Aussies go home, says Timor's Alkatiri

news.com.au ^ | 20th August 2007

[naturalman1975]

EAST Timor's former prime minister Mari Alkatiri today told Australian troops to go home, accusing them of a lack of neutrality.

His outburst came as local media reported that Australian troops had seized two flags of his Fretilin party at a protest held in the eastern district of Baucau at the weekend.

"It would be better for Australian troops to just return home if they cannot be neutral," Mr Alkatiri said.

Fretilin MPs turned up for work at parliament for the first time since a new government was announced earlier this month. Initially the party, which insists the new administration is illegal, had said they would stage a boycott.

Fretilin won the most votes in June polls, but not the absolute majority required to govern.

A coalition formed by independence hero and former president Xanana Gusmao holding 37 seats in the 65-seat parliament was instead asked to form a new government by the president, triggering an outcry from Fretilin supporters.

Low-level sporadic violence has broken out in the capital Dili and several eastern districts, and has been largely blamed on those who back the former ruling party.

"They came here to help us solve our problems, but they came to give their backing to one side and fight against the other," said Mr Alkatiri, who was effectively forced to resign amid unrest in Dili last year that left 37 dead.

[Red6]

Alkatiri, head of the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor is obviously a very neutral, reserved, and educated man who's advice we should follow.

Another third world well spoken despot with an expensive suit.