The Wire

This week the United Nations police began transferring authority back to East Timorese police in the capital Dili. The UN took control of the country’s national security in 2006 when army units and the police fought bitter armed battles, dozens died, and thousands fled their homes. Last month, the International Crisis Group released a report warning of the risk of an upsurge of civil unrest, unless the government reformed the military and the police. Australian Prime Minster Kevin Rudd has committed 1000 troops until the end of 2008 – but will it be enough to maintain the rule of law in this volatile democracy?