Australian peacekeeping forces in East Timor are in danger of becoming part of the problem rather than part of the solution, say political analysts from Australia and East Timor.
Senior researcher with Timor's Institute of Developmental Studies, Mr. Francisco Guterres, said local people were unhappy that the Australian lead peacekeeping force had responded to a request from President Xanana Gusmao to arrest rebel leader Alfredo Reinado over the weekend.
"The people think the Australian Government should advise the East Timorese Government to go for a dialogue, to wait another week or two weeks before they use force to catch Alfredo," Mr. Guterres told The Epoch Times from Dili. "They should have read the situation better."
"They chose force ... it makes people very angry," he continued. "We have 24 years of bloodshed, why should we have another bloodshed."
President Gusmao called on the security force to assist in the arrest of Major Reinardo, after the Australian trained, former East Timorese army officer attacked a border post, seized 25 assault rifles and a cache of ammunition.
Despite appeals to surrender from the Government, UN officials and members of the international force, Major Reinado remained in Same, a small town 81 kilometres south of Dili.
"I will not surrender for the president and prime minister's interest. I will surrender only for the people's interest," he told Reuters on Saturday, March 3.
Major Reinado threatened to shoot any foreign forces who tried to take over the town. In the ensuing fracas, he escaped and four East Timorese were killed.
Supporters of Major Reinado have since demonstrated in the streets of Dili, throwing stones at UN cars, burning houses and yelling outside the Australian Embassy.
"You better go back to your country instead of making people suffer," said one supporter, pointing to Australian peacekeeping troops.
Dr. George Quinn, head of South-East Asian studies at ANU, said there had been a "sea-change in attitude" to Australian forces in Timor. When they first arrived, they were like heroes, Dr. Quinn explained, but that all changed after Australian led peacekeeping forces attempted to break up gang fighting last year. Much of that unrest was inspired by Major Reinardo, who had been arrested for murder and firearms charges in May, and escaped from prison in August.
Dr. Quinn said after that, a perception had arisen among the locals that there was a "partisan approach" within the Australian forces. While this is, in a way, inevitable, it had not been helped by the recent fracas. Major Reinardo, he said, has a lot of support among younger East Timorese and the opposition.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Howard has said he was concerned about the situation in East Timor.
"The security situation has got worse and Reinado and his followers are a threat to the peaceful situation and the stability of the country," he told ABC.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer issued a statement advising dependants and non-emergency staff in the Australian embassy to leave the country.
Francis Guterres said that was a wise move as there was a lot of anger in the streets about Australia and civilians were now being targeted.
Australia's Defence Force Association said it was difficult to know how much public support remained for the Australian led forces after the military raid.
The executive director of the Defence Force Association Neil James says it will make the job of the force harder, but told the ABC that the forces would not have taken the step unless absolutely necessary.
"You can't solve this problem by military force, there has to be a political and constitutional solution within the Timorese people," he said.
"You can't impose a solution from outside because then you very much become part of the problem."
Mr. Guterres said while the judicial system was weak in East Timor the people still expected Major Reinado to answer to the courts for his actions. They were just opposed to using violence to bring him in, he said.
East Timor will have elections in April this year and according to Mr Guterres the recent events had filled East Timorese with apprehension.
"On the one hand people are very happy the elections are coming because it is an opportunity to make some changes," he said "but on the other side there are mixed feelings that during the elections there could be [more] violence."
Mr. Guterres said there had been expectations among East Timorese people that Australian troops would secure the country for elections to take place. With only one month to go, the recent violence did not bode well.
"They should give advice to the East Timor Government because this Government is very new, very inexperienced in many ways, so the forces should give them advice," he said. "The last violence may cost a lot."
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