| Subject: Lusa: PM Alkatiri confident of his
security forces in post-UN scenario
East Timor: PM Alkatiri confident of his security forces in post-UN scenario Dili, Aug. 12 (Lusa) - Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri expressed optimism Tuesday in the capacity of East Timor's fledgling defense force and police to maintain security once UN peacekeepers depart in mid-2004. By using preventive and "creative" measures, Dili's security forces could assure the new country's peace and stability, Alkatiri told journalists, after a meeting with members of his cabinet and the army and police chiefs. He said Dili was convinced the "international community will continue to back" East Timor following the formal end of the UN mission one year from now. "We have to see what kind of help and what option best fulfills our needs", Alkatiri said. In another development, a Dili court sentenced a former anti- independence militiaman Tuesday to eight years and eight months of prison for crimes against humanity in 1999, including three murders and the deportation of scores of villagers to Indonesian West Timor. ASP/SAS. Lusa Back to August menu |