Monday, February 11, 2008

Asia's Newest Nation Reeling After Coup Attempt On President And Prime Minister

From the Independent:

The President of East Timor was in a serious but stable condition in hospital last night after rebel soldiers launched a coup attempt that targeted the political leadership of the tiny Asian country.

Jose Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Prize laureate, was flown to Darwin in Australia after being hit in the stomach and chest by bullets when would-be assassins opened fire at his home in the city of Dili. Just an hour later, the motorcade of the Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao, was also attacked, but he escaped unhurt.

"I consider this incident a coup attempt against the state ... and it failed," said Mr Gusmao, who for years led the armed struggle for East Timor's independence from Indonesia. "This government won't fall because of this."

Read more ....

More From Yahoo News: East Timor President In Stable Condition

More News From the Guardian: East Timor PM Declares State Of Emergency After 'Coup Attempt'

My Comment: I wish to know if Indonesia has a role in this coup attempt. Their hostility to East Timor is well known, but does this also extend to actively participating in the assassination of its leaders .... this unfortunately opens a number of disturbing questions.

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