- Staff at the clinic in Bairopite, adjacent to Comoro, have
reported nightly intimidation and rock throwing attacks,
resulting in some property damage. Over the weekend, an
ambulance carrying an injured patient came under a rock throwing
attack that resulted in three minor injuries.
-- In the Marconi neighborhood, a group of young men, including
teenaged and younger boys, has been staging attacks on Lorosae
(easterners) houses, causing considerable property damage, for
several nights and yesterday morning severely beat a Lorosae man
from the Comoro neighborhood.

Profiles of gangs vary
--------------


4. (U) The profile of the mobs or gangs involved in the attacks,
or in other cases in fighting each other, varies. The attack on
the airport IDP camp was reportedly carried out by members of a
single community after one of their members reported coming
under a rock-throwing attack from the camp. Many communities in
Dili have organized neighborhood protection groups, some of
which have played a positive role in keeping communities intact,
while others have taken on a much more negative role as

DILI 00000404 002.2 OF 003


indicated in this incident. In the Care IDP camp attack and the
incidents in Marconi, smaller groups of 20-30 young men gather
on a nightly basis to carry out attacks, often first getting
intoxicated on the local Timorese palm liquor. Although most
martial arts group leaders are trying to stay clear of the
fighting, it is clear that at least sub-groups and members of
these groups have also been involved. The attack of four groups
simultaneously reported by an Embassy staff member involved
members from several well-known martial arts groups. In all
cases, there has been a strong Loromonu versus Lorosae (West
versus East) element, with Loromonu targeting of Lorosae being
the most common.

Trends: increased organization and sense of impunity
-------------- --------------


5. (U) There are a couple trends of note in this recent increase
in unrest. First, the various groups seem to have increased
their level of organization in carrying out the attacks.
International police report that many of the weekend incidents
took place nearly simultaneously, indicating coordination.
Moreover, groups comprised primarily of unemployed youth,
including younger teenage boys, often have cell phones and
motorcycles, both normally out of reach luxuries.


6. (U) A second trend we have observed is an increased sense of
impunity on the part of many perpetrators. There is a sentiment
shared among many of them that they can continue to successfully
evade arrest and that even if they are arrested, they are likely
to be quickly released. This has contributed to a somewhat
dismissive attitude towards international police. Over the
weekend, US Defense Representative observed a group of young men
taunting AFP officers. It is hoped that this perception will
change as international police adapt their operations to the new
developments (see para 7).


7. (SBU) Another factor contributing to a sense of impunity is
the widespread reluctance on the part of Dili residents to
provide the names of perpetrators, although in many cases they
have this information. Residents note their fear of retribution
and do not trust that there are sufficient mechanisms in place
to protect them. In a meeting yesterday (August 7) with Embassy
Charge d'Affaires, Minister for State Administration Anna Pessoa
remarked on this issue and reported that she is working with
community leaders and the Prosecutor General to make
arrangements to ensure confidentiality and witness protection.
However, other Embassy contacts note that the fear behind this
reluctance is very ingrained and may be difficult to overcome.

International police stretched thin, but adapting
-------------- --------------


8. (SBU) During a security briefing late last week Australian
Federal Police (AFP) contingent commander Steve Lancaster
reported that the overall situation had quieted down to the
point that many police now had time on their hands to pursue
lesser crimes. The developments in the days since then appear
to have reversed this. A number of international police
reported to IDP relief workers over the weekend that they were
now spread too thin to address all the security incidents and
concerns emerging in the city. During a conversation with
Emboff today, acting AFP contingent commander, Tom Dahlstrom,
noted that the international police have been flat out since
Friday, August 4. He said that the majority of their resources
were initially absorbed in reacting to calls and incidents as
they occurred, but that they are now endeavoring to shift their
focus to proactively pursuing perpetrators, especially gang
leaders. He reported that 40 arrests were made over the weekend
and an additional 21 last night.

American citizens not being targeted, but risk of cross-fire
-------------- --------------


DILI 00000404 003.2 OF 003



9. (SBU) Although American citizens are not a direct target,
there is an increased risk of getting caught in the crossfire.
An American Embassy family car was hit by rocks yesterday
afternoon, apparently being thrown in an altercation between two
groups. Additionally, there have been incidents reported of
direct attacks on Portuguese targets, probably reflecting the
anti-GNR (Portuguese Republican National Guard) sentiment that
arose in the wake of the arrest of dissident leader Major
Alfredo Reinado earlier this month. The Embassy has sent a
warden message to American citizens advising them of the
increased security concerns and advising extra caution.
WHITMAN