Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Thousands protest in support of East Timor's Alkatiri

In a major show of support for such a tiny nation, thousands rallied for former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri Tuesday outside of the capital Dili.

The protests highlight the major divisions in East Timor that will not be solved by replacing Alkatiri with a pro-Gusmao candidate.

East Timorese shout 'Viva Alkatiri' as former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri makes a speech in  Hera district, outside of Dili on June 27, 2006. (Beawiharta/Reuters)
East Timorese shout 'Viva Alkatiri' as former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri makes a speech in Hera district, outside of Dili on June 27, 2006. Beawiharta/Reuters photo from Yahoo News.

Gusmao is said to support a non-partisan replacement, but this will be hard to sell to the ruling Fretilin party which appeared to be behind Tuesday's rally.

A meeting between the State Council and Gusmao on Tuesday failed to resolve the issue, and there is talk that the president may dissolve parliament and call for new general elections.