Authorities prepare to move against East Timor rebels
Prosecutors in East Timor prepared arrest warrants today for 18 rebel soldiers allegedly involved in assassination attempts against the president and prime minister, while foreign troops boosted security amid fears of more unrest.
Doctors said Nobel Peace Prize laureate President Jose Ramos-Horta was stable and recovering well from gunshot wounds sustained in Monday's attacks, but remained in "extremely serious" condition at an Australian hospital.
Gunmen also attacked a car carrying Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, but he escaped unhurt.
The attacks underscored the challenges facing East Timor, a country of one million people that has struggled to achieve stability after voting to break free from Indonesia in 2001.
Attorney General Longuinhos Monterio said prosecutors would probably issue arrest warrants today for 18 suspects in the attacks.
He declined to give their names and no arrests have been made so far.
Mr Monterio also said the body of slain rebel leader Alfredo Reinado - who was killed by Mr Ramos-Horta's guards during the attempt on the president's life - would be released to family members for burial.
Analysts predicted Mr Reinado's supporters might stage violent demonstrations, but the country has so far been calm.
On Wednesday, Australian soldiers searched cars for weapons at checkpoints and armoured UN vehicles guarded top politicians.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at Mr Reinado's family home to await his body.
"I accept his death with a heavy heart," said Reinado's uncle, Victor Alves, as he waited for the body to arrive. "I appeal to all the militants to accept his death and be peaceful."
Mr Gusmao said Mr Reinado would be buried tomorrow in a Dili cemetery.
Mr Reinado and his followers were blamed in part for a spasm of unrest in 2006 after they deserted the army, triggering clashes that killed 37 people and led to the collapse of the tiny nation's first post-independence government.
He had been charged with murder over the events, but enjoyed folk hero status among some disenchanted youth and people from the west of the country who complain that the central government discriminates against them.
