Australian PM vows to support E. Timor

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-16-2008 09:29

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has gone to Dili to meet leaders in East Timor he promises to support the country.

Kevin Rudd(L), Australian Prime Minister and East Timorese Prime Minister, anana Gusmao, meet the press.(CCTV.com)

At the same time, prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for 12 suspects in the attacks last week on East Timor's two top leaders.

East Timor's attorney general says five more arrest warrants will follow soon.

After his meeting with Rudd, East Timorese Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao, said the attacks could not hurt democracy in his country.

anana Gusmao, East Timorese Prime Minister, said, "Recognizing that maintaining law and order and the protection of citizens is natural and a right given by the people of East Timor."

Rudd assured Gusmao that Australia will stand shoulder to shoulder with East Timor in its defense of its democratic system of government.

Kevin Rudd, Australian Prime Minister, said, "East Timor is an independent democratic state. We will remain in East Timor as long as we are invited by the government of East Timor. Those assessments I'm sure will be made by continuing basis by the government and because we want to be partners in East Timor's long term security."

After meeting with Gusmao, Rudd then visited Australian troops and thanked them for their efforts.

East Timor was plunged into crisis on Monday when rebels shot and seriously wounded President Jose Ramos-Horta. Gunmen also attacked Prime Minister Gusmao, but he escaped unhurt.

The East Timorese government has ordered a state of emergency in the wake of the attacks.

Foreign troops are searching the dense jungle countryside for suspects implicated in the shootings.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei