EAST TIMOR SITREP FOR MARCH 8, 2007

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DILI 000094

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, DS/IP/EAP
USUN FOR RICHARD MCCURRY
PACOM FOR POLAD AND JOC
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/8/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL MAAR ASEC KPKO UN AU TT
SUBJECT: EAST TIMOR SITREP FOR MARCH 8, 2007

REF: DILI 092

DILI 00000094 001.2 OF 002


CLASSIFIED BY: Elizabeth S. Wharton, Political/Economic Officer,
US Embassy Dili, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)

1. Summary:
-- Engaging with GOET on Reinado issue;
-- Reinado relays new "peaceful resolution" conditions;
-- Lobato verdict clarification;
-- Security update.
End summary.

Engaging with GOET on Reinado issue
--------------


2. (C) Embassy Dili has been reaching out to Timorese political
leaders to discuss the current operation to arrest dissident
military leader Major Alfredo Reinado and related security and
political developments. CDA's March 8 conversation with
President Xanana Gusmao on this and other topics is being
relayed septel. Additionally, U.S. Defense Representative met
with Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta on March 7 to discuss the
GOET's current thinking on the Reinado situation. Ramos-Horta
requested Embassy Dili's assistance on the military petitioner
front, emphasizing the olive branch that he and the Timorese
armed forces (F-FDTL) have been extending to the petitioners for
months, and noting his frustration with the "obstructionist
behavior" exhibited by "that bastard Salsinha" (1LT Gastao
Salsinha the petitioner's leader and spokesman). Ramos-Horta
also invited Embassy Dili to contact Reinado directly for the
purpose of contributing a voice to the chorus of those
interested in seeking out a prompt and peaceful outcome.


3. (C) Following consultation with the Australian Ambassador,
Embassy Dili has decided against any outreach to Reinado at this
time due to the potential sensitivity of ongoing military
operations against him. In addition, we do not at this point
believe it is appropriate to become directly involved in
negotiations between the GOET and the petitioners. However, we
note that while a number of petitioners, including spokesman
Salsinha, joined Reinado in the February 25 weapons seizure and
the standoff in Same, the majority of the petitioners have been
operating within the law and do not appear to have joined or
directly supported Reinado's group. Embassy has over the last
year had ongoing communication with many of the petitioners and
believes that leaving these lines of communication open, while
excluding those now involved with Reinado, is important to
retain rapport and stay informed on this central issue. (Note:
We are scheduled to meet with the Australian Ambassador and the
ISF Commander on March 9 to further consult and to determine the
current state of play of the operation against Reinado.)

Reinado relays new "peaceful resolution" conditions
-------------- --------------


4. (C) Reinado's lead Timorese lawyer, Benevides Correia, today
delivered a revised version of a document from Reinado in which
he presents a proposed "Peaceful Resolution Accord Between
Alfredo Alves Reinado and the State of RDTL, Represented by the
Prosecutor General." In relaying the document, Correia
emphasized to CDA that he sees his role purely as an
intermediary to help facilitate a process for Reinado to safely
come in and receive fair justice. Correia is a long-time
Embassy contact and our impression is that he is trying to play
his role as a professional lawyer charged with defending
Reinado's legal rights. However, because of his current role,
he reported that he feels afraid for his personal safety. CDA
made it clear to Correia that the USG plays no role as an
intermediary for Reinado, a stance which Correia said he fully
understands. Correia reported he had already delivered this
document to GOET authorities. We relayed the document to the
Australian Ambassador.


5. (SBU) In the document, which has signature lines for the
Prosecutor General, the Bishop of Dili and the SRSG, Reinado
relays the following key "requests":
-- to retain his status as a Military Police and Naval Commander
and that his subordinates also be allowed to retain their
military status
-- that the Interpol Red Notice for him and his subordinates be
cancelled and that all charges be dropped against them in the
cases of a) desertion in May 2006; b) illegal arms possession in

DILI 00000094 002.2 OF 002


May 2006; c) the events at the border posts on February 25; d)
and any charges involving his recent presence in Same. (Note:
He does not request that charges be dropped related to his
actions in Fatuahi, Dili on May 23 for which the UN Commission
of Inquiry recommended he be prosecuted. He also does not
mention illegal weapons possession charges related to his July
2006 arrest in Dili.)
-- that he be provided with 24 hour security by the New Zealand
armed forces, but with the U.S. given "responsibility for the
security arrangements".
-- that he receive immediate access to defense counsel, of his
own choosing and funded by the UN; that his prosecution team
comprise two national prosecutors; and that he be judged by a
panel of two national and one national judge.


6. (SBU) In exchange he offers:
-- the surrender of all weapons in his possession to the
international forces
-- acceptance of one of several "coercive measures", such as
house arrest, but accompanied by a statement that he "will NOT
accept, under any circumstances Preventive Prison"


7. We have no indication that these overtures by Reinado are
being seriously considered, but will check with the SRSG and the
Bishop of Dili at a later date to get their views on these
documents.

Lobato verdict clarification
--------------


8. (SBU) Local and international press coverage of yesterday's
verdict in the trial of former Minister of Interior Rogerio
Lobato (Dili ##) has alerted Embassy Dili to problems with the
simultaneous translation from Portuguese to Tetum. It turns out
that one of Lobato's three co-defendants, Francisco Xaver Viegas
was in fact cleared of all charges, rather than receiving the
four-month suspended sentence reported yesterday. This
relatively minor issue highlights a more systemic problem with
the Timorese judicial system: the difficulty posed by the
system's reliance on Portuguese, spoken by an small minority of
Timorese, with poor translation into Tetum, along with the
frequent lack of availability of decisions to the public, media,
or judicial monitors. Embassy Dili will detail this and other
judicial system problems in the context of the Lobato case in a
forthcoming cable.

Security update
--------------


9. (SBU) There has been a significant drop off in security
incidents over the last two days. The only incidents of which
we are aware are two tire burnings last night. No incidents
have been reported or observed so far today. SRSG Atul Khare
relayed the UN's view that conditions are currently calm, but
nonetheless advised us to "keep our guard up." As of today, RSO
has extended the curfew applying to all mission Americans from 7
p.m. to 9 p.m. However, movement after 7 p.m. is to be limited
to travel to establishments on the beach front road, where the
Embassy and several restaurants are located. Comoro Road is off
limits commencing at 7 p.m. and restrictions on travel to the
southern and eastern neighborhoods, where much of this week's
disturbances took place, continue to apply at all times.
HARSHA