Here we go again. Not much sleep last night (well, none actually) as the boys had built a roadblock about 50metres up the road. Burning tyre type of thingy. Out and about in Dili today stocking up on the essentials. Money, beer, ciggies, water oh, and some food too. Dili is very quiet (well, at least on my street) with not many cars around.
There are various illegal roadblocks at the moment, some just ashes now, some still holding up. Various SMS messages telling us to keep away from the usual places.
I have to go the airport this afternoon to pick up some colleagues coming in from Darwin and am not really looking forward to it. A friend has just come back from there and tells me the boys are stopping cars and asking the occupants if they are Australian. I’ll be flying the Union Jack all over the place and trying not to speak with the Aussie twang I seem to have picked up over the past 7 years.
Monday, 5 March 2007
Sunday, 4 March 2007
SMS News
The following SMS messages have been received in the past two hours:
“Illegal road blocks in vila verde and banana road and Delta. All staff avoid areas”
“Tyre roadblock at heliport, also fighting at Taibesi, avoid areas”
“Burning road block at Comoro bridge. All staff avoid area”
“Warehouse at Bebenoc being raided. Avoid area”
“Activities underway with roadblocks being established in front of CARE compound. Police seen firing small arms to disburse gangs, Youths seen pouring oil on roadblocks on Comoro road”
“British Honory counsel advises the British community in Dili to take special care and stay indoors and lock doors. Illegal Roadblocks being set up around town and these are being defended aggressively.”
“Activity suggests further disturbances can be expected tonight. Ensure doors and windows are secure and maintain comms with sock and jingo” (Huh?)
“UN notice: During 1900hours and 0600hours tonight staff not to approach within 500 metres of the Formento building and Min of Ed.”
I think its time for a good book and a peanut butter sandwich.
“Illegal road blocks in vila verde and banana road and Delta. All staff avoid areas”
“Tyre roadblock at heliport, also fighting at Taibesi, avoid areas”
“Burning road block at Comoro bridge. All staff avoid area”
“Warehouse at Bebenoc being raided. Avoid area”
“Activities underway with roadblocks being established in front of CARE compound. Police seen firing small arms to disburse gangs, Youths seen pouring oil on roadblocks on Comoro road”
“British Honory counsel advises the British community in Dili to take special care and stay indoors and lock doors. Illegal Roadblocks being set up around town and these are being defended aggressively.”
“Activity suggests further disturbances can be expected tonight. Ensure doors and windows are secure and maintain comms with sock and jingo” (Huh?)
“UN notice: During 1900hours and 0600hours tonight staff not to approach within 500 metres of the Formento building and Min of Ed.”
I think its time for a good book and a peanut butter sandwich.
For The Record
OK, let's get a few things straight.
1. There are NO tanks in East Timor. The vehicles the Australians are using are APC's
(Armoured Personnel Carriers).
They are what the name implies. A big armoured vehicle designed to take troops into battle zones.
A tank is basically a mobile canon. An APC is a troop carrier. I have even read in the 'respected' Australian media that tanks are here. They are not. A tank is a tank is a tank. An APC is NOT a tank.
2. Yes, there was some crap going down in Dili last night. Some shooting, some running
around, same old same old. Dili is very quiet right now for a Sunday. Most people are keeping their heads down.
3. The President's address on the radio is delayed.
4. Still awaiting word on the Reinado situation........
ps - whilst I very much appreciate and welcome comments, please do not put anything in Pork and Cheese. It brings me out in a rash.
1. There are NO tanks in East Timor. The vehicles the Australians are using are APC's
(Armoured Personnel Carriers).
They are what the name implies. A big armoured vehicle designed to take troops into battle zones.
A tank is basically a mobile canon. An APC is a troop carrier. I have even read in the 'respected' Australian media that tanks are here. They are not. A tank is a tank is a tank. An APC is NOT a tank.
2. Yes, there was some crap going down in Dili last night. Some shooting, some running
around, same old same old. Dili is very quiet right now for a Sunday. Most people are keeping their heads down.
3. The President's address on the radio is delayed.
4. Still awaiting word on the Reinado situation........
ps - whilst I very much appreciate and welcome comments, please do not put anything in Pork and Cheese. It brings me out in a rash.
