Mark Forbes, Dili – East Timorese Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri's leadership has been overwhelmingly endorsed in raucous, joyous scenes at the ruling Fretilin party conference, after a challenge collapsed amid allegations of intimidation and bribery.
Claiming a historic victory for democracy, Mr Alkatiri led more than 500 delegates in a rousing rendition of East Timor is our land, momentarily putting aside protests and a mutiny.
Fears of further bloodshed remain. Nearly 600 soldiers are demanding that military commanders disarm before they emerge from the mountains for an inquiry into their grievances.
The violence that has shaken East Timor during the past three weeks continued in the lead-up to the vote, with police firing into the air to disperse rock-throwing youths early yesterday morning. They had attacked Fretilin delegates leaving the conference.
Security was heightened yesterday, with police blocking all approaches to the venue.
Mr Alkatiri had pledged to resign as prime minister if not backed by Fretilin. He claimed opponents had bribed delegates to vote against him and said that was why opponents were against deciding the leadership on a show of hands.
His challenger, Jose Luis Guterres, withdrew before the vote yesterday, claiming the lack of a secret ballot prevented a fair contest. He said delegates who worked for the Government feared reprisals. Mr Guterres, who boycotted yesterday's session, said he would return to his position as East Timor's UN ambassador.
Demonstrations sparked by the desertion of nearly half the army left at least five dead and 70 injured last month. In the violence, an estimated 50,000 people fled, refusing to return to Dili.
The leader of the rebel soldiers, Gastao Salsinha, said he would only co-operate with an inquiry called by Mr Alkatiri after military leaders were disarmed. Otherwise, an international military force would be necessary to prevent a further deterioration in security, Lieutenant Salsinha said.
The Fretilin conference moved from two days of angry debates to scenes that verged on the bizarre yesterday. During a break, the normally taciturn Mr Alkatiri climbed into the stands of the basketball stadium to sing, karaoke-style, a Portuguese song titled I love Timor.
Police Minister Rogerio Lobato told the conference more than 80 per cent of delegates had signed letters pledging to support Mr Alkatiri before the conference began. He praised Mr Alkatiri's leadership and said "the support we get, we didn't buy with money".
During the final conference debate, delegates expressed concern at the Government's failure to deal with the deteriorating security situation. Several called for Foreign Minister Ramos Horta to reinvigorate negotiations with the rebels.