Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DILI595
2006-12-11 09:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dili
Cable title:
PRESIDENT GUSMAO AND EX-PM ALKATIRI MEET
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UNCLAS DILI 000595
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EAP/MTS
PACOM FOR POLAD AND JOC
NSC FOR HOLLY MORROW
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPKO UN TT
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT GUSMAO AND EX-PM ALKATIRI MEET
UNCLAS DILI 000595
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EAP/MTS
PACOM FOR POLAD AND JOC
NSC FOR HOLLY MORROW
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPKO UN TT
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT GUSMAO AND EX-PM ALKATIRI MEET
1. (SBU) Summary: President Gusmao and former Prime Minister
Mari Alkatiri met for the first time in five months on December
8, and both participated in a traditional Timorese peace
ceremony on December 10, taking an oath to work together for
peace and stability. Their meetings followed followed intense
pressure from UNMIT and the organizers of a recent high-level
dialogue initiative. End Summary.
2. (U) President Gusmao, former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri,
Parliament President Lu'Olo and Prime Minister Ramos-Horta met
in the President's office for two hours on December 8. It was
the first time Gusmao and Alkatiri had met in five months, and
followed intense pressure from UNMIT and the organizers of an
ongoing Club de Madrid-sponsored high-level dialogue initiative.
Few details have emerged, but a statement from the President's
office seems to indicate that the group discussed the upcoming
elections, agreed on the need to defend the country's
sovereignty, and supported increased roles for PNTL and F-FDTL
in addressing the current security problems.
3. (SBU) On December 10, Gusmao, Alkatiri and other members of
the leadership participated in traditional Timorese peace
ceremony which took place in a specially constructed traditional
"uma lulik" (spiritual house) in front of the Government Palace.
In attendance were traditional authorities from the various
regions, top government officials, the local diplomatic corps
and UN officials, but very few members of the general public.
The Church leadership was conspicuously absent. Highlights of
the animist ceremony included the seating of the top leaders on
a sacred mat, the sacrifice of a pig, and the swearing of an
oath in which the leaders pledged to work together for peace and
stability and not to speak badly of each other. A traditional
chief announced that anyone breaking this promise would fall
under a curse. This was followed by a highly choreographed hug
between Gusmao and Alkatiri. The President spoke briefly, on
behalf of the government acknowledging past mistakes and
promising they would not be repeated.
4. (SBU) Contacts who have met with Alkatiri since his return
earlier this month report that the former Prime Minister appears
confident, assertive, relaxed and prepared to engage in the
upcoming election campaign. While the meetings and pledges of
Alkatiri and Gusmao are welcome steps, few here would assume
that the fundamental conflicts between the two have been
resolved. Continued international pressure on the two leaders
to sustain a modus vivendi will undoubtedly will be required.
The limitations of traditional peacemaking were illustrated
during the subsequent festivities at the Government Palace, when
a concert degenerated into a rock fight between western and
eastern gangs of youth.
GRAY
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EAP/MTS
PACOM FOR POLAD AND JOC
NSC FOR HOLLY MORROW
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPKO UN TT
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT GUSMAO AND EX-PM ALKATIRI MEET
1. (SBU) Summary: President Gusmao and former Prime Minister
Mari Alkatiri met for the first time in five months on December
8, and both participated in a traditional Timorese peace
ceremony on December 10, taking an oath to work together for
peace and stability. Their meetings followed followed intense
pressure from UNMIT and the organizers of a recent high-level
dialogue initiative. End Summary.
2. (U) President Gusmao, former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri,
Parliament President Lu'Olo and Prime Minister Ramos-Horta met
in the President's office for two hours on December 8. It was
the first time Gusmao and Alkatiri had met in five months, and
followed intense pressure from UNMIT and the organizers of an
ongoing Club de Madrid-sponsored high-level dialogue initiative.
Few details have emerged, but a statement from the President's
office seems to indicate that the group discussed the upcoming
elections, agreed on the need to defend the country's
sovereignty, and supported increased roles for PNTL and F-FDTL
in addressing the current security problems.
3. (SBU) On December 10, Gusmao, Alkatiri and other members of
the leadership participated in traditional Timorese peace
ceremony which took place in a specially constructed traditional
"uma lulik" (spiritual house) in front of the Government Palace.
In attendance were traditional authorities from the various
regions, top government officials, the local diplomatic corps
and UN officials, but very few members of the general public.
The Church leadership was conspicuously absent. Highlights of
the animist ceremony included the seating of the top leaders on
a sacred mat, the sacrifice of a pig, and the swearing of an
oath in which the leaders pledged to work together for peace and
stability and not to speak badly of each other. A traditional
chief announced that anyone breaking this promise would fall
under a curse. This was followed by a highly choreographed hug
between Gusmao and Alkatiri. The President spoke briefly, on
behalf of the government acknowledging past mistakes and
promising they would not be repeated.
4. (SBU) Contacts who have met with Alkatiri since his return
earlier this month report that the former Prime Minister appears
confident, assertive, relaxed and prepared to engage in the
upcoming election campaign. While the meetings and pledges of
Alkatiri and Gusmao are welcome steps, few here would assume
that the fundamental conflicts between the two have been
resolved. Continued international pressure on the two leaders
to sustain a modus vivendi will undoubtedly will be required.
The limitations of traditional peacemaking were illustrated
during the subsequent festivities at the Government Palace, when
a concert degenerated into a rock fight between western and
eastern gangs of youth.
GRAY