Militia mutilated soldier for reward

By PATRICK GOWER and AGENCIES

The body of the New Zealand soldier killed in East Timor was mutilated so that his killers could claim a cash reward for his death, says a senior police officer who served in the troubled territory last year.

The militiamen who killed Private Leonard Manning cut off his ears and slit his throat after he died.

"That's the way the militia demonstrated to their leaders that they had been successful in the East [Timor]," said Inspector Graeme Cairns of Papanui police, who led the multinational police force in Dili after the Indonesians withdrew last year.

Militiamen would earn cash rewards for making a kill, if they could produce the evidence.

The hunt for Private Manning's killers has intensified with growing concern in East Timor that the raid was launched by dissident members of the Indonesian Army (TNI).

This theory has been strengthened by the discovery of a backpack and part of an Indonesian Army military uniform at an abandoned camp believed to have been used by the killers.

Captain Dan Hurren, a UN military spokesman in the southern town of Suai, said the small pack contained an Indonesian camouflage uniform with a commando patch sewn above the left breast pocket, and special forces insignia on the left sleeve.

Nearby was a pair of military-style trousers with Indonesian Army markings.

"It appears to be a uniform. It has the appearance of being Indonesian military issue," said Captain Hurren.

"The hygienic state of the equipment suggest that the person had been taught to take care of himself over long periods in the field."

A trail of equipment and personal goods leading away from the camp towards West Timor, less than a kilometre away, was also found.

Australian Brigadier Duncan Lewis handed the names of the eight militiamen behind Private Manning's murder and mutilation to the Indonesian Army yesterday.

The commanding officer of the New Zealand peacekeepers in East Timor, Lieutenant-Colonel Martin Dransfield, said last night that they required more cooperation from the Indonesian Army.

"There is no doubt the peacekeeping force is cooperating with the TNI but we really need them to step up their efforts to stop these militia groups coming in from West Timor."

Defence Minister Mark Burton also left open the possibility of clandestine TNI involvement.

"What is clear is that they [Private Manning's killers] were trained and competent and certainly investigations into who they were and who they were trained by will continue."

Colonel Dransfield, leading the hunt, said the peacekeepers were confident the killers were almost in their clutches.

"It now appears likely we may have forced them back across the border, but if they come back our way I'm confident we will get them."

Judging by the amount of food and equipment at the camp, the armed group had been planning a long stay.

"This battalion will work 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the rest of the time we are in East Timor to catch these people."