East Timor Press Headlines/ 29 March 2001

Bahasa Indonesia Headlines ­ Thursday 29 March 2001

1. Xanana: UNTAS Not A Defeated Group 

2. Reconciliation Team: What’s Behind The UNTAS Visit? 

3. Horta: Timorese people Must Be Tolerant 

4. Mariano: Timorization Process Not Effective

1. Xanana: UNTAS Not A Defeated Group (Suara Timor Lorosae, Front Page headline)

The President of CNRT/CN Xanana Gusmao yesterday met with a pro-autonomy team led by the secretary-general of UNTAS (Uni Timor Aswain) Filomeno de Jesus Hornai. The others in the delegation were Dr Felisberto Amaral, Filomeno MJL Ximenes, Joao Bosco and Dr Clementino Branco.

The UNTAS delegation will be in Timor Lorosae for two days and will be having a series of meetings with CNRT and UNTAET officials. They will also get an opportunity to see for themselves conditions in the country.

The delegations also plans to visit Baucau and meet with Bishop Basilio do Nascimento. The delegation also met with UN Tansitional Administrator Sergio Vieira de Mello. Before leaving Timor Lorosae, they would also meet Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo.

Commenting on the visit, Xanana told reporters that the UNTAS delegation should not be viewed as a defeated party.

“For us, here even, we should not view ourselves as the victors,” stressed Xanana.

When questioned whether justice issues would be discussed, Xanana replied that they had just started talks and it was centered on reconciliation.

“The process of developing mutual trust could take some time,” added Xanana.

Xanana also stressed that he wanted those still in the refugee camps to come home to develop the country.

2. Reconciliation Team: What’s Behind The UNTAS Visit? (Timor Post, Front Page headline)

A UNTAS delegation is currently in Timor Lorosae holding closed talks with UNTAET officials. The visit, however, has been questioned by CNRT’s National Reconciliation Team.

UNTAET’s Chief of Staff Nagalingam Parameswaran, one of the prime movers for these talks, has been accused of not coordinating his efforts with CNRT Reconciliation Team.

“We are disappointed that Parameswaran did not coordinate the visit with us. What’s behind the UNTAS-UNTAET meeting? This is one of Parameswaran’s political stratgey,” said Francisco Soares, the Special Envoy for Xanana Gusmao for Reconciliation.

Francisco was speaking to the Timor Post at a dinner function at the Oasis Inn in Metilaut Dili.

According to Francisco, the UNTAS visit was a result of reconciliation talks between CNRT/CN and UNTAS in Surabaya some time ago.

“There should have been coordination [with CNRT] before UNTAET went ahead and implemented the talks. It’s unfortunate that even we did not know the UNTAS delegation was arriving. Our main concern was security ­ both for us and them,” said Francisco.

“Parameswaran is making new strategy with UNTAS and UNTAET for reconciliation purposes without our knowledge,” said Francisco.

3. Horta: Timorese people Must Be Tolerant (Suara Timor Lorosae, Front Page side-bar)

Foreign Minister in the Transitional Cabinet Jose Ramos Horta said reconciliation between the Timorese people must be the main item on the agenda to overcome Timor Lorosae’s problems.

“Though the UNTAS delegation came here on the invitation of UNTAET, we, however, still accept them because they are the people of Timor Lorosae,” said Ramos Horta.

Ramos Horta also stressed that that the reconciliation that is happening now is not between CNRT and UNTAS but between all Timorese people.

“Let us not talk of only reconciliation between CNRT and UNTAS. Reconciliation is for all,” he added.

4. Mariano: Timorization Process Not Effective (Suara Timor Lorosae, Front Page second lead)

The Inspector-General of the East Timor Transitional Administration (ETTA) Mariano Jose Lopes da Cruz said that the Timorization process by UNTAET to get more East Timorese to occupy positions of authority was not going on smoothly.

“I think the Timorization process is not running as smooth and effective as it should be. Units of ETTA are not employing East Timorese enough,” said Mariano.

According to him, if ETTA moved fast enough, there would be enough momentum for Timorization to move forward.

“Based on my personal experience, it’s matter of not having a big enough budget. Only when we have an adequate budget can we start recruiting people,” added Mariano.

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