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2006 East Timorese crisis

May 04, 2023

The 2006 East Timorese crisis began as a conflict between elements of the military of East Timor over discrimination within the military and expanded to a coup attempt and general violence throughout the country, centred in the capital Dili. The crisis prompted a military intervention by several other countries and led to the resignation of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri.

2006 East Timor crisis
Date24 April – 20 June 2006
Location
East Timor
Result

Mari Alkatiri resigns as Prime Minister

Belligerents
F-DTL (Loyalist faction)
FRETILIN		 F-FDTL (Rebel faction)
CNRT
Commanders and leaders
Mari Alkatiri
José Ramos-Horta
Taur Matan Ruak		 Gastão Salsinha
Alfredo Reinado
Xanana Gusmão

Background

A pretext for the crisis came from the management of a dispute within the military of East Timor (F-FDTL), when soldiers from the western part of the country claimed that they were being discriminated against, in favour of soldiers from the eastern part of the country. The Lorosae (Tetum for easterners) formed the largest part of Falintil, the guerrilla resistance movement which had resisted Indonesian authority, and which in turn, after final independence in 2002, formed the largest part of F-FDTL.[1] In contrast the Loromonu (Tetum for westerners) were less prominent in the resistance, and less favoured in the military structure. There had also been tension between the military and the police force, which was composed of more westerners and also some former members of the Indonesian military.[1]

 
Location of East Timor

404 soldiers, out of the regular strength of about 1500, deserted their barracks on 8 February 2006, joined by 177 more on 25 February.[2] The soldiers were ordered to return in March, but refused, and were relieved of duty.[3][4] The soldiers were later joined by some members of the police force, and were initially led by Lt. Gastão Salsinha.[5]

The Foreign Minister, José Ramos-Horta, announced early in April that a panel would be established to hear the complaints of the former soldiers, but added that "They are not going to be brought back into the army, except on a case-by-case basis when we establish the responsibilities of each individual in this whole incident".[6]

There were political motivations behind the attacks on soldiers and the government. Those initiating the violence and killings declared loyalty to the then President Xanana Gusmao, who wanted to replace Prime Minister and Fretilin leader Mari Alkatiri.[7]

Violence

 
Map of Dili and immediate surroundings

On 24 April, the former soldiers and their civilian supporters, mostly unemployed youths, marched through the streets of the capital Dili in protest. The initially peaceful march turned violent when the soldiers attacked a market run by people from the east of the country.[6] The protests continued over the next several days, until on 28 April the former soldiers clashed with FDTL forces, who fired on the crowd. In the resultant violence, five people were killed, more than 100 buildings were destroyed and an estimated 21,000 Dili residents fled the city.[3]

On 4 May, Major Alfredo Reinado, along with 20 military police from a platoon under his command and four other riot police defected and joined the rebel soldiers, taking with them two trucks full of weapons and ammunition.[8] After joining the soldiers, Reinado made his base in the town of Aileu in the hills south-west of Dili.[9] There he and the military police guarded the road leading into the mountains.[5]

On the evening of 5 May, the former soldiers under Salsinha's leadership drafted a declaration calling for President Xanana Gusmão to sack the Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and abolish the FDTL within 48 hours.[5] When Gusmão contacted Salsinha earlier that day in an attempt to prevent the issuing of the declaration, Salsinha told him that it was "too late".[5]

The rebel soldiers remained in the hills above the capital, where they engaged in sporadic combat with FDTL forces over the next several weeks.[3] Violent gangs also roamed the streets of Dili, burning down houses and torching cars.[10] The civilians who fled Dili camped in tent cities nearby or in churches on the outskirts of the capital. One Catholic convent alone was providing Red Cross assistance to up to 7000 people.[10]

On 8 May a police officer was killed as a crowd of 1000 surrounded a government complex, the office of a regional state secretary, in a town outside Dili.[11] On 9 May, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri described the violence since 28 April as a coup, with "the aim of blocking the democratic institutions, preventing them to function in a way that the only solution would be for national parliament to be dissolved by the President... which would provoke the fall of the Government."[11] However on 10 May Alkatiri announced that government officials had held negotiations with the rebel soldiers, in which it was agreed that the rebel soldiers would be paid a subsidy equal to their former military wage to assist their families.[12]

The United Nations peacekeeping forces left East Timor on 20 May 2005, and the remaining administrative staff and police at the United Nations Office in Timor Leste (UNOTIL) were scheduled to leave on 20 May 2006, but on 11 May their deadline was extended at least until June.[13] The decision came alongside Foreign Minister Ramos-Horta's request to the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate allegations of human rights violations by the East Timorese police forces, as alleged by Human Rights Watch and the United States Department of State.[12][14] On 12 May, Prime Minister of Australia John Howard announced that although there had not been any formal requests for assistance from the Government of East Timor, Australian forces were standing by in readiness to provide assistance, with the amphibious transport ships HMAS Kanimbla and HMAS Manoora moving to northern waters in preparation.[15]

The violence escalated late in May, as one FDTL soldier was killed and five wounded in a skirmish on 23 May.[16] Foreign Minister Ramos-Horta sent out an official request for military assistance on 24 May, to the governments of Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Portugal.[9] On 25 May, as the first international forces were arriving, some renegade soldiers were moving into Dili and engaging in combat with FDTL and police forces, with up to twenty people believed to have been killed.[17] That day, FDTL soldiers acting in disobedience of a ceasefire and safe passage assurance by the Chief of the Armed Forces, General Taur Matan Ruak, massacred 10 unarmed police officers and wounded 27 others.[18]

Intervention

Main article: Operation Astute

Operation Astute is the name of the international military response to the crisis. Led by the Australian Defence Force, and commanded by Brigadier Michael Slater of the Australian 3rd Brigade, the operation involves forces from four countries.

Australia

The Prime Minister of Australia John Howard announced on 24 May that Australian forces would be deployed to East Timor, with the composition of the force and the terms of engagement to be negotiated over the next few days.[9] Australia initially offered between 1,000 and 1,300 infantry, three Royal Australian Navy ships (HMAS Manoora and HMAS Kanimbla already stationed nearby, and HMAS Tobruk) along with other support capabilities.[9] The first unit sent in was the 4th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment 'Commando'.

On the afternoon of 25 May, four Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 Hercules transport plane landed at Dili airport with the first wave of Australian forces.[17] By 26 May it was expected that all Australian forces would have arrived in East Timor by 27 May, a full day earlier than expected.[19]

The deployment to East Timor coincided with the withdrawal of about 260 of the 400 Australian soldiers deployed to the Solomon Islands. The 140 remaining would be supported by New Zealand and Fijian forces.[9] However, Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said that the deployment to East Timor would not overextend the Defence Force, saying that "we have much more in our back pocket".[17]

Malaysia

Malaysia responded by deploying Malaysian troops, initially consisted of 219 army paratroopers and commandos. The soldiers were drawn from the 10th Brigade Paratroopers based in Camp Terendak, Malacca (Malaysia), and a unit of the army special force from Mersing Camp, Johor (Malaysia), headed by Col Ismeth Nayan Ismail. These formed part of the group of 275 military and 200 police personnel who have been put on alert for possible deployment.[20] Malaysia had planned to send in a total of 500 personnel earlier.[21] By 23 June, there were already 333 Malaysian personnel from both the police and military forces stationed in Dili.[22]

Two Royal Malaysian Navy vessels—KD Mahawangsa and KD Sri Indera Sakti—ferried the equipment of the Malaysian troops, including armoured carriers, to Dili, arriving on 3 June.[23] The troops had been taught the basics of the Tetum language, the spoken language of the locals, to introduce themselves as peacekeepers.

