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A Strange Political Bed Fellow

Friday, 26th May, 2006

The Prime Minister of East Timor Mari Alkatiri is an unusual friend for an Australian conservative government to have as it sends in the troops to restore order. The leader of the rebel troops in the hills outside Dili described him this week as part of the communist wing of Fretilin and the Australian Communist Party certainly sings his praises.

The Communist Party newspaper The Guardian , before Mr Alkatiri signed the invitation for Australia to send troops to his country, was writing of a campaign by the Australian Government and the media to “discredit the East Timorese government” and “impose a government more to the liking of Howard, Downer and their allies.”

Earlier this year The Guardian , reporting on a Prime Ministerial visit to Cuba , quoted Mr Alkatiri telling Fidel Castro how Cuba showed what could be done despite having few natural resources.

East Timor Prime Minister
Mari Alkatiri