June 1, 2006

E Timor’s Horta ‘to end unrest’

East Timor’s Foreign Minister and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos Horta is to take over as the troubled country’s security chief.

The move follows President Xanana Gusmao’s sacking of the discredited defence and interior ministers, and is designed to end weeks of violence.

The capital, Dili, was reported to be calmer on Friday.

But in one incident, hundreds of people looted a government building, taking computers and other office equipment.

Mr Ramos Horta told Australian radio his priority was to end feuding within and between the security forces that has prompted weeks of violence.

“I’m the only one who might be able to heal the wounds within the armed forces, between the armed forces and the police force, between the armed forces and society at large,” he told ABC.

The violence was triggered by the sacking of 600 troops in March. Fighting between the army and the rebel troops then spread to include the police and rival gangs, before a 2,500-strong international force arrived to keep order.

It was not clear whether Mr Ramos’ appointment would be enough to satisfy the rebel troops.

On Thursday, one of their leaders called for the resignation of the Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, who the rebels blame for the sackings.

Mr Alkatiri again refused to resign on Friday, saying the rebel troops should hand in their weapons.

Poverty trap

Correspondents say Dili was calmer on Friday, with traffic back on the streets and shops beginning to re-open.

But there were some reports of violence, including the looting of the government building.

The looting began after a crowd waiting for food handouts from a nearby warehouse discovered it had been emptied overnight, reports say.

International peacekeepers finally chased off the looters.

Correspondents say the looting highlights the widespread poverty afflicting the young country, and the continuing risks of more violence.

“People are hungry and they don’t have money. So they are stealing stuff in hopes of selling it and using the money to buy food in the shops,” Timorese police officer Joao Pereira told the AFP news agency.

At least 20 people are reported to have been killed and tens of thousands have fled their homes since the violence began.

Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/5039776.stm

Published: 2006/06/02 10:36:59 GMT