Print

Mail

wiki links

Ramos-Horta names rebel behind attempt on his life

East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta has named the rebel soldier who shot and seriously wounded him in an attack at his home last month, an Australian newspaper said yesterday.

Ramos-Horta, who is recovering in an Australian hospital, named the shooter as Marcelo Caetano, a man he once nursed back to health after Caetano was himself shot, the president's brother was quoted as telling the Australian.

Caetano was a junior member of the rebel group led by former army major Alfredo Reinado, who was killed in the attack on Ramos-Horta's residence in the Dili on Feb. 11, Arsenio Ramos-Horta said.

"Jose recognized him. He didn't say anything as he fired his rifle. My brother was shot only 18 or 19 meters from where Marcelo was standing," he said.

Caetano was a former member of the East Timorese army who deserted with 600 other soldiers in 2006, the newspaper said.

He is now believed to be in hiding with other rebels wanted for the near-simultaneous attacks on Ramos-Horta and East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, who was unhurt.

Asked how his brother could be sure it was Caetano who shot him, Arsenio Ramos-Horta said: "The president knew him well. Marcelo himself was shot a couple of years ago in the chest, at Tasi Tolu [west of Dili]."

"When he needed an operation, the president [who was then the prime minister] organized for him to get an operation with the best doctors in Dili," he said. "After that he stayed in our place for a couple of weeks in 2006 as he got better."

Arsenio Ramos-Horta has been constantly at his brother's side as he recovers from his wounds in a Darwin hospital in northern Australia, the Australian said.

The Australian said it was understood that Caetano had been shot during one of the numerous flare-ups in Timor in 2006 and Ramos-Horta, who had spoken to people from all sides of the conflict, took a personal interest in him.
This story has been viewed 561 times.