East Timor:Irish East Timor campaigner Tom Hyland, a close friend of President José Ramos-Horta who was wounded in an assassination attempt on Monday, believes the next few days will be "critical" for the country.
Speaking from Dili where he has been subjected with other residents of the capital to a night-time curfew, Mr Hyland said the security presence of both Australian and government soldiers had become more visible since the assassination attempt. "There is an Australian frigate off the coast now which is bringing extra troops. Most people are observing the curfew," he said.
Mr Hyland, who ran the East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign for 10 years until the country gained its independence in 2002, has since been living and working there as a teacher.
The former Dublin Bus driver said "most people were generally very shocked" by Maj Alfredo Reinado's attempted coup, in which the rebel commander died. "This is seen as an attack on a young democracy."
The head of a large faction of army deserters, Reinado had been a fierce critic of the government since the unrest of April 2006, which saw 37 people killed and 150,000 displaced. He attracted tacit support from some politicians and from sections of the public. But, Mr Hyland said, "his support has never really been tested. I do know some of the soldiers who had supported him went back to the government in recent days."
He added: "I hope common sense will prevail. People who have not been communicating with the government and have been supporting Reinado need to get behind the government now. If you elect a government you have to respect it.
"One of the main issues in terms of post-independence is that people, and particularly young people, have not seen that much change in their circumstances. The level of poverty needs to be urgently addressed.
"Two years ago this was the main issue on the agenda and it's still the main issue on the agenda.
"Young people have to have a vested interest in the country, and to be given training and jobs. That is a challenge for the government, the UN and the international community."
Asked whether Reinado's death would help the peace process, Mr Hyland said: "Any violent death has to be regretted and it's sad for the families involved but an attack on the president goes beyond the pale.
Mr Ramos-Horta has been a frequent visitor to Ireland, and Mr Hyland noted, "He never showed me anything other than kindness and courtesy, and has always deeply appreciated the role Ireland has played in East Timor".