Upon arrival, Malaysian forces secured embassies, port, power stations, oil depot and hospitals in East Timor. The diplomatic enclaves' security was given priority.[24] Earlier, East Timorese President Xanana Gusmão had requested Malaysia guard the East Timor-Indonesia border to prevent civilians from fleeing the country.[25] Malaysia, however, refused to do so.[26]

By mid-June, Malaysia announced a plan to send 250 police officers to East Timor.[27] The Malaysian police had trained the local police force four years previously.[22] According to Radio Televisyen Malaysia, the 250-strong police force would leave for East Timor at the end of June.[28]

New Zealand

On 25 May 2006, Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark requested more information as to exactly what support East Timor would require from New Zealand, before committing any forces. She said that "It's very important not to walk into what is a factional dispute in some respects and be seen to be taking sides," and "It's also important to be mindful that the Security Council is having consultations as we speak."[29]

On 26 May, New Zealand deployed 42 troops, with a second contingent of 120 troops leaving Christchurch on 27 May, en route to Townsville, Queensland before being sent to East Timor. Prime Minister Clark said that the forces would be deployed where needed by the Australian command.[30]

Portugal

The Portuguese Foreign Minister Freitas do Amaral announced an initial deployment of 120 Republican Guards on 24 May.[9] They joined a group of eight high level officers from the Special Operations Group of the Portuguese Polícia de Segurança Pública. The Portuguese Air Force evacuated more than 600 Portuguese citizens residing in Timor.

The President of the Republic, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, as well as Prime Minister José Sócrates, called for an end to the violence. In a meeting with the Foreign Ministers of the European Union, the Foreign Minister also called for members of the EU to denounce the violent acts of the rebels.

United Nations and other bodies

On 25 May, UNOTIL opened a refugee camp outside Dili expected to house up to 1000 people.[29] However, on 27 May as the violence escalated, the UN announced that they planned to withdraw the majority of their staff from the country.[31]

The chief executive of World Vision Australia, Reverend Tim Costello, announced on 27 May that he would travel to Dili to assess the situation, to help displaced civilians. He also expressed concern over reports that one World Vision worker had been killed.[31]

Continuing violence

 
Internal displaced people by district

Despite hopes that the presence of international troops would quell the unrest, violence continued throughout Dili and other parts of East Timor.

On 27 May, gangs from different parts of the country fought in the streets of Dili, destroying cars and houses and fighting with knives, machetes and slingshots leaving at least 3 East Timorese hacked to death.[31] Dili residents continued to flee the city, with some seeking refuge at the Australian embassy and some going to the airport. A UN official expressed concerns that the regionally based conflict in the military was igniting wider regional conflict in the civilian population, saying "It's basically payback time between the different groups."[31] A Catholic priest similarly described the street violence as "...east against west, soldiers against soldiers, police against soldiers, everyone against everyone... It's total madness."[31]

The media were targeted for the first time when an AFP car, with two reporters and one photographer inside, also containing an AP photographer was attacked after one easterner forced his way into the vehicle and another jumped on the roof while attempting to escape a pursuing mob of westerners.[32]

Australian troops were attacked as they endeavoured to keep the gangs apart, while they helped civilians escape to safety through back alleys. The Australians did not return fire, instead discouraging the gangs by advancing towards them and "shouting orders and threats".[33] The rescued civilians were then rushed to the UN compound nearby.[34] The Major commanding the troops said that the gangs were using mobile phones to co-ordinate their attacks, but that the attacks would likely cease as more international troops arrived and completely secured the city.[33]

On 29 May, Brigadier Slater met with military and civilian leaders in East Timor, and had secured the return of FDTL soldiers to their barracks.[35] Australian Defence Minister Brendan Nelson also said that the East Timorese authorities should expand the rules of engagement of the international forces, to give them police powers to combat the gangs, saying that "It's clear there needs to be political leadership as far as the policing is concerned ... what we need is a policing strategy across Dili."[35] Also on 29 May, Australian Prime Minister John Howard rejected criticisms that Australian troops had not secured Dili quickly enough, saying that the crisis was possibly more dangerous than the violence following independence from Indonesia in 1999, and that "We cannot have a situation around the world and particularly in our region where Australia is told to respect the independence of a country and that it's a bully boy if it seeks to express a view or to intervene, but when something goes wrong Australia is then criticised for not having, quote, intervened earlier."[36]

Council of State meeting

Throughout 29 and 30 May, President Xanana Gusmão held crisis talks with the Council of State, an advisory body composed of community leaders.[37] The Council, which has the ability to authorise the President to dismiss the National Parliament, was the first meeting between Gusmão and Prime Minister Alkatiri since the escalation of violence in the previous week.[38] The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Ramos-Horta (leading to speculation that Ramos-Horta might be appointed as a temporary Prime Minister if Alkatiri were to be sacked), the Bishop of Dili, the UNOTIL representative Sukehiro Hasegawa and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's personal representative Ian Martin, who was previously the UN representative to East Timor in the leadup to the independence referendum in 1999.[38] Gusmão emerged from the meeting in the afternoon of 29 May to urge crowds gathered outside, composed of supporters of Gusmão and Ramos-Horta and opponents of Alkatiri, to put down their weapons and return home, saying "If you trust me, west and east, embrace each other in your home, be calm and help each other to stay calm".[38][39]

Late on 30 May, after the Council meeting and following an emergency meeting with his cabinet, Gusmão announced that he was declaring a state of emergency to last for 30 days, during which time Gusmão, as Commander-in-Chief, would have sole command of both the military and the police forces, and would personally co-ordinate with the international forces, and to combat the gang violence both internal and international forces would have increased policing powers.[37] There had been some speculation that the Council would advise Gusmão to dissolve the Parliament and sack Prime Minister Alkatiri,[40] however under the emergency arrangements Alkatiri would remain in office, albeit with reduced authority.[37] Gusmão said that he was taking personal responsibility of both the military and police to "prevent violence and avoid further fatalities".[41] Gusmão said that the decision to assume control was taken in "close collaboration" with Alkatiri, despite some members of the government, including Foreign Minister Ramos-Horta, attributing some of the blame for the crisis directly to Alkatiri.[41][42]

On 1 June, Gusmão visited a refugee camp near the United Nations headquarters, telling people "The best thing you can do is go back to your homes", and urging them not to take security matters into their own hands. On the same day, Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato and Defence Minister Roque Rodrigues resigned, Lobato blaming the crisis on opponents to the government resorting to violence rather than political means.[43] Foreign Minister Ramos-Horta subsequently took over the Defence ministry, while Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar urged Ramos-Horta to act strongly in his new capacity, in the interests of achieving political stability, while emphasising that the United Nations should be prepared to resume greater role.[44]

Civil unrest in Dili

 
Security Hot Zones and Hot Spots in Dili, 24 October 2006

On the night of 31 May, gangs in the capital Dili burned down a market and several houses in arson attacks.[45]

On 2 June, a large crowd of about 1000 people who had waited in vain for several hours for food handouts raided a government warehouse in Dili, taking computer equipment, furniture and other supplies to trade them for food.[46] Australian soldiers present at the warehouse were unable to prevent the looting due to a lack of police powers, and although they summoned Portuguese police, the warehouse was practically empty.[47] On the same day a crowd of 500 to 600 people protested outside Government House again calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Alkatiri. A group of East Timorese police who arrived to confront the demonstration were stopped and searched by Australian troops, who confiscated their only weapons, several cans of pepper spray, as part of a policy of removing all weapons from the streets.[47]

