East Timor: ICRC deeply concerned about plight of civilians

Geneva (ICRC) -  The ICRC strongly condemns the attack carried out by armed militiamen against its office in Dili this morning and is deeply concerned about the plight of the local Red Cross staff and some 2,000 displaced people who had sought refuge in its compound.

Despite the ICRC's prior appeals for police protection, an armed group attacked the compound at around 11 a.m. local time.  More than 2,000 displaced people who were seeking protection on the premises were panic-stricken and feared for their lives as the militiamen opened fire. At present there is no information about their fate or about any casualties. Around the same time, a similar incident took place at the adjacent premises of Bishop Belo of Dili.

Following the attack, the 11 ICRC expatriate staff, along with several expatriates from other humanitarian agencies, were separated from the local people and taken at gunpoint to a police station.

The ICRC has been receiving distress calls from throughout the territory, leading it to believe that there is no safe haven either in the capital or outside, as law and order seem to have broken down completely.

In these circumstances the ICRC was obliged to evacuate its expatriate staff, who arrived in Darwin this afternoon and are being taken care of by the Australian Red Cross. This will prevent it from responding to the increasing humanitarian needs in East Timor. The organization will do its utmost to resume its activities in the territory at the earliest possible date.

The ICRC remains extremely concerned about the fate of the civilian population. As a neutral and impartial organization, i t is shocked by this attack and strongly condemns the lack of respect shown for the red cross emblem, a universal symbol of protection in times of armed conflict.