Timor-Leste: UN Welcomes Surrender Of Fugitives

Timor-Leste: UN welcomes surrender of fugitives linked to attack on President

29 April 2008 - The United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) today welcomed the surrender of 12 armed fugitives wanted in connection with the assassination attempt on the President in February.

The UNMIT head and Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Timor-Leste, Atul Khare, said that the attacks of 11 February had threatened the country, and that he shared "the feelings of the entire community in welcoming the peaceful submission of Gastão Salsinha and his men. They must now face justice."

President José Ramos-Horta was shot and wounded by rebel soldiers in the attack on his home. He recently returned to Timor-Leste from Australia after recovering from his injuries.

In today's statement Mr. Khare praised the people of Timor-Leste "for the calm manner in which the events of these past months have been handled." He said that the lessons learned should serve to strengthen the country's security institutions, and urged all Timorese to work together toward a "peaceful, prosperous and stable nation, securely anchored in a culture of democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights."

ENDS

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