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
--------------

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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