DILI: East Timor Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said the violence that rocked Dili Saturday was part of a plot to overthrow him. Alkatiri, a political rival of President Xanana Gusmao, defended his government's record and attacked his enemies in his first public appearance since international peacekeepers arrived in Dili earlier this week. "What is in motion is an attempt to stage a coup d'etat. However I am confident that the president of the republic, with whom I am keeping permanent contacts, will not cease to respect the constitution of the democratic republic of Timor-Leste," Alkatiri told reporters.When later asked directly if Gusmao was plotting against him, Alkatiri stopped short of openly accusing the president. "You're wrong, you're wrong," he responded when questioned on the issue.
He also dismissed suggestions the violence in Dili amounted to an ethnic war. Asked who was behind the unrest, he said: "It's still being investigated by the Portuguese police. I still don't know, if I did I wouldn't come here to talk."
Gangs of youths allied to feuding East Timor police or army units went on the rampage in parts of the capital on Saturday, torching houses and vehicles, as Australian and Malaysian peacekeeping troops stepped up their patrols.