The prime minister at the time, Mari Alkatiri,blames political rivals for the violence and trying to replace the elected government.

VOA: standard.2009.08.27

Critics like former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri with the opposition Fretilin party say this policy hurts local rice producers who cannot compete.

VOA: standard.2009.08.28

The new chief minister, Mari Alkatiri, accepts that East Timor will be dependent on foreign aid for several years.

ECONOMIST: After centuries of oppression, the birth of a nation