Sunday, October 12, 2008

Fears of unrest in E Timor

Dili - An opposition plan for a massive march on East Timor's capital and rumours of tension in the police force are raising concerns of a return to instability in the tiny Southeast Asian nation.
An unsigned pamphlet has been circulated in Dili complaining of official discrimination against Timorese from the impoverished country's western region in favour of those from the east.
The pamphlet also threatened protests against the government if an easterner is appointed the new police commander when the post becomes vacant in November.
Such claims of regional discrimination sparked a mass desertion by members of the armed forces, leading to fighting in 2006 between military, police factions and gangs in street violence that killed at least 37 people.(iol.co.za)

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