East Timor PM Calls Continuing Violence in the Capital a Coup Attempt May 27, 2006 DILI, East Timor — East Timor's capital descended into chaos Saturday as rival gangs attacked each other with machetes and spears and set houses aflame, defying international peacekeepers patrolling in armed vehicles and combat helicopters. The prime minister said a coup attempt was under way. "What is in motion is an attempt to stage a coup d'etat," Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri told a news conference, as fires raged across the city and thousands of residents fled or hid, terrified, in their homes. Minutes before he...