EAST NUSA TENGGARA: SHOOTING INCIDENT AT NTT-TIMOR LESTE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SURABAYA 000068 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, IRN/EAP, DRL/PHD, INL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ID TT PREF SUBJECT: EAST NUSA TENGGARA: SHOOTING INCIDENT AT NTT-TIMOR LESTE BORDER REF: SURABAYA 55 SURABAYA 00000068 001.2 OF 002 This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. (This is a joint report from Consulate General Surabaya and US Embassy Dili.) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Embassy Dili and Consulate General Surabaya contacted individuals on either side of the Indonesia-Timor Leste border regarding the shooting of Timor-Leste citizen Lucas Neno by Indonesian Armed forces (TNI). Neno was shot at approximately 4:30 a.m. Timor-Leste local time on October 26. Neno died of a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. So far as is known, Neno was killed on Indonesian soil approximately 25 meters from the Timor Leste border in the Cova Lima District. Indonesian press reports highlighted the urgency of reaching agreement on the issuance of border crossing cards to avoid similar incidents. End Summary. The Shooting of Lucas Neno -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Embassy of Australia in Dili provided US Embassy Dili with details surrounding the incident and the ongoing investigation. Australian Military Liaison Officer Major Mark Cole is the Leader of the Cova Lima Military Liaison Team and is assisting the investigating team at the border. Major Cole provided the following preliminary information to Embassy Dili regarding the ongoing investigation. ¶3. (SBU) The TNI fired on Neno after suspecting he was crossing the border illegally. The Embassy of Australia in Dili has been advised that there are several abnormalities relating to the shooting incident, such as the fact the crime scene was disturbed after the body was moved and before any independent source could establish the exact location of the shooting. The body was brought to a mortuary in Atambua (East Nusa Tenggara), which is also the Headquarters of the Indonesian Army's 742 Battalion. This happened before any independent agency could confirm its location with reference to the border and before the TNI Military Police arrived on the scene. ¶4. (SBU) Major Cole advised US Embassy Dili that the members of the TNI detachment at the border crossing point nearest the incident are "very somber and extremely keen to ensure that the good relationship between the TNI and Timor Leste Border Patrol Unit (BPU) is not strained over the incident." The Timor Leste Border Patrol Unit (BPU) has "not indicated anger or displeasure over the shooting", according to Major Cole. So far, there does not appear to be any negative fallout from the incident or escalating tensions between the border guard forces of the two countries. Major Cole also reported that the TNI were very reticent and nervous, not willing to give details of the circumstances pending arrival of the TNI MPs. They were, however, regretful of the incident and emphasized that they did not want the incident to damage relations between TNI and Border Patrol Unit (BPU) and by extension, Timor-Leste and Indonesia. ¶5. (SBU) Major Cole told US Embassy Dili that while Lucas Neno once worked for the BPU as a cook, he has not done so for about two years. Although it is likely that the victim was known to at least some of the BPU members, there does not appear to be any current personal connection between the victim and either the TNI or the BPU. Details of the Investigation -------------- --Victim was Lucas Neno, 45 years old, of Salele, Timor-Leste; --Estimated time of shooting is 4:30 a.m. on 26 Oct 07; --Witness (with victim at time of the shooting) is Francisco De Arigo; --Shooting allegedly took place approximately 25 meters inside the Indonesian border (yet to be confirmed); SURABAYA 00000068 002.2 OF 002 --Timor Leste National Police were informed of incident at 8:30 a.m. on 26 October 2007; --The body is being held in Atambua --The victim allegedly went across border to buy/smuggle fuel across border; --One round was discharged, striking the victim in the abdomen, with an exit wound in his back; --It remains unconfirmed if he died at the scene; --The Timor Leste National Police and Border Patrol Unit suspect TNI tampering with the crime scene/evidence because the body was allegedly moved; --The witness (De Arigo) claims that the TNI called for the victim and him to stop prior to shooting. No warning shot was fired. The witness fled when he heard shots being fired and saw the victim fall to the ground. Incident Adds Urgency to Issue of Border Crossing Card -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶6. (U) Consulate Surabaya learned from one contact in Atambua, NTT that things are calm despite heightened tensions immediately after the shooting. Indonesian press reports surrounding this shooting incident focused on the need for regularized border crossing cards for residents of the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and Timor Leste border area. Indonesia and Timor Leste governments plan to roll out a border crossing card in January 2008. Press reports quoted Timor Leste's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zacarias Dacosta, as approving of the manner in which the TNI has handled the shooting incident. Dacosta encouraged speeding up issuance of border crossing cards as a means of avoiding similar incidents in the future. According to Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hasan Wirajuda, Indonesia and East Timor have reached agreement in principle on the border crossing card. MCCLELLAND