Meanwhile, also on 2 June, the commander of the Australian forces Brigadier Slater met with rebel leader Major Reinado, at his base in Aileu above Dili. Reinado reiterated his calls for Prime Minister Alkatiri to resign, but Alkatiri rejected the calls, instead saying that all "irregular forces" ought to hand in their weapons.[48] In interviews, Slater said that he did not ask Reinado to surrender or participate in negotiations because the situation was not ready for discussions, as not all groups were ready to participate. Slater said that some of the violence seemed coordinated, and that he had been co-operating with the military, the police, the government, and Reinado in an attempt to find those planning the violence.[49]

On the night of 2 and 3 June, looting and gang violence destroyed another dozen houses in Dili, and forced the temporary closure of the main road between Dili and the airport to the west of the city, where the international forces were based, although Australian and Malaysian forces quickly secured the road.[49]

Over the next few days, violence continued to occur in the suburb of Comoro, the area to the west of the city centre on the road to the airport (also known as Comoro Airfield) where many groups from both the east and the west of the country lived nearby. On 5 June, rival gangs, with over a hundred members each, clashed in the streets armed with spears, machetes and slingshots, before being separated by Australian troops.[50] However at the same time in the centre of Dili, the unrest had all but ended, with commercial areas re-opening and some of the damaged buildings and shops being repaired.[50]

Protests, allegations and investigations

On 6 June, a convoy of anti-Alkatiri protestors from the west of the country drove to Dili, through the western suburb of Comoro and to the National Parliament and government buildings in the heart of the city. The convoy consisted of at least thirty trucks, along with buses and motorbikes, and were accompanied by Malaysian and Australian forces in armoured personnel carriers and an Australian Army Black Hawk helicopter.[51] However, there was little or no violence accompanying the convoy, aside from some stones thrown as the convoy passed through Comoro, indicative of the level of support for the protest, which one reporter described as "a very impressive show of people power".[51] In a deal brokered by Foreign Minister Ramos-Horta to ensure a peaceful protest, the convoy consisting of up to 2,500 people gathered in Tibar outside the Malaysian checkpoint to the west of the airport, where they surrendered any weapons before proceeding through Dili.[52]

The crowd chanted for the resignation of Prime Minister Alkatiri, while also expressing support for President Gusmão. Gusmão later addressed the crowd from atop a car outside his office, saying "Let me bring peace to East Timor and then we will resolve others matters."[53] He was said to be in tears at times, and said "The priority now is to stop people burning, and guns shooting."[54] The convoy completed a loop around the inner city, before peacefully dispersing again.[51]

On 7 June, Alkatiri agreed to a United Nations investigation into allegations that he was responsible for several incidents in April and May which sparked the crisis. UNOTIL representative Sukehiro Hasegawa, having met separately with Alkatiri and rebel leaders including Tarak Palasinyar and Reinado, said that Alkatiri was "agreeable to the investigations to be carried out... He's very transparent. He insists that truth should be known, what happened."[55] Meanwhile, Australian Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said that the East Timorese judicial system was beginning to deal successfully with the problem of violent street gangs, saying that "We are detaining people, we are bringing them before a magistrate, and if they are found guilty, then, they are further being detained."[56]

On 8 June, claims emerged that former Interior Minister and Alkatiri ally Rogerio Lobato (who had resigned a week earlier), acting on Alkatiri's instructions, recruited and armed a civilian militia to "eliminate" opponents of Alkatiri. The group consisted of about thirty civilians, and were allegedly armed with "18 assault rifles, 6,000 round sic of ammunition, two vehicles and uniforms."[57] The leader of the group, referred to as Commander Railos, said that they had instructions to kill all of the rebel soldiers, but after losing five of the group in armed combat in Dili came to "appreciate that the cost of arming civilians was bloodshed and deaths on all sides" and was prepared to surrender to President Gusmão.[58] Alkatiri strenuously denied the claims, saying that his government had not armed any civilians. Foreign Minister Ramos-Horta also said that he found it "very hard to believe that our own Prime Minister would... arm civilians".[59]

On 9 June, Lieutenant Gastão Salsinha, the original leader of the rebel soldiers, reiterated the claims of Commander Railos, saying that Lobato had distributed 200 rifles stolen from the police armoury to civilians. He also claimed that on 28 April, the same day as the clash between the military and rebel soldiers that sparked the crisis, soldiers loyal to Alkatiri had shot and killed 60 civilians, before burying them in a mass grave outside Dili.[59] The United Nations announced on 12 June that they would hold an inquiry into the crisis, but that they would not investigate the allegations made against Lobato and Alkatiri.[60]

 
Rebel soldier Major Tara (left) hands over his weapon to Lieutenant Colonel Mick Mumford at a ceremony in the city of Gleno on 5 July.

Meanwhile the violence in Dili appeared to be subsiding, despite sporadic outbreaks, as international peacekeepers continued to secure the city. By 16 June, rebel soldiers were ready to hand in their weapons, in exchange for protection from the international military forces, following more than a week of negotiations.[61] At camps in Gleno and Maubisse, rebels including Alfredo Reinado surrendered weapons, including several M16 rifles, which were then sealed in a shipping container. Brigadier Slater expressed doubts that all weapons would be handed in, but said that the presence of international forces around the rebel bases "will enable them to confidently enter into negotiations with the president and other members of the government."[62]

On 20 June, the East Timorese Prosecutor-General issued an arrest warrant for Rogerio Lobato for arming Commander Railos and other civilians. Although there was initially some speculation as to whether Lobato had fled the country,[63] by 21 June he was under house arrest in Dili.[64]

On 20 June, the United Nations Security Council issued Resolution 1690, extending UNOTIL's mandate until 20 August and expressing support for the existing international peacekeeping effort.[64] A controversy ensued as to whether the military component of the next UN mission would be under UN or Australian command, and the Security Council, unable to reach agreement, extended the mission for an additional five days on 20 August.[65] Five days later, the Council adopted Resolution 1704 creating the new United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). Australia was allowed to retain command over the joint military task force, although the UN Secretary-General and Security Council will revisit this question by 25 October.

Resolution

Change of leadership

On 22 June, President Gusmão delivered an ultimatum on a national television broadcast, saying that he would resign as President the following day if Prime Minister Alkatiri did not resign. He had earlier told Alkatiri that he had lost confidence in him, and in his broadcast said that "Fretilin has to choose, ask Mari Alkatiri to take responsibility for the major crisis, about the sacrifices of the state, the law and democracy."[66] The announcement followed reports the preceding day originating from Alkatiri's office that Alkatiri had intended to step back from an active role as Prime Minister on the morning of 22 June. The reports indicated that a plan had been developed which would see Alkatiri remain officially as Prime Minister for another month, but that two deputies would be appointed, who would have in fact governed in his place.[67]

After Gusmão's broadcast, several thousand of his supporters began protesting in Dili, imploring that he not resign, with two or three thousand assembled by the afternoon of 23 June. Gusmão did not in fact resign that day, and indeed announced to the protestors that he would fulfil his constitutional duties, apparently indicating that he would not resign.[68] Alkatiri said that he would only resign if his party Fretilin wanted him to, and on 25 June, a meeting of Fretilin leaders confirmed Alkatiri's status as Prime Minister. In response, Foreign and Defence Minister José Ramos-Horta resigned from office "because the government is not functioning properly", according to his spokesperson.[69]

The next day, 26 June up to eight more ministers threatened to resign, and Ramos-Horta was beginning a press conference discussing his resignation when he received a phone call; after answering it, he said to the media "Please, we cancel our press conference because it is irrelevant anyway now. You are invited to go to the residence of the Prime Minister. He wants to make an announcement."[70] There, Alkatiri announced his resignation, saying:

Having deeply reflected on the present situation prevailing in the country, considering that above all interests are the interests of our nation, assuming my own share of responsibility for the crisis affecting our country, determined not to contribute to any deepening of the crisis, recognising that the people of Timor deserve to live in peace and tranquillity, believing that all militants and sympathisers of Fretilin will understand and support this position, I declare I am ready to resign from my position of Prime Minister of the government of RDTL, so as to avoid the resignation of His Excellency, the President of the Republic.

