Out of danger

by hakmao, 11 February 2008

East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta is reportedly out of danger, after being flown to Darwin in a medically induced coma, for treatment following an assassination and coup attempt on Monday. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao was targeted, although unharmed, in another attack, and has subsequently declared a state of emergency. Australia has mobilised around 200 soldiers and federal police, to supplement 800 personnel already in Timor-Leste, and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is expected to visit Dili later this week.

The Foreign Minister of the former occupying power, Hassan Wirajuda wasted no time in sneering that:

the attack took place in the presence of security forces of Australia and New Zealand as well as from the United Nations.

Brass.Fucking.Neck.

The coup attempt and the attendant unrest pushes back the date of eventual withdrawal for peace enforcers - particularly Australian troops, with their attendant whiff of concern for petrochemicals in the Timor Gap.

Comments

  1. Terry Glavin

    Monday 11 February 2008 at 23:30

    NDP leader Jack Layton: “Consider for a moment the enormous impact that the UN peacekeeping mission had in East Timor. UN efforts there helped to protect a nascent and fragile independent state. . . It’s time to apply these lessons to Afghanistan.”

    Badabing, tish.