Crisis? I walk for almost a whole day in Dili town.

Are things fine in Timor? I was back in Timor from 18 sept to 27 sept. and I must say that Dili is relatively calm. As you can see from the pictures, there is no problem walking in the streets in the day. Although I heard stories of troubles coming from IDP camps(mostly during night time), I didn't see any during my visit. Dili is brighter at night because there are street lamps now. The night picture was taken near the cathedral before going into Bairo Pitte, a supposedly 'hot' zone but troubles are sporadic and I had a safe trip home at 10pm - no problems.


Food is abundant in the grocery stores and supermarkets and the streets are really busy.
I was quite surprised that there are traffic jams in Dili!(maybe it is the traffic lights or the overcrowding of cars(from the UN) on the roads). Even till the early evening, the streets are busy with activities. I hope I have allay your fears if you are thinking twice about going to Timor. It is relatively calm with sporadic night troubles in 'hot' zones like Comoro. Ask a UN police if you're unsure which areas to avoid at night. Generally, I would say it is safe to travel in Timor.

Go to www.byjason.org/timor/index.html for more info on my recent trip that includes a trip to Hope Orphanage in Gleno and some faces of children at IDP camps, Dili town and Liquica.

Talk to the gang leaders please

The situation in Dili has not gotten better. Sporadic outbreak of gang fights and violence still abound with mostly youth attacking each other with machete and those dreaded rocks. What is worse now is that gangs carry out random attacks as compared to selective ethic(east vs west) attacks in the past.

Foreigners are no longer 'immune' to attacks per se because even their cars got smashed up by rocks, even when they are inside. The gangs do not target foreigners but if you're unfortunately enough, a bored group of youth might want to burn some energy via your car.

Everyone knows that the gangs are controlled by some highly influential gang leaders. In some areas, there are not much violence/gang actitivities because the gang leaders warned their 'underlings' not to create any trouble. There are no reports of anyone from the government meeting up with these gang leaders nor are there any arrests made.

It is true that the president and prime minister are very busy at the moment but can someone tell them to go to the root of the problem? More policemen are good but that's not going to solve the problem. If the president or the prime minister or any influential govt.member would arrange to round up and meet the gang leaders, I am sure they will listen.

Not able to round them up for a peaceful talk? I don't think so. The Reinaldo case tells us how much each Timorese wants their country to be good and be proud of it, BUT right intentions can result in wrong actions as in the case of the rebel soldiers killing innocent soldiers, gangs fighting for 'no reason' etc.

So I plead again. Can somebody tell Maun Bot(President Xanana) and  the Prime Minister, Ramos Horta about the need to talk to the gang leaders? Arresting a few 'underlings' will not solve anything.

East Timor: Coup, Mismanagement, Future

Here is one very good impartial analysis of the current events in East Timor.
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East Timor: Coup, Mismanagement, Future by Rob Wesley-Smith 7th July 06 (East Timor activist since 1974)

The recent sad events in East Timor ('Timor Leste') came out of the blue to most people. Yet was it a planned coup by Australia as some allege? In an article in The Guardian 6th July Peter Symond seems in no doubt. But to use as evidence that not long before the Australian forces were invited over to quell the lawlessness they had prepared for such an eventuality is rather tenuous. Blind Freddy could see the need arising. In early 1999 I led a delegation of activists to the North Australian military command to assure them that armed intervention to save the East Timorese from Genocide was supported by human rights activists. We had campaigned on the need for armed peacekeepers since late 1998. Blind Freddy could see the need then too.

Ironically in 1999 blind Alexander Downer could not see the need for armed peacekeepers, or so he argued, so the UN was powerless to enforce its boast to stay and protect the East Timorese in the lead up to the 30th August ballot and thereafter. A couple of years ago again it was blind Alexander who argued that East Timor did not need and could not expect a modest UN delegation including military and police to stay on and help it though its early democratic pains. It is also claimed that Australia deliberately mistrained or avoided training the army so it would be ineffective. Was all this grossly negligent policy an attempt to cause a failed state?

I think the jury is out on this one, but maybe. When you factor in Australia' unrelenting tough stance on negotiations over the oil and gas spoils of the Timor Sea, where the Australian government has taken from East Timor waters over 5 x what it has returned in civil aid, and is appropriating to itself half the% to East Timor, one sees a determined push to keep East Timor poverty stricken. They have not had an economic dividend from Independence, thus rightly fuelling discontent.

But what has Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri's role been in all this? Some Left commentators, ignoring all the uniting virtues required of a PM in his situation, have argued he is indispensable because he did not borrow from the World Bank or anyone else, and that he drove a hard bargain on Timor Sea issues. In 2001 he and Peter Galbraith the UN negotiator claimed they were threatened by Alexander Downer, exactly with what is not clear, but it could have been that Australia would withdraw from the UN over Maritime Boundaries, which it did in March 2002, showing a bonsai-Bush contempt for international law. But then Alkatiri with fulsome support from Jose Ramos Horta signed the Timor Sea Treaty on 20th May 2002, Restoration of Independence day, much to the delight of a beaming tricky Alexander, as he knew this would limit East Timor's negotiating position for other areas and for Maritime Boundaries. What brought about this change of attitude? The jury is still out on this one too. I hope Xanana puts a Moratorium on signing or endorsing any Timor Sea agreements until after a newly elected government has a chance to reconsider its whole position, with a view to getting a fairer share of what is theirs by International Law.

East Timor as a country was devastated by the almost complete looting, burning and destruction of its towns, many villages and its agricultural resources. You would have thought the UN and international community would take steps to help rebuild, but apart from some government buildings and some infrastructure this was not the case, leaving NGOs and the better off Timorese to shoulder most of the burden, and the majority poor population to suffer. Should Alkatiri have borrowed? Well, once Bayu Undan was locked in and substantial revenues were about to flow, then why not? This could be paid back in one year. Poverty reduction programs were urgently needed. Perhaps if meaningful poverty reduction programs had been implemented then the present discontent with the Alkatiri/Fretilin government would not have been so volatile. Whilst I blame Australia most for cutting off the funds, Alkatiri must shoulder some blame.

Again the further Left argued Alkatiri has prioritised Agriculture. This is poppycock, when the Agriculture budget was not much over 1% compared to Health being over 40%. Yet as I argued in 2000 in East Timor - Making Amends, (Lee/Taudevin, Otford), agricultural skills and resources could probably solve 80% of the Health problems by improved Nutrition (still and
even more lately a desperate need); improved clean Water supply (ditto); improved Sanitation (ditto for refugee camps); and improved Shelter (in Dili now so many houses have been destroyed by criminal acts); - the big 4 'NWSS'.

I notice Peter Cosgrove arguing that soldiers not police were needed this time around. This too is poppycock, few threats existed to the wellarmed ponderous soldiers, what was needed was police who could intervene and take thugs off the streets, and to find out who were the ringleaders. They should have been working with the loyal Timorese police, not marginalising them. Where was their intelligence coming from, and what was it if they did get any? How many houses were burned in Dili after the Aussie troops arrived until now? No one will say. Shades of September 1999 with Cosgrove in charge.

So is this recent unrest a coup, or simply discontent and impatience with the ruling hardline Fretilin party and its stern leader Mari Alkatiri with his negligible PR skills? Investigative journalist John Martinkus revealed that the Timor armed forces leaders had been approached by 2 Timorese and 2 mysterious foreigners about a military role in removing the government, but he didn't reveal names or nationality. So its still anyone's guess from Australia, Portugal, Indonesia, or USA - if forced to choose I would pick the USA, after all they have form in this area.

Has there been planning by marginalised groups in East Timor seeing no other way out from the Fretilin juggernaut? Yes. Does this amount to a coup? Not sure, it may depend on definitions. Do many Timorese welcome a government of national unity? Definitely. This should have been installed in 2002 as President Xanana wanted. Most international support groups fought for a human rights paradise, not for one party.

Deep divisions have now been burned again into Timorese society, so what needs to be done to restore a sense of unity and the way forward? Fretilin must accept some blame for the recent unrest, as apart from its hardline approach, in 2002 Alkatiri appointed as Interior minister Rogerio Lobato who had a record of corruption and manipulation, then failed at the least to stop him arming civilians. Lobato built up the Police at the expense of the Military, which had no meaningful role at all. Alkatiri was reelected recently at the Fretilin congress by shows of hands which is against the rules, then when Lobato was sacked in disgrace he was elected Fretilin vicePresident. And now they seem to want to change the parliament rules to protect themselves, though Alkatiri says he will not seek to evade the prosecutors.

Future:
Hopefully a government of national unity will now be installed. This is what East Timor most needs, an ethic of unity. Over the centuries it has been more tribal, with a 'winner take all mentality', and jealousy of the next person or group a defining factor - a major factor even now. Perhaps the Indonesian occupation united it against the oppressor, but then faced the challenge of a complete change of outlook towards constructing a better future. Many have not done this. The Falintil Defence Forces must be sorted out as an urgent first step, overall reduced and better educated, and provided with a meaningful role in border defence maybe, civil defence, green corps, overseas UN postings, etc, but the factions must be united as an example to the nation.

The public service must be chosen on competence not politics, and be given rigorous training to be efficient and noncorrupt. Efficient software for suitable accounting is needed, perhaps as developed in the NT for easy but comprehensive use by indigenous locals. A Public Service Commissioner to oversee appointments is a must. Women need to be supported for more jobs and less domestic violence. Education must urgently be got back on stream, improved, and made free, or many middle class students will be lost to Indonesian schools. Teacher training must be expanded. Those illeducated jobless macho males in Dili must be got into jobs in the countryside if possible. Poverty reduction programs which build better communications, health and environment must be implemented. (If people don't stop burning every leaf in sight East Timor will lose its soil,
water resources, food growing capacity, reefs and trees - this is an urgent national priority.) The border with West Timor should be open to free trade, both for competitive reasons and to foil corrupt cartels. Nationwide Cultural support and sharing, and Sport as intra and international activity given a chance to promote unity (Alkatiri did the opposite by banning participation in the last Arafura regional Games). Impunity for crimes especially war crimes must not be sacrificed in the
search for forgiveness and reconciliation. Discrimination based on alleged loromonu/lorosae origin must be outlawed. Industrial development was presaged on development on-land of the Greater Sunrise lng project, but this must now be a distant dream given the unrest. And so on.

News to hand is that President Xanana has appointed Jose Ramos Horta interim Prime Minister, with 2 of the more competent ministers Estanislaus da Silva and Rui Araujo as deputies, and I congratulate them all. Jose will have to act as a PM not a diplomat, (that is one who is sent overseas to lie for their country) - Timorese more than most need strong leaders.
A strong lead against all forms of corruption, which has become almost endemic, will be needed. Consistency will be important, but he has worked hard and courageously, and as chairman of the board can set a good example. Lets hope all get behind these new arrangements. As Jose is a communicator, lets see a flowering of all forms of communication - let the
100 flowers bloom.

Meanwhile East Timor will have to accept foreign peacekeepers until some of the above gets implemented and bitterness is reduced, until after the next election and then for many years a UN presence for stability and training. Should these forces be under UN or Aussie command? Maybe UN but with an Aussie commander. What we don't need is a UN of nationalities
doing training and in jobs like 2000/01 where 80 nationalities sowed confusion. Should English and Indonesian be official languages? I think so. In fact if one has to drop out it should be Portuguese. But maybe that's just my Darwinian perspective.

An important public seminar on the 'Humanitarian Response to the East Timor Crisis' is to be held next Saturday 15th in Sydney, at Petersham Town Hall, organised by AETA and 2 Sydney Councils. Speakers include the new East Timor ambassador to Australia, the CEO of Austcare ex General Mike Smith, and ngo and academic leaders. A concert forms the afternoon
aspect, and media and public are especially invited, further info (0428) 755 218 or (02)9519-4788.


Rob Wesley-Smith
mailto:rwesley@ozemail.com.au>rwesley@ozemail.com.au
61 8 89832113 0419 807175
'Australians for a Free East Timor' spokesperson
Darwin
30 years supporter of East Timor
30+ years as a tropical rural scientist

The Real Issue

The Prime Minister of Timor had resigned yesterday morning and many people in Timor are very happy. They are happy that they have gotten rid of a PM that is alleged to have a secret hit squad and responsible for the killings and violence in recent times. While the resignation of the PM might help in calming the situation further, there is still this one evil lingering behind the scene. And that is unforgiveness and grudges - between the east and west part of Timor Leste. While it is true that many people do not like the PM, blamed him for the unrest and the "rebels" cited him as the cause of their "rebellion", removing him only solve part of the whole big problem. Reconciliation between the wounded east and west of the country will take a long long time and it will be a difficult and challenging task for the interim/new government. Should President Gusmao choose not to stand for election next may(which he already indicated that he will not contest), one can only wonder whether this outbreak of violence will happen again. We all know how much the people respect and listen to the President.