— Mari Alkatiri, [71]

After the announcement, mobs in the streets of Dili began to celebrate rather than protest. Australian Prime Minister John Howard said he was pleased with the resignation, insofar as it was "part of the process of working out the difficulty, resolving the impasse".[71]

On 27 June, Alkatiri was issue with a summons to appear in court to give evidence relating to the accusations that Rogerio Lobato armed a group of civilians, prosecutors suggesting that Alkatiri may also be charged over allegations about his role in the matter.[72]

Following Alkatiri's resignation, Ramos-Horta withdrew his resignation to contest the prime ministership, and was appointed Prime Minister on 8 July 2006 by President Gusmão.[73]

Consequences

The crisis has affected the political landscape of East Timor. On 11 May 2006, Foreign Minister José Ramos-Horta suggested that Fernando Lasama, the leader of the Democratic Party, had encouraged the unrest. He also warned other parties not to exploit the violence and unrest for electoral gain, calling "on all parties to know that those who want to spread disunity, scare or threaten the people will not be chosen by the people in the 2007 elections."[74]

By August 2006, troops had withdrawn from some points of the country and the rebels' leader, Alfredo Reinado, was able to escape from Becora Prison, in Dili.

On 2 October 2006, the United Nations Independent Special Commission of Inquiry made a number of recommendations including that several individuals be prosecuted. Notably, it found that Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato, and Defence Minister Roque Rodrigues and Defence Force Chief Taur Matan Ruak acted illegally in transferring weapons to civilians during the crisis.[75][76]

Documentary films

  • Breaking the News (2011) 53 mins, is about local and foreign journalists covering the crisis. The filming completed in 2010 and the documentary post-production was completed in 2011.

See also

External links

  • Report of the United Nations Independent Special Commission for East Timor, 2 October 2006
  • Anatomy of a conflict: the 2006–2007 communal violence in East Timor, James Scambary, Conflict, Security & Development, Volume 9, Issue 2, 2009, Pages 265–288 doi:10.1080/14678800902925184

References

Notes

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Further reading

  • Scambary, James (18 September 2009). "Urban conflict in East Timor". East Asia Forum. from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  • ———————— (31 March 2010). "Sects, lies and videotape". Inside Story. from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  • Neupert, Ricardo; Lopes, Silvino (2007). "The Demographic Component of the Crisis in Timor-Leste" (PDF). London School of Economics. (PDF) from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.

