Statement requested for publication by MNEC

"I request the publication of the following:

Statement from the cabinet of the Senior Minister and Minister for Foreign
Affairs and Cooperation, Dr José Ramos-Horta

The involvement of the US Embassy in meetings with Major Alfredo Reinado as well as with the so-called petitioners has been with the full knowledge of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Ramos-Horta, as well as the President and the Prime Minister who are all very grateful with their very sincere efforts in trying to persuade them to engage in dialogue.

Like he repeatedly did to Dr Ramos-Horta, as recently as last night, Major Alfredo had also assured the US diplomats on several occasions that he would not engage in any acts of violence, that he considered himself to be still a serving member of the armed forces and was a willing participant in the dialogue between all aggrieved parties and Timor-Leste’s leaders in order to reach a lasting solution.

Instead, by breaking his own word and choosing the violent way Major Alfredo proved to be an individual not to be trusted and must now face the full force of the law."