STABILITY RETURNS TO TIMOR-LESTE'S EASTERN DISTRICTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DILI 000151 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MTS PACOM FOR POLADS - AMB CHRISTY E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/1/2018 TAGS: PGOV ASEC TT SUBJECT: STABILITY RETURNS TO TIMOR-LESTE'S EASTERN DISTRICTS REF: A) 07 DILI 362, B) 08 DILI 06 DILI 00000151 001.2 OF 002 CLASSIFIED BY: Henry M. Rector, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Dili, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) Summary. Ambassador and Poloff traveled to the eastern districts of Viqueque and Baucau from May 27 - 28 to meet with local officials and members of civil society. These districts were the focal points of political violence during and after national elections in 2007. Despite lingering tensions between the National Police of Timor-Leste and some Catholic Church officials on the one hand, and with the district administrators belonging to the opposition FRETILIN party on the other, these key players have improved security by engaging in regular dialogue in spite of their differences. Some local leaders said that the heightened security measures undertaken in response to the February 11 attacks on the Prime Minister and President have also enhanced stability. End Summary. Viqueque: Security Pre-requisite For Fighting Poverty -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) On May 27, the Ambassador met with local officials in Viqueque including District Administrator Francisco da Silva, Deputy National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) Commander Jose Casmiro de Carvalho, and Father Beneditos Randung. Viqueque was the scene of some of Timor-Leste's worst political violence following the establishment of the Gusmao government. According to the officials, the greatest challenge facing Viqueque at this time is poverty, exacerbated by a 60 percent illiteracy rate and dire unemployment. However, they stressed that improved security is a pre-requisite to addressing these problems, and they reported positive developments in this regard. They described the security situation as greatly improved, thanks to efforts by the Catholic Church and the PNTL to promote reconciliation. They also said that the joint military and police operations in response to the February 11 attacks by armed rebels against President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao have significantly enhanced public security. ¶3. (C) When asked for his reaction to President Jose Ramos-Horta's visit to the district last November (reftels),the District Administrator downplayed its impact and observed that "(national) politicians visit for political reasons." In a private conversation with the Ambassador, Father Randung expressed concerns over the "politicized" environment created by FRETILIN in the district, but stopped short of predicting any future episodes of violence on last year's scale. ¶4. (C) On May 28, the Ambassador met with Resistance-era leader Colonel Domingues Raul (AKA Falur Rate Laek),who praised Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao's handling of the military petitioners issue. He said the petitioners "should not be allowed back into the army under any circumstances." He cautioned against high expectations for fast transformation within the armed forces, noting that "we are still a young army." ¶5. (U) While in Viqueque, the Ambassador made public donations of books to local educators and of sporting equipment to youth groups. The Ambassador gave an interview on Viqueque's local community radio station highlighting USG support for justice, the rule of law, economic development and the strengthening of Timor-Leste's democratic institutions. Baucau: "Back To Normal" -------------- ¶6. (C) On May 28, the Ambassador visited Baucau, the scene of political violence following the establishment of the new government last August. According to District Administrator Luis Aparicio Guterres, a member of the opposition FRETILIN party, the city is "back to normal," although he expressed serious concern about the "excessive hand" of the police. DILI 00000151 002.2 OF 002 Guterres assured us, however, that improved dialogue among key players including FRETILIN, the PNTL, and the Church has resulted in increased stability. ¶7. (U) Ambassador also met the International Center for Journalism (ICFJ) representatives and the city's community radio station, where he was briefed on local programs sponsored by USAID to enhance the professional development of local reporters. KLEMM