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The Government has warned New Zealanders to get out of East Timor, but is keeping its embassy staff in the fledgling nation.
Timorese supporters of fugitive rebel leader Alfredo Reinado staged a violent demonstration in the capital Dili yesterday, to protest an Australian-led raid on his hideout which left four people dead on Saturday.
The protesters made particular threats against Australians, prompting authorisation for non-emergency Australian embassy staff to evacuate with their families.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today said the Government was advising against all travel to East Timor and those already there should think about getting out.
"They're being advised to leave by commercial means now."
There were 17 registered New Zealand citizens who were neither embassy staff nor part of the 150-strong Defence Force contingent that is helping to maintain law and order in the country.
Mr Peters said three New Zealand citizen embassy staff would remain in East Timor, but they had been told to get their families out if necessary.
New Zealanders could easily be mistaken for Australians and attacked.
"Whilst things have been quite quiet overnight there nevertheless is extreme risk in all parts of East Timor," he told reporters.
"In all respects this is a developing situation we have to watch on a very close hour by hour basis."
Mr Peters urged Reinado to give himself up. Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer has done the same.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was advising anyone who felt unsafe to make immediate arrangements to leave the country, she said.
The ministry's Safe Travel website warned New Zealand citizens in East Timor they could be targets of violence and needed to exercise extreme caution.
"New Zealanders resident in (East Timor) should have comprehensive medical and travel insurance policies that include provision for medical evacuation by air," the website stated.
Meanwhile, Britain has advised its nationals not to travel to East Timor and warns those already there to leave.
"We advise against all travel to East Timor," the Foreign Office in London said on its website today.
"Renewed outbreaks of violence in February and March 2007 have resulted in some fatalities.
"There have also been incidents of looting and attacks on vehicles. There is the potential for foreigners to get caught up in the violence."
The department said the security situation was uncertain and could deteriorate quickly, adding: "If you are currently in East Timor, you should seriously consider leaving by commercial means".
East Timor is Asia's newest nation, having won independence from Indonesia in 1999.
It was plunged into chaos last year when Reinado, a former major, led a mass desertion of the army which resulted in clashes between soldiers and police.
The violence left at least 37 dead and caused 155,000 people to evacuate their homes.
- NZPA
