Frequent commenter Lefty E writes:
Here’s a summary of the United Nations Independent Special Commission of Inquiry for Timor Leste report, released on Wednesday. I’ve written it for other reasons, but though you might be interested in a quick summary of the findings.
I guess I’ll never quite understand why some journos cant seem to read, but whatev.
The commission has recommended criminal charges against a number of individuals identified as responsible for the violence, while emphasising institutional failure and poor decision making as underlying causes of the crisis.
Senior figures are directly implicated in the distribution of weapons. Sacked Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato, Defence Minister Roque Rodrigues and Defence Force chief Taur Matan Ruak were found to have illegally armed civilians, while Police commander General Paulo Martins illegally distributed weapons within the police. Charges have been recommended against these figures.
The report found no evidence that former Prime Minister Alkatiri was involved in distributing weapons illegally to civilians. However, it found ‘reasonable suspicion’ that he had failed to act “in the face of credible information that such transfer was ongoing and involved members of the Government� [read: Lobato]. They recommend further investigations to see whether these failings can support criminal charges. It also found that Alkatiri bore particular responsibility for his Cabinet’s failure to follow legislative procedures in calling out troops to confront protesters on 28 April, which led to the fatal shooting of five protesters and the wounding of many others. However, the report concluded that claims of 60 people being killed on the outskirts of Dili were unfounded.
The report also finds that President Xanana Gusmao had made “divisive” statements in which contributed to the rise of East/ West tensions in an off-the-cuff address to the nation on March 23, and further, and that he should not have communicated directly with rebel troops during the crisis. There was, however, no evidence to support claims that he was directly implicated in the events, nor in the actions of Major Reinado’s group. The report also concludes that the everybody’s favourite VB-drinking, cricket-lovin’ pal, rebel leader Reinado is reasonably suspected of criminal acts, and that serious charges should be laid against his group, and those under the command of Vicente ‘Railos’ da Conceição. [Don’t expect the OZ to dwell unnecessarily on some of these aspects…]
I think its a good report. The Commissioners set up the motive for Lobato’s campaign to undermine the army he didn’t control, and trace it over five years. This background theory, uncontroversial in itself, is offered in part to explain why the 30 alleged “Fretilin militants” led by Rai Los (and supplied by Lobato) participated in an attack, with rebels, on the loyalist army in May. As I noted at the time, the problem with the other theory, proposed by Rai Los himself (that he was leading a “hit squad to eliminate Alkatiri’s opponents”), is that his subsequent actions then make absolutely no sense whatsoever. Its worth noting that the UN Commissioners don’t really buy this specific claim; and that this was the specific claim that really saw Alkatiri off.
On the other hand, the former PM has simply been held politically accountable for his gross errors in managing the army and police, so justice done. Moreover, the Commissioners clearly believe he knew of the arming of civilians, at least by 21 May, and ought to have acted. I personally doubt that Alkatiri will ultimately be charged, at least on currently available evidence. But he has paid the political price that was due. The report also highlights the precipitating role of anti-system actors like Colimau 2000 in the upsurge of violence.
There are still questions to be answered. The UN report doesn’t explain (as it was outside terms of reference) who was/ is behind the seemingly coordinated gangs attacks since May. Its clear that there are some as yet unnamed “conflict entrepreneurs” behind these gang actions. Mick Slater agrees, so no, I’m not being some wacky leftoid freak here (…..or at least not presently).
You can read the UN report yourself here.
Thanks Lefty. Nice work.
Thanks from me too, Lefty. I have appreciated all of your postings on East Timor and just wish they were more frequent
Cheers chaps! My pleasure.
You know, you really should go sometime. Ok, so maybe not right now. The extreme mountain passes that divide the dry north from the southern flooding plains, the traditional houses (sadly, few old ones surivived the occupation), 400 years old Portuguese forts along the coastline, replete with ancient cannonry, loads of really great old Catholic Churches in mountain towns.
As you might have gathered, I really love the place. Sad to see it follow the path of some many other post-conflict nations.
