War or Fighting

FCO advises against all travel to East Timor

(26 May 2006)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has revised its travel advice to East Timor and is currently advising against all travel to the country.

The updated advice is as follows:

"We advise against all travel to East Timor due to the deterioration in the security situation in Dili and the increased potential for politically motivated violence, which could escalate without notice. On 23 May 2006, gunfights between East Timorese military forces and a breakaway military group took place near Becora and Fatuahi. On 24 May 2006, these gunfights extended to Tasi Tolu and Lahane, two suburbs of Dili. On 28 April 2006, protests by former East Timorese soldiers resulted in rioting in the capital, Dili, which led to some fatalities and many people being displaced from their homes.


"You should reconsider your need to remain in East Timor. If you decide to remain then you should regularly monitor all available information on the local situation, and avoid any demonstrations and large crowds.


"You should consult the British Embassy in Dili before travelling to border areas, as there remains the potential for trouble there.


"East Timor shares with other countries in South East Asia a threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets."