Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dili (Agenzia Fides) - A “state of emergency” has been prolonged for an additional 30 days in East Timor. Parliament voted for extraordinary means, following the assassination attempt on February 11, that left President Jose Ramos-Horta seriously wounded.
The little country in southeast Asia, with a Catholic majority, is the youngest nation in the continent. Once again, however, it is experiencing a phase of instability that runs the risk of turning into a civil war. A considerable part of the military, that in 2006 split from the other military authorities, attacked the Prime Minister and President, in an affront on national unity, with the intention of a coup d’etat. Although the military operation was unsuccessful and the country received additional troops from Australia and New Zealand to enforce order, the recent resurgence of violence runs the risk of re-opening the wounds yet unhealed in the social fabric of the nation. Moreover, the situation of social and economic suffering, that has characterized the country’s civil life in recent years, continues to intensify among the population.
The new wave of violence and tension erupted last February 11, when the President of East Timor suffered 3 gunshot wounds, in front of his house in Dili. The simultaneous attack of rebels on the caravan of cars carrying the Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao fell threw. President Ramos-Horta, wounded in the right lung, in the back, and in the stomach, was hospitalized in an Australian clinic and 10 days later awoke from a coma.
Following the attack, Gusmao declared a 48-hour state of emergency, originally lasting until February 23, although now extended for another 30 days. In the meantime, more Australian troops continue to arrive in Dili to reinforce international peacekeeping efforts and UN police forces, who number 1600 and have the responsibility of enforcing respect for the state of emergency. In Dili, it is still forbidden to hold meetings or any other form of protest, as well as, to go out at night.
Rebel leader, Alfredo Reinado, was killed by bodyguards of Ramos-Horta, at the moment of the attack. Reinado had started a revolt against the government and had been accused of homicide following the violent episodes of 2006. That same year, he escaped from prison together with 50 other captives, placing security forces at high risk.
Testimonies from the local Church reveal the longing of the people, who are tired of the conflicts and divisions, for peace and unity. One lay Catholic says, “There are many factors that unite us. 95% of the people in this country are Catholic. However, we continue to fight amongst ourselves. There is still a lot of hate. The people do not understand the reason for the violence and the meaning of independence, which we have fought so hard for. We need to work together to make this country prosper, instead of causing more violence.”
The former Portuguese colony, with a population of almost a million, gained full independence in 2002, following elections sponsored by the UN, finally placing an end to the almost 20 years of Indonesian occupation. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 25/2/2008 righe 40, parole 510)
