NZ embassy in East Timor evacuated

DILI - The New Zealand ambassador to East Timor was today evacuated following an upsurge in violence.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said it had been an extremely difficult day for the New Zealand embassy. She said the decision was taken to evacuate ambassador Ruth Nuttall to the safety of the Australian compound.

Helen Clark said that in the last two days Ambassador Nuttall had been shot at and had shown great courage.

The Prime Minister said the first job for a New Zealand army platoon, which is due to arrive in East Timor this evening, is to secure the New Zealand compound.

Gangs of youths allied to feuding police or army units went on the rampage in parts of the capital today, torching houses and vehicles as Australian and Malaysian peacekeeping troops stepped up their patrols.

Youths armed with machetes, swords and knives patrolled neighbourhoods near government buildings against what they said were rogue army elements who were planning to return from the hills surrounding the capital of the world's newest independent nation.

Black smoke billowed above the city, but residents were generally calm, gathering on corners to hear gossip and news about the situation.

"The FDTL (East Timorese Defence Force) are trying to come back. We will stop them," said one sword-wielding youth, referring to the group of hundreds of soldiers who rebelled after being dismissed by the army last month.

At least three houses belonging to relatives of army officers were torched in the capital today by gangs allied to the dismissed soldiers.

Scattered gunfire could be heard but there were no immediate reports of injuries.

"There is going to be a lot of this revenge stuff going on," said one businessman, who had shuttered up his office supplies shop against the possibility of looters.

This afternoon another 124 New Zealand troops left for East Timor from Christchurch on an Air Force 757, stopping in Townsville before flying on to Dili. The first contingent of 42 arrives in Dili this afternoon.

Helen Clark today announced NZ would provide an immediate $500,000 humanitarian aid boost to East Timor.

"The loss of law and order in the capital Dili has serious consequences for all Timor Leste citizens. While our troops are helping to restore order, it's also important we act to address humanitarian needs," she said.

"Our contribution will be made via the New Zealand Red Cross and will be used to supply basic needs such as shelter, water and medical care."

New Zealand's international aid agency, NZAID, would monitor the situation to see whether further assistance was needed.

"New Zealand embassy staff in Dili also have provision to spend NZAID funds to help local communities recover from the effects of the conflict," Helen Clark said.

The split in the army is mirrored in the general population with neighbourhoods and street gangs allied to one faction or another. The police have also effectively disintegrated, further complicating the situation.

The government earlier this week asked Australia, New Zealand, Portugal and Malaysia to send troops to help restore order and today patrols by foreign forces were the only sign of any real authority.

The ministry of foreign affairs said the cabinet was aiming to meet on today for emergency talks.

Residents say the rebellion has turned into a protest against the government of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, who they say has failed to deliver any economic or social development since Timor became an independent state in 2002.

An election is scheduled for early next year, but some diplomats say the government cannot last that long.

A convoy of about 30 heavily armed Australian troops in civilian four-wheel-drive vehicles drove around the streets outside the government secretariat but they appeared to steer clear of the neighbourhoods where houses were being torched.

Malaysian troops also patrolled the streets for the first time since their arrival on Thursday. They were greeted with curious stares by residents, with children running behind their cars as they cruised through the suburbs.

About 500 troops rebelled last month after they were dismissed for protesting over what they said was discrimination against soldiers from the east of the country. Most of the military leadership is said to come from the west.

The simmering rebellion turned bloody last week when police were routed after they tried to disarm the sacked soldiers. Officials say around 15 people have been killed in the past three days.

President Xanana Gusmao was trying to broker talks between the government and the rebels.

Foreign troops remain the only sign of authority on the streets of the capital and while their presence has calmed the situation, it is unclear how well armed the rebels are or if the regular army can be relied upon to disarm them.

The Foreign troops say their aim is first to restore order to the capital before fanning out into the rural areas where most of the one million population live and where the rebels have fled to.

- REUTERS, NEWSTALK ZB