Indonesia blamed for deaths

11/01/2006 - 15:30:23
East Timor’s prime minister blamed Indonesia for the death of three suspected militiamen, saying it should have better control over its citizens along the border.

Mari Alkatiri said East Timor police shot the Indonesians after they launched an attack last week on the border control.

But Jakarta claims the three were guilty only of crossing into East Timor illegally, and accused police of using excessive force. The dispute highlighted lingering tensions between the neighbouring countries six years after East Timor voted to break from Indonesia, ending 24 years of iron-fisted rule.