E Timor rebel leaders want greater powers for president

AFX News Limited

06.11.2006, 08:25 AM

MAUBISSE, East Timor (XFN-ASIA) - Rebel leaders in East Timor said they are planning a conference to seek ways of modifying the country's constitution to allow greater power for President Xanana Gusmao.

Major Alfredo Reinado, who says he is in command of the sacked soldiers at the root of the unrest, said that he and his allies as well as several unnamed intellectuals, are planning to hold a conference within a week to discuss the issue.

'For national unity we will hold a dialogue, or conference of intellectuals,' Reinado said here.

He said that so far, there had not been much progress made in trying to solve the nation's problems and a conference may help find a solution.

'The solution is that you have to go back to the people,' Reinado said without elaborating.

Manuel Tilman, another rebel, told Agence France-Presse that 'our initiative is to find a way in this constitution that is able to solve our problems.'

'We must suspend part of our constitution,' Tilman added.

Reinado and Timlam said that the suspension of part of the constitution is to allow for the president to assume more powers.

Current Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, whom the rebels want to resign 'does not have the confidence of the people,' Tilman said.

Reinado said the conference may be first held in Dare, the site of a major Catholic seminary, and may later be continued in Dili.

A solution must be found very soon, Reinado said.

'Time is the most dangerous weapon, that can kill people. We need that decision now,' he added.

As they were speaking a series of gunshots were heard near Maubisse's city gate. At least six gunshots were heard according to an AFP reporter on site.

Armed military police and Reinado's men, rushed from their barracks when the gunfire sounded. Australian snipers also took up positions on the perimeter of the barrack.

The shots were apparently fired during a street brawl between two groups of men, witnesses said without being able to give more details.

One man, was stabbed in the back and was taken to the local hospital, they said.

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