PNTL and UNPOL safely dispose of unexploded ordnance

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18 Oct 2011

PNTL and UNPOL safely dispose of unexploded ordnance

Dili, 18 October 2011 - Specialised teams from PNTL and UNPOL today disposed of 19 pieces of unexploded ordnance, including mortars, hand grenades and artillery.

The safe disposal of unexploded ordnance is critical to the safety of the Timorese people and requires expert knowledge and skills. Tragically, last week in Baucau two men died, and another was seriously injured, as they tried to handle an unexploded ordnance that they had uncovered.

The UNPOL team, which provides the only specialised expertise in the disposal of unexploded ordnance in Timor-Leste, has been providing training to three PNTL Officers. Earlier this year the PNTL officers spent six months receiving intensive bomb disposal training in Portugal.

The ordnance, disposed of today in Metinaro, was uncovered throughout Timor-Leste and collected by PNTL and UNPOL. In Timor-Leste, safe ordnance disposal began in 2006 and takes place approximately every six months. Most ordnance dates back to World War II.

"I am pleased that the PNTL is gaining the highly specialised skills needed to dispose of such ordnance safely," said the PNTL General Commander, Longuinhos Monteiro. "Through our community policing we are raising awareness among the Timorese people of the danger posed by unexploded ordnance."

UNPOL Commissioner, Luis Carrilho, warns of the risks of unexploded ordnance, "It is important for citizens not to touch or handle any suspicious object they might find" said Carrilho. "They should immediately inform police, keep their distance from the object and prevent others from approaching it."

For more information contact:
Carlos Araujo, UNMIT Spokesperson, Phone: +670 731 1513, email: araujoc@un.org
Jasman Junaidi, UNPOL Public Information, Phone: +670 794 8911, email: junaidi@un.org
Honorio Assis Barreto, PNTL Public Information, Phone: +670 731 2433 email: hassisbarreto@yahoo.com

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Komunikadu Imprensa Konjuntu husi PNTL no UNPOL

PNTL no UNPOL destrui dispozitivu esplozivu ne'ebé seidauk rebenta

Dili, 18 Outubru 2011 - Ekipa espesializada sira ida husi UNPOL no PNTL, ohin destrui dispozitivu esplozivu 19 ne'ebé seidauk rebenta, inklui morteiru, granada liman no artillaria.

Importante tebes ba povu Timor-Leste nia seguransa katak destruisaun dispozitivu esplozivu ne'ebé seidauk rebenta halo ho maneira seguru. Knaar ida-ne'e presiza koñesimentu espesializadu husi ema ne'ebé treinadu. Trajikamente, iha semana kotuk mane na'in-rua mate iha Baukau, no ida seluk tan hetan kanek todan, bainhira sira hakarak kaer dispozitivu esplozivu ida ne'ebé sira deskobre.

Ekipa UNPOL nian, nu'udar ekipa ida de'it iha Timor-Leste ho koñesimentu espesializadu kona-ba destruisaun dispozitivu esplozivu ne'ebé seidauk rebenta, fó formasaun daudaun ba membru PNTL na'in-tolu. Iha tinan ne'e nia hun, membru PNTL hirak-ne'e hetan formasaun intensiva iha Portugál durante fulan neen kona-ba destruisaun bomba.

Dispozitivu esplozivu hirak-ne'ebé ohin destrui iha Metinaru, ne'e hetan iha fatin oioin iha Timor-Leste no PNTL ho UNPOL sira mak halibur. Iha Timor-Leste, destruisaun dispozitivu esplozivu sira ho maneira seguru hahú iha 2006 no akontese maizumenus kada fulan neen dala ida. Maioria dispozitivu esplozivu mai husi Funu Mundiál Daruak.
"Ha'u haksolok tebes katak PNTL aprende daudaun abilidade espesializadu ne'ebé presiza hodi destrui dispozitivu esplozivu hanesan ne'e ho seguransa," Komandante Jerál PNTL, Longuinhos Monteiro hateten. "Liuhosi ami-nia Polisiamentu Komunitáriu, ami hasa'e konxiénsia entre povu Timor-Leste nian kona-ba perigu husi dispozitivu esplozivu hirak-ne'ebé seidauk rebenta."

Komisáriu UNPOL, Luis Carrilho, fó hanoin kona-ba risku ne'ebé asosiadu ho dispozitivu esplozivu ne'ebé seidauk rebenta, "Ida-ne'e importante tebes ba sidadaun sira atu labele book ka kaer kualkér sasán suspeitu ne'ebé sira hetan. Sira tenke informa kedas ba polísia, sira tenke hadook an husi sasán refere no prevene ema seluk atu labele besik sasán ne'e."

Atu hetan informasaun liután, favor kontakta:
Carlos Araujo, Portavós UNMIT nian, Telefone: +670 731 1513, email: araujoc@un.org
Jasman Junaidi, UNPOL Public Information, Telefone: +670 794 8911, email: junaidi@un.org
Honorio Assis Barreto, PNTL Public Information, Telefone: +670 731 2433, email: hassisbarreto@un.org

Photos:

PNTL General Commander, Longuinhos Monteiro, meeting the ordnance disposal team in Metinaro. Photo by
UNMIT/Bernardino Soares.

Commandante Jeral PNTL, Longuinhos Monteiro, hasoru ekipa esplozivu dispozitivu iha Metinaro. Photo husi UNMIT/Bernardino Soares

Members of PNTL and UNPOL preparing to safely defuse 19 pieces of unexploded ordnance, in Metinaro. Photo by UNMIT/Bernardino Soares.

Membru PNTL no UNPOL prepara hela atu destrui dispozitivu esplozivu Sanulu resin Sia ne'ebe seidauk rebenta, iha Metinaro. Photo husi UNMIT/Bernardino Soares