Warning of renewed unrest in East Timor

DILI - Australia is warning against travelling to East Timor, citing an increased risk of civil unrest.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra said anti-government protests, street demonstrations and other civil unrest were likely to increase this week and next, without explaining the significance of the dates.

However, Dili has been swept by rumours of protests against the Government of Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta.

The New Zealand Government's travel advisory states: "There is a high risk to your security in Timor Leste and we advise against all tourist and other non-essential travel."

The cautions come amid claims by a former senior Dili police officer that the violence that rocked Timor in May and led to the resignation of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri was part of a plan instigated by President Xanana Gusmao.

Abilio "Mausoko" Mesquita, the former vice-commander of Dili district police, alleges President Gusmao ordered him to carry out an attack on the house of Army Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak on May 25.

Mesquita was filmed at the scene and arrested by Australian Federal Police officers on June 19.

He had automatic rifles in his possession.

In a statement taken in Dili's Becora prison, Mesquita claims that "during the confrontations between PNTL [the police] and FDTL [the Army] and the shooting at the brigadier's house, the Supreme Commander Mr Xanana gave the command and ordered the shooting".

Mesquita said he then carried out the attack but not until he had notified Brigadier Ruak and four senior commanders in the Army of his orders from the President.

Mesquita said he gave his account to the United Nations head of mission in East Timor, Sukehiro Hasegawa, who visited him in prison after his arrest.

The former policeman says he repeated the claims to Mr Ramos-Horta when he allegedly visited Mesquita in the jail on August 13.

Mesquita remains in Becora jail, after he stayed behind when Major Alfredo Reinado and 56 others escaped from the prison by simply walking out on August 30.

The statement was said to have been written in the prison and delivered to the United States Embassy in Dili as a method for Mesquita to question his detention and secure his release.

If true, it implicates the President in what was effectively an armed coup to create the conditions for the resignation of the legally elected Mr Alkatiri.

Mr Gusmao has not responded to Mesquita's allegations.

The former Portuguese colony, which gained full independence from Indonesia in 2002, plunged into chaos four months ago when protests over Army sackings developed into widespread violence.

An estimated 100,000 people were displaced in the strife, which led to the deployment of a 2500-strong international peacekeeping force, including 1000 Australian soldiers and police.

Last week Mr Ramos-Horta said he was ready to resign if his people no longer wanted him, insisting he had not wanted the job in the first place.

His remarks followed rumours that his opponents would stage a protest tomorrow to try to unseat him and demand that Parliament be dissolved.

The United Nations has agreed on a new mission to East Timor, comprising 1600 police.

- Additional reporting by Reuters