May 04, 2023
2006, east, timorese, crisis, began, conflict, between, elements, military, east, timor, over, discrimination, within, military, expanded, coup, attempt, general, violence, throughout, country, centred, capital, dili, crisis, prompted, military, intervention, . The 2006 East Timorese crisis began as a conflict between elements of the military of East Timor over discrimination within the military and expanded to a coup attempt and general violence throughout the country centred in the capital Dili The crisis prompted a military intervention by several other countries and led to the resignation of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri 2006 East Timor crisisDate24 April 20 June 2006LocationEast TimorResultMari Alkatiri resigns as Prime Minister 2007 East Timorese presidential electionBelligerentsF DTL Loyalist faction FRETILINF FDTL Rebel faction CNRTCommanders and leadersMari Alkatiri Jose Ramos Horta Taur Matan RuakGastao Salsinha Alfredo Reinado Xanana Gusmao Contents 1 Background 2 Violence 3 Intervention 3 1 Australia 3 2 Malaysia 3 3 New Zealand 3 4 Portugal 3 5 United Nations and other bodies 4 Continuing violence 4 1 Council of State meeting 4 2 Civil unrest in Dili 4 3 Protests allegations and investigations 5 Resolution 5 1 Change of leadership 6 Consequences 7 Documentary films 8 See also 9 External links 10 References 10 1 Notes 10 2 Further readingBackground EditA pretext for the crisis came from the management of a dispute within the military of East Timor F FDTL when soldiers from the western part of the country claimed that they were being discriminated against in favour of soldiers from the eastern part of the country The Lorosae Tetum for easterners formed the largest part of Falintil the guerrilla resistance movement which had resisted Indonesian authority and which in turn after final independence in 2002 formed the largest part of F FDTL 1 In contrast the Loromonu Tetum for westerners were less prominent in the resistance and less favoured in the military structure There had also been tension between the military and the police force which was composed of more westerners and also some former members of the Indonesian military 1 Location of East Timor 404 soldiers out of the regular strength of about 1500 deserted their barracks on 8 February 2006 joined by 177 more on 25 February 2 The soldiers were ordered to return in March but refused and were relieved of duty 3 4 The soldiers were later joined by some members of the police force and were initially led by Lt Gastao Salsinha 5 The Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta announced early in April that a panel would be established to hear the complaints of the former soldiers but added that They are not going to be brought back into the army except on a case by case basis when we establish the responsibilities of each individual in this whole incident 6 There were political motivations behind the attacks on soldiers and the government Those initiating the violence and killings declared loyalty to the then President Xanana Gusmao who wanted to replace Prime Minister and Fretilin leader Mari Alkatiri 7 Violence Edit Map of Dili and immediate surroundings On 24 April the former soldiers and their civilian supporters mostly unemployed youths marched through the streets of the capital Dili in protest The initially peaceful march turned violent when the soldiers attacked a market run by people from the east of the country 6 The protests continued over the next several days until on 28 April the former soldiers clashed with FDTL forces who fired on the crowd In the resultant violence five people were killed more than 100 buildings were destroyed and an estimated 21 000 Dili residents fled the city 3 On 4 May Major Alfredo Reinado along with 20 military police from a platoon under his command and four other riot police defected and joined the rebel soldiers taking with them two trucks full of weapons and ammunition 8 After joining the soldiers Reinado made his base in the town of Aileu in the hills south west of Dili 9 There he and the military police guarded the road leading into the mountains 5 On the evening of 5 May the former soldiers under Salsinha s leadership drafted a declaration calling for President Xanana Gusmao to sack the Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and abolish the FDTL within 48 hours 5 When Gusmao contacted Salsinha earlier that day in an attempt to prevent the issuing of the declaration Salsinha told him that it was too late 5 The rebel soldiers remained in the hills above the capital where they engaged in sporadic combat with FDTL forces over the next several weeks 3 Violent gangs also roamed the streets of Dili burning down houses and torching cars 10 The civilians who fled Dili camped in tent cities nearby or in churches on the outskirts of the capital One Catholic convent alone was providing Red Cross assistance to up to 7000 people 10 On 8 May a police officer was killed as a crowd of 1000 surrounded a government complex the office of a regional state secretary in a town outside Dili 11 On 9 May Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri described the violence since 28 April as a coup with the aim of blocking the democratic institutions preventing them to function in a way that the only solution would be for national parliament to be dissolved by the President which would provoke the fall of the Government 11 However on 10 May Alkatiri announced that government officials had held negotiations with the rebel soldiers in which it was agreed that the rebel soldiers would be paid a subsidy equal to their former military wage to assist their families 12 The United Nations peacekeeping forces left East Timor on 20 May 2005 and the remaining administrative staff and police at the United Nations Office in Timor Leste UNOTIL were scheduled to leave on 20 May 2006 but on 11 May their deadline was extended at least until June 13 The decision came alongside Foreign Minister Ramos Horta s request to the UN s High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate allegations of human rights violations by the East Timorese police forces as alleged by Human Rights Watch and the United States Department of State 12 14 On 12 May Prime Minister of Australia John Howard announced that although there had not been any formal requests for assistance from the Government of East Timor Australian forces were standing by in readiness to provide assistance with the amphibious transport ships HMAS Kanimbla and HMAS Manoora moving to northern waters in preparation 15 The violence escalated late in May as one FDTL soldier was killed and five wounded in a skirmish on 23 May 16 Foreign Minister Ramos Horta sent out an official request for military assistance on 24 May to the governments of Australia New Zealand Malaysia and Portugal 9 On 25 May as the first international forces were arriving some renegade soldiers were moving into Dili and engaging in combat with FDTL and police forces with up to twenty people believed to have been killed 17 That day FDTL soldiers acting in disobedience of a ceasefire and safe passage assurance by the Chief of the Armed Forces General Taur Matan Ruak massacred 10 unarmed police officers and wounded 27 others 18 Intervention EditMain article Operation Astute Operation Astute is the name of the international military response to the crisis Led by the Australian Defence Force and commanded by Brigadier Michael Slater of the Australian 3rd Brigade the operation involves forces from four countries Australia Edit The Prime Minister of Australia John Howard announced on 24 May that Australian forces would be deployed to East Timor with the composition of the force and the terms of engagement to be negotiated over the next few days 9 Australia initially offered between 1 000 and 1 300 infantry three Royal Australian Navy ships HMAS Manoora and HMAS Kanimbla already stationed nearby and HMAS Tobruk along with other support capabilities 9 The first unit sent in was the 4th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment Commando On the afternoon of 25 May four Black Hawk helicopters and a C 130 Hercules transport plane landed at Dili airport with the first wave of Australian forces 17 By 26 May it was expected that all Australian forces would have arrived in East Timor by 27 May a full day earlier than expected 19 The deployment to East Timor coincided with the withdrawal of about 260 of the 400 Australian soldiers deployed to the Solomon Islands The 140 remaining would be supported by New Zealand and Fijian forces 9 However Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said that the deployment to East Timor would not overextend the Defence Force saying that we have much more in our back pocket 17 Malaysia Edit Malaysia responded by deploying Malaysian troops initially consisted of 219 army paratroopers and commandos The soldiers were drawn from the 10th Brigade Paratroopers based in Camp Terendak Malacca Malaysia and a unit of the army special force from Mersing Camp Johor Malaysia headed by Col Ismeth Nayan Ismail These formed part of the group of 275 military and 200 police personnel who have been put on alert for possible deployment 20 Malaysia had planned to send in a total of 500 personnel earlier 21 By 23 June there were already 333 Malaysian personnel from both the police and military forces stationed in Dili 22 Two Royal Malaysian Navy vessels KD Mahawangsa and KD Sri Indera Sakti ferried the equipment of the Malaysian troops including armoured carriers to Dili arriving on 3 June 23 The troops had been taught the basics of the Tetum language the spoken language of the locals to introduce themselves as peacekeepers Upon arrival Malaysian forces secured embassies port power stations oil depot and hospitals in East Timor The diplomatic enclaves security was given priority 24 Earlier East Timorese President Xanana Gusmao had requested Malaysia guard the East Timor Indonesia border to prevent civilians from fleeing the country 25 Malaysia however refused to do so 26 By mid June Malaysia announced a plan to send 250 police officers to East Timor 27 The Malaysian police had trained the local police force four years previously 22 According to Radio Televisyen Malaysia the 250 strong police force would leave for East Timor at the end of June 28 New Zealand Edit On 25 May 2006 Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark requested more information as to exactly what support East Timor