(Republished after published in wrong wire in error.)

East Timor (EXTENDED REPORT) - Karla Cardno - Dog Break - Michael Johnson - Swimming Records And Pools

EAST TIMOR: Violence mars lead-up to East Timor independence referendum. Ewart Barnsley In East Timor: Democracy is disintegrating into a bloody street war. The UN is in no doubt about who is responsible. Murder is no stranger to this country. Since the UN arrived 72 people have been murdered. Coverage from yesterday. Visiting politicians from NZ are warned by the police that there will be a big demonstration. Seems peaceful then building belonging to pro-independence group burns down. The retaliation. Shootings. Several journalists attacked by men with knives. Police do little to stop the violence. Police are accused by many of siding with militia . Huge Indonesian flag appears over city . Ship of immigrants prepares to leave.

EAST TIMOR: Ewart Barnsley live: Q: How safe are you? A: As you can see you would hardly associate this place for violence - nice day on roof of hotel. On Wednesday there was a rally and that was fine, and yet yesterday there was a bloody battle. Things very volatile. Today journalists have been out on the streets. Q: Do you have any protection? A: This hotel is under armed guard and is a popular hotel with the Indonesian Army something many journalists are pleased about. When NZ politicians were out in countryside today the armed police guard was getting twitchy about the level of safety. People seem to be saying that this is the best time to have a referendum. But police who are being accused of not taming the militias will be responsible for administering the election on Monday so it will not be fair.

EAST TIMOR: One third of the population have died in fighting since 1975 when annexed by Indonesia.

EAST TIMOR: From Jackie Mahar - Wellington: Matt Robson's wife says that what Robson is doing is important so she is not worried. Don McKinnon says that evacuation is a last resort, but everyone is on the ball and ready if it is necessary. "Everyone's got their pencils sharpened." John Howard says the Aussie Government is making arrangements.

EAST TIMOR: Closeup - How well do the Timorese understand the referendum?

KARLA CARDNO: Murder victim Karla Cardno's step dad has had his foster son removed from his care by CYPFA. Mark Middleton has publicly threatened the killer of his step daughter who is due out on parole soon The killer tortured his daughter. He says he will show no mercy. CYPFA says this is not an appropriate environment for the foster child. Middleton says his foster son says he is scared. CYPFA says he has to retract his statement or he won't get his foster son back.

DOG BREAK: Two mongrel mob dogs accused of biting a policemen have been stolen from the Invercargill pound. The dog break out came just hours before mob member Shawn Te Kahu was due to appear in court on charges of threatening his former neighbours on television. The dogs are considered members of the gang, he says. "No one kills a mongrel mob member and gets away with it." Dogs may now be in hiding in Christchurch police think.

MICHAEL JOHNSON: Michael Johnson has broken the Mens 400m athletics in 43.1 seconds.

SWIMMING RECORDS: Eight new world records set at the swimming world championships in Olympic pool in Sydney.

OLYMPIC POOL: Questions about the Sydney Pool where records set. The swimmers say the homebush atmosphere and the pool breeds speed. The pool appears to be designed for speed with rounded corners minimal wash and is treated with ozone rather than chlorine. But the Pool designers say that you can't make a pool fast.

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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