Meant to protect civilians, UN staff have run away from the capital of East Timor after an outbreak of violence. Australian forces stand firm, meanwhile. The BBC reports:

The United Nations has ordered all its non—essential staff out of East Timor, which has been hit by a fresh outburst of violence.
Militias armed with guns and machetes have rampaged though the capital, Dili, torching houses and vehicles.

Hundreds of people ran screaming from their homes, seeking shelter in churches, as Australian troops in tanks tried to restore order.

We are supposed to rely on the UN to ensure security for the world? If someone says "boo" to them, they turn tail. Or,conversely, they themselves turn into the abusers (given all the scandals involving UN peacekeepers and rape).

Ed Lasky   5 27 06