would require from New Zealand before committing any forces She said that It s very important not to walk into what is a factional dispute in some respects and be seen to be taking sides and It s also important to be mindful that the Security Council is having consultations as we speak 29 On 26 May New Zealand deployed 42 troops with a second contingent of 120 troops leaving Christchurch on 27 May en route to Townsville Queensland before being sent to East Timor Prime Minister Clark said that the forces would be deployed where needed by the Australian command 30 Portugal Edit The Portuguese Foreign Minister Freitas do Amaral announced an initial deployment of 120 Republican Guards on 24 May 9 They joined a group of eight high level officers from the Special Operations Group of the Portuguese Policia de Seguranca Publica The Portuguese Air Force evacuated more than 600 Portuguese citizens residing in Timor The President of the Republic Anibal Cavaco Silva as well as Prime Minister Jose Socrates called for an end to the violence In a meeting with the Foreign Ministers of the European Union the Foreign Minister also called for members of the EU to denounce the violent acts of the rebels United Nations and other bodies Edit On 25 May UNOTIL opened a refugee camp outside Dili expected to house up to 1000 people 29 However on 27 May as the violence escalated the UN announced that they planned to withdraw the majority of their staff from the country 31 The chief executive of World Vision Australia Reverend Tim Costello announced on 27 May that he would travel to Dili to assess the situation to help displaced civilians He also expressed concern over reports that one World Vision worker had been killed 31 Continuing violence Edit Internal displaced people by district Despite hopes that the presence of international troops would quell the unrest violence continued throughout Dili and other parts of East Timor On 27 May gangs from different parts of the country fought in the streets of Dili destroying cars and houses and fighting with knives machetes and slingshots leaving at least 3 East Timorese hacked to death 31 Dili residents continued to flee the city with some seeking refuge at the Australian embassy and some going to the airport A UN official expressed concerns that the regionally based conflict in the military was igniting wider regional conflict in the civilian population saying It s basically payback time between the different groups 31 A Catholic priest similarly described the street violence as east against west soldiers against soldiers police against soldiers everyone against everyone It s total madness 31 The media were targeted for the first time when an AFP car with two reporters and one photographer inside also containing an AP photographer was attacked after one easterner forced his way into the vehicle and another jumped on the roof while attempting to escape a pursuing mob of westerners 32 Australian troops were attacked as they endeavoured to keep the gangs apart while they helped civilians escape to safety through back alleys The Australians did not return fire instead discouraging the gangs by advancing towards them and shouting orders and threats 33 The rescued civilians were then rushed to the UN compound nearby 34 The Major commanding the troops said that the gangs were using mobile phones to co ordinate their attacks but that the attacks would likely cease as more international troops arrived and completely secured the city 33 On 29 May Brigadier Slater met with military and civilian leaders in East Timor and had secured the return of FDTL soldiers to their barracks 35 Australian Defence Minister Brendan Nelson also said that the East Timorese authorities should expand the rules of engagement of the international forces to give them police powers to combat the gangs saying that It s clear there needs to be political leadership as far as the policing is concerned what we need is a policing strategy across Dili 35 Also on 29 May Australian Prime Minister John Howard rejected criticisms that Australian troops had not secured Dili quickly enough saying that the crisis was possibly more dangerous than the violence following independence from Indonesia in 1999 and that We cannot have a situation around the world and particularly in our region where Australia is told to respect the independence of a country and that it s a bully boy if it seeks to express a view or to intervene but when something goes wrong Australia is then criticised for not having quote intervened earlier 36 Council of State meeting Edit Throughout 29 and 30 May President Xanana Gusmao held crisis talks with the Council of State an advisory body composed of community leaders 37 The Council which has the ability to authorise the President to dismiss the National Parliament was the first meeting between Gusmao and Prime Minister Alkatiri since the escalation of violence in the previous week 38 The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Ramos Horta leading to speculation that Ramos Horta might be appointed as a temporary Prime Minister if Alkatiri were to be sacked the Bishop of Dili the UNOTIL representative Sukehiro Hasegawa and United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan s personal representative Ian Martin who was previously the UN representative to East Timor in the leadup to the independence referendum in 1999 38 Gusmao emerged from the meeting in the afternoon of 29 May to urge crowds gathered outside composed of supporters of Gusmao and Ramos Horta and opponents of Alkatiri to put down their weapons and return home saying If you trust me west and east embrace each other in your home be calm and help each other to stay calm 38 39 Late on 30 May after the Council meeting and following an emergency meeting with his cabinet Gusmao announced that he was declaring a state of emergency to last for 30 days during which time Gusmao as Commander in Chief would have sole command of both the military and the police forces and would personally co ordinate with the international forces and to combat the gang violence both internal and international forces would have increased policing powers 37 There had been some speculation that the Council would advise Gusmao to dissolve the Parliament and sack Prime Minister Alkatiri 40 however under the emergency arrangements Alkatiri would remain in office albeit with reduced authority 37 Gusmao said that he was taking personal responsibility of both the military and police to prevent violence and avoid further fatalities 41 Gusmao said that the decision to assume control was taken in close collaboration with Alkatiri despite some members of the government including Foreign Minister Ramos Horta attributing some of the blame for the crisis directly to Alkatiri 41 42 On 1 June Gusmao visited a refugee camp near the United Nations headquarters telling people The best thing you can do is go back to your homes and urging them not to take security matters into their own hands On the same day Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato and Defence Minister Roque Rodrigues resigned Lobato blaming the crisis on opponents to the government resorting to violence rather than political means 43 Foreign Minister Ramos Horta subsequently took over the Defence ministry while Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar urged Ramos Horta to act strongly in his new capacity in the interests of achieving political stability while emphasising that the United Nations should be prepared to resume greater role 44 Civil unrest in Dili Edit Security Hot Zones and Hot Spots in Dili 24 October 2006 On the night of 31 May gangs in the capital Dili burned down a market and several houses in arson attacks 45 On 2 June a large crowd of about 1000 people who had waited in vain for several hours for food handouts raided a government warehouse in Dili taking computer equipment furniture and other supplies to trade them for food 46 Australian soldiers present at the warehouse were unable to prevent the looting due to a lack of police powers and although they summoned Portuguese police the warehouse was practically empty 47 On the same day a crowd of 500 to 600 people protested outside Government House again calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Alkatiri A group of East Timorese police who arrived to confront the demonstration were stopped and searched by Australian troops who confiscated their only weapons several cans of pepper spray as part of a policy of removing all weapons from the streets 47 Meanwhile also on 2 June the commander of the Australian forces Brigadier Slater met with rebel leader Major Reinado at his base in Aileu above Dili Reinado reiterated his calls for Prime Minister Alkatiri to resign but Alkatiri rejected the calls instead saying that all irregular forces ought to hand in their weapons 48 In interviews Slater said that he did not ask Reinado to surrender or participate in negotiations because the situation was not ready for discussions as not all groups were ready to participate Slater said that some of the violence seemed coordinated and that he had been co operating with the military the police the government and Reinado in an attempt to find those planning the violence 49 On the night of 2 and 3 June looting and gang violence destroyed another dozen houses in Dili and forced the temporary closure of the main road between Dili and the airport to the west of the city where the international forces were based although Australian and Malaysian forces quickly secured the road 49 Over the next few days violence continued to occur in the suburb of Comoro the area to the west of the city centre on the road to the airport also known as Comoro Airfield where many groups from both the east and the west of the country lived nearby On 5 June rival gangs with over a hundred members each clashed in the streets armed with spears machetes and slingshots before being separated by Australian troops 50 However at the same time in the centre of Dili the unrest had all but ended with commercial areas re opening and some of the damaged buildings and shops being repaired 50 Protests allegations and investigations Edit On 6 June a convoy of anti Alkatiri protestors from the west of the country drove to Dili through the western suburb of Comoro and to the National Parliament and government buildings in the heart of the city The convoy consisted of at least thirty trucks along with buses and motorbikes and were accompanied