Letters from Timor-Leste

Dear friends and colleagues

March 6th, 2007

I thought I had better write:  Sitting on the edge of my seat again playing it day by day.  Some elements could turn against Australians now with the troops having killed 6 Timorese people, two at Komora shooting at the Australian soldiers with metal arrows, and four south of Dili in the mountains in the attempt to capture the leader of the ex-army rebels. There are 150 followers with their rebel leader, Alfredo, and the danger now is that the street gangs who seem to have been lookiing for any excuse in Dili might join up with him.
 
I have talked to the newly appointed Australians at PRADET to see how they were thinking.   They can't get to their office in Taibessi, one of the volatile places.  A killing has happened there and the roads are blocked off.  They are going to stay and set up at the Turismo where they say it is safe, being full of Australian police, and continue with their training programs.  They have said for me to come to them at Turismo if I get scared.
 
The problem is the difficulty of doing anything when it is like this.  I am more frustrated than scared.
 
The Embassy is sending away their non-essential staff and I keep getting texts advising me to go and to see the airlines.  No Hercules coming and going this time as there was last May, when tensions were again high. My thinking is right now that the incidents are over much quicker  with swarms of troops and police everywhere.  Things settle down in hours rather than days as per last year.  My very sweet landlord takes good care of me and keeps me informed... The Embassy says don't go out in the evenings (so I go out in the mornings).  I must go out to send and receive emails as there is no land line at my hotel so I hope things are OK when I try to go to send this.
 
So I have been out and stocked up with food.  Last time I really had to go when there was no food or electricity and if that happens again which is not as likely with the current troop presence I will have to go again and am thinking of just slipping over to Bali which is a cheaper option than Air North without concessions to Darwin although have been offered accommodation if I go there.
 
The electioneering is hotting up with Mr Alkitiri becoming very prominent.  He is going to contest for Prime Minister again.  Fretelin Party which has set up opposition to Mr Horta's bid for president. 

So all is OK for the nonce.
 Love
Carol

March 13th, 2007

Dear all,  
I spent Monday morning talking to all sorts of friends and acquaintances and got more confused by the minute.  I have decided to come back to Australia at least until after the elections starting 9 April (presidential).  I will take Wednesday afternoon's flight to Darwin and over night there and go to Brisbane the next day, and also spend some time in Melbourne with friends and family.
 
I booked to come back 22/4 and Raphael at Harvey World Travel was most alarmed saying it would be too early.  I'll have to wait and see...  You have no idea the complexity and convolutions of what all is going on here. I'll keep in touch with a variety of people here when in Australia.
 
When at Timor Aid I learned that the office they have in Same, 50 k's to the south of Dili where Alfredo and the rebels are hanging out has been bombed out.  It was a prominent old Portuguese building...  Current fighting is in Bairo Pite (next suburb to me towards airport)... CARE is in the midst of it.  I just found that out while having lunch today with PRADET, and I can also report we have planned PRADET's stategic plan follow up/mid course correction program as soon as I can get back.
 
So there you have it for the time being.  Over and out.
 Love 
Carol

Anzac Day, 25th April, 2007

Dear all,

I am back in TL following a day's delay in Darwin as the flight had been changed... All very quiet on Dili streets as I passed through - even the street lined market stalls seem to have increased rather than diminished.  People seem fairly optimistic at the moment.