Saturday, 3 March 2007
Its Good To Be Alive
The following made me laugh out loud this morning:
quote
UNPOL: Daily Security Briefing March 2, 2007
Yesterday, during the afternoon, a fight occurred in Bairo Pite area, leaving four people injured. During the night an abandoned house was set on fire in Kampug Merdeka. On Banana Road, six houses were irrigated with fuel, but the attendance of ISF prevented the worse.
unquote
Life is sweet.
quote
UNPOL: Daily Security Briefing March 2, 2007
Yesterday, during the afternoon, a fight occurred in Bairo Pite area, leaving four people injured. During the night an abandoned house was set on fire in Kampug Merdeka. On Banana Road, six houses were irrigated with fuel, but the attendance of ISF prevented the worse.
unquote
Life is sweet.
Friday, 2 March 2007
Bored Now
After last nights anti-climax, what with being awake most of the time worrying about what might happen, making sure the run bags were packed and near to hand, calming the dogs etc etc. today has been very quiet. Drove around town doing a few errands and all seemed very calm. The only thing we have heard so far is an SMS telling us that some boys were fighting around the rice warehouses just past the Pertamina wharf and best to keep away from there. The local scrotes who were rocking cars on Tuesday night are back outside getting drunk again. They have been wonderfully conspicuous by their absence for the past 2 days following the off duty UNPol banging off a couple of shots in the air.
But, the day is still an embryo, who knows what the evening brings. We are out on the town tonight so a drunken post might be in order later.
The situation re Reinado is still unresolved and I am keeping an eye on that. We heard 4 or 5 large aircraft coming into Dili airport around 11pm and suspect more Australian troops are being brought in. Again, this is only my own speculation and is based on nothing but my own paranoia and scheming little mind. I also suspect the reason that the Australians have not yet moved against him is that fact that the moon is very bright and night-vision equipment would be 'whited out' by the moon, negating any advantage the diggers might have.
But, the day is still an embryo, who knows what the evening brings. We are out on the town tonight so a drunken post might be in order later.
The situation re Reinado is still unresolved and I am keeping an eye on that. We heard 4 or 5 large aircraft coming into Dili airport around 11pm and suspect more Australian troops are being brought in. Again, this is only my own speculation and is based on nothing but my own paranoia and scheming little mind. I also suspect the reason that the Australians have not yet moved against him is that fact that the moon is very bright and night-vision equipment would be 'whited out' by the moon, negating any advantage the diggers might have.
Thursday, 1 March 2007
Decisions, Decisions
I’ve got to say I’m in two minds right now. Major Alfredo Reinado, as you all know, is holed up in Same with about 150 fairly well armed supporters. The Australian army is surrounding the town and have cut off water and food going in.
Reinado has vowed that he will not surrender to Australian forces but is open to negotiation with official East Timorese authorities. i.e. The Prosecutor General or El Presidente.
Now, there are a couple of journo’s in town, one of whom is an old mate, who want to go to Same, naturally, and get the unfolding story. The old mate journo does not have a photographer with him and has asked me if I would go as his snapper. Of course, I am champing at the bit for the chance to go. Duty (and the US Dollar) calls.
But here’s the rub. I have it on very reliable authority that the Australian government has contacted various newsdesks in Sydney and Canberra and ‘advised’ news editors not to send any reporters to the area. Now why would they do that? That is like a red rag to a bull. Surely it would be in the interest of the Australian authorities for journalists TO be there to show the World that they operate in a fair and legal manner. Or is there a hidden agenda, or does the Australian Government, in its usual paranoid manner, just not trust journalists on basic principle?
Whatever, I really wanna get up there! The reason I am in two minds is that about 8 years ago I promised my wife I would never go to war zones again, but, I could argue " the war zone has come to me, darling".
By the way, in a previous life I used to be a journo and still try to keep my hand in.
Oh, and when I say 'old mate' I don't mean we've known each other a long time. I just mean he is old.
Reinado has vowed that he will not surrender to Australian forces but is open to negotiation with official East Timorese authorities. i.e. The Prosecutor General or El Presidente.
