East Timor PM blames Australia over jailbreak

Australian troops stop motorists at a checkpoint. Picture / Reuters

CANBERRA - East Timor Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta on Friday partly blamed Australia for the jailbreak of prisoners and rebel soldiers in Dili, saying Australian-led peacekeepers refused to increase security around the prison.

More than 50 prisoners walked out of the Becora jail on Wednesday, including rebel leader Major Alfredo Reinado, renewing concerns about security in the fledgling nation.

"I am personally just puzzled why in spite of our repeated requests for static forces to be outside the prison this was not done," Ramos-Horta told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"Had there been strong security outside, this could have been prevented," he said.

Major Reinado was arrested with 20 other men in July over their role in the violence that erupted in and around Dili in April and May.

He has been charged with several offences, including attempted murder and the embezzlement of military property.

The prisoners walked out of the jail's front gate during visiting hours, security officials said.

Australian police say international peacekeepers are conducting an intensive manhunt for Major Reinado and 56 fellow inmates.

New Zealand troops have set up roadblocks and are searching the Dili suburb of Becora, close to the prison, while the hunt for the inmates has now widened beyond the capital.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer will fly to Dili on Sunday for three-nation security talks with Ramos-Horta and East Timor President Xanana Gusmao, and Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda.

The United Nations agreed last week on a new mission to East Timor, comprising some 1600 police, despite a dispute over whether Australian-led international troops already there should remain independent or be part of a UN force.

Downer said the implementation of the new UN mission would be discussed at the trilateral talks, to be held on Monday.

Dili suffered a series of protests that evolved into widespread violence in May after 600 members of East Timor's 1400-strong army were sacked.

An estimated 100,000 people were displaced and at least 20 killed in the violence, which led to deployment of a 2500-strong international peacekeeping force.

- REUTERS / RADIO AUSTRALIA