UN PEACEKEEPERS DEPLOYED IN DILI TO ASSIST IN MAINTAINING ORDER

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

Considerable disturbances took place in Dili during the daylight hours of 4 December, with an estimated 600 individuals involved in violent demonstrations.  These included some vandalism against Parliament offices, and the residence of the Prime Minister.  Some stores and international hotels were targets of arson and looting.  While final figures for casualties are not yet available, we understand that at least one Timorese has been killed, while others, including a member of the Government and at least two police officers, have been injured and at least 20 people have been brought to hospitals.  Over 30 people have been detained as a result of the disturbances.  As of close of the day local time, the situation had once again become calm.

At the request of the Prime Minister, military peacekeepers from the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) have been deployed in Dili to assist the Timorese and international police in maintaining order in the capital. 

The Secretary-General calls on the Timorese political leadership to pursue its efforts to restore calm.  UNMISET will continue to provide support as required.

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