The HD Centre is currently engaged in negotiations with Lt. Gastao Salsinha in an effort to get him and his supporters to lay down their weapons and submit to justice. Lt. Salsinha and his men are wanted in connection with the attacks on President Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao on 11 February 2008 in Dili. He also led the group of petitioning soldiers (the petitioners) whose sacking prompted the crisis in Timor-Leste in 2006.

On 20 October and 7 November 2007, the HD Centre facilitated direct talks between a Government delegation and Major Reinado in close coordination with MUNJ. Lt. Salsinha accompanied Major Reinado at both meetings. Two field visits to assess possible locations for the cantonment of Major Reinado and his group, the next envisaged step in the process, were also undertaken.

In October 2007, a multi-party Directive Council on the dialogue process with Major Reinado was constituted by Prime Minister Gusmao. The Directive Council was mandated to coordinate the dialogue process and define its modalities. It consisted of representatives of the Government Task Force, Major Reinado's group and the group of facilitators. The HD Centre was officially recognised as part of the latter.

On 19 August 2007, the HD Centre convened a crucial meeting between Major Reinado and President Ramos-Horta, the first since his swearing in, in Ermera district, southwest of the capital Dili. At the meeting, both sides expressed support for a dialogue process with the aim of settling their differences peacefully and ending the armed confrontation.

The HD Centre undertook two assessment missions to Timor-Leste in May and June 2007, during which it held several meetings with newly-elected President Jose Ramos-Horta, as well as other representatives of the Government, the Church, F-FDTL (national army), PNTL (national police), and civil society. The HD Centre also met several times with Major Reinado as well as Lt. Salsinha, the leader of the petitioners. The various parties accepted the HD Centre's offer of good offices and facilitation in a dialogue process. In particular, President Ramos-Horta asked the HD Centre to facilitate the peaceful resolution of: (i) the confrontation with Major Reinado and his group; and (ii) the case of the petitioners, which remains unresolved to-date.