Tensions began when about 600 soldiers went on strike to protest what they believed was favoritism for soldiers from the east side of the country. They were considered AWOL and fired. Many of the commanding officers are from the east as they were able to hold off the Indonesians until the end of the resistance. The protesters felt that soldiers from the east were getting promoted faster.
Peace Corps Evacuated From East Timor
US Peace Corps Evacuated From East Timor
Jack Confalone 05/09/2006 2:33 pm
Peace Corps director Gaddi H. Vasquez announced Monday that American volunteers have safely left East Timor due to the political instability that has arisen in the area.
Political tension in the newest country in the world has caused large amounts of civil unrest.
East Timor is located in Southeast Asia, less than 400 nautical miles northwest of Australia. It lies adjacent to Indonesia and is slightly larger than Connecticut.
The fledgling country gained its independence from Indonesia in May 2002 after two decades of resistance and bloody pacifications. Corps volunteers arrived within a month and were placed at sites in rural towns and villages throughout the country.
"It was a time of hope of hope and celebration," Director Vasquez said in a statement yesterday. "Therefore, it is with much regret that volunteers had to be transitioned out of the country due to the recent violence."
Timorese Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri told BBC News that the unrest is "an attempt of a constitutional coup d’etat."
Tensions began when about 600 soldiers went on strike to protest what they believed was favoritism for soldiers from the east side of the country. They were considered AWOL and fired. Many of the commanding officers are from the east as they were able to hold off the Indonesians until the end of the resistance. The protesters felt that soldiers from the east were getting promoted faster.
Tensions have also grown between the military and the police. The military is under the jurisdiction of President Xanana Gusmao and the police are under the jurisdiction of PM Alkatiri.
Many of the Timorese love President Xanana, a war hero and figurehead. At the same time many feel anger towards the Prime Minister. A majority of the country is strict Roman Catholic and Alkatiri is Muslim. Alkatiri is also considered corrupt and arrogant, according to a source in the Peace Corps. He has allegedly treated the common people with contempt, saying rude things at community meetings. Most people did not realize when they voted for the Fretilin party that he would become Prime Minister as the party leader.
Residents fled the capitol of Dili after cars were set on fire and windows were broken. At least five people were killed and dozens wounded during the riots. Hundreds of people abandoned their homes in fear.
As all of this trouble has arisen the young country still awaits its revenue from offshore petroleum reserves which has the potential to only complicate things further.
The Peace Corps will continue to monitor the situation to determine when volunteers can safely return to the area, according to the Peace Corps website.
