Xanana to Establish New Government
Wednesday, 28 June, 2006 | 17:27 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Dili: Xanana Gusmao, the President of Timor Leste, yesterday (27/6) decided to establish a temporary government after a closed-door meeting with the State Council, an institution of counselors with 12 religious leaders and politicians as its members.

After the meeting, Xanana directly summoned Rui Maria de Araujo, the Minister of Health, Ovidio de Jesus, the Minister of Telecommunication and Transportation, Armindo Maia, the Ministry of Education and several other ministers as well.

Mario Viegas Carrascalao, a member of the State Council, said that the results of the meeting were secret.

He only stated that there would be a temporary government because there is still not a new Prime Minister to take Mari Alkatiri's place since he resigned on Monday this week.

The temporary government will be valid until the elections next year.

Xanana has also decided to prolong the state of emergency for one more month.

It has been in existence since May this year, when rioting began between the police and deserters.

In accordance with the constitution, Xanana will ask the Fretilin Party—which controls 55 of the 88 seats in parliament—to name a candidate for prime minister.

The party has not named anyone yet, but it will shortly hold an extraordinary congress in order to elect a new leader as well as a candidate for a new prime minister.

Meanwhile, around 3,000 Alkatiri's supporters gathered in Hera, 10 kilometer East of Dili but Alkatiri stopped them from entering the city.

“We desire no violence and aim at another victory in 2007,” he said.

Xanana has also demanded that the mass who oppose Alkatiri to return to their kampongs so as to avoid any clash with Alkatiri's supporters.

Jose Sarito Amaral (Dili) and Iwank