Mark, you are obviously well informed on ET. This is the first blog I have ever written so I hope I can work my way thru it ok…what I want to add is that RaiLos was actually ordered to kill the Petitioners. His orders came directly from Lobato..Lobato supplied the weapons, the Vehicles, and the cash. Why RaiLos changed his mind and changed sides is still unclear, but he is a man who is currently in fear of his life. As for Alfredo, a man with a big ego…..he could have gone far if he did not kill the Police and Military at Fatu Ai…..He still has a special relationship with Gusmau and Kirsty….maybe if you are in E Timor take a trip to Maubisse…go to the Poussada and ask who paid for Alfredo to stay there after he left Dili. You may be surprised who footed the bill…The bottom line is Alfredo is a killer…One to watch in future is Leandro ISAACS….a very very dangerous man with limited intelligence
Thanks for the comment, Bill, but just to let you know the post is authored by Lefty E not by me.
Hi Bill. Agree about Reinado - Mick Slater hit the nail on the head when he called Reinado “a very intelligent man who does very stupid things”. Getting filmed firing the first shots at Fatu Ahi wasnt exactly the best career move. I hear ar his support in the West aint what it used to be.
Frankly, Ive been dissing him live to air since day one. Dangerous little putschist, who suckered a lot of mug punter journos from Au. Still is. Yeah, everybody loved Georgey Speight for 10 minutes too.
And yes, they say XG footed the bill at the Pousada -though that doesnt feature in the UN report. Nice place to stay n all (when in Maubisse, Lefty E certainly recommends the Pousada!) but part of me thinks the Pres may have been pushing the “just containing Reinado” line a wee bit far with that one.
Youre right about Isaacs - craziest bastard in the National Parliament. The guys is plain mad, and very dangerous. I wouldnt want to meet him in the back streets of Audian.
On the other hand, though you clearly v. well informed Bill, and may have better sources than me - Im really not convinced of anything Rai Los has said; especially that claim. Killing the petitioners? What, all 600, with 30 men? Not sure I buy it Bill. Especially as Lt Salsinha was Lobato’s sandalwood smuggling buddy from way back. But, hey, Im always open to new info.
Why did he change his mind? I dunno. Its hard enough to be sure what he was doing before he changed it. The UN report is as good a guess as any: they seem imply he finally worked out he was entwined in some Lobato plan to undermine the army, got his butt kicked at Tibar by the FDTL, shouldered arms and fled to Carrascalao’s place. Who knows. I dont find him credible though. I hear he’s been causing all sort of problems at Liquica.
By the way Bill, if you want to email me, ask Mark for my address. Id be interested in hearing more about Rai Los if you know something concrete!
The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) has a statement which puts the UN report in some context. See [link] to read the whole thing.
Here is an excerpt:
The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) today praised the work of the UN’s Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the violence in Timor-Leste last April and May. The Commission’s report helps clarify how divisions within and among Timor-Leste’s security forces, government and society escalated into violence. It also highlights institutional weaknesses and the fatal effects of widespread weapons distribution, lack of respect for legal process, and a culture of impunity…
Follow up of all the COI’s recommendations is crucial to establish criminal responsibility, ensure accountability and to reassure the victims that there will be justice. But deeper issues, outside the Commission’s mandate, must also be addressed if nation-building in Timor-Leste is to serve both its own people and the exemplary role it has been assigned by the United Nations.
Crucial issues such as poverty and unemployment, widespread traumatization, accountability for crimes during the Indonesian occupation, and development of a broad-based understanding and commitment to peaceful, constitutional political dialogue must be dealt with as part of the unfinished process of building the nation of Timor-Leste. These factors all contributed to the environment that allowed the events investigated by the COI to occur and to escalate so quickly. The UN and other international institutions have recognized these problems since 1999 and must continue to fulfill their responsibility to address them.
Thanks John. I very much agree. Keep up the good work over there.
For those who dont know, ETAN is a US-based information and advocacy network that, among other things, runs a very good email list on East Timor.