Timor-Leste's fugitive rebel leader Alfredo Reinado has asked
for negotiations with an Australian-led international force
surrounding his hideout, as Canberra is considering a request from
Timor-Leste's leaders to capture him, according to an Australian
Broadcasting Corporation radio report Thursday.
It was reported that Reinado hopes to resolve the standoff
through dialogue and negotiations.
An Australian-led international force is understood to have
blockaded the rebel soldiers near the town of Same, about 50
kilometers south of the Timor-Leste's capital of Dili.
A former central committee member of the ruling Fretilin party,
Vincente Ximenes, told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio
that Timor-Leste's prosecutor-general has been sent to negotiate
with Reinado.
"We're trying our best to avoid bloodshed," he was quoted as
saying.
The prosecutor-general is heading to Same, to look for ways of
negotiation with the Alfredo group, he said.
"(President Xanana Gusmao) has had long experience in
negotiation and mediation - that's why he's sending now, the
prosecutor-general to meet with Alfredo," he said.
However, Reinado, who escaped from prison last September, after
leading some armed soldiers into the mountains, vows to fight "to
the death."
Meanwhile, the Australian government is considering an official
request from Timor-Leste for Australian-led international forces in
the country to arrest Reinado.
Australian Defense Minister Brendan Nelson said Timor-Leste's
president and prime minister have made a formal request for the
rebel leader to be apprehended.
"I think the most important thing is that Major Reinado, who has
a number of supporters and has weapons, should do the right and
honorable thing and hand himself and his weapons in to the East
Timorese (Timor-Leste's) security forces and indeed the Australian
Defence Force," he said.
"That is the best possible outcome here for East Timor (Timor-
Leste)," said Nelson.
(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2007)
