International security forces backed by helicopters raided a rebel hide-out in East Timor early yesterday and killed four suspected insurgents, officials said, though their leader escaped.
Australian-led forces had been surrounding Alfredo Reinado's base in the mountain town of Same since last week. The rebel leader, who led a revolt that plunged the tiny nation into chaos last May and is wanted for his alleged role in deadly clashes that brought down the government, has ignored repeated calls to turn himself in. Reinado evaded capture and denied any of his men had been killed.
East Timor, one of the world's youngest and poorest nations, is struggling to regain stability after factional fighting between armed forces spilled into the streets of the capital, Dili, last year, killing at least 37 people and sending 155,000 fleeing from their homes.
PHOTO: AFP
Relative calm was restored with the arrival of foreign peacekeepers and the installation of a new government.
However, deadly fights continue between rival gangs, and there are fears presidential elections next month could trigger more violence.
"The international security forces are continuing to hunt for him," President Xanana Gusmao told reporters after acknowledging that Reinado escaped capture in the pre-dawn raid. "If he surrenders, the country will treat him well."
"There was no ISF [international security force] member killed or injured in the operation," a Department of Defence spokesman said, adding that four East Timorese fighting with Renaldo had been killed.
Reinado has been on the run since he escaped from jail in East Timor's capital Dili last August along with 50 other inmates.
"The number of soldiers is still complete. Only one person was wounded," Reinado said, adding some Australian troops were shot.
Gusmao ordered security forces to arrest Reinado following accusations the rebel led a raid on a police post and made off with 25 automatic weapons last month.
Reinado denied attacking the police post, saying that police had given him the weapons. Gusmao urged Reinado to surrender.
"The state will not change the policies in Reinado's matters ... The purpose of this operation is not to kill anyone, it is to force them to hand in all the weapons they have and to surrender," Gusmao told a news conference.
On Saturday, Reinado told reporters he was willing to negotiate with the government but would not surrender to international troops.
Australia has 800 troops to keep peace in East Timor following last year's violence.
Reinado has made several public appearances since the escape, including a meeting with the country's military chief. Security forces did not make any attempt to arrest the fugitive.
The standoff between Reinado and the troops has raised fears of violence ahead of a presidential election next month.
East Timor voted in a 1999 referendum for independence from Indonesia, which annexed it after Portugal ended its colonial rule in 1975. The country became fully independent in 2002 after a period of UN administration.
But an east-west divide in the impoverished nation erupted into chaos and gang violence in May following the sacking of 600 soldiers. Youth unemployment is also high.
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