East Timor's prime minister refuses to step down, as political crisis deep

[norml]

June 23, 2006, 12:02AM
East Timor's prime minister refuses to step down, as political crisis deepens


By TANALEE SMITH
Associated Press

DILI, East Timor — East Timor's widely respected president threatened to resign Thursday after the country's prime minister refused to step down, prompting thousands of protesters to spill into the streets as the country faced a deepening political crisis.

President Xanana Gusmao, a former guerrilla chief revered for his role in helping East Timor achieve independence from Indonesia, has demanded that Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri resign or be fired.

"If the situation does not change by early tomorrow morning, I will send an official letter of resignation to Parliament," Gusmao, said in an address to the nation. "I'm embarrassed about all the bad things the state has done to the people."

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The prime minister's critics allege he formed and armed a hit squad to silence opponents, a claim he vehemently denies.

However, the arrest Thursday of former Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato on charges of providing weapons to the self-proclaimed leader of a hit squad allegedly commissioned by Alkatiri added credibility to the claim.


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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/3994887.html