Now, there are a couple of journo’s in town, one of whom is an old mate, who want to go to Same, naturally, and get the unfolding story. The old mate journo does not have a photographer with him and has asked me if I would go as his snapper. Of course, I am champing at the bit for the chance to go. Duty (and the US Dollar) calls.
But here’s the rub. I have it on very reliable authority that the Australian government has contacted various newsdesks in Sydney and Canberra and ‘advised’ news editors not to send any reporters to the area. Now why would they do that? That is like a red rag to a bull. Surely it would be in the interest of the Australian authorities for journalists TO be there to show the World that they operate in a fair and legal manner. Or is there a hidden agenda, or does the Australian Government, in its usual paranoid manner, just not trust journalists on basic principle?
Whatever, I really wanna get up there! The reason I am in two minds is that about 8 years ago I promised my wife I would never go to war zones again, but, I could argue " the war zone has come to me, darling".
By the way, in a previous life I used to be a journo and still try to keep my hand in.
Oh, and when I say 'old mate' I don't mean we've known each other a long time. I just mean he is old.
'Bunch Of Arse'
The following articles have been taken from the internet today:
Sydney Morning Herald – March 1st 2007
AUSTRALIAN soldiers have blockaded a town in East Timor's central mountains, trapping the rebel leader Alfredo Reinado and as many as 150 heavily armed men who are refusing to surrender.
Reinado said by telephone he would shoot any soldier he saw. "Tell the Australian troops to stick surrender up their arse," he said.
Reinado's defiant stand has prompted fears of civil war after he was joined in the town of Same by Gastao Salsinha, the commander of 600 mutinous soldiers who were sacked from East Timor's army last year. Mr Salsinha told a Timorese journalist in the town that he decided to bring 100 of his men to join Reinado because "I'm still in the military and I have a job to do".
Reinado and his men have a large cache of sophisticated weapons, including at least six rocket launchers, residents say.
Wanted for murder and rebellion, Reinado said that the men with him and the Opposition MP Leonadro Isaac were "all here ready to share a coffin". "Let my family in Australia know that I love them so much," Reinado said. His wife lives in Perth.
Mr Isaac, whose party urged Reinado to stand in presidential elections due on April 9, told journalists yesterday that the word "surrender" was not in Reinado's vocabulary. Asked what he believed would happen if the renegade soldiers were attacked, he said: "Civil war."
Mr Isaac said he did not have any weapons. He said he could not leave the town because the Australian soldiers were not letting anybody enter or leave.
A Government source said Reinado had asked to resume negotiations to surrender but the request was bluntly refused.
Australian Foreign and Commonwealth Office (National) - Tuesday 27 February 2007 17:44.
The Foreign Office today revised its travel advice for the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (East Timor). We are now advising against all travel to the city of Same.The relevant points in the amended summary now read:
* We advise against all but essential travel to East Timor. Renewed outbreaks of violence in February 2007 have resulted in some fatalities. There have also been incidents of looting and attacks on vehicles. The security situation in East Timor remains uncertain and could deteriorate at short notice.
* We advise against all travel to the city of Same, due to the unstable security situation. The International Security Force and the UN Police in East Timor are recommending that foreign nationals leave Same.
* If you are currently in East Timor and are concerned for your safety, you should consider leaving. You should also ensure that your travel documents are up-to-date and readily available in case you need to leave the country at short notice. On 27 February, Indonesia temporarily closed its border with East Timor.
The Jakarta Post - Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Jakarta: The Indonesian military has deployed some 1,000 soldiers along border areas between East Timor (Timor Leste) and Indonesia, following the security crisis in the newest Asian country.MetroTV television reported the deployment was to anticipate possible penetration of East Timor rebels led by Maj. Alfredo Reinado, once the military police chief, escaped from prison in September after leading dozens of armed mutinous soldiers into the mountains.Indonesia has closed checkpoints between the two countries since Sunday to prevent any exodus of East Timorese into Indonesia.Foreign troops launched a manhunt for the renegade commander who allegedly stole a cache of automatic weapons from a police post over the weekend, weeks ahead of presidential elections in the violence-plagued country, AP news agency reported.
