Rudd backs East Timor democracy after president shooting
Australian PM Kevin Rudd visited East Timor briefly
Also In The News
|
Directed by Doug Liman, out February 14th in cinemas, starring Hayden Christensen, Jamie Bell, Samuel L Jackson, Rachel Bilson, running time 88 mins. |  |
Friday, 15, Feb 2008 08:25
Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd has pledged support for East Timor on a half-day visit to the south-east Asian country.
East Timor's president Jose Ramos-Horta is still in intensive care in an Australian hospital after being shot three times in the capital, Dili, on Monday.
There are now around 1,000 Australian troops patrolling Dili's streets in the wake of the attacks, which also saw prime minister Xanana Gusmao's motorcade come under fire. He was uninjured.
Mr Rudd told journalists: "The purpose of my visit today is to state in clear and loud terms that Australia will stand shoulder to shoulder into the future in the defence of East Timor's democratic system of government."
Mr Gusmao added: "A bullet can wound the president but can never penetrate the values of democracy."
Reports suggest Dili remains quiet following the violence, the latest threatening the fledgling six-year-old democracy.
East Timor declared independence in 2002 but suffered further violence in August last year when Mr Gusmao's appointment led to rioting.
He had been chosen by the president after no clear winner emerged from elections in June. The appointment was contested on legal grounds by opposition party Fretilin.