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Australian PM Pledges Support for East Timor

Posted Feb 15, 08 6:53 PM CST in World 

(Newser) – Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd jetted to East Timor today, vowing to stand by its neighbor after attacks Monday on its president and prime minister, Reuters reports. "It's by the ballot box, and not by the barrel of a gun, that the decisions for our countries will be made," said Rudd, who boosted Australian troop presence there after the assault.

Rudd held talks with counterpart Xanana Gusmao, who was not wounded in the attacks, before returning to Australia to visit President Jose Ramos-Horta in Darwin hospital, where he is recovering from gunshot wounds. The rebel leader was killed in the gunfight at the president’s home, and East Timor’s parliament has declared a state of emergency after the latest unrest.

Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg, AFP

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Portugense U.N. Portuguese police stand guard in front of prime minister office in Dili, East Timor, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008. There are 1,600 U.N. police in the nation. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)   (Associated Press)
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, right, talks to Australian troop members during his visit in Dili, East Timor Friday, Feb. 15, 2008. Australia is the single largest contributor of foreign forces...   (Associated Press)
East Timorese police officers guard in Dili, East Timor Friday, Feb. 15, 2008. East Timor prosecutors said Friday they issued arrest warrants for 12 suspects in the attacks on the country's top two leaders,...   (Associated Press)
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East Timor President Injured in Attack   (NTDTV (YouTube))

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Australia • violence • Asia • assassination attempt • Kevin Rudd • East Timor • Jose Ramos-Horta • Alfredo Reinado • Xanana Gusmao


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