I Was Scapegoat: Rebel's Lover

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday April 2, 2008

Lindsay Murdoch

DARWIN: A Timorese-born Australian, Angelita Pires, admitted she was the lover of rebel leader Alfredo Reinado but claimed she had been made a scapegoat.

In her first public statement since Timor's wounded President, Jose Ramos-Horta, accused her last week of manipulating Reinado, Ms Pires said she respected the President, but refuted his accusation.

In a statement obtained by the Herald, Ms Pires said she stopped providing legal advice to Reinado in December. Ms Pires, who is under house detention in Dili while investigations into the attacks continue, called on Timorese to wait for the facts to be put before the courts before condemning her.

She denied influencing Reinado "to destroy or kill anyone". She said she urged against violence.

Reinado was shot dead in the attack while Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao was unhurt.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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