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East Timorese election bolsters ruling party

By Mariano Cardoso, July 27, 2012

Gusmao’s CNRT nearly secured an absolute majority of parliamentary seats and plans to form a coalition government with two smaller parties.

Ten years on, the myths of East Timor independence stand exposed

By Patrick O’Connor, May 28, 2012

The tiny island state remains subject to the diktats of the IMF and World Bank and the intrigues of rival powers vying for regional influence.

Former military chief wins East Timor’s presidential election

By Patrick O’Connor, April 18, 2012

Taur Matan Ruak, the former head of the East Timorese armed forces, was clearly the Australian government’s preferred choice.

Second round required in East Timorese presidential election

By Patrick O’Connor, March 20, 2012

The two highest vote winners will contest the second round—former military chief Taur Matan Ruak and Fretilin’s Francisco “Lu-Olo” Guterres.

East Timor to hold presidential election

By Patrick O’Connor, March 15, 2012

Canberra is no doubt doing everything it can to ensure a pro-Australian administration.

WikiLeaks’ cables reveal:

Portugal’s intelligence chief accused Australia of “fomenting unrest” in East Timor

By Patrick O’Connor, April 25, 2011

The Australian government, then led by John Howard, targeted Alkatiri because of his perceived alignment with rival powers, especially Portugal and China.

East Timor: Alleged 2008 “coup” plotter accuses Prime Minister Gusmao of political manipulation

By Patrick O’Connor, January 6, 2011

Gastao Salsinha, one of the leading participants in the so-called “coup” attempt in East Timor on February 11, 2008, has spoken out against Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao in an interview with Dili newspaper Tempo Seminal.

The strange end of the 2008 “coup” affair

East Timorese president frees men jailed over alleged assassination attempts

By Patrick O’Connor, October 18, 2010

East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta pardoned the men convicted over a supposed double assassination attempt in 2008 targeting himself and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

“Alarm bells” ring for Australian government over deepening China-East Timor ties

By Patrick O’Connor, August 27, 2010

The Australian cited unnamed senior diplomatic analysts who said that “China’s foray into what has been traditionally regarded as ‘Australia’s sphere of interest’ had set alarm bells ringing in Canberra.”

Australia-East Timor conflict intensifies over Greater Sunrise gas project

By Mike Head, June 9, 2010

A bitter dispute between Australia and East Timor over a giant gas and oil project in the Timor Sea has worsened.

Acquittal in East Timor marks collapse of official “coup” story

By Patrick O’Connor, March 11, 2010

A court last week acquitted dual East Timorese-Australian citizen Angelita Pires of all charges relating to an alleged assassination plot in 2008, in which President Jose Ramos-Horta was shot.

Australian military vehicle responsible for elderly woman’s death in East Timor

By Patrick O’Connor, February 13, 2010

The death of Gracinda da Costa in an apparent road accident involving an Australian military vehicle has highlighted the blanket immunity enjoyed by the intervention force in East Timor.