Subject: Dili-gence From: ETAN Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:06 -0500 To: east-timor@lists.riseup.net http://wombathole.com/dili-gence/?p=404 Dili-gence Random observations from an English speaking foreigner in Dili, Timor-Leste 11.02.08 Gunfight at the President's Corral Posted in Culture/Society, Events at 9:46 am by Squatter A friend who lives near the President's home (about 5 kms east of the centre of Dili) called me at about 7am this morning to tell me that there was gunfire which had been going on for about 15 minutes. It appears the gunfight started at around 6:30am but perhaps the confrontation actually started earlier. Within 1/2 an hour, the security warnings apparatus came into play and it has been like that ever since. I rang another friend who usually goes for the ritual Jesus walk each morning and yes, the President was out on his regular morning walk as well. He walks regularly with his small security team. Reports from here (and cross-referenced with what ABC radio has reported) have differed slightly but it would appear that some sort of gunfight actually started while the President was on his walk. My friend said the President got on his phone when the gunfire started and continued walking home - probably something like 1/2 to 1 kms. A 2nd flurry of gunfire occured a few minutes later. To put this into personal perspective, I did the Jesus walk last Thursday morning at 6:30am and passed the President on his. Later reports suggest that the President was in "convoy" but I presume this to mean this was his "on-foot" group as they were walking up the hill to his home. It now seems certain that he was shot and that he was taken to the Australian military hospital which is located at the heliport. Note that the heliport is NOT the airport which is some 5 kms on the western side of town. The heliport is also just west of town and NOT near to the President's house but some 6kms across the other side of town. I have heard ambulances but have no info on the ABC reports of up to 20 wounded or if Major Alfredo was amongst them or indeed killed, as reported. Basically, this has put a lot of expats on hold until accurate information comes through and more importantly from a personal security point of view, what the reaction will be from the Timorese themselves. The average Joao in the street is keeping off the streets becasue they don't really know what will happen next. -- Squatter said, 11 February, 2008 at 11:23 am It looks like I have to cancel a few around town movements this morning. I am affixed to Radio Australia who I note are mostly reporting from OZ. The Radio OZ reporter here seems to be confused about localities but is picking up a bit better now. Except for the bit about OZ/NZ soldiers being on the street "which is unusual". This is cobblers. It is quite a common sight but I expect there to be a few more on the streets now. For the record, the President goes on his morning walk with his Timorese security people. I think his house may have UN police in attendance but there is no OZ/NZ military day-to-day static presence. The OZ/NZ soldiers do not do "static security" except on their own barracks/bases etc. To put some background to this, a group of petitioners did come into Dili with government approval last week. Explosions were reported on Wednesday evening near where the petitioners had set up camp (I heard this but it was distant and it could have been anything) and on Thursday at the OZ military HQ. Not too much was made of this locally. Like many expats (but not all) I am sitting quietly this morning waiting for some clarity around the situation. And what happens next. --- Squatter said, 11 February, 2008 at 12:45 pm I made the mistake of reading the ABC web site and read the reader comments. Unfortunately, several errors of fact. There were 2 comments that I think need comment. One that Australia lead the UN presence - wrong ! The other that the OZ/NZ military ought to be embarrassed by this morning's event. The OZ/NZ military were invited by the Timorese government and do not do things without consultation. They were asked once to get Major Alfredo but failed. After that, the Timorese government have elected to go for consultation. On many occasions, they have known just where Alfredo is but I am not aware that they have been given the specific instruction to apprehend him since that failure. The OZ/NZ military do not do static security of Timorese government officials or buildings. If any of that is deemed necessary, it is the UN police who do that. For months, the Timorese military have looked after the President and the President's close protection security is all Timorese (as it was last Thursday morning). It has been the Timorese preference to move to doing as much of these day-to-day things as possible, leaving the OZ/NZ military as a reaction force and by their very presence, a stabilising influence. -- [This message was distributed via the east-timor news list. For info on how to subscribe send a blank e-mail to info@etan.org. To support ETAN see http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm ]