UNMIT's Daily Media Review, 11 February 2008

[Poster's note: Repeats of international articles already sent out to the east-timor list (info@etan.org) have been removed.]

"UNMIT assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the articles or for the accuracy of their translations. The selection of the articles and their content do not indicate support or endorsement by UNMIT express or implied whatsoever. UNMIT shall not be responsible for any conseque6nce resulting from the publication of, or from the reliance on, such articles and translations."

President Jose Ramos-Horta was taken to the ISF clinic today to receive surgery after being shot in his arm and stomach this morning at 6am. Alfredo Reinado and one of his men were also shot during the returned fire. Their bodies were taken to the hospital for an autopsy.

Some people have said that President Ramos-Horta had called Alfredo Reinado to come to Dili. But this is not true. Before taking any action, the President always contacts me and the President of the National Parliament to coordinate activities. I would have known if he had contacted Alfredo.

I have called upon all the petitioners' to solve their problems, but some petitioners' have responded with bullets. This can be considered as a strong action against the nation, not just to myself or the President.

Today, I inform you that with the authorization of the Acting President Vicente Guterres, I have called a meeting with the Security and Defence Council and the State Council to continue coordinating activities after this event.

In 2006, when there was an emergency, the nation's leaders tried to establish security and stability. Today, the situation is different. If the Prime Minister or the President of this country is killed, there will be many consequences. Today and for the future, the State must concentrate its efforts to meet such challenges.

The State hasn't been able to provide good security for the President or for state institutions. However, for today and the future, the State's eyes and ears must be open to guarantee that the Timor-Leste does not become a failed state.

An armed group wants to bring down the State, but the State will not allow this. The State will take any steps necessary to ensure that citizens' rights are protected and people are secure. Security will be provided in vulnerable areas. I announce this to honour our nation's name and because we don't want the people to return to suffering.

I am appealing to all people to remain calm to contribute to the nation's stability. Any action the state must take to protect citizens will not violate people's human rights or freedom.

To put rest to the rumour that the President called Alfredo to kill him, I would like to reiterate that I was also ambushed and targeted. This shows that it was a planned operation from Alfredo. I ask the people to look for the truth. We have been appealing to Alfredo's group for two years to participate in a dialogue, but now it has ended in violence, which we had been trying to avoid.

The State is firm in its resolve to solve these problems. I am asking all media in Timor-Leste to provide accurate information. While the media has freedom in Timor-Leste to report the news, they also have a responsibility to report the truth. Never speculate on issues that have not been confirmed.

The president of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta, was shot in the stomach after rebel soldiers opened fire on his official residence in an attack early this morning. The Nobel peace prize laureate underwent surgery at the Australian military base after the pre-dawn attack, but the seriousness of his condition was not known.

A rebel soldier, Major Alfred Reinado, was killed in the attack that claimed the life of one of the president's bodyguards, who returned fire when the renegade troops struck.

In a separate attack, renegade troops also fired shots at the home of the prime minister, Xanana Gusmao, Timorese television said, though there were no reports of any injuries and details were sketchy.

During the attack two cars were reported to have driven past the president's house on the outskirts of the capital Dili at about 4.30am and begun shooting.

The assaults underlined just how fragile the situation remains in East Timor, the tiny impoverished country that became Asia's newest nation when it gained independence in 2002.

A peacekeeping force of Australian troops and international police has helped to stabilise the country, though it was rocked by an outbreak of violence in 2006 when factional violence left 37 people dead and drove another 150,000 from their homes.

Reinado had been on the run in the jungle and was wanted for murder charges in connection with the 2006 spasm of violence, but had defied the efforts of Australian troops to capture him. Last November Reinado had threatened to use force against the government.

Ramos-Horta, 58, was awarded the Nobel peace prize jointly with Bishop Carlos Belo in 1996. He was one of the leaders of the efforts to win East Timor's independence from Indonesia after it annexed the country in 1975 after the Portuguese withdrew from their former colony.

More than 100,000 people were killed in the struggle as Indonesian troops under the brutal regime of the late Indonesian dictator President Suharto sought to assert their control.

Ramos-Horta won a resounding victory in presidential elections last May. The outgoing president and former resistance hero Gusmao then became prime minister after parliamentary elections in July.

East Timor president wounded in attack February 11, 2008 <http://www.iht.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?query=By%20Tito%20Belo&sort=publicationdate&submit=Search>By Tito Belo Reuters

Rebel soldiers shot East Timor President and Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta in the stomach at his home in Dili on Monday, while Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao escaped injury in another attack, officials said.

The shootings on East Timor's two most famous independence figures, in which a key rebel leader was killed, prompted analysts to warn the tiny Southeast Asian nation could suffer renewed violence and political chaos.

Ramos-Horta was in a stable condition following the assassination attempt, Foreign Minister Zacarias da Costa said, while in Dili, residents reported the capital appeared calm.

The president, who shared the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize with compatriot Bishop Carolos Belo for their nonviolent struggle for East Timor's independence from Indonesian occupation, was being operated on by an Australian military medical team in Dili.

"I was in the heliport and yes, he's in a stable condition, his life is not endangered," da Costa told CNN television, referring to a heliport at an Australian military base in Dili where Ramos-Horta was taken.

The East Timor President will be flown to an Australian hospital in the city of Darwin for treatment, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told reporters.

James Dunn, a former adviser to Ramos-Horta and former Australian consul in Dili, told Australian radio the president had been shot twice. One shot had passed through Ramos-Horta's back and into his stomach, he said.

"He was able to talk and we don't know how far is the damage," Ramos-Horta's sister-in-law, Maria Gabriella Carrascalao, told Australian radio.

Rebel leader Alfredo Reinado was killed in the assault and an East Timor soldier was also seriously wounded, military spokesman Domingos da Camara said.

A Reuters reporter saw the bodies of the two dead attackers and identified one of them as Reinado.

The military said attackers in two cars were involved in the early morning raid on the president's isolated home.

International security forces placed a cordon around the house and were patrolling Dili's streets to prevent further violence.

Prime Minister Gusmao was also attacked on Monday morning, said Alfredo de Araujo, a member of Gusmao's security team.

"No one was wounded but Gusmao's car was damaged by bullets," said the official, adding that Gusmao's family had been taken to a military compound for protection.

The United Nations said Gusmao was coordinating with the U.N. mission in the country and international forces.

"Dili is safe. There are no riots in the capital. But there is heavy patrolling by the police and military police," Borges said, adding many helicopters were flying over the capital.

Borges said Gusmao had spoken on national radio and appealed to East Timorese to stay indoors and not spread rumours.

"The attack against the state has failed," the aid worker quoted Gusmao as saying. The prime minister said his driver was wounded and his car badly damaged in the attack against him.

East Timor has been struggling to get back on its feet after the army tore apart along regional lines in 2006.

The factional bloodshed two years ago killed 37 people and drove 150,000 from their homes, with foreign troops needed to restore order between warring neighbourhoods.

Reinado had led a revolt against the government and was charged with murder during the 2006 factional violence. Rebels loyal to Reinado fired on Australian troops patrolling near Dili earlier this month, an Australian commander said at the time.

Some analysts warned the attack on Ramos-Horta and killing of Reinado could spark another outbreak of violence and lead to a collapse of the government, if supporters of rebel leader Reinado pulled out of the coalition.

"Prime Minister Xanana is going to have to work very hard to ensure the government retains its cohesion. It's a crisis now," said Damien Kingsbury, associate professor at Australia's Deakin University

Security analyst Alan Dupont, from Sydney think-tank the Lowy Institute, said the shooting was grim news for East Timor.

"It is seriously going to destabilise East Timor further at a time when they looked to be recovering from the problems of the last 12-18 months," said Dupont.

Australia, which has around 800 troops in East Timor, will reinforce that contingent, Rudd said.

The former Portuguese colony of almost 1 million people gained independence in 2002 in a U.N. sponsored referendum after more than two decades of brutal Indonesian occupation.

(Additional reporting by Adhityani Arga and Muklis Ali in Jakarta and Rob Taylor in Canberra; Writing by Ed Davies and Sara Webb; Editing by Bill Tarrant)

East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta was in a serious condition Monday after he was shot by rebel soldiers in coordinated attacks aimed at assassinating the nation's top leaders.

The 58-year-old Nobel peace laureate was injured in a dawn gunbattle at his residence on the outskirts of the capital of Dili which also left rebel leader Alfredo Reinado dead, said Deputy Prime Minister Jose Luis Guterres.

Gunmen also targetted the home of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao in the attacks, which plunged the nation into a fresh crisis following 2006 unrest in which international forces deployed to restore calm.

"I understand that the condition of Jose Ramos-Horta is very serious but stable," said Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, adding that the leader was about to be airlifted to Australia for emergency treatment on bullet wounds.

Rudd told reporters in Canberra his government would send "substantial" reinforcements to the 800-strong Australian troop contingent already deployed in East Timor to help stabilize the situation.

"This government will stand resolutely with the democratically-elected government of East Timor at this time of crisis," said Rudd.

Guterres said that two carloads of people went to the president's house at around 6:00 am (2100 GMT Sunday) and "assaulted him, but after rapid reaction by security his attackers fled away."

Timorese Foreign Minister Zacarias da Costa said Ramos-Horta had undergone exploratory surgery at an Australian military hospital in Dili to locate bullets, one of which hit him in the back and passed through to his stomach.

Gunmen attacked the house of Prime Minister Gusmao shortly after Ramos-Horta came under assault, Guterres also told CNN.

"The attack was on the president's residence around 6:00 and at around 7:30 they ambushed the prime minister," he said.

A neighbour of Gusmao, Leandro Isa'ac, said "rounds of automatic fire were fired against Xanana's residence".

Gusmao and his Australian wife Kirsty Sword live at Balibar, in the foothills south of Dili, with their three young sons.

Addressing a press briefing, Gusmao said that the situation was now under control.

"Even though the state has been attacked by an armed group and the president was wounded, the state is in control of stability ... The current situation is proceeding normally and is under control," Gusmao said.

East Timor rebel leader Reinado was shot dead at Ramos-Horta's residence, Guterres said.

"Major Reinado was killed and at the same time one of the presidential guards was injured," Guterres said, adding that security forces were hunting for more of the attackers.

Reinado emerged as a key figure in the 2006 unrest and was arrested on charges of illegal weapons distribution, desertion and attempted murder. He had however escaped from jail and eluded security forces since then.

Indonesia said it was concerned over the development and a senior military official said forces had tightened security along its border to prevent the rebels escaping.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said the attack "once again showed that the security situation in East Timor continues to be disturbed."

He said that with the death of Reinado, "hopefully the rebellion will weaken and it is our hope that his followers surrender so that the problem of security disturbances in this neighbour of ours can soon be overcome."

Reinado had emerged to lead a ragtag bunch of rebels who were demanding that they be reinstated in the army after being sacked in 2006 following their desertion.

Factions within the security forces clashed on Dili's streets, leading to at least 37 deaths and forcing East Timor's government to call for international peacekeepers to be deployed to restore stability.

More than 150,000 people were forced from their homes and the majority remain in camps at night, still too concerned about the fragile security situation to return home, or with no homes to return to.

Ramos-Horta was elected president in peaceful elections last year after serving as foreign minister and prime minister, while Gusmao was elected as prime minister after serving as president.

The International Crisis Group warned last month that East Timor risked descending into violence again if its government and the UN failed to quickly reform the security forces, which it said remained vulnerable to political influence.

WOUNDED East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta has been airlifted to Australia, while Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will send more peacekeepers to control unrest.

Mr Rudd said he was deeply shocked by today's attack on Dr Ramos-Horta and the failed assassination attempt on Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Ramos_Horta\t_blank >Ramos-Horta was shot and wounded in a dawn attack on his Dili home by gunmen led by rebel soldier <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfredo_Reinhado\t_blank>Major Alfredo Reinado, who was killed in return fire, the government said.

Ramos-Horta's wounds were not life-threatening but he was likely to be flown to Darwin later today for further treatment for bullet wounds, believed to be in the stomach and back.

Ninety minutes after the first attack, Prime Minister <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xanana_Gusmao\t_blank>Xanana Gusmao escaped unhurt when his car was ambushed and shot at as he drove to his offices to deal with the crisis.

Mr Rudd said Dr Ramos-Horta's condition was "very serious but stable" after the East Timorese leader was shot and wounded by rebels at his home in Dili.

"What we had, apparently, are co-ordinated attacks aimed at assassinating the democratically elected leadership of East Timor, a close friend and partner of Australia."

Mr Rudd said Dr Ramos-Horta had received treatment at an Australian military hospital in Dili, and Australia stood ready to offer further assistance including evacuation to Darwin.

"That offer has been extended and, I'm advised, in the last quarter of an hour or so has been activated," he said.

Mr Rudd said Australia would boost its Australian Defence Force deployment to East Timor, where about 800 Australian troops are already on peacekeeping durities.

As Ramos-Horta underwent emergency surgery at an Australian military hospital, Gusmao took charge and declared the situation in the fledgling nation was "under control".

"The attempt to kill the prime minister and president today failed, and only the president was injured.

"Even though the state has been attacked by an armed group and the president was wounded, the state is in control of stability. The current situation is proceeding normally and is under control," Gusmao said.

However Australian and other forces in East Timor are bracing for possible reprisal attacks following the death of Reinado, who had been charged with murder.

Australian forces in East Timor last year botched a bid to arrest Reinado in a violent raid on his mountain hideout that saw five of the rebel's men killed.

Ramos-Horta later waived an arrest warrant for Reinado, deciding instead to seek talks and a peaceful resolution. But meaningful negotiations never eventuated.

Gusmao's family, including his Australian-born wife Kirsty Sword Gusmao, was moved to a safe location after their house at Balibar, in the foothills south of Dili, came under attack early today.

Government officials said Ramos-Horta's injuries were not life-threatening, but the Royal Darwin Hospital was this afternoon on standby to further treat the 58-year-old Nobel Prize-winning leader.

A CareFlight aircraft left Darwin today for Dili to bring him back to Australia, if needed.

"He will survive, and this country will survive", said Deputy Prime Minister Jose Luis Guterres.

Timorese Foreign Minister Zacarias da Costa said Ramos-Horta had undergone exploratory surgery at the Australian military hospital in Dili. Da Costa described the president's condition as "stable".

"He underwent surgery to locate bullets. One had hit him in the back and passed through to the stomach," he said.

Ramos-Horta's sister-in-law, Maria Gabriella Carrascalao, said of the injuries: "He was able to talk and we don't know how far is the damage.

Members of Australia's 800-strong peacekeeping force and other troops and police patrolled the city streets as East Timorese were warned to stay indoors.

Residents said Dili appeared calm, but some analysts warned the attack could destabilise the young country that has been struggling to get back on its feet after the army tore apart along regional lines in 2006.

The factional bloodshed two years ago killed 37 people and drove 150,000 from their homes, with foreign troops needed to restore order between warring neighbourhoods.

Reinado had led a revolt against the government and was charged with murder during the 2006 factional violence. He was jailed pending trial, but escaped during a mass jail break later that year.

Government officials said Reinado led the dawn attack on Ramos-Horta's home on Dili's outskirts.

Military spokesmen and Guterres said rebels in two cars attacked Ramos-Horta's home at around 6am local time (8am AEDT) today.

House guards shot back, killing Reinado, said military spokesman Domingos da Camara.

Ninety minutes later, Gusmao's car was ambushed as he drove to his government offices to deal with the crisis, Guterres told CNN.

Photographs seen by Agence France Presse showed the back windscreen of Gusmao's car mostly shattered, with a single bullet hole in the glass remaining, and the left front light smashed in.

According to one of Gusmao's bodyguards, Abilio dos Santos, Gusmao's home also came under prolonged fire.

"The residence of the prime minister was also attacked this morning and we exchanged shots with them for quite a long time," he told AFP.

"They did gain control of the residence of Mr Xanana, asked us to surrender our firearms to them to enable them to fight the F-FDTL (armed forces) and we refused. They then started shooting at us," he said.

He said Gastao Salsinha, who was the original leader of soldiers who deserted the army in 2006 and were sacked - triggering bloodshed on the streets in April and May of that year - was among the group.

United Nations mission spokeswoman Allison Cooper later said Gusmao was safe and was in his office, coordinating the response of UN and international security forces.

Australian non-government organisations in Dili told their staff to remain at home today.

Reinado initially supported Ramos-Horta's rise to power, but in recent months grew impatient with a slow response to his demands that the 600 soldiers who were fired ahead of the 2006 turmoil be reinstated to the army.

His rebel group last week fired up to eight warning shots at Australian troops, who did not return fire. No casualties were reported.

Unrest in East Timor two years ago was initially triggered by the government's sacking of 600 soldiers who had deserted, complaining of discrimination.

Factions within the security forces clashed on Dili's streets, leading to at least 37 deaths and forcing the deployment of international peacekeepers.

Thousands of those forced from their homes remain in camps at night, still too concerned about the fragile security situation to return home, or with no homes to return to.

Ramos-Horta was elected president in peaceful elections last year after serving as foreign minister and prime minister, while Gusmao was elected as prime minister after serving as president.

Ramos-Horta shared the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize with Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo for their resistance to Indonesian rule.

GUNMEN have opened fire on East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta's home, shooting the leader in the stomach.

Rebel soldier Alfredo Reinado was killed in the pre-dawn shootout, the military said.

There were reports of a second "failed attack" on the home of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, but the United Nations later said he was safely in his office and working with UN and international forces.

Presidential adviser Agusto Junior said Mr Ramos-Horta was undergoing surgery at an Australian military base in the capital, Dili.

"President Ramos-Horta was shot in the stomach and is undergoing surgery at the heliport," he said.

Earlier, Reuters quoted a neighbour, Januario Freitas, as saying the president's wound appeared serious.

A relative, who declined to be named, said the Nobel Peace laureate was to be flown to Australia.

Army spokesman Major Domingos da Camara told the Associated Press two cars passed Mr Ramos-Horta's house about 4am local time (6am AEDT) and began shooting.

Reinado was killed by return gunfire from house guards, and one of Mr Ramos-Horta's guards was also shot.

Australian officers with the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) said the president's house in Dili had been cordoned off and troops had rushed to the residence.

Australian non-government organisations in Dili were this morning recommending that their staff remain at home.

Reinado was involved in an incident last week when his rebel group fired up to eight warning shots at Australian ISF troops.

The following day an explosion rocked the military base at Camp Phoenix, in central Dili, which houses elements of the ISF, but again there were no injuries.

Reinado was a key figure in the 2006 unrest that brought the tiny nation to the brink of civil war.

Only last month it was reported that Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao would offer him one more chance to surrender or face arrest.

Security forces have previously failed to apprehend Reinado, who in January refused to attend a scheduled court hearing tomorrow to face murder and other charges.

Reinado's lawyer said the rebel leader would not submit to the judicial process until the government met several demands, including that his case be heard by a military court.

The court issued an arrest warrant for Reinado following his escape from prison, but last year Mr Ramos-Horta called off the warrant following a bungled attempt by the Australian military to arrest the rebel in Same, 50km south of Dili.

A 1000-strong Australian and New Zealand International Stabilisation Force has responsibility for the military in East Timor.

HEAVILY armed UN troops are surrounding government buildings in Dili after the attack this morning on East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta.

Mr Ramos-Horta is reportedly undergoing surgery at an Australian medical facility after being shot in the stomach at his home.

Presidential adviser Agusto Junior said Mr <http://searchresults.news.com.au/>Ramos-Horta was undergoing surgery at an Australian military base in the capital, Dili.

"<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Ramos_Horta\t_blank> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Ramos_Horta\t_blank>President Ramos-Horta was shot in the stomach and is undergoing surgery at the heliport," he said.

Earlier, Reuters quoted a neighbour, Januario Freitas, as saying the president's wound appeared serious.

A relative, who declined to be named, said the Nobel Peace laureate was to be flown from <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Timor\t_blank>East Timor to Australia, possibly Darwin, for further treatment.

The Associated Press, quoting local TV, also reported rebels had carried out a failed attack on the home of Prime Minister < http://searchresults.news.com.au/>Xanana Gusmao.

Details of the attack on Mr Ramos-Horta's home and the number of casualties remained unclear.

However, the United Nations said Mr Ramos-Horta and two others had been injured.

Army spokesman Major Domingos da Camara told media that gunmen attacked the president at his house just before dawn.

He said that < http://searchresults.news.com.au>Alfredo Reinado, a rebel leader wanted on murder charges for a flare-up of violence in 2006, was killed by return gunfire from house guards.

Early morning sirens and loud truck engines were the first sign for locals of the bloodshed that had taken place.

"We just heard a shot, someone shot Horta, we don't know who," a local policeman said.

There is a strong UN military presence at the house, which is a popular tourist destination.

Locals are anxious for news of the president and media are reeling at news Reinado has been killed.

Two cars passed Mr Ramos-Horta's house on the outskirts of the capital, Dili, at around 4am local time (6am Melbourne time) and began shooting, media have been told.

Australian officers with the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) said Mr Ramos-Horta's house in Dili had been cordoned off and troops had rushed to the residence.

Australian non-government organisations in Dili were this morning recommending that their staff remain at home.

The UN has increased its security in the wake of this morning's shooting, in anticipation of potential reprisal attacks.

"UNPol (UN Police) is in a high state of alert in Dili," UN spokeswoman Allison Cooper.

East Timor analyst Sophia Cason said the shooting would likely "unsettle" the precarious security situation in the capital.

Cason, of the International Crisis Group, said she had also heard other shooting in the capital this morning.

Cason said it was the first time there had been an assassination attempt in East Timor.

"Usually it is people shooting wildly, they haven't been aiming to kill people," she said.

Reinado had threatened to use force against the government in November if it failed to concede to demands by a group of hundreds of army deserters, telling a crowd: "I will lead my soldiers down to Dili...The situation and stability of this country will be worse" than the 2006 crisis.

Reinado was indicted for his alleged role in several deadly shootings between the rebel army troops and police units in April and May in 2006.

The fighting spilled over into mayhem that left 37 people dead and drove 155,000 others from their homes.

Calm was restored by foreign troops and peaceful elections were held in which Mr Ramos-Horta was elected president, but low-level violence has continued.

The country is now policed by the United Nations, but security in the capital was handed over to Timorese police this month.

Reinado was involved in an incident last week when his rebel group fired up to eight warning shots at Australian ISF troops.

Reinado, who escaped from prison last year, is wanted on eight counts of murder.

Today's attack follows growing tension in Dili linked to Reinado and his followers.

Following his confrontation last Wednesday with Australian soldiers, an explosion last Thursday rocked the military base at Camp Phoenix, in central Dili. There were no injuries.

Security forces have previously failed to apprehend Reinado, who in January refused to attend a scheduled court hearing tomorrow to face murder and other charges.

East Timor, a former Portuguese colony, gained independence in 2002 after more than two decades of brutal Indonesian occupation.

Its new political leaders have vowed to tackle rampant poverty and restore damaged relations between the country's police and army.

A 1000-strong Australian and New Zealand International Stabilisation Force has responsibility for the military in East Timor.

Mr Ramos-Horta shared the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize with Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo for their resistance to Indonesian rule.

The President of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta, is undergoing emergency surgery after his house in the capital Dili came under attack.

A renegade soldier, Alfredo Reinado, was shot dead by the president's guards. The president was shot in the stomach during the shoot-out.

He had been indicted for his alleged role in fighting between rebel troops and police in 2006.

The attack happened at around 0700 on Monday (2200GMT Sunday), when two cars drove past the president's house and shooting began, army spokesman Major Domingos de Camara said.

The president was taken to a hospital run by the Australian military in Dili, and is now undergoing surgery, a presidential advisor said.

His condition is not believed to be life-threatening, but he is due to be flown to Australia later for further treatment.

Local media carried unconfirmed reports that the house of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao was also attacked, but that no one was hurt in that incident.

The UN has been in charge of security in the capital for the past two years, since unrest which began when then Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, dismissed a third of the armed forces for desertion, prompting the clashes between the police and the military.

Reinado was allegedly involved in fighting which followed and left 37 people dead. More than 150,000 were forced to flee their homes.

Last month the International Crisis Group warned that there was a risk of more civil unrest, unless the police and military were reformed.

Australian troops form the bulk of the international peacekeeping force in the country.

Jose Ramos-Horta was prominent in the campaign against Indonesia rule, after the Portuguese withdrew from their former colony in 1975.

In 1996, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, jointly with Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo.

East Timor President < http://www.theage.com.au/>Jose Ramos-Horta is believed to be in a stable condition following an early-morning raid by rebel soldiers on his house during which he was shot in the stomach.

Mr Ramos-Horta was shot about 4.30am local time (5.30am Queensland time) after two cars pulled up in front of his house.

Rebels have also carried out a failed attack on the home of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, according to local TV reports.

The United Nations said Gusmao was safely in his office and working with UN and international forces following the attacks.

Rebel leader http://www.theage.com.au/ Alfredo Reinado, who is believed to have led the attack, was killed when security forces at the president's house returned fire.

Stephanie March, an Australian journalist working with the East Timor Media Development Centre, said Mr Ramos-Horta had been taken straight to an Australian military hospital where he had been treated for a gunshot wound.

"Sources close to the president say he was shot in the stomach, in the side of his body," Ms March told ABC Radio. "His condition has stabilised and (he) will be flown to Darwin at the earliest convenience."

The attack comes at the end of a tense week in Dili during which Reinado and his supporters were involved in a <http://news.theage.com.au/mp-accuses-diggers-over-reinado-fracas/20080210-1rcs.html>confrontation with Australian troops and an explosion rocked a military base.

Ms March said news of the attack was beginning to spread on Dili's streets, with rumours circulating the president was dead.

"Everyone is trying to get any information they can and Dili is a town that runs on rumours," said March

Ms March said security had visibly increased with troops from the International Stabilisation Force, which includes about 800 Australian soldiers, conducting foot patrols this morning.

"There are ambulances and ministry of health vehicles (and) sirens everywhere," said.

Reports indicate three people including Ramos-Horta were wounded and another person killed in this morning's attack on the president's compound.

Former Victorian premier <http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/30/1196394614761.html>Steve Bracks, now an adviser to Mr Gusmao, said news of Reinado's death could reignite volatile scenes in the fledgling country reminiscent of violence in 2006.

Reinado was indicted for his alleged role in several deadly shootings between the rebel army troops and police units in April and May 2006. The fighting spilled over into mayhem that left 37 people dead and drove 155,000 others from their homes.

After escaping from prison, Reinado had been in hiding in the hills behind East Timor's capital Dili, supported by a wide network of hundreds of people.

Mr Bracks told radio 3AW the possible backlash from Reinado's supporters was a frightening prospect.

"We don't know how widespread his support might be but there certainly will be profound security around Dili."

Mr Bracks said the attack came at the worst possible time for East Timor, with the new government having made recent and significant steps towards progress including the passing of a budget and the appointment of a new ministry led by Mr Gusmao.

The UN has increased its security in the wake of this morning's shooting, in anticipation of potential reprisal attacks.

