EAST TIMOR: PST in dispute with UNTAET

DILI — Members of Timorese Socialist Party (PST) around East Timor have been occupying buildings left by the Indonesian government in order to establish offices for their work with the grassroots.

In order to claim right to use empty buildings, groups have to inform the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor that they are taking possession.

After completing this formality, however, the PST in Los Palos was informed by UNTAET that it had other uses for the building and could not allow the occupation. The PST sign and flag were confiscated by UNTAET.

During a visit to the town on August 31, PST secretary-general Avelino da Silva was told by UNTAET that the building was required by a Portuguese NGO which was already occupying a considerably larger building next door. Although the PST's sign was returned, the dispute remains unresolved.

From GLW issue 419