LAFU

Fredolino "Lafu" da Cruz is one of Oecusse's most famous sons.

After the Popular Consultation on 30 August, 1999, pro-Indonesia East Timorese militias and their Indonesian security forces patrons put Oecusse to the torch. In an wave of killing and looting the majority of pro-independence supporters and their leadership from Oecusse town sought refuge in the mountain redoubt that was home to American priest Father Richard Daschbach, in Cutet, just the south of the town.

Then approximately only 16 years old "Lafu" was one of the thousands who sought refuge in Cutet. By the end of September and early October, 1999, those hiding in Kutet were afraid that Interfet, Australia and the international community would desert them and Oecusse due to the Enclave's isolation.

CNRT pro-independence leaders sought a volunteer to take a message overland to Interfet in Bobonaro. A message seeking a military intervention in Oecusse; the volunteer was "Lafu".

READ LAFU'S STORY
Father Richard Daschbach's account.

Boy runs the gauntlet to get a message to the UN
Story by Mark Dodd, for The Age [Melbourne]
Tuesday 5 October 1999