Alkatiri: I Will Retire if the Rioting Worsens
Monday, 05 June, 2006 | 17:19 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Dili: Timor Leste Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri has said he will only retire if the rioting gets worse.

At a press conference yesterday, Alkatiri repeated his refusal to retire as demanded by many people in the country.

“We don't have to talk about it because I will retire if gunshots are to be heard everywhere. But not at the moment,” he said.

Alkatiri is blamed by many people for the outbreak of rioting that caused the deaths of 21 people, after his government dismissed 594 soldiers on March 17.

Now more than 2,000 foreign peace-keeping troops, who are ready for combat, have been sent to the country.

However, up until yesterday, the fighting between gangs in Dili was still raging.

There was fighting on the Comoro bridge, which connects Dili with the airport.

Residents in one area in the capital reported that gunshots were still to be heard sporadically.

There were at least two incidence of arson that took place yesterday in Dili.

Major Alfredo Alves Reinado, who has acknowledged he is commander of the dismissed soldiers, is now barricaded at a hotel in a city in the Maubesi mountains.

From the hotel, he has kept demanding that Alkatiri be dismissed.

Alfredo is also demanding Alkatiri be investigated due to the accusations of ordering illegal killing, including shooting at eleven unarmed police officers last month.

“Better he builds a house in Maubesi and stays there,” said Alkatiri in response to Alfredo’s comment.

AFP, Jems De Fortuna, and Jose Sarito Amaral (Dili)