Paras Indonesia, June, 25 2006 @ 01:15 pm
L'etat C'est Moi
By: Rahung Nasution
"The victory of comrade Lu Olo and I did not just shake up Timor-Leste, but has
affected other places too," said Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri in his speech at the
closing of the Fretilin Congress on May 19. Four days later, fighting exploded in
Fatuahi, the eastern edge of the city of Dili, between rebel military forces led by Major
Alfreido Reinado and the Falinitil-FDTL. This was followed by violence and dissension
in the ranks of the PNTL (National Police of Timor Leste) and resulted in the returned
presence of international troops, led by Australia, in Timor Leste.
On Friday, June 6, 2006 from the main military base at the former Portuguese colonial
villa, Pousada de Maubisse, in the cool mountainous region in central Timor Leste,
Major Alfredo Reinado, together with members of his force, handed over a dozen M-16
automatic weapons, four pistols, four assembled weapons and thousands of rounds of
ammunition to Australian troops.
For the last two months, Reinado has issued demands for "fairness", demanded to
overthrow PM Mari Alkatiri, met with political figures and been interviewed by foreign
and Timorese journalists who have described him as a man whose popularity rivals
President Xanana Gusmão and Foreign Minister Ramos Horta. Australian and
Indonesian media reports have benefited and assisted Major Reinado in achieving
recognition as the popular head of the military revolt. Journalist David O'Shea from
SBS Australia described him as a smart, savvy military figure, aided by Australian
training, who may become the future leader.
After handing over the weapons, Major Reinado, a mid-level officer who left his post
after an April 28 incident in Tasi Tolu, dismissed claims that he is wielding control.
Until now, "I have remained in the military and have been obedient and loyal to the
high military commander, President Xanana Gusmão", said Reinado to journalists
during an interval while returning the weapons. This position was reiterated by Major
Tara and Major Marcos Tilman who also left their posts to join the opposition in the
Ermera district.
If Major Alfredo Reinado and the members of his group who left their posts form a
military obedient and loyal to President Xanana Gusmão, then the Australian,
Indonesian and Timor-Leste media will likely gang up on Alkatiri and depict him as the
arrogant leader of a "Marxist Mozambique" who is turning Timor Leste into a failed
state.
As the arrogant "Marxist Mozambique" leader governing the "failed" Timor Leste,
Alkatiri, during the 49 months of his government has gotten a reputation for upsetting
many groups. Canberra has been frustrated by Alkatiri's tough negotiating stance on
oil and gas in the Timor Sea. Irritated opposition parties, who only have a 20% voice in
parliament, describe Alkatiri as reluctant to share power and have, from the beginning,
constantly tried to undermine Alkatiri's government. Even Alkatiri's comrades in
Fretilin from the mudança (reform) group who were unequivocally defeated in the last
congress led by José Luis Guterres. The pro market group of the party was also angry
because Alkatiri wanted to tighten the space for the private sector.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer delivered Canberra's threat to Alkatiri when he
stated, "Although your strong protests and claims are heard as far as Alice Spring,
our attitude will not change … Let us teach you a political lesson – it is not a
possibility". However, due to the firm stand of the Dili negotiating team led by Prime
Minister Mari Alkatiri, in two difficult rounds of negotiations, Timor Leste received
50:50 rights to the rich oil and gas field of Greatest Sunrise (Canberra's original
estimation was 18:82). Dili also successfully negotiated rights to the Bayu Undan,
Elang Kakaktua and surrounding areas from 80:20 to 90:10, a change from the
original figure assumed by Canberra. An interesting political lesson indeed. Small,
impoverished Timor Leste faced off with Australia, who had promoted itself as the
United States' Deputy Sheriff in the Asia-Pacific region, and came out ahead.
The World Bank, in accordance with Australian and American policy, has been
overseeing funds from donor countries for Timor Leste reconstruction projects.
Reconstruction projects that began during this transition period have been very
beneficial to the private sector. Several government efforts to increase public services,
such as plans to establish public transportation, electricity and national oil enterprises
were strongly hindered by obstacles from the World Bank which wants these sectors
controlled by private companies
Even while refusing to submit to economic growth policies, Alkatiri's impoverished
government has provided free services to the people of Timor Leste for their most
basic to mid-range needs by creating programs that, for example, improve nutrition by
providing free food to students. By working together bilaterally with the Cuban
government, Alkatiri brought in thousands of Cuban doctors who provided free health
services to remote Timor Leste regions. The government also sent thousands of
university students to Cuba and founded a medical school at the Timor Leste National
University.
One new problem that has angered the private sector and ended their tolerance for
Alkatiri is the creation of the Petroleum Fund. This institution was created to manage
the wealth from oil and gas in order to prevent the "oil curse" (i.e. war and poverty)
that often results from a petro-dollar crisis. Money received is managed transparently
using a Norwegian system where 90% of the funds are obligated to go into the
Federal Reserve Bank in America for important long-term needs, and 10% of the funds
are used for government projects and investment in the private sector. Private sector
opposition is against this system. They want oil wealth to be distributed and used for
developing the private sector. Does Timor Leste President Xanana also oppose this
policy?
Over the last several weeks the political situation has become increasingly tense.
President Xanana publicly attacked Alkatiri in a one and a half hour speech broadcast
on RTTL on Thursday, June 22, 2006. In this speech pertaining to matters of national
importance, the president asked Fretilin militants to reconsider Fretilin's leader, who,
in his opinion was chosen by an undemocratic congress last month. President
Xanana also expressed his disappointment and his lack of faith in Alkatiri's ability to
end the current crisis.
The previous evening, the president wrote a letter to Alkatiri after watching ABC
Australia's "Four Corners" television program expressing his disappointment in Alkatiri
and asking him to be prepared to step down. In this on-air investigation, Alkatiri was
accused of involvement with former Internal Affairs Minister Rogério Lobato (who is
currently under house arrest and undergoing hearings in Dili courts) in creating a
Fretilin Secret Security Force. Alkatiri, who was accused of involvement by Fretilin's
Secret Security Force headed by Railos, forcefully denied the charge. Alkatiri also
requested that the United Nations immediately undertake an investigation of the
accusations against him.
Just as Alkatiri believed, a plot to wrest power from him is now emerging. "Alkatiri is a
terrorist and communist," yelled protestors led by opposition representatives Major
Tara, Major Marcos and Railos, who were mobilizing to overthrow Alkatiri and
break-up parliament. The president appeared in front of demonstrators. As the highest
commander, the person responsible for the country's safety and the "protector of the
constitution", President Xanana has openly said to the Timor Leste people,
particularly to the Fretilin militants, "choose me or Alkatiri."
If today, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow PM Alkatiri is successfully forced to step
down through undemocratic means, then the Portuguese government's warning of a
possible Australian and internal Timor Leste conspiracy may prove true. Then this
new country will fall on its face and become a banana republic in the Asia-Pacific
region and have a leader who can, whenever he feels like it, threaten, "L'etat c'est
moi" – the country is me. And whoever doesn't submit please step aside …
Copyright (c) 2005 - PT Laksamana Global International. All rights reserved
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