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INFO RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0634
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RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI 2167

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DILI 000387 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
PACOM FOR POLAD 
NSC FOR HOLLY MORROW 
USUN FOR GORDON OLSON AND RICHARD MCCURRY 
DEPT FOR IO, EAP/MTS 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL:  7/29/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ASEC MARR AU PO TT
SUBJECT: PRO-REINADO DEMONSTRATIONS SMALL BUT WORRYING 
 
 
DILI 00000387  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: Elizabeth S. Wharton, Political Officer, Embassy 
Dili, State. 
REASON: 1.4 (b) 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: Demonstrations are being staged in Dili to 
protest the arrest and detention by international forces earlier 
this week of Major Alfredo Reinado, the leader of a group of 
dissident Military Police that played a prominent role in the 
violent clashes in and around Dili in late May.  Although the 
numbers of demonstrators are small (between 100 and 200) the 
organizers include a gang leader known to have been involved in 
recent violence in Dili and the demonstrators have stated their 
intent to stage violent incidents throughout Dili if their 
demands are not met.  Their message casts Reinado as a hero of 
the western "Loromonu" people as well as strongly opposing the 
presence of the Portuguese National Republican Guard (GNR) who 
initiated the process that led to his arrest.  The organizers of 
last month's large demonstrations against then Prime Minister 
Mari Alkatiri have stated their intent to mobilize support for 
Reinado and there has already been some mobilizing in the 
western districts.   International forces thus far have 
successfully kept the demonstrators under control, and by late 
afternoon yesterday there were no more demonstrators in 
evidence.  However, the possibility of larger numbers remain, 
which could lead to increased unrest in Dili.  End summary. 
 
¶2. (U) In a still somewhat murky sequence of events earlier this 
week, Major Alfredo Reinado and a number of his followers were 
arrested on weapons possession charges by international forces 
after they moved back into Dili and occupied several houses. 
Both Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Portuguese National 
Republican Guards (GNR) were involved in the operation, but it 
was reportedly initiated by the GNR and the arrest ultimately 
was carried out by the GNR.  At their detention review held on 
July 27, the judge determined that Reinado and 13 others should 
continue to be held in preventive detention. 
 
¶3. (U) Around 150 demonstrators gathered near the detention 
facility on July 27 to protest Reinado's arrest and to press for 
his immediate release.  The demonstrations resumed the next day 
in response to the decision to keep him in detention.  They were 
notably more agitated, and a number of them declared their 
intent to "destroy Dili" if Reinado and his men were not 
released.  Specifically, they indicated to Embassy staff that 
they planned to disperse throughout Dili to stage violent 
incidents.  There were several house burnings over the last 48 
hours, an occurrence that had largely ceased in recent weeks, 
but it is not known yet whether the demonstrators were involved. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The organizers of the pro-Reinado demonstrations are an 
eclectic and unsavory mix.  Among them are a well-known Dili 
gang leader, Joao Becora, as well as two men who helped organize 
the pro-"petitioner" demonstrations in late April..  Leaders of 
the fringe group Colimau 2000, which allegedly played a large 
role in instigating the April 28 riots, were this week leading a 
separate demonstration for a new national flag.  They reportedly 
also registered their support for Reinado and may join the 
pro-Reinado demonstration effort.  Meanwhile, the National Front 
for Justice and Peace (FNJP), which organized last month's large 
anti-Alkatiri demonstrations and is led by dissident F-FDTL 
Major Augusto Tara, told us that they are mobilizing people in 
the districts to demonstrate on Reinado's behalf.  Tara and 
other FNJP leaders said they were extremely upset that Reinado, 
who had "sacrificed himself for the people," is now imprisoned, 
while Alkatiri remains free. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Observers of the demonstrations noted that the 
participants appeared to be primarily young unemployed Loromonu 
men.  The involvement of gang leader Joao Becora indicates that 
at least some of the demonstrators are likely to have been 
participants in recent gang violence in Dili.  In addition to 
their message objecting to the arrest of Reinado, the 
 
DILI 00000387  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
demonstrators carried several signs and shouted messages calling 
Reinado the "hero of the Loromonu people".  In addition, the 
demonstrators were observed to be extremely hostile toward 
members of the GNR and demanded their immediate departure from 
East Timor.  This anti-GNR sentiment resulted in general 
anti-Portuguese declarations as well. 
 
¶6. (C/NF) The AFP relayed to the RSO yesterday their continuing 
concern regarding the response to Reinado's arrest response and 
the possibility of larger demonstrations.  However, they are 
confident that they have sufficient forces on the ground to 
address both larger demonstrations and any attempt by the 
demonstrators to create disturbances around Dili.  AFP sources 
expressed their view that the GNR went too far in their use of 
force during the operation against Reinado and stated that they 
had encouraged the GNR to keep a lower profile yesterday. 
However, Emboffs observed that the GNR if anything, raised their 
profile in response to yesterday's demonstrations. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Comment: Reinado has enjoyed popularity throughout the 
western districts since his defection from the regular F-FDTL. 
However, the public identification of him as the "hero of the 
Loromonu" is new and may inject a "Loromonu vs. Lorosai" dynamic 
in future demonstration on his behalf. This would contrast with 
last month's demonstrations where leaders, regardless of actual 
composition, stressed national unity in their respective 
campaigns.  Another new dynamic is the intense 
anti-GNR/anti-Portuguese sentiment expressed by the 
demonstrators, which could complicate relations between the 
international police and the local populace.  Finally, the 
apparent willingness of Major Tara and his National Front to 
leap to Reinado's defense, indicates a continued overlap in 
their interests despite Tara's move away from the dissident 
military groups when he took on the leadership of anti-Alkatiri 
demonstrations last month.  End comment. 
WHITMAN