Bahasa Indonesia Headlines ­ Friday 11 May 2001

1. Sergio de Mello: Political education will prevent electoral manipulation 
2. Colin Stewart: People must support civic education 
3. Peter Galbraith: Timor Gap negotiations slow but certain

1. Sergio de Mello: Political Education Will Prevent Electoral Manipulation (Timor Post, Front Page headline)

As the country gets ready for the 30 August Constituent Assembly election, it is important that political education be given the highest priority. UN Transitional Administrator Sergio Vieira de Mello said this was important to prevent election manipulation and political violence.

Speaking to 442 candidates at the Civic Education Training Program conducted by the Instituto Superior De Economica E Gestao (ISEG) in Dili said political education was vital, at this juncture, for the people.

“The people need to know what the political parties stand for; what their work action is. If not they [the people] could fall prey to manipulation,” said Sergio de Mello.

Sergio de Mello said an informed public would be able to question political parties and make free choices for themselves.

“To really analyze the ideas and promises offered by the political parties, the people must be given information and need to have political education. Only in that way would they have a guarantee that they would lead a free life,” added Sergio de Mello.

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2. Colin Stewart: People Must Support Civic Education (Suara Timor Lorosae, Front Page second lead)

The process of civic education does not only involve political leaders, it also needs the participation the people. Because of this people must form the central focus of any civic education program, said Colin Stewart UNTAET’s Director for Civic Education.

“Because of this in all our civic education programs we try our best to involve all sectors of society ­ like university students, NGOs and CNRT,” said Colin.

Mario Fatima Ximenes, one of the civic education participants at ISEG said university students will be useful in disseminating information about democracy, reconciliation and the constitution to the people.

She added students had a big role to play in civic education.

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3. Peter Galbraith: Timor Gap negotiations Slow But Certain (Suara Timor Lorosae, Front Page third lead)

The Minister of the Timor Sea Peter Galbraith said yesterday though the Timor Gap negotiations seemed slow, