EMBASSY DILI EAC MEETING, 12 FEBRUARY 2008

UNCLAS DILI 000042 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, CA/OCS, S/ES-O/CMS, DS/IP/EAP, DS/DSS/ITS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC TT SUBJECT: EMBASSY DILI EAC MEETING, 12 FEBRUARY 2008 REF: DILI 0039 ¶1. (U) In response to yesterday's attacks on Timor-Leste President Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Ambassador convened Embassy Dili's Emergency Action Committee at 16:00 on February 12. Participants included DCM, RSO, Management Officer, MilRep (ODC),Acting USAID Mission Director, POL/CONS/PD/ECON Officer, IMO, and Ambassador's OMS. ¶2. (U) Ambassador reported he had just met with the acting head of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), Finn Reske-Nielsen, who updated him on UNMIT's cooperation with the GOTL in responding to the incident. According to Reske-Nielsen, one piece of good news to emerge from yesterday's violence was the positive performance under pressure of the Timorese government. The Timorese political leadership, state institutions and security forces reacted correctly and in a relatively well-coordinated manner, in contrast to the April-May 2006 crisis in which the GOTL had collapsed into confusion and violence. ¶3. (U) RSO reported that Dili was calm overnight and today, based on his own observations and consultations with UNMIT's security chief. He reported that he had met with Deputy Commander of the National Police, who said that Dili is calm and that he was coordinating closely with the UN police mission (UNPOL) on maintaining public order and apprehending the fugitives who had attacked the President and Prime Minister. Our local guard force is in place at full strength. Businesses are open and schools, including international schools, are holding classes. RSO said he had coordinated with the management of both of Dili's international schools at COB yesterday and at OOB today, and said he would do so tomorrow. ¶4. (U) RSO reported that some local staff are concerned that the release of rebel leader Alfredo Reinado's body from the morgue to his family may spark unrest. MO said that an expatriate family living near the home of Reinado's father and been advised by their employer at the UN to take precautions for this event. It is not known exactly when Reinado's body will be released, although this will be within the next few days. ¶5. (U) MilRep said that in response to the GOTL's request yesterday, additional Australian Defense Force personnel are now arriving to augment the International Stabilization Force already deployed in country. ¶6. (C) POL/CONS/PD/ECON Officer told Ambassador that post had sent out two warden notices yesterday. There have been fewer than five inquiries from concerned Amcits. He stated that the GOTL had imposed a parliamentary approved, formal 48-hour state of emergency yesterday. During this period, demonstrations are prohibited, checkpoints and searches are in place, and there is a curfew in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. ¶6. EAC adjourned and agreed to meet again as necessary. KLEMM