[Kabar-indonesia] Alkatiri's Supporters March on Dili Amid Massive Security Lockdown [+NYT]

[JoyoNews at aol.com]

also: NYT: East Timor to Question Former Premier 

Alkatiri's Supporters March on Capital 

DILI, June 29 (AP): Thousands of supporters of East Timor's ousted prime 
minister rallied in the capital Thursday amid a massive security lockdown 
by foreign peacekeepers.

The protesters, who were packed into overcrowded buses, trucks and cars, 
were escorted by international troops in helicopters, armored vehicles and on 
foot. They had all been searched for weapons at a road block away from the 
town.

They shouted slogans in support of former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and 
his 
ruling Fretilin party. A handful of bystanders on the streets raised their 
fists and yelled the name of the country's popular President Xanana Gusmao, but 
most 
of the citywas deserted amid fears of violence.

"We want to prove to the world that Fretilin has the majority and to demand 
that President Xanana Gusmao respect the constitution in resolving this 
crisis," said Filomeno Aleixo, one of the organizers of the rally.

Aleixo said the protesters planned to hand a letter to Gusmao demanding to be 
included in the political process to form an interim government and then 
return to their villages, mostly in the east of the country where Fretilin is 
strongest.

Alkatiri stepped down on Monday, bowing to pressure from protesters and 
Gusmao, who is revered for leading East Timor's resistance to Indonesian 
occupation until it broke away in 1999.

Many East Timorese say Alkatiri's dismissal of 600 disgruntled soldiers in 
March was to blame for street battles and gang warfare in Dili that left at 
least 
30 people dead and sent 150,000 fleeing from their homes.

He is also battling allegations he formed hit squads to silence his political 
enemies.

Xanana's announcement that early elections are needed underscores the depth 
of the political crisis facing the country, which was administered by the 
United Nations for three years after it broke from Indonesian rule.

He did not say when fresh polls could be held or give any details on the 
search 
for a replacement for Alkatiri, but promised any interim government would 
rule 
"with efficiency and justice" in compliance with the constitution. 

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The New York Times
Thursday, June 29, 2006

East Timor to Question Former Premier 

By JANE PERLEZ

DILI, East Timor, June 28 -- East Timor's prosecutor general said Wednesday 
that he had summoned the former prime minister for questioning over accusations 
that he was involved in arming hit squads that were ordered to strike at 
opponents of the governing party. 

The prosecutor, Longuinhos Monteiro, also said he had enough evidence to 
proceed with an indictment of the former interior minister on charges of illegally 
supplying weapons to the groups. 

The former prime minister, Mari Alkatiri, who resigned under pressure on 
Monday after four years as this nation's most powerful politician, had been asked 
to appear for questioning on Friday, Mr. Monteiro said in an interview. 

The saga that is apparently spilling forth from the former interior minister, 
Rogério Lobato, and some of his subordinates who have also been interviewed 
by the prosecutors, portrays two of the most senior politicians of this tiny, 
four-year-old nation as arming a small group of former resistance fighters amid 
the collapse of the underpaid and poorly trained army and police force. 

The information from the interviews reveals the deep fissures between the 
personalities and approaches at the top of an inexperienced government led by men 
who were in exile, like Mr. Alkatiri, or in prison, like President Xanana 
Gusmão, or in the bush during 24 years of Indonesian occupation. 

For the past week, prosecutors have been questioning Mr. Lobato, who served 
time in jail in Angola on charges of diamond smuggling before returning to East 
Timor when the country gained independence from Indonesia. 

Mr. Lobato gave details and dates of how and when the hit squads were armed, 
and he implicated his friend Mr. Alkatiri, who served as chief of the 
governing party, Fretilin, said a senior investigator, who, along with some other 
people interviewed for this article, spoke anonymously because the investigation 
is continuing.

Efforts to reach Mr. Alkatiri at his home were unsuccessful. On Monday, in 
negotiations over the terms of his resignation with the foreign minister, José 
Ramos-Horta, Mr. Alkatiri requested amnesty from prosecution, diplomats said. 

A government official familiar with Mr. Alkatiri's thinking said he 
understood that Mr. Alkatiri would cite parliamentary immunity when summoned. 

About 600 dissident soldiers were dismissed from the 1,400-member army in 
March, and the 3,000-member police force evaporated in May. 

The 2,700-member Australian-led international force that arrived at the end 
of May stepped up patrols on Wednesday after episodes of looting and arson in 
Dili on Tuesday night.

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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