VZCZCXRO9486
PP RUEHLMC RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHPB
DE RUEHDT #0094/01 0671038
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P R 081038Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY DILI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3339
INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0842
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON 0802
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0909
RUCNMCM/MCC COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0736
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0656
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0617
RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI 2686

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