My own observations:
Dili – All seems to be quiet in town today but its early yet. Havn’t had any security alert SMS’s or calls from friends advising to stay away from certain areas. All the staff have turned up for work which is normally a good sign as some of them live in pretty volatile areas and they stay home when there’s trouble.
How weird is that? 10 seconds after I typed the above I got an SMS to avoid the Comoro Road in the Dom Bosco area. ‘Fighting has broken out, police on scene, avoid area’.
New one: 'Fighting at airport roundabout – avoid area'.
Is that better JJ?
Sydney Morning Herald – March 1st 2007
AUSTRALIAN soldiers have blockaded a town in East Timor's central mountains, trapping the rebel leader Alfredo Reinado and as many as 150 heavily armed men who are refusing to surrender.
Reinado said by telephone he would shoot any soldier he saw. "Tell the Australian troops to stick surrender up their arse," he said.
Reinado's defiant stand has prompted fears of civil war after he was joined in the town of Same by Gastao Salsinha, the commander of 600 mutinous soldiers who were sacked from East Timor's army last year. Mr Salsinha told a Timorese journalist in the town that he decided to bring 100 of his men to join Reinado because "I'm still in the military and I have a job to do".
Reinado and his men have a large cache of sophisticated weapons, including at least six rocket launchers, residents say.
Wanted for murder and rebellion, Reinado said that the men with him and the Opposition MP Leonadro Isaac were "all here ready to share a coffin". "Let my family in Australia know that I love them so much," Reinado said. His wife lives in Perth.
Mr Isaac, whose party urged Reinado to stand in presidential elections due on April 9, told journalists yesterday that the word "surrender" was not in Reinado's vocabulary. Asked what he believed would happen if the renegade soldiers were attacked, he said: "Civil war."
Mr Isaac said he did not have any weapons. He said he could not leave the town because the Australian soldiers were not letting anybody enter or leave.
A Government source said Reinado had asked to resume negotiations to surrender but the request was bluntly refused.
Australian Foreign and Commonwealth Office (National) - Tuesday 27 February 2007 17:44.
The Foreign Office today revised its travel advice for the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (East Timor). We are now advising against all travel to the city of Same.The relevant points in the amended summary now read:
* We advise against all but essential travel to East Timor. Renewed outbreaks of violence in February 2007 have resulted in some fatalities. There have also been incidents of looting and attacks on vehicles. The security situation in East Timor remains uncertain and could deteriorate at short notice.
* We advise against all travel to the city of Same, due to the unstable security situation. The International Security Force and the UN Police in East Timor are recommending that foreign nationals leave Same.
* If you are currently in East Timor and are concerned for your safety, you should consider leaving. You should also ensure that your travel documents are up-to-date and readily available in case you need to leave the country at short notice. On 27 February, Indonesia temporarily closed its border with East Timor.
The Jakarta Post - Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Jakarta: The Indonesian military has deployed some 1,000 soldiers along border areas between East Timor (Timor Leste) and Indonesia, following the security crisis in the newest Asian country.MetroTV television reported the deployment was to anticipate possible penetration of East Timor rebels led by Maj. Alfredo Reinado, once the military police chief, escaped from prison in September after leading dozens of armed mutinous soldiers into the mountains.Indonesia has closed checkpoints between the two countries since Sunday to prevent any exodus of East Timorese into Indonesia.Foreign troops launched a manhunt for the renegade commander who allegedly stole a cache of automatic weapons from a police post over the weekend, weeks ahead of presidential elections in the violence-plagued country, AP news agency reported.
My own observations:
Dili – All seems to be quiet in town today but its early yet. Havn’t had any security alert SMS’s or calls from friends advising to stay away from certain areas. All the staff have turned up for work which is normally a good sign as some of them live in pretty volatile areas and they stay home when there’s trouble.
How weird is that? 10 seconds after I typed the above I got an SMS to avoid the Comoro Road in the Dom Bosco area. ‘Fighting has broken out, police on scene, avoid area’.
New one: 'Fighting at airport roundabout – avoid area'.
Is that better JJ?
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