by Malaysian and Australian forces in armoured personnel carriers and an Australian Army Black Hawk helicopter 51 However there was little or no violence accompanying the convoy aside from some stones thrown as the convoy passed through Comoro indicative of the level of support for the protest which one reporter described as a very impressive show of people power 51 In a deal brokered by Foreign Minister Ramos Horta to ensure a peaceful protest the convoy consisting of up to 2 500 people gathered in Tibar outside the Malaysian checkpoint to the west of the airport where they surrendered any weapons before proceeding through Dili 52 The crowd chanted for the resignation of Prime Minister Alkatiri while also expressing support for President Gusmao Gusmao later addressed the crowd from atop a car outside his office saying Let me bring peace to East Timor and then we will resolve others matters 53 He was said to be in tears at times and said The priority now is to stop people burning and guns shooting 54 The convoy completed a loop around the inner city before peacefully dispersing again 51 On 7 June Alkatiri agreed to a United Nations investigation into allegations that he was responsible for several incidents in April and May which sparked the crisis UNOTIL representative Sukehiro Hasegawa having met separately with Alkatiri and rebel leaders including Tarak Palasinyar and Reinado said that Alkatiri was agreeable to the investigations to be carried out He s very transparent He insists that truth should be known what happened 55 Meanwhile Australian Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said that the East Timorese judicial system was beginning to deal successfully with the problem of violent street gangs saying that We are detaining people we are bringing them before a magistrate and if they are found guilty then they are further being detained 56 On 8 June claims emerged that former Interior Minister and Alkatiri ally Rogerio Lobato who had resigned a week earlier acting on Alkatiri s instructions recruited and armed a civilian militia to eliminate opponents of Alkatiri The group consisted of about thirty civilians and were allegedly armed with 18 assault rifles 6 000 round sic of ammunition two vehicles and uniforms 57 The leader of the group referred to as Commander Railos said that they had instructions to kill all of the rebel soldiers but after losing five of the group in armed combat in Dili came to appreciate that the cost of arming civilians was bloodshed and deaths on all sides and was prepared to surrender to President Gusmao 58 Alkatiri strenuously denied the claims saying that his government had not armed any civilians Foreign Minister Ramos Horta also said that he found it very hard to believe that our own Prime Minister would arm civilians 59 On 9 June Lieutenant Gastao Salsinha the original leader of the rebel soldiers reiterated the claims of Commander Railos saying that Lobato had distributed 200 rifles stolen from the police armoury to civilians He also claimed that on 28 April the same day as the clash between the military and rebel soldiers that sparked the crisis soldiers loyal to Alkatiri had shot and killed 60 civilians before burying them in a mass grave outside Dili 59 The United Nations announced on 12 June that they would hold an inquiry into the crisis but that they would not investigate the allegations made against Lobato and Alkatiri 60 Rebel soldier Major Tara left hands over his weapon to Lieutenant Colonel Mick Mumford at a ceremony in the city of Gleno on 5 July Meanwhile the violence in Dili appeared to be subsiding despite sporadic outbreaks as international peacekeepers continued to secure the city By 16 June rebel soldiers were ready to hand in their weapons in exchange for protection from the international military forces following more than a week of negotiations 61 At camps in Gleno and Maubisse rebels including Alfredo Reinado surrendered weapons including several M16 rifles which were then sealed in a shipping container Brigadier Slater expressed doubts that all weapons would be handed in but said that the presence of international forces around the rebel bases will enable them to confidently enter into negotiations with the president and other members of the government 62 On 20 June the East Timorese Prosecutor General issued an arrest warrant for Rogerio Lobato for arming Commander Railos and other civilians Although there was initially some speculation as to whether Lobato had fled the country 63 by 21 June he was under house arrest in Dili 64 On 20 June the United Nations Security Council issued Resolution 1690 extending UNOTIL s mandate until 20 August and expressing support for the existing international peacekeeping effort 64 A controversy ensued as to whether the military component of the next UN mission would be under UN or Australian command and the Security Council unable to reach agreement extended the mission for an additional five days on 20 August 65 Five days later the Council adopted Resolution 1704 creating the new United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor Leste UNMIT Australia was allowed to retain command over the joint military task force although the UN Secretary General and Security Council will revisit this question by 25 October Resolution EditChange of leadership Edit On 22 June President Gusmao delivered an ultimatum on a national television broadcast saying that he would resign as President the following day if Prime Minister Alkatiri did not resign He had earlier told Alkatiri that he had lost confidence in him and in his broadcast said that Fretilin has to choose ask Mari Alkatiri to take responsibility for the major crisis about the sacrifices of the state the law and democracy 66 The announcement followed reports the preceding day originating from Alkatiri s office that Alkatiri had intended to step back from an active role as Prime Minister on the morning of 22 June The reports indicated that a plan had been developed which would see Alkatiri remain officially as Prime Minister for another month but that two deputies would be appointed who would have in fact governed in his place 67 After Gusmao s broadcast several thousand of his supporters began protesting in Dili imploring that he not resign with two or three thousand assembled by the afternoon of 23 June Gusmao did not in fact resign that day and indeed announced to the protestors that he would fulfil his constitutional duties apparently indicating that he would not resign 68 Alkatiri said that he would only resign if his party Fretilin wanted him to and on 25 June a meeting of Fretilin leaders confirmed Alkatiri s status as Prime Minister In response Foreign and Defence Minister Jose Ramos Horta resigned from office because the government is not functioning properly according to his spokesperson 69 The next day 26 June up to eight more ministers threatened to resign and Ramos Horta was beginning a press conference discussing his resignation when he received a phone call after answering it he said to the media Please we cancel our press conference because it is irrelevant anyway now You are invited to go to the residence of the Prime Minister He wants to make an announcement 70 There Alkatiri announced his resignation saying Having deeply reflected on the present situation prevailing in the country considering that above all interests are the interests of our nation assuming my own share of responsibility for the crisis affecting our country determined not to contribute to any deepening of the crisis recognising that the people of Timor deserve to live in peace and tranquillity believing that all militants and sympathisers of Fretilin will understand and support this position I declare I am ready to resign from my position of Prime Minister of the government of RDTL so as to avoid the resignation of His Excellency the President of the Republic Mari Alkatiri 71 After the announcement mobs in the streets of Dili began to celebrate rather than protest Australian Prime Minister John Howard said he was pleased with the resignation insofar as it was part of the process of working out the difficulty resolving the impasse 71 On 27 June Alkatiri was issue with a summons to appear in court to give evidence relating to the accusations that Rogerio Lobato armed a group of civilians prosecutors suggesting that Alkatiri may also be charged over allegations about his role in the matter 72 Following Alkatiri s resignation Ramos Horta withdrew his resignation to contest the prime ministership and was appointed Prime Minister on 8 July 2006 by President Gusmao 73 Consequences EditThe crisis has affected the political landscape of East Timor On 11 May 2006 Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta suggested that Fernando Lasama the leader of the Democratic Party had encouraged the unrest He also warned other parties not to exploit the violence and unrest for electoral gain calling on all parties to know that those who want to spread disunity scare or threaten the people will not be chosen by the people in the 2007 elections 74 By August 2006 troops had withdrawn from some points of the country and the rebels leader Alfredo Reinado was able to escape from Becora Prison in Dili On 2 October 2006 the United Nations Independent Special Commission of Inquiry made a number of recommendations including that several individuals be prosecuted Notably it found that Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato and Defence Minister Roque Rodrigues and Defence Force Chief Taur Matan Ruak acted illegally in transferring weapons to civilians during the crisis 75 76 Documentary films EditBreaking the News 2011 53 mins is about local and foreign journalists covering the crisis The filming completed in 2010 and the documentary post production was completed in 2011 See also Edit1999 East Timorese crisisExternal links EditReport of the United Nations Independent Special Commission for East Timor 2 October 2006 Anatomy of a conflict the 2006 2007 communal violence in East Timor James Scambary Conflict Security amp Development Volume 9 Issue 2 2009 Pages 265 288 doi 10 1080 14678800902925184References EditNotes Edit a b Paul Kelly amp Patrick Walters 27 May 2006 Back for good The Australian Archived from the original on 1 February 2008 More East Timorese soldiers desert officer ABC Agence France Presse 28 February 2006 Archived from the original on 29 May 2006 a b c Defence Force dispute puts East Timor in crisis ABC 25 