Bahasa Indonesia Headlines ­ Wednesday 28 March 2001

1. Xanana Gusmao: Timor Lorosae Police Will Carry Out Their Mission Well 

2. Xavier’s Faction Fails To Fly Fretilin Flag 

3. Xavier Amaral: Fretilin Split Disappoints People 

4. NC Forms An Investigation Team To Look Into Death Threats

1. Xanana Gusmao: Timor Lorosae Police Will Carry Out Their Mission Well (Suara Timor Lorosae, Front Page headline)

The President of CNRT/CN Xanana Gusmao urged the Timor Lorosae Police Force to take their mission seriously in order to serve the Timorese people.

“I firmly believe you are equipped to serve the people and are preparing yourselves to serve in an independent Timor Lorosae,” said Xanana at a ceremony to honor the appointment of 450 Timor Lorosae police officers.

With the appointment of the 450 police officers yesterday, 27 March now officially becomes National Police Day.

Xanana said the event was significant for the country because it indicated that Timor Lorosae was ready for full independence.

“We have already been through a year [after the popular consultation]. We have all been through various difficulties. On this day, we will find a way to overcome violence; we will find a way to overcome criminal activities ­ not by using sheer force but by using you as the new police officers of Timor Lorosae,” said Xanana.

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2. Xavier’s Faction Fails To Fly Fretilin Flag (Timor Post, Front Page headline)

Former president of Fretilin, Francis Xavier Amaral yesterday failed to fly the party’s flag at the compound of ASSET in Lecidere Dili because the President of CNRT/CN Xanana Gusmao and UNTAET Head Sergio Vieira de Mello failed to turn up for the function.

“We feel disappointed with the non-attendance of Xanana and Sergio de Melo. We had sent an official invitation to them but still they failed to show up. Because of that we could not fly the Fretilin flag,” said Xavier Amaral.

Hundreds of Fretilin sympathizers gathered at the ASSET office since yesterday morning and were still there till the late hours of the night. They filled their time with traditional Timorese dances and heard political speeches from various Fretilin activists who made their way to Dili from the districts.

Xavier Amaral in his speech urged Fretilin supporters to be careful in the forthcoming election.

“You are free to choose which party you like. Do you want to choose CPD-RDTL or BP7 (the Fretilin Central Committee led by Lu-Olo and Mari Alkatari)? If you don’t choose them, for sure they will lose,” he said.

According to Xavier Amaral, CPD-RDTL and BP7 were given until 20 April to solve their differences.

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3. Xavier Amaral: Fretilin Split Disappoints People (Suara Timor Lorosae, Front Page second lead)

The former president of Fretilin, Francisco Xavier do Amaral said yesterday the party’s split, with no clear indication of any sign of reconciliation, has only its sympathizers disappointed and confused.

“The former name of the party was ASDT and it was changed to Fretilin. The aim of the party was to unite all groups of Timorese people in a peaceful manner,” said Xavier Amaral.

Xavier Amaral, one of the founders of Fretilin, said he was sad that the party split occurred when Timor Lorosae was on the way of becoming fully independent.

“It’s a pity that the country’s oldest party is split into factions,” said Xavier Amaral.

“Because of this, we need a mediator to unite Fretilin.”

He said Fretilin, now, is split into two camps ­ the CPD-RDTL and CPF (Fretilin Central Committee).

“For about a year we have been working to unite both camps but to no avail. As a last resort we have to ask the people to choose who they want,” said Xavier Amaral.

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4. NC Forms An Investigation Team To Look Into Death Threats (Timor Post, Front Page side-bar)

The National Council has formed an investigation team to look into death threats made against CNRT/CN President Xanana Gusmao and UN Transitional Administrator Sergio Vieira de Mello, which have been circulating in Dili and on the Internet.

According to NC member Clementino Amaral, the threats are considered serious by the National Council.

The investigation team comprises of the following NC members: Avelino Coelho, Eusebio Guterres and Clementino.

But Clementino said the team was having difficulty in trying to question CPD-RDTL.

“They have refused to send anyone to attend the interview session,” he said.

The Internet message reads as follows: “The two most important people in Timtim must be very careful, if they want to live. If not, there will come a time for a lesson and that lesson will be very painful ­ so much so that their lives could be lost.”

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