Posted on 05/28/2006 5:44:58 AM PDT by naturalman1975
MORE than 300 Australians and other foreign nationals have been evacuated from East Timor to Darwin, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today. Mr Ruddock said to date, nine military and other commercial flights had carried 318 people out of Dili.
Those evacuated included 170 Australians and nationals from the UK, the United States, South America, New Zealand, Germany, The Netherlands, France, Italy and the Philippines.
Mr Ruddock said Emergency Management Australia had three experienced liaison officers in Darwin to co-ordinate the evacuation.
A little more info:
"INTERNATIONAL 05.28.2006 Sunday - ISTANBUL 15:48
'Coup Violence' Hits Civilians in East Timor
By Foreign News Desk
Published: Sunday, May 28, 2006
zaman.com
Violence continues to escalate in East Timor, a Southeast Asian country, which gained independence in 2002, after 600 soldiers were discharged from the army.
The first 100-member team of the international peace force, which decided to send a team to the region upon increasing tension, reached the region.
Clashes between the old and new soldiers grew even violent; a number of homes in the region were destroyed.
Thousands of civilians sought shelter in churches and neighboring villages after dozens of homes were set on fire in the capital, Dili.
Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri termed the events as an “attempt to realize a coup.”
At least nine people have been killed and dozens of people have been injured in the escalating conflicts since Tuesday.
The first team from the international peace force has begun patrolling the region.
East Timor became independent in 2002 after a referendum held by the United Nations (UN) six years ago.
There were previously 1400 soldiers in the army of East Timor, which became “the youngest independent country.”
Most of the soldiers discharged from the army had participated in the struggle for independence waged against Indonesia."
( and there's another article online, China is evacuating people from East Timor too.)
Do NOT board Oceanic 815.
?
Do a search for that flight and you'll understand.
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