East Timor: Former PM questioned over links with militia

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Dili, 7 Nov. (AKI) - East Timor's former prime minister Mari Alkatiriwas questioned for the second time on Tuesday by prosecutors who are probing allegations he ordered a hit squad to kill political opponents during the unrest that has shaken the country since May.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Alkatiri said that he was ready to cooperate to help justice do its course. "I am not afraid of justice. I have to cooperate so that the due process of justice can progress in ourcountry. My presence in the prosecutor general's office is meant as a good example for everyone," Alkatiri said.The former leader said he has the utmost respect for the prosecutors and called for a bipartisan investigation."I respect them because they do what they are supposed to do. This investigation is not their fault. I hope that this legal process goes independently without influence of the political matters," he added.
However, Alkatiri declined to disclose details of the two-hourconversation."I was asked many detailed questions and I answered them," he said."But all questions that were addressed to me this morning were just the continuation of the first investigation, started on July 20.""I am ready to return and answer more questions if the prosecutors need me," he concluded.
International prosecutor Felismino Cardoso, confirmed that Alkatiriwas cooperating with the judiciary: "We asked questions and Mr. MariAlkatiri answered all of them."Alkatiri, who was forced to resign in June, is being investigated over allegations that he armed civilians to silence his politicalopponents. He has strongly denied the accusations. The claims weremade by the self-proclaimed leader of the alleged hit squad, Vicente"Railos" da Conceicao.A UN inquiry into violence in East Timor led to the conclusion that Alkatiri had failed to prevent weapons falling into the hands ofcivilians and should be criminally investigated. The report also said that two members of Alkatiri's cabinet - former interior ministerRogerio Lobato and former defence minister Roque Rodrigues - had contributed to the violence by illegally distributing weapons to civilians.The unrest left 37 people dead, forced 155,000 to flee their homes andbrought down Alkatiri's government. The violence was sparked byAlkatiri's decision in March to fire 600 soldiers who had accused themilitary leadership of discrimination.
The 800,000 inhabitants of the tiny Southeast Asian country voted forindependence in 1999 and gained this status in May 2002.
(Fsc/Gui/Aki)