Thursday, June 08, 2006
Bishop Basilio comes to some good senses...
Bishop Nascimento needs to have one-on-one talk with his colleague in Dili, Bishop Ricardo...
"It's not fair to attribute all blames to Mari Alkatiri"
by Francisco Mangas
Diário de Notícias - Bishop Basílio do Nascimento was one of the voices that stood up against the Indonesian occupation. On his return to Portugal, the bishop of Baucau intended to exchange notes on the political crisis in Timor-Leste with D. Ximenes Belo.
The bishop of Baucau, who went to Paredes to raise funds for the construction of a furniture factory in Timor-Leste said that the discontent concerning Alkatiri does not have any ethnic foundation, nor did it emerged through the fact that the prime minister is a Muslim. D. Basílio praised the return of GNR and criticised the "disproportionate" response by the Australians: "The turmoils only exist in certain neighbourhoods of Dili."
Would peace come to Timor-Leste with the exit of Mari Alkatiri from the leadership of the government?
At the moment, there is a general discontent with regards to the prime minister. However to attribute all of the blames on Mari Alkatiri is unfair. It is necessary to find a solution to avoid the tension.
Ramos-Horta has made himself available to, in the event of Alkatiri requesting his resignation, accept the prime minister's post for Timor-Leste. Are you happy with this solution?
It is a possibility which can open up ways to stability in the East Tiorese territory or, at least, minimise the tension being felt lately.
However Mari Alkatiri's exit from the government will bring, certainly, the protests from his supporters to the streets.
If for the sake of the discontent of a group or of an individual, the State is dismissed, it opens up a dangerous precedent. Mari Alkatiri is serious, competent and is a person of good intentions - only his relationship with the people has not been his best.
Is democracy in danger in Timor-Leste?
No. The people are conscious that independence was gained through blood, lots of blood. It must be recognised that the turmoils are limited only to certain neighbourhoods of Dili, the rest of the territory is calm.
How do you see the return of the Australian soldiers to Timor-Leste?
I think the response afforded by Australians is disproportionate to the situation: 1500 men, armoured cars... many people and, in the meantime, the burnings and the lootings of houses continued.
When you return next week to Timor-Leste, will you expect to find the situation calmer?
I think so. But there are unidentified armed groups, who act on gratuitious violence, who will continue for more time to come.
(For the original Portuguese version, click here)
"It's not fair to attribute all blames to Mari Alkatiri"
by Francisco Mangas
Diário de Notícias - Bishop Basílio do Nascimento was one of the voices that stood up against the Indonesian occupation. On his return to Portugal, the bishop of Baucau intended to exchange notes on the political crisis in Timor-Leste with D. Ximenes Belo.
The bishop of Baucau, who went to Paredes to raise funds for the construction of a furniture factory in Timor-Leste said that the discontent concerning Alkatiri does not have any ethnic foundation, nor did it emerged through the fact that the prime minister is a Muslim. D. Basílio praised the return of GNR and criticised the "disproportionate" response by the Australians: "The turmoils only exist in certain neighbourhoods of Dili."
Would peace come to Timor-Leste with the exit of Mari Alkatiri from the leadership of the government?
At the moment, there is a general discontent with regards to the prime minister. However to attribute all of the blames on Mari Alkatiri is unfair. It is necessary to find a solution to avoid the tension.
Ramos-Horta has made himself available to, in the event of Alkatiri requesting his resignation, accept the prime minister's post for Timor-Leste. Are you happy with this solution?
It is a possibility which can open up ways to stability in the East Tiorese territory or, at least, minimise the tension being felt lately.
However Mari Alkatiri's exit from the government will bring, certainly, the protests from his supporters to the streets.
If for the sake of the discontent of a group or of an individual, the State is dismissed, it opens up a dangerous precedent. Mari Alkatiri is serious, competent and is a person of good intentions - only his relationship with the people has not been his best.
Is democracy in danger in Timor-Leste?
No. The people are conscious that independence was gained through blood, lots of blood. It must be recognised that the turmoils are limited only to certain neighbourhoods of Dili, the rest of the territory is calm.
How do you see the return of the Australian soldiers to Timor-Leste?
I think the response afforded by Australians is disproportionate to the situation: 1500 men, armoured cars... many people and, in the meantime, the burnings and the lootings of houses continued.
When you return next week to Timor-Leste, will you expect to find the situation calmer?
I think so. But there are unidentified armed groups, who act on gratuitious violence, who will continue for more time to come.
(For the original Portuguese version, click here)
