Dili Update 2

WIDE-EYED youths brandish machetes, armed militias rampage through the streets, terrified civilians flee, soldiers lay siege to police headquarters and your sleep is broken by rifle bursts, heavy machine guns and the thump of grenades. Welcome to East Timor, the world's youngest nation on the brink of becoming its next failed state.

Chaos and violent madness greeted the arrival of Australian commandos in Dili, walking into a country racked with political, military and ethnic divisions. There are no battle lines here, no rules and no certainty military intervention will calm the violence spiralling out of control for the past month.

East Timor's Foreign Affairs Minister says some elements of the nation's Army are acting arbitrarily.

A dispute over pay and promotions in the East Timorese Army that began two months ago has become widespread fighting between rebel soldiers, loyal troops, police and civilians in Dili.

RISE OF A REBELLION (From the SMH)

* MARCH 2 600 East Timorese soldiers strike over work conditions.

* APRIL 28 Rioting by soldiers from the west leaves two dead, 29 hurt.

* APRIL 30 Hundreds of sacked soldiers flee into mountains.


* MAY 3 Australia seeks extension of United Nations mandate.


* MAY 11 Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta says soldiers will talk.


* MAY 12 Australia sends 2 warships.


* MAY 15 Australian troops arrive to protect Australian interests.


* MAY 19 Fretilin party endorses Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri.


* MAY 20 Fourth anniversary of independence.


* MAY 22 Peace deal brokered.


* MAY 23 Australian troops on standby as fighting erupts again.


* MAY 24 The fledgling nation’s leaders call for assistance.


* MAY 25 More than 1000 Australian troops begin arriving in Dili as part of
a military-led intervention.


* MAY 26 Evacuations to Australia of expats, East Timorese, Canadians, Indonesians,
a New Zealander and a Portuguese begin as heavy fighting is reported around
Dili.