PM Alkatiri: Decision of F-FDTL commander is correct and just

“Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri has expressed his support for the decision taken by the F-FDTL Commander to expel the 591 soldiers, stating that he believes the decision is correct and just. He said that it was not possible to let the situation remain as it was, with such a large number of soldiers absent from their jobs for nearly two months now. Speaking on Sunday upon return from his visit to Japan, Alkatiri stated that the expulsion of the soldiers is not an attempt to forget the problems within the F-FDTL.

Human rights lawyer Aderito de Jesus Soares when contacted by TP reaffirmed his earlier opinion that the state institutions of the Presidency, the Government and the National Parliament as well as the F-FDTL itself do not yet possess the political maturity to resolve the problem, with the result that the problem is beginning to concern the population.

The Prime Minister meanwhile congratulated the 591 soldiers who continue to maintain the discipline expected of them by not causing any problems, and asked them to continue to display such discipline. He said that any problems caused recently are the work of other groups, because the “petitioners” group has maintained its discipline to date. He reiterated that Timor-Leste is one country, and asked people not to dwell on the East/West divide. He also appealed to the people to remain calm and to place their trust in the state institutions so the 4 December 2002 incident will not be repeated.”

Source: Timor Post & Diario Nacional (from UNOTIL Public Information Office, Daily Media Review)

Category: Timor-Leste (East Timor)