Also Alkatiri denies involvement in weapons transfer

East Timor's former leader says he was unaware civilians were armed

The Associated Press

Published: October 20, 2006

DILI, East Timor Former East Timor Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri has denied knowing members of his government allegedly supplied weapons to civilians, in his first reaction to a U.N. report on violence that wracked the tiny nation earlier this year.

A special U.N. commission on Tuesday recommended that Alkatiri's defense and interior ministers be prosecuted for allegedly providing state guns to renegade militias during a crisis in April and May that left at least 33 people dead.

"As prime minister at that time I take full responsibility for the activities of my ministers and my decisions," Alkatiri said Friday. "About the weapons ... I am innocent."

The U.N. commission said it had not found evidence linking Alkatiri to the weapons disbursements, but criticized him for failing to prevent them. It recommended he undergo further criminal investigation.

Alkatiri said the report was merely a list of facts that "didn't elaborate clearly about the root problem and the principal cause which brought the crisis."

Alkatiri, who resigned under pressure from popular President Xanana Gusmao and members of his own Cabinet, has alleged that the bloodshed was orchestrated by political opponents seeking to topple him.

East Timor descended into chaos following the April dismissal of 600 soldiers who had gone on strike to protest alleged discrimination. The move split the armed forces into factions and spilled over into gang warfare that sent 150,000 fleeing from their homes.

It was the worst violence since 1999, when East Timor's break from 24 years of brutal Indonesian rule sent revenge-seeking militias on a rampage that killed about 1,500 people.

Calm largely returned with the arrival of international peacekeepers and the installation of a new government headed by Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, who shared the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize with Bishop Carlos Belo.

But isolated acts of violence continue and about 100,000 remain in crowded camps.

DILI, East Timor Former East Timor Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri has denied knowing members of his government allegedly supplied weapons to civilians, in his first reaction to a U.N. report on violence that wracked the tiny nation earlier this year.

A special U.N. commission on Tuesday recommended that Alkatiri's defense and interior ministers be prosecuted for allegedly providing state guns to renegade militias during a crisis in April and May that left at least 33 people dead.

"As prime minister at that time I take full responsibility for the activities of my ministers and my decisions," Alkatiri said Friday. "About the weapons ... I am innocent."

The U.N. commission said it had not found evidence linking Alkatiri to the weapons disbursements, but criticized him for failing to prevent them. It recommended he undergo further criminal investigation.

Alkatiri said the report was merely a list of facts that "didn't elaborate clearly about the root problem and the principal cause which brought the crisis."

Alkatiri, who resigned under pressure from popular President Xanana Gusmao and members of his own Cabinet, has alleged that the bloodshed was orchestrated by political opponents seeking to topple him.

East Timor descended into chaos following the April dismissal of 600 soldiers who had gone on strike to protest alleged discrimination. The move split the armed forces into factions and spilled over into gang warfare that sent 150,000 fleeing from their homes.

It was the worst violence since 1999, when East Timor's break from 24 years of brutal Indonesian rule sent revenge-seeking militias on a rampage that killed about 1,500 people.

Calm largely returned with the arrival of international peacekeepers and the installation of a new government headed by Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, who shared the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize with Bishop Carlos Belo.

But isolated acts of violence continue and about 100,000 remain in crowded camps.

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ABC Online

The World Today - Alkatiri denies involvement in weapons transfer

[This is the print version of story http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1768022.htm]

The World Today - Wednesday, 18 October , 2006 12:18:00

Reporter: Anne Barker

ELEANOR HALL: East Timor's former Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, has denied new accusations that he was involved in any way in the illegal transfer of weapons, during the country's recent crisis.

The United Nations has completed an independent inquiry into the ongoing bloodshed in East Timor, and has recommended further investigations to see if Mr Alkatiri bears any criminal responsibility, although it's stopped short of recommending charges against him.

More than 35 people were killed and tens of thousands fled their homes as street gangs roamed the streets in the fledgling nation's capital earlier this year.

Anne Barker has our report.

ANNE BARKER: The United Nations commission of inquiry interviewed more than 200 witnesses to find those responsible for the violence which erupted in April. It's named dozens of individuals it holds responsible for the 37 deaths and many shootings. It recommends most face criminal prosecution.

But it found no evidence the former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri was personally involved in the illegal transfer of weapons, as some have alleged, although it suspects he knew of the weapons transfer and should face further investigation to see if he bears any criminal responsibility.

Mari Alkatiri denies he had any knowledge at all.

MARI ALKATIRI: They are just suspicions. Here in this country we have, you know, the (inaudible) of rumours and suspicions and defamations. But the investigation has been done by the Prosecutor General since June, and, of course, let us wait until the decision from the Prosecutor General.

ANNE BARKER: At the very least, the UN criticises Mari Alkatiri for failing to use his authority to denounce the weapons transfer, given the credible information that his own government ministers were involved.

The former Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato has already been charged.

But Mari Alkatiri says the UN is dreaming if it thinks he could have done anything to intervene.

MARI ALKATIRI: If you really think that in two days' time you could have a time of crisis, real crisis in the country, you could have really time enough to set up a commission of inquiry, or a commission of, (inaudible) commissions.

I tried to visit the places of where the weapon was supposed to be, and I was (inaudible) the weapon (inaudible).

ANNE BARKER: The allegations against Mari Alkatiri intensified pressure on him to resign, as he finally did in late June.

Without hard evidence to support a prosecution, the report prompts questions as to whether he was wrongly forced from office.

It's a matter put to Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on Lateline.

ALEXANDER DOWNER: He was removed by the East Timorese, through the processes of their political system. I wouldn't dare to comment on whether they did the right or the wrong thing. We worked successfully with Mari Alkatiri when he was the Prime Minister.

We, as you know, worked very well with Jose Ramos Horta as the Prime Minister. But who they choose as their Prime Minister and how Prime Ministers rise and fall in East Timor, it must be their business.

ANNE BARKER: The UN report also criticised the President, Xanana Gusmao, for failing to follow institutional procedures, but doesn't recommend he face charges.

And the most serious findings relate to the rebel leader Alfredo Reinado, still on the run from jail.

The commission of inquiry accuses Reinado and his supporters of committing crimes against life, and recommends they face prosecution.

Last night President Gusmao called for maturity and calm, in case the report provokes further violence.

It's a sentiment Alexander Downer shares.

ALEXANDER DOWNER: It's important there is calm. I understand from our ambassador in Dili that the situation is calm, at least at the moment we're speaking, and hopefully it will remain so, and that the East Timorese follow their normal legal processes in dealing with the conclusions of the UN commission of inquiry.

ELEANOR HALL: That's Australia's Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, ending that report from Anne Barker.