International Herald Tribune
Australian foreign minister visits East Timor amid political tensions
Thursday, August 30, 2007

DILI, East Timor: Australia's foreign minister became the highest-level foreign official to visit East Timor since it installed a new government, arriving Thursday — days after machete-wielding youths torched buildings and clashed in the streets.

Alexander Downer promised the desperately poor nation US$214 million (€156 million) over the next four years to help develop water and sanitation systems, improve education and justice and rebuild the shattered infrastructure.

He also discussed security with President Jose Ramos-Horta, newly appointed Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, and representatives of the opposition during his one-day visit, said Vice President Jose Louis Guterres.

East Timor broke free from decades of often brutal Indonesian rule in 1999 and formally declared statehood three years later. But the euphoria on becoming independent quickly evaporated amid the harsh realities of building a nation almost from scratch.

The first government collapsed last year following a military mutiny that left dozens dead and sent 150,000 others fleeing, though the arrival of foreign troops largely helped restore order.

Tensions resurfaced, however, following inconclusive parliamentary elections in July.

Ramos-Horta sought to end the deadlock by naming Gusmao, his close political ally, prime minister early this month. But the former ruling party, Fretilin, argued it won the most votes in the polls and had the right to govern. Several people have since died in rioting.

Downer was to meet with Australian and New Zealand troops, who make up the bulk of East Timor's international peacekeeping force. Ramos-Horta reiterated Thursday that their presence was still needed.

"I hope that the International Security Force will stay until the end of 2008," he told reporters. "As for the United Nations, both the police and civilians should remain until 2012, obviously downsizing along the way as conditions improve."


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