[ETAN-key] ETAN on attacks on the President and Prime Minister of Timor-Leste

[John M Miller]

contact: John M. Miller, (718) 596-7668; (917) 690-4391 etan at etan.org

East Timor and Indonesia Action Network on attacks on the President 
and Prime Minister of Timor-Leste

The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) condemns Monday's 
violent attacks on the President and Prime Minister of Timor-Leste. 
We wish President Ramos-Horta a speedy and full recovery from his 
wounds and a quick return to the duties he was elected to carry out. 
We deeply regret the loss of life. The people of Timor-Leste have 
experienced far too much violence throughout their history. The 
pursuit of political goals through violence is unacceptable and must 
be rejected. We urge that all reactions to these events be peaceful.

We regret that Major Alfredo Reinado and his followers were allowed 
to remain free for so long. It is puzzling to us that some in 
Timor-Leste view him as a heroic figure. His use of force during the 
crisis in May 2006 and subsequent threats to use force should have 
been condemned and rejected by all. These threats were carried out 
Monday morning with tragic consequences.

Justice and accountability are lacking for far too many recent and 
past crimes in East Timor. Yesterday's events occurred, in part, 
because the rule of law remains weak. Major Reinado, who was indicted 
for murder for his actions in 2006, should have been brought to 
justice long before this attack. Too many in today's Timor-Leste 
operate with a sense of impunity, believing that they will not be 
held accountable for violent crimes which destabilize and further 
traumatize the country's population.  This sense of impunity is only 
reinforced by the failure of the UN, U.S., Indonesia, Timor Leste and 
the rest of the international community to achieve accountability for 
crimes against humanity committed in East Timor between 1975 and 1999.

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John M. Miller         Internet: etan at igc.org
National Coordinator

East Timor & Indonesia Action Network
PO Box 21873, Brooklyn, NY 11202-1873 USA
Phone: (718)596-7668      Mobile: (917)690-4391
Skype: john.m.miller  Web: http://www.etan.org

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