Gusmao addressing crowds sympathetic to ousted PM Alkatiri

(30 Jun 2006)
1. Supporters of ousted East Timorese prime minister, Mari Alkatiri, demonstrating outside the government office
2. Various protesters
3. East Timorese President Xanana Gusmao lighting up a cigarette
4. Various protesters
5. SOUNDBITE: (Tetun) Xanana Gusmao East Timorese President:
"There will be an investigation (into the latest violence). If I am found guilty, I am ready to go back to prison. After serving seven years in an Indonesian prison, I know more about prisons."
6. Protesters with the ruling party Fretilin's flag
7. SOUNDBITE: (Indonesian) Jose Reis, Alkatiri supporter and Fretilin member:
"We ask the president to respect the Fretilin party and, in the forming of the caretaker government, the president needs to have a dialogue with Fretilin."
8. Attorney General Longuinho Monteiro speaking to journalists
9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Longuinho Monteiro, Attorney General:
"He (Mari Alkatiri) has immunity. Secondly, he is still waiting for the arrival of his lawyers who are coming from abroad. And he is not prepared yet to be interrogated or to defend."
10. Various of Alkatari greeting his supporters
STORYLINE:
East Timor's president Xanana Gusmao addressed a crowd of supporters of ousted prime minister Mari Alkatiri on Friday hoping to free the tiny country from two months of political deadlock and unrest.
He said that there would be an investigation into the latest violence.
"There will be an investigation (into the latest violence). If I am found guilty, I am ready to go back to prison. After serving seven years in an Indonesian prison, I know more about prisons," he told the crowd.
Alkatiri stepped down on Monday amid allegations he knew that weapons were being distributed to civilian militias tasked with hunting down his political opponents and after failing to prevent months of political violence.
The charges gained credibility last week when former interior minister Rogerio Lobato, deputy leader in Alkatiri's ruling Fretilin party and a key political ally, was indicted in the case.
Alkatiri failed to appear for questioning on Friday.
The Attorney General explained why he abstained: "He (Mari Alkatiri) has immunity. Secondly, he is still waiting for the arrival of his lawyers who are coming from abroad. And he is not prepared yet to be interrogated or to defend."

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