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Originally posted by PalynkaI don't suppose you know of any better English sources? This is all very interesting...
Because it is written in a propagandistic style, with an excessive number of emotionally charged adjectives for a credible news report.
Here's a blog by a Guardian writer
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/archives/2006/06/26/alkatiri_resigns_in_east_timor.html
with a link to an article arguing that Alkatiri was not the victim of a neo-con conspiracy:
http://readingthemaps.blogspot.com/2006/06/arguing-about-alkatiri.html
Anything of any relevance here?
Originally posted by PalynkaSo, some riots led to Australia sending troops, which eventually coincidentally led to the elected Prime Minister resigning to be replaced by a man who was not even a member of the party overwhelmingly elected and who also happens to support ratification of an agreement that financially benefits Australian oil and gas interests? I see.
I already gave my version of the events. What else do you want?
Edit - Please see the last post of the previous page, in case you missed it.
Perhaps you'll read this article written a few days before Alkatiri's resignation, ww.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=33714
Originally posted by Bosse de NageI don't know... I may try to find out, but your guess is as good as mine.
I don't suppose you know of any better English sources? This is all very interesting...
Here's a blog by a Guardian writer
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/archives/2006/06/26/alkatiri_resigns_in_east_timor.html
with a link to an article arguing that Alkatiri was not the victim of a neo-con conspiracy:
http://readingthemaps.blogspot.com/2006/06/arguing-about-alkatiri.html
While jubilation swept through his opponents on the streets of Dili, his political supporters warned darkly that 20,000 loyalists were "ready to protest" just half an hour from the capital.
This is another reason why an independent man for Prime Minister is good for Timor. These type of problems are much more probable (and violent) in parties that were once part of armed resistance.
I'll read the links now and get back to you...
Originally posted by no1marauderPortugal sent troops, so did Australia and many other countries.
So, some riots led to Australia sending troops, which eventually coincidentally led to the elected Prime Minister resigning to be replaced by a man who was not even a member of the party overwhelmingly elected and who also happens to support ratification of an agreement that financially benefits Australian oil and gas interests? I see.
Perhaps yo ...[text shortened]... article written a few days before Alkatiri's resignation, ww.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=33714
Did you know that Alkatiri himself requested these troops?
Originally posted by Bosse de NageThe second cite states this:
I don't suppose you know of any better English sources? This is all very interesting...
Here's a blog by a Guardian writer
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/archives/2006/06/26/alkatiri_resigns_in_east_timor.html
with a link to an article arguing that Alkatiri was not the victim of a neo-con conspiracy:
http://readingthemaps.blogspot.com/2006/06/arguing-about-alkatiri.html
Anything of any relevance here?
What Howard is doing now is making the best of a bad situation - if he has to intervene in East Timor to protect the status quo of Aussie domination, then he is at least going to make sure he reinforces that domination by removing Alkatiri and installing an even more compliant leadership.
"Protecting Aussie domination" doesn't sound like too good of a deal for the East Timorese.
Originally posted by no1marauderI don't doubt that Australia has clear intentions regarding East Timor's oil. But that Ramos Horta was put into power due to an Australian coup is far fetched and borderline conspiracy theory.
The second cite states this:
What Howard is doing now is making the best of a bad situation - if he has to intervene in East Timor to protect the status quo of Aussie domination, then he is at least going to make sure he reinforces that domination by removing Alkatiri and installing an even more compliant leadership.
"Protecting Aussie domination" doesn't sound like too good of a deal for the East Timorese.
Ramos Horta was right when he said Alkatiri was endangering East Timor's image. He clearly favoured relationships with China and Cuba and, honestly, I don't think that's the way to go. Everybody was already screaming for his resignation, long before the allegations came out. With the President already urging the Prime Minister to step down, I don't think there was any other way than for him to go.
An oil deal MUST be done, because East Timor doesn't have the capital to invest themselves in its extraction and it desperately needs the revenues. But I agree it must be done in a way that favours its citizens, so corruption and favouritisms are the greatest dangers.
You see fire in these allegations, and I must admit there is definitely smoke, but a Marxist ready to struck a deal with China doesn't raise your eyebrows either? Was it the best option economically or was Alkatiri trying to buy China's support for a People's Republic of East Timor?
Things are never clear cut.
Originally posted by no1marauderEven him says it has nothing to do with the governments, so the Army going there to pressure the deal is definitely a conspiracy theory.
Here's another article from East Asian News that quotes East Timorese military officials as saying they were approached by foreigners to stage a military coup. e.sinchew-i.com/content.phtml?sec=2&artid=200606280003
A far fetched conspiracy theory for sure.
Originally posted by no1marauderRamos Horta is requesting a permanent UN force of 800. Maybe they love pressure.
Of course; the presence of foreign troops in his country couldn't possibly put any pressure on the leader of a small country.
Of course, Downer is volunteering to send troops, they want good relationships with Timor in order to bargain. To say that it they are there to intimidate Timor, I find that hard to believe, that's all.
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Originally posted by Palynka"Everybody screaming for his resignation" apparently didn't include the majority members of his Parliament.
I don't doubt that Australia has clear intentions regarding East Timor's oil. But that Ramos Horta was put into power due to an Australian coup is far fetched and borderline conspiracy theory.
Ramos Horta was right when he said Alkatiri was endangering East Timor's image. He clearly favoured relationships with China and Cuba and, honestly, I don't think t China's support for a People's Republic of East Timor?
Things are never clear cut.
The main oil field is much closer to East Timor than Australia, yet Australia is claiming it due to a deal they cut with Indonesia in 1989. Under the UN Law of the Sea the fields clearly belong to East Timor as stated by the UN in 2002, but Australia refused to abide by this. Australia has been collecting revenues from the fields in violation of IL; the deal that was made defers the setting of boundaries for 50 years and gives Australia half of all revenue. It's highway robbery pure and simple. And what good is having an "independent" country if you can't negotiate with whatever countries you please to gain the most economic benefit for your people? This might not please Western rich guys though, so there are always some troops available to "restore order" in countries with such uppity leaders.
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Originally posted by PalynkaGee, Horta wants foreign troops; what a surprise. And having troops in another country is absolutely necessary to have "good relations" with that country.
Ramos Horta is requesting a permanent UN force of 800. Maybe they love pressure.
Of course, Downer is volunteering to send troops, they want good relationships with Timor in order to bargain. To say that it they are there to intimidate Timor, I find that hard to believe, that's all.
Originally posted by no1marauderIt wasn't the majority of the Parliament, it was simply the majority of his own party.
"Everybody screaming for his resignation" apparently didn't include the majority members of his Parliament.
Which ones were this? His faction of loyalist Fretilin supporters. Even the other half of his own party wanted him to resign.