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Dili slowly returning to normality, 7 May 2006
Seven members of the special police force (Unidade de Intervenção
Rápida) of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) who
had fled after the violence of April 28 have presented themselves
to the police. The Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, says this is
one sign, among others, of the slow return to normality in Timor-Leste.
The commanders of Timor-Leste's civil and military authorities
continue in control of the situation, and are keeping in touch
with the military members who left Dili after April 28 as well
as with former F-FDTL soldiers known as "petitioners".
Government calmly waits that the ex-F-FDTL members return to
their districts of origin or to Dili, as of this Monday, May 8.
It is expected that they presented themselves so they can participate
in the investigation to be conducted by the High Level Commission
(Comissão de Notáveis), which was sworn in on May
5. The Commission is comprised of representatives of the four
pillars of the state plus the Catholic Church and civil society.
The Prime Minister is also pleased that some Embassies are showing
signs that they feel that the return to normality is a fact. The
cancellation of the flight chartered by the American Embassy reveals
that.
"I understand the diplomatic corps' concerns about the safety
of their citizens, but Dili is not under attack and there's nothing
that suggests otherwise. We well understand that the people reacted
the way they did by fleeing the city because they are still affected
by the scars of the recent past, but it's more difficult to understand
that foreigners residing Timor-Leste reacted the same way, particularly
the diplomatic corps", said the Prime Minister.
Another sign of the return to normality is the fact of the concert
being held this afternoon in Dili, on the grounds of the Palácio
do Governo. It was organised by youth organisations with support
from the Secretary of State of Youth and Sports (Secretaria de
Estado da Juventude e Desportos).
Yesterday, the Prime Minister met again with HE the President
of the Republic following his meeting with the President of the
National Parliament, some ministers, the chief of the Armed Forces,
General Taur Matan Ruak, and the Commander of PNTL, Commissioner
Paulo Martins.,during which they analysed the situation in the
country. The heads of State and Government concluded that the
return to normality was underway but acknowledged that the return
of the population to their homes in Dili may be a slower process.
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