East Timor: Youths Chase Woman, Stone Security Forces at Dili Market 13 Nov-18:41

East Timorese youths threw stones Monday at UN civil policemen and security personnel at the Dili market, the second such incident in the past week.

Portuguese police commissioner Costa e Sousa told Lusa the incident began when a young Thai woman was jeered and intimidated by young men at the main market of the East Timorese capital. Echoing a similar incident last Friday, dozens of youths began chasing the woman. She was nevertheless able to escape unhurt by taking refuge in the nearby telecommunications building.

No injuries were reported in the incident, Costa e Sousa said.

Local sources said the woman in question was the companion of a Dili court prosecutor.

Both incidents have almost resulted in a public lynching, perpetrated by young men who say they are upset about the immodest dress of some East Timorese and foreign women, and by the fact that they have "foreign sweethearts."

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