Fed: Rudd says Ramos-Horta is a fighter

AAP General News (Australia)
02-15-2008
Fed: Rudd says Ramos-Horta is a fighter

DARWIN, Feb 15 AAP - Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says his old friend, East Timorese President
Jose Ramos-Horta, is a fighter who still faces an uphill battle to recovery.

The president was shot twice when rebels attacked him outside his home in Dili on Monday.

He was airlifted to Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) on Monday where he underwent surgery.

Mr Rudd, who visited RDH today after a lightning trip to Dili, said he was confident
his friend would pull through.

"He is a fighter, I know the old Jose .... he has got a bit of a fight ahead of him
still," Mr Rudd told reporters in Darwin.

"I simply visited him and said some quiet words to him.

"I would like to come back when he is up for it. I think he has a little way to go still."

Mr Rudd said he also visited injured East Timorese Lieutenant Selestino Gomes and spoke
to his wife and well as thanking the Darwin medical team.

Mr Rudd flew into Dili earlier today to meet his counterpart Xanana Gusmao and show
Australia's support for the fledgling country.

He spent just four hours in Dili, also meeting with Australian troops, acting president
Fernando de Araujo, the leader of the opposition Fretilin party Mari Alkatiri, and the
head of the United Nations mission Atul Khare.

AAP tr/jlw/it/de

KEYWORD: TIMOR HORTA RUDD LEAD

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.