Kiwi troops shoot Timor rebel

By PATRICK GOWER

New Zealand peacekeepers shot and killed an armed rebel in a clash in East Timor yesterday.

The man was killed after NZ troops opened fire on four uniformed militiamen in jungle southwest of Kulit, 8km from the West Timor border, at 3 pm (NZ time).

East Timor Joint Force Commander Brigadier Jerry Mateparae said the battle began after the militia group approached a platoon patrolling the border area on an observation mission.

"The militia were approaching with hostile intent," he told the Herald from Timor last night.

"In our assessment they were acting tactically. It was not as if they were out there bushwalking.

"They were out there patrolling, and by their demeanour it was obvious that they were looking for someone to attack."

The militia fired back and shots were exchanged before one was killed and the remaining members disappeared into the surrounding bush.

The four men were associated with another 15-strong gang the New Zealand troops had sighted earlier.

About 30 New Zealand troops were in the area, about 10km west of the peacekeepers' base in Suai.

Brigadier Mateparae said the battalion had been aware of a militia group moving within their operating area for the past week.

Commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel Martin Dransfield had debriefed the troops and begun a site investigation.

Brigadier Mateparae said there were no similarities between the incident and when Private Leonard Manning was killed while on patrol in July.

This month, New Zealand forces were given clearance to fire at militia without warning.

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said last night that the consistent militia incursions were becoming a great concern.

"The only option we have is to respond in a determined manner.

"If the militia continue to operate without interference from the Indonesian Army then we are looking at long-term guerrilla action in East Timor as well as major destabilisation of West Timor."

Militia activity has NZ peacekeepers on edge about their activities both on and off-duty.

Herald Online feature: the Timor mission

UN Transitional Administration in E Timor