"UNPol (UN Police) is in a high state of alert in Dili,'' UN spokeswoman Allison Cooper said.

Australian officers with the International Stabilization Force (ISF) said Ramos-Horta's house in Dili had been cordoned off and troops had rushed to the residence.

Australian non-government organisations in Dili have recommended that their staff remain at home today.

East Timor analyst Sophia Cason said the shooting would likely "unsettle" the precarious security situation in the capital...

Cason, of the International Crisis Group, said she had also heard other shooting in the capital this morning.

Ms Cason said it was the first time there had been an assassination attempt in East Timor.

"Usually it is people shooting wildly, they haven't been aiming to kill people,'' she said.

"The situation and stability of this country will be worse" than the 2006 crisis.

Calm was restored in 2006 by foreign troops and peaceful elections were held in which Ramos-Horta was elected president, but low-level violence has continued.

The country is now policed by the United Nations, but security in the capital was handed over to Timorese police this month.

Reinado was involved in an incident last week when his rebel group fired up to eight warning shots at Australian ISF troops.

Following his confrontation last Wednesday with Australian soldiers, an explosion last Thursday rocked the military base at Camp Phoenix, in central Dili.

Security forces had previously failed to apprehend Reinado, who in January refused to attend a scheduled court hearing tomorrow to face murder and other charges.

East Timor, a former Portuguese colony, gained independence in 2002 after more than two decades of brutal Indonesian occupation.

Its new political leaders have vowed to tackle rampant poverty and restore damaged relations between the country's police and army.

Ramos-Horta shared the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize with Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo for their resistance to Indonesian rule.

REBELS who shot East Timor president Jose Ramos-Horta today have reportedly also attacked the home of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

The Associated Press, quoting local TV, gave few details of the second incident, but it was described as a "failed attack".

Jose Ramos-Horta is carried to the stage on the shoulders of his supporters during a campaign appearance in this April 3, 2007 file photo in Baucau, about 140 kilometers (84 miles) east of Dili, East Timor's capital. East Timor President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jose Ramos-Horta was wounded in a pre-dawn attack on his home Monday morning, Feb. 11, 2008, an army spokesman said. (AP Photo/Ed Wray, file)

DILI, East Timor—Rebel soldierss attacked the home of President Jose Ramos-Horta early Monday and wounded him in the stomach. The Nobel Peace Prize-winning leader was in "stable condition" after the shooting, the prime minister said.

more stories like thisEast Timor television reported that Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao's home also came under fire but that no one was hurt, raising the possibility that the rebels soldiers may have been staging a coup attempt.

The events plunged the recently independent nation into fresh uncertainty after a flare-up in violence in 2006 killed 37 people, displaced more than 150,000 others and led to the collapse of the government.

Two cars carrying rebels soldiers passed Ramos-Horta's house on the outskirts of Dili at around 7 a.m. local time and began shooting, said army spokesman Maj. Domingos da Camara. The guards returned fire, he said.

Notorious rebel leader Alfredo Reinado was killed in the attack, as was one of Ramos-Horta's guards, da Camara said.

Reinado was due to go on trial in absentia for his alleged role in several deadly shootings between police and military units during the violence in 2006. He had evaded captured since then and refused repeated pleas by the government to surrender.

Australian-led troops restored calm following the 2006 turmoil and peaceful elections were held in which Ramos-Horta was elected president. Low-level violence had continued in the country of 1 million people since then.

Deposed Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri has maintained Ramos-Horta's government was illegitimate. His political party immediately condemned Monday's attack in a statement released to the media.

East Timor, a former Portuguese colony, gained independence in 2002 after voting to break free from more than two decades of brutal Indonesian occupation in a U.N.-sponsored ballot.

Ramos-Horta and Gusmao, who led the armed struggle against the occupation, have vowed to tackle rampant poverty and restore damaged relations between the country's police and army.

Ramos-Horta shared the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize with countryman Bishop Carlos Belo for leading a nonviolent struggle against the occupation. []

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