Rumours and accusations can very easily re-open old wounds and cause another round of civil unrest. Unless the government deal with this east-west issue and not sweep it under the carpet(again), Timor will always be a dormant volcano. It will be calm until shaken - and then the explosion will destroy again. And this time, there will not be a xanana firefighter to put out the flames. I really hope the interim government and the UN advisers will see this as a major issue and seek to reconcile the east and west as soon as possible. Delaying it will only make Timor dormant again, preparing it for another round of explosion.

Gunshots - hear them yourselves and pray

My brazilian friend recorded some of the gunshots near Audian on 25th may and I recorded them in my handphone. Here are the files in mp3 format. 1. with portuguese commentary, 2. more shots, 3. the loudest of the lot Well, I must say it is only interesting if you haven't hear gunshots upfront before(so NS guys in s'pore, you can skip this).

I can't do much now except to pray for the situation in East Timor. Will you join me in prayer together? please pray for:
1. Wisdom to be with the government and international forces as they deal with the situation.
2. God to keep every Timorese safe and provide for them.
3. God to protect missionaries, church pastors and workers that are still in East Timor.
4. Sound thinking and peace in the hearts and mind of the people. Especially those causing trouble right now and those in much fear.
5. Comfort for those who are now in mourning over the loss of their love ones.

Pray. It does wonders.

Driving through Crossfires

During the shootings, one of our korean friend was hit by a stray bullet in his neck when he peered out of his window. Thank God that the bullet miss his artery and he was quickly rush to the hospital by his korean housemate. Yeap. This is the guy who told me how he had to drive with his head down and gunshots were fired all over the place near his house along the Jacinto De Candido road. In the hospital, he saw 2 poliewomen died as they both couldn't survive their injuries.

Another stray bullet hit another friend's house in Vila Verde and richochet off the wall onto the roof. Again, they thank God that they were all in their bedrooms and not in the living where the bullet came in. Other places of action included Audian where an uncle said he watch the action from atop his apartment. He said, "this is like watching real-life movie" as the soldiers and police shot at each other along Audian. There was no shooting in my area at Bairo Pitte but I caught sight of this at Caicoli where shooting was also intense on 25th May. Although I was not in the thick of the action, I could feel the sadness and solemn mood of fellow friends and locals in Timor at that time. Right now, I wonder how they are feeling. I wish I could stay to do something but there was really nothing I could do except to pray. Hope I can be back soon.

Is East Timor safe?

Although Dili has not been as busy as it used to be, there are people walking on the streets and taxis, buses plying the streets. The market in Mercado Lama and Comoro is also bustling with activities - people buying, selling and chatting away. No doubt the situation is volatile but as of now, it is peaceful and calm. There are rumours that gun shots are heard in Comoro yesterday but Timor is always full of these rumours. If it's true, the market will be empty already. Nevertheless, the police and military are on high alert and ready to tackle any trouble if it arises.

As I went to the Malaysia Embassy yesterday to collect my certificate of good conduct(to apply for my working visa), I asked my taxi driver, "Are you from Dili?" He replied, "No, I'm from Baucau". I was pleasantly surprised and asked, "Oh, you're from Baucau(the east). Aren't you afraid of the current situation?" He smiled at me and said, "Afraid of what? I have to work. My stomach is more important." We both had a good laugh. So is East Timor safe? To each his own.

The situation in Timor now

Things have calmed down in Dili but many people are still away in the districts. My computer classes in World Vision are now half(or less than that) full as many students are away. Rumours are flying all over the place that there will be further troubles especially on Independence Day(20th May). Things looked normal as of now - cars and taxis in the streets, some shops are opened and people walking in the streets. But no one really knows when another attack will come. Australia had deployed 4 warships near the Timor sea and had told the Timor government that should they need troops, they are ready to send them in. Everyone hopes that there will be a close to this chapter but it seems that this unresolved soldiers case will continue to mar the stability of the country until next year's election. As I've always told my friends, "Anything can happen in any place at any time in East Timor". No wonder my passport and my camera is in my bag everyday now.