Situation in East Timor tends to improve, says ambassador

30/05/2006 - 0h17

Adriana Franzin
- Agência Brasil

Brasília - Brazil's ambassador in East Timor, Antônio Souza e Silva, says that there were only two or three violent incidents yesterday (Monday, May 29) and that the tendency is for the situation in the country to improve. However, he declared that there is a need for international aid groups, especially the Red Cross and NGOs, to send more assistance.

According to the ambassador, there are some 50,000 refugees in East Timor who have sought shelter in schools, churches and community centers to escape the fighting that erupted between the police and regular armed forces, and former soldiers last week.

Ambassador Souza e Silva reports that "Up to now none of the 150 Brazilians in East Timor have left the country."

Translation: Allen Bennett