I was disappointed with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao's speech in Suai last Tuesday. He gave a very brief address to people in the church next to where the three priests were killed. Xanana and Kirsty Sword were there together and they were treated like royalty. Hundreds of people followed them around during a procession as the PM and KS laid a wreath.

The pair were given presents, too. All in all, I think Xanana owed it to the people to address the issues that have been on their minds. Xanana apparently made a few visits to local people around town, which is all well and good, but a public speech is far more important than private conversations.