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.

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.

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.

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.