Debates
28 Jul 06
28 Jul 06
The World Socialist Weekly Web Service has a number of articles accusing the Australian government of sending troops to East Timor in order to pressure the elected Prime Minister of that country to resign because he was blocking ratification of a "deal" which would have given Australian companies control over the bulk of the oil offshore this tiny, impoverished nation. See www.wsws.org/articles/2006/jul2006/tim1-j27.shtml
Apparently it worked as the "Marxist" Prime Minister resigned under pressure and a more accomodating politician replaced him.
This wasn't on the radar screen in the States and I was wondering if anyone from that part of the world had any opinion on this matter.
28 Jul 06
Originally posted by no1marauderThis was a month ago. I'm Portuguese so this story was covered over here. Apparently Xanana Gusmão and Ramos-Horta both lost confidence in him and, at least to me, both these men are above suspicion for the moment.
The World Socialist Weekly Web Service has a number of articles accusing the Australian government of sending troops to East Timor in order to pressure the elected Prime Minister of that country to resign because he was blocking ratification of a "deal" which would have given Australian companies control over the bulk of the oil offshore this tiny, impov ...[text shortened]... s and I was wondering if anyone from that part of the world had any opinion on this matter.
Ramos Horta was backed up by Australia, but I'll hardly define him as pro-Australia in a puppet sense. He is pro-Western, but he has also very good relations with Portugal.
He has been independent from Fretilin since 1988 and he doesn't have any shady connections that I know of. I'm sure he'll be a good Prime-Minister.
28 Jul 06
Originally posted by no1marauderMy friend is a foreign correspondent based in East Timor. He was recently headline news around the country when caught as cross-fire opened up with the person he was interviewing. I also have another friend who's mother died as a member of a UN mission in East Timor.
The World Socialist Weekly Web Service has a number of articles accusing the Australian government of sending troops to East Timor in order to pressure the elected Prime Minister of that country to resign because he was blocking ratification of a "deal" which would have given Australian companies control over the bulk of the oil offshore this tiny, impov ...[text shortened]... s and I was wondering if anyone from that part of the world had any opinion on this matter.
I am personally fighting against our prime minister but I do not believe we sent troops to East Timor on the basis of oil, though I keep an open mind.
28 Jul 06
Originally posted by PalynkaDid you read the articles at all?
This was a month ago. I'm Portuguese so this story was covered over here. Apparently Xanana Gusmão and Ramos-Horta both lost confidence in him and, at least to me, both these men are above suspicion for the moment.
Ramos Horta was backed up by Australia, but I'll hardly define him as pro-Australia in a puppet sense. He is pro-Western, but he has also very ...[text shortened]... doesn't have any shady connections that I know of. I'm sure he'll be a good Prime-Minister.
28 Jul 06
2 edits
Originally posted by PalynkaInformed opinions would be nice, not "I trust X".
I thought you asked for opinions, not reruns of the Socialist Web's one.
EDIT: Were you aware that Ramos-Horta had written articles supporting the US invasion of Iraq and had been on the "shortlist" of the US' preferred candidates to replace Koffi Annan at the UN?
28 Jul 06
Originally posted by Bosse de NageNot really. We have been supportive of Timor's decisions and we haven't been pushing the oil issue, so the press largely ignored it. Some left-wing parties brought it up, but their constant rants leave them without a lot of credibility.
Did the Portuguese press deal with the oil issue? Was there any suggestion of a coup?
The unrest was probably cause by the massive sackings in the army. A tough, but necessary measure due to East Timor's financial difficulties. I think Alkatiri's inability to deal with it properly is reason enough for him to step down. His credibility was lost, regardless of his responsibility, and that is crucial in a young democracy.
The death squads I find harder to believe (but by no means impossible), but the calls for resignation were already there.
I'm confident that a non-Fretilin man as Prime Minister (like Ramos Horta) has now the chance to govern it. We'll see.
28 Jul 06
1 edit
Originally posted by no1marauderMy opinion is informed, I've been following news from over there ever since before their independence. And if you think the kind of rumour spreading done by your Socialist Web is informed, then so be it. The first page was enough for me not to bother to read any more.
Informed opinions would be nice, not "I trust X".
EDIT: Were you aware that Ramos-Horta had written articles supporting the US invasion of Iraq and had been on the "shortlist" of the US' preferred candidates to replace Koffi Annan at the UN?
As for your edit, Ramos Horta is a very competent diplomat and East Timor needs visibility. The more visibility they have, the less likely they'll get a bad oil deal. If this deal is done behind the stages, East Timor loses all bargaining power.
28 Jul 06
Originally posted by PalynkaWhy should a non-Fretilin man be Prime Minister when Fretilin holds a solid majority in the elected Parliament?
Not really. We have been supportive of Timor's decisions and we haven't been pushing the oil issue, so the press largely ignored it. Some left-wing parties brought it up, but their constant rants leave them without a lot of credibility.
The unrest was probably cause by the massive sackings in the army. A tough, but necessary measure due to East Timor's fi ...[text shortened]... tilin man as Prime Minister (like Ramos Horta) has now the chance to govern it. We'll see.
Let's get the timeline straight:
May 24: Australia sends troops to East Timor.
June 3: The Portugese Foreign Minister declares comments by the Australian Prime Minister criticizing the East Timor Prime Minister as interference in that country's internal affairs.
June 25: Freitlin refuses to sack Prime Minister Alkatiri; Ramos-Horta resigns from the government.
June 26: Alkatiri resigns under pressure; Ramos-Horta rejoins Freitlin and is appointed Prime Minister. He promptly states that he will push for ratification of the oil deal which had been held up in Parliament because many members there regard it as too favorable to Australian interests.
Am I missing something?
28 Jul 06
Originally posted by PalynkaDo you care to actually refute any of the factual allegations? I mean the ones you bothered to read?
My opinion is informed, I've been following news from over there ever since before their independence. And if you think the kind of rumour spreading done by your Socialist Web is informed, then so be it. The first page was enough for me not to bother to read any more.
As for your edit, Ramos Horta is a very competent diplomat and East Timor needs visibili ...[text shortened]... a bad oil deal. If this deal is done behind the stages, East Timor loses all bargaining power.
28 Jul 06
Originally posted by no1marauderThe most important thing, the riots in April...
Why should a non-Fretilin man be Prime Minister when Fretilin holds a solid majority in the elected Parliament?
Let's get the timeline straight:
May 24: Australia sends troops to East Timor.
June 3: The Portugese Foreign Minister declares comments by the Australian Prime Minister criticizing the East Timor Prime Minister as inter ...[text shortened]... bers there regard it as too favorable to Australian interests.
Am I missing something?