May 2006 Archived from the original on 25 July 2008 9 unarmed police shot dead in Dili UN confirms Bloomberg Corporation 26 May 2006 Archived from the original on 28 September 2020 Retrieved 4 March 2017 a b c d East Timor on violent course The Australian 6 May 2006 Archived from the original on 15 February 2008 a b Former soldiers protest turns violent in Dili ABC 24 April 2006 Archived from the original on 18 April 2008 Jape Archived from the original on 25 October 2020 Retrieved 30 November 2011 Dodd Mark 25 May 2006 Fractured democracy The Australian Archived from the original on 15 February 2008 Retrieved 29 May 2006 a b c d e f Aust to send troops to E Timor ABC 24 May 2006 Archived from the original on 8 April 2007 a b Barker Anne 10 February 2005 Thousands of Dili residents yet to return home ABC Archived from the original on 19 April 2008 a b E Timor unrest an attempted coup PM ABC Agence France Presse 9 May 2006 Archived from the original on 18 April 2008 a b E Timor govt makes contact with sacked soldiers ABC Agence France Presse 10 May 2006 Archived from the original on 7 August 2007 UN to stay in E Timor for at least another month ABC Agence France Presse 11 May 2006 Archived from the original on 11 October 2008 East Timor invites UN to probe violence ABC 11 May 2006 Archived from the original on 12 August 2007 Navy on stand by for E Timor deployment ABC 12 May 2006 Archived from the original on 10 February 2007 Soldier killed in Timor gun battle ABC 23 May 2006 Archived from the original on 8 April 2007 a b c Barker Anne 25 May 2006 Troops arrive in East Timor ABC Archived from the original on 27 May 2006 Witness to a Massacre Air Force News Royal New Zealand Air Force 72 27 July 2006 Archived from the original on 27 February 2022 Retrieved 27 February 2022 Gilmore Narda 27 May 2006 Troops head to East Timor Lateline Archived from the original on 18 April 2008 Retrieved 27 May 2006 Malaysia Sends 209 Soldiers To Help Quell Unrest in Timor Leste Bernama 26 May 2006 Malaysia Sends Advance Team To Violence hit Timor Leste Bernama 25 May 2006 Archived from the original on 18 June 2006 Retrieved 27 May 2006 a b Malaysia to send 250 more police to boost security in E Timor Kyodo 23 June 2006 Archived from the original on 16 February 2008 Two M sian Logistics Vessels Arrive in Dili Bernama 3 June 2006 Archived from the original on 29 September 2007 Retrieved 3 June 2006 Malaysian Troops Secure Vital Locations Bernama 28 May 2006 Archived from the original on 18 August 2006 Retrieved 30 May 2006 Gusmao Asks M sian Military Presence at Timor Leste Indon Border Bernama 27 May 2006 Archived from the original on 18 August 2006 Retrieved 30 May 2006 Timor Leste peace mission No plans to despatch more troops says Najib New Straits Times 30 May 2006 dead link Malaysian police team to serve in Timor Leste New Straits Times 17 June 2006 dead link 250 police personnel will leave for Timor Leste end of this month RTM 22 June 2006 Archived from the original on 30 September 2007 a b UN opens E Timor refugee camp ABC 25 May 2006 Archived from the original on 27 December 2007 RNZ 27 May 2006 More troops as Dili violence escalates Television New Zealand Archived from the original on 27 August 2006 Retrieved 27 May 2006 a b c d e Barker Anne 27 May 2006 Total madness as gangs fight in Dili ABC Archived from the original on 11 May 2008 gt Violence explodes in ETimor capital as ethnic gangs battle Channel NewsAsia Agence France Presse 27 May 2006 Archived from the original on 25 August 2006 Retrieved 27 May 2006 a b Chaos continues on streets of Dili The Age Melbourne Australia Australian Associated Press 27 May 2006 Archived from the original on 29 September 2007 Retrieved 27 May 2006 Aussie troops rescue terrified Timorese The Age Australian Associated Press 27 May 2006 Archived from the original on 13 January 2007 Retrieved 27 May 2006 a b Troops frustrated by lack of policing powers The Age Melbourne Australia Australian Associated Press 29 May 2006 Archived from the original on 24 October 2012 Retrieved 29 May 2006 PM defends Timor troops News com au Australian Associated Press 29 May 2006 Archived from the original on 15 November 2007 a b c Cave Peter 30 May 2006 Gusmao assumes emergency powers ABC Archived from the original on 6 August 2007 a b c Cave Peter 29 May 2006 Gusmao Alkatiri meet Council of State ABC Archived from the original on 6 November 2012 Retrieved 31 May 2006 East Timor Prez Urges Calm Prensa Latina 29 May 2006 Archived from the original on 30 September 2007 Deutsch Anthony 30 May 2006 Foreign peacekeepers move to quell violence in East Timor Boston Globe Archived from the original on 3 March 2016 Retrieved 16 April 2020 a b Gusmao takes over security in East Timor The Age Melbourne Australia Associated Press 30 May 2006 Archived from the original on 24 October 2012 Retrieved 30 May 2006 Emergency rule for E Timor leader BBC 30 May 2006 Archived from the original on 7 March 2007 Retrieved 30 May 2006 Two ministers resign over E Timor crisis ABC 1 June 2006 Archived from the original on 16 June 2007 Ramos Horta takes over Timorese Defence Ministry ABC 3 June 2006 Archived from the original on 6 November 2012 Retrieved 22 June 2006 Peter Cave amp Kim Landers 1 June 2006 Troops stop overnight violence in E Timor ABC Archived from the original on 7 August 2007 Deutsch Anthony 2 June 2006 New Violence Breaks Out in East Timor The Washington Post Archived from the original on 20 October 2017 Retrieved 20 September 2017 a b Cave Peter 2 June 2006 East Timor in need of more police as looting continues ABC Archived from the original on 6 November 2012 Retrieved 22 June 2006 Cave Peter 2 June 2006 Australian commander meets E Timor rebel leader ABC Archived from the original on 8 December 2007 a b Cave Peter 3 June 2006 Gangs continue to terrorise Dili streets ABC Archived from the original on 6 November 2012 Retrieved 22 June 2006 a b Cave Peter 5 June 2006 Demonstrators head towards Dili for political rally ABC Archived from the original on 6 November 2012 Retrieved 22 June 2006 a b c Cave Peter 6 June 2006 Gusmao supporters demonstrate in Dili ABC Archived from the original on 6 November 2012 Retrieved 26 June 2006 Cave Peter 6 June 2006 Anti government protesters approach Dili ABC Archived from the original on 6 November 2012 Retrieved 26 June 2006 AAP 6 June 2006 Dili protest calls for PM Alkatiri to go The Sydney Morning Herald Archived from the original on 12 October 2017 Retrieved 16 April 2020 Torchia Christopher 6 June 2006 Anti Government Protesters Let into Dili The Washington Post Archived from the original on 20 October 2017 Retrieved 20 September 2017 Cave Peter 7 June 2006 Alkatiri may face UN investigation ABC Archived from the original on 6 November 2012 Retrieved 26 June 2006 Bowling Mark 7 June 2006 UN to open E Timor investigation Lateline Archived from the original on 6 November 2012 Retrieved 26 June 2006 Jackson Liz 8 June 2006 Alkatiri alleged to have recruited armed group ABC Archived from the original on 18 August 2006 Retrieved 26 June 2006 Jackson Liz 8 June 2006 Claims E Timor s PM recruited secret security force Lateline Archived from the original on 29 June 2006 Retrieved 26 June 2006 a b Bowling Mark 9 June 2006 Claim troops loyal to E Timor PM killed 60 civilians Lateline Archived from the original on 29 June 2006 Retrieved 26 June 2006 Barker Anne 12 June 2006 UN agrees to Timor investigation Lateline Archived from the original on 14 June 2006 Retrieved 2 September 2006 Barker Anne 16 June 2006 East Timor rebel soldiers agree to hand in weapons ABC Archived from the original on 30 June 2006 Retrieved 2 September 2006 Montlake Simon 16 June 2006 East Timor rebels hand over weapons The Guardian London Archived from the original on 26 March 2023 Retrieved 13 December 2016 Barker Anne 20 June 2006 Arrest warrant issued for Lobato over armed squad allegations ABC Archived from the original on 22 December 2006 Retrieved 2 September 2006 a b Barker Anne 21 June 2006 E Timor s Lobato under house arrest ABC Archived from the original on 20 June 2006 La o Hamutuk 29 August 2006 The next UN mission in Timor Leste Who will command the military La o Hamutuk Archived from the original on 5 July 2007 Retrieved 11 September 2006 East Timor leaders in stand off BBC 22 June 2006 Archived from the original on 12 October 2017 Retrieved 23 June 2006 Jones Tony 21 June 2006 Alkatiri to stand down reports Lateline Archived from the original on 31 July 2016 Retrieved 2 September 2006 Barker Anne 24 June 2006 Thousands show support for Gusmao ABC Archived from the original on 13 May 2017 Retrieved 2 September 2006 Alkatiri to remain as PM The Age Melbourne Australia 25 June 2006 Archived from the original on 14 September 2017 Retrieved 25 June 2006 Barker Anne 26 June 2006 Alkatiri resigns as East Timor Prime Minister ABC Archived from the original on 13 May 2017 Retrieved 2 September 2006 a b Barker Anne 26 June 2006 Alkatiri resigns as East Timor Prime Minister Lateline Archived from the original on 31 July 2016 Retrieved 2 September 2006 Barker Anne 27 June 2006 Alkatiri to appear in court ABC Archived from the original on 12 May 2017 Retrieved 2 September 2006 Associated Press 2006 Ramos Horta named E Timor s new PM Retrieved 8 July 2006 Archived 12 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine Ramos Horta warns political parties to behave ABC Agence France Presse 11 May 2006 Archived from the original on 10 August 2007 UN 17 October 2006 UN commission of inquiry issues report on violent crisis that shook Timor Leste UN Archived from the original on 10 August 2017 Retrieved 28 June 2017 UN 2 October 2006 Report of the UN Independent Special Commission of Inquiry for Timor Leste PDF UNHCHR Archived PDF from the original on 27 March 2009 Retrieved 19 September 2009 Further reading Edit Scambary James 18 September 2009 Urban conflict in East Timor East Asia Forum Archived from the original on 21 January 2022 Retrieved 21 January 2022 31 March 2010 Sects lies and videotape Inside Story Archived from the original on 14 December 2020 Retrieved 30 November 2020 Neupert Ricardo Lopes Silvino 2007 The Demographic Component of the Crisis in Timor Leste PDF London School of Economics Archived PDF from the original on 8 July 2022 Retrieved 1 July 2022 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 2006 East Timorese crisis amp oldid 1146768840, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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