DETERIORATION IN DILI SECURITY SITUATION, AIRPORT CLOSED

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DILI 000534 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MTS USUN FOR RICHARD MCCURRY NSC FOR HOLLY MORROW PACOM FOR JOC AND POLAD SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2016 TAGS: ASEC MARR PREF KPKO CASC AU TT SUBJECT: DETERIORATION IN DILI SECURITY SITUATION, AIRPORT CLOSED DILI 00000534 001.2 OF 002 CLASSIFIED BY: Elizabeth S. Wharton, Political / Economic Officer, U.S. Embassy Dili, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (a) ¶1. (U) Summary: A significant increase in communal conflict occurred in Dili today, resulting in two confirmed deaths and reports of other casualties as well. The first clashes, beginning early in the morning, involved the area around airport IDP camp where disturbances that began last night escalated significantly. Dili's international airport was shut down as of 9:00am this morning and no flights operated in or out; there is no indication at this point when it will reopen. Around mid-day large-scale disturbances erupted in another area of town, just southeast of the U.S. Embassy. Extensive UN police (UNPOL) and Australian military (ADF) operations were launched in response to both escalations. As of late afternoon / early evening, both areas are quiet. However, there is an expectation that violence will likely resume later in the evening. American citizens were informed of the incidents as they occurred and a follow up warden message will be sent shortly. End summary. Airport IDP camp disturbances -------------- ¶2. (U) Beginning late last night, violence in and around the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp located at the Nicolai Lobato International Airport in Dili increased significantly, including fighting between camp residents and residents of adjacent neighborhoods, as well as attacks on international security forces. One such attack reportedly involved "hundreds" of young men from inside the camp armed with machetes, spears, and lethal slingshot-launched metal arrows. There are also strong indications of firearms present in the camp. An Australian Federal Police rapid response team member reported seeing one individual inside the camp this morning with a pistol. One young man from an adjacent neighborhood was shot in the head early this morning and died shortly thereafter. A clear account of who killed him and under what circumstances is still pending. His family and neighbors report that he was killed by a camp resident, but camp residents reported to Portuguese media that he was shot by an Australian soldier. Airport shut down -------------- ¶3. (SBU) As a result of the disturbances in and around the airport IDP camp and the large-scale police and military operations launched in response, access to the airport was cut off most of the day. Airport operations were shut down as of about 9:00am and all flights cancelled. The airport remains closed at this time, and there is currently no information on when it will reopen. At a meeting held this afternoon, Deputy Prime Minister Estanislau da Silva, who is acting head of government in the absence of Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, ordered the Transportation Minister to immediately reopen the airport. However, the Transport Minister has no means to implement this order as employees will likely continue to be unable, and most likely unwilling, to travel to work. In addition, the airport manager reported this afternoon that British Petroleum, the airport's fuel contractor, is suspending operations for one week due to security concerns. Fatuhada and Marconi neighborhood disturbances -------------- - ¶4. (U) Around mid day, large scale disturbances hit the Fatuhada and Marconi neighborhoods of Dili. This area lies between two major East-West thoroughfares and has on its periphery both the American and Australian Embassies. The unrest resulted in one confirmed death and one serious injury, both caused by "rama ambon" (slingshot-launched metal arrows). There was an extensive security presence evident in the area's periphery in response to these disturbances. An Australian police officer manning a road block near the Australian Embassy reported that the presence of a "gunman" in the area. Initial assessments given the similar scale and timing are that the Fatuhada/Marconi escalation is connected and somehow coordinated with the escalation at the airport IDP camp. Security force response -------------- DILI 00000534 002.2 OF 002 ¶5. (C/NF) Emboffs observed extensive ongoing security operations involving both UNPOL and ADF in both areas. These appeared to be well-coordinated and having some effect. However, several Australian police officers working under UNPOL command expressed their dismay regarding limitations on their rules of engagement, stating, "we could have cleaned up this mess weeks ago if the UN wasn't so passive". Officers were particularly critical of the New Zealand national currently serving as the UNPOL Dili District Police Commander as excessively risk averse. Current status -------------- ¶6. (SBU) At present, Dili appears to be quiet. However, there is a general sense that this is a lull period only and that violence will likely resume later in the evening. Dili neighborhoods appear to be increasingly jittery. A number have erected roadblocks to ensure that only local residents can access these areas, a practice that became a common defensive tactic during the height of instability earlier this year in May-June. As of early evening, the security presence in the vicinity of the airport was relatively light, possibly as a result of a shifting of resources to other parts of town. There is concern that given the tensions evident in this area, this may invite a rapid resumption of violence. American citizens -------------- ¶7. (U) Aside from international security forces engaged during the airport disturbances this morning, there have been no reports of American or international citizens being targeted, nor any threat to U.S. Embassy Dili. The Embassy has fielded very few calls from American citizens today, possibly due to the fact that the disturbances, while wider and larger scale than usual, were concentrated in very circumscribed areas allowing Dili residents in other areas to continue business as usual. We relayed several mobile phone text messages over the day to inform American citizens of the incidents and the airport closure. An additional email warden message will follow shortly. REES