Police and security forces in East Timor are braced for a further day of protests outside the National University in Dili.
Since Monday, dozens of the students have been arrested as part of a continuing demonstration against what they say is government waste in the mid year budget review and a proposed new law that would allow civilians to carry guns.
Presenter: Stephanie March
Speakers: Caralino Marquez from Universities of East Timor Combined Action group; Marcos Gusmao, student representative; Carlos Pereira, UN police Dili District Commander.
March: Students gathered at the National University early in the morning as tear gas from the previous day's clash with police still filtered through the building-holding a scarf in front of his face to stop the effects of the gas, Caralino Marquez who is one of the leaders of the Universities of East Timor Combined Action group told the ABC they would continue protesting regardless of how many members of the group are arrested.
Marquez: Yesterday's action was not a violent action it was a peaceful action and we had a silent protest. We did this action not on parliamentary grounds but on our own campus on the verandah.
March: A further 18 demonstrators were taken away by police mid-morning after forming a human barricade in front of the building. With white tape covering their mouths the group held signs saying they represent the poor people and their families. Hundreds of students inside the building sang the national anthem and chanted "viva" as their friends were put into waiting police vans.
Another group of students have a permit to demonstrate at Dili's Democracy Field, and have vowed to continue their protest for the rest of the week. Standing in front of the university United Nations Police Dili District Commander Carlos Pereira says he believes the group at the university are fully aware their actions are illegal.
Pereira: After eight hours of discussion they don't agree with the law and they insist to have the demonstrations here. As you probably know demonstrations here are illegal because they are less than 100 metres from government buildings and the law doesn't allow that.
March: The students first began protesting a month ago against a unilateral decision by the parliamentary president Fernando Lasama de Aroujo to purchase vehicles for each of the 65 members of parliament. The $1.4 million purchase is accounted for in the mid year budget review which is being debated by parliament this week. Concerns have been raised by NGOs and members of parliament over the large sums of money included in the review that's allocated for government ministers and MPs. If the review is passed it will double the current budget of around $400 million.
A delegation of students from the legal Democracy Field protests presented a letter and petition to the president of parliament outlining their concerns. Their spokesperson Marcos Gusmao says despite the hour long conversation they failed to reach a solution.
Gusmao: What did he say to us? He said that everything he is doing has a legal basis. But we would say it's got no moral conscience. It's got no consideration for the people. As students we maintain our position.
March: Student representative Carolino Marquez says this weeks protests are also about a gun law proposed by the Xanana Gusmao government that would enable civilians to carry arms. Several MPs almost came to blows in parliament during the debate over the proposed bill, that has now been pushed aside for further consideration after the mid year budget review is complete.
Marquez: The debate in the parliament was important because the law could allow for civilians to get guns and thus there will be an impact because it will allow people to kill one another. And I think we can't allow that. We don't agree with that.
March: Carlos Pereira from the UN police says they are trying to contact the dean of the university to organize a peaceful end to the demonstrations, but so-far their phone calls have gone unanswered.
Pereira: Well we are prepared to have the same situation the same scenario tomorrow the day after tomorrow until Friday.
March: Are there any concerns it could lead to violence? PEREIRA: No, our intelligence report says that...we hope we don't have to use violence against them, so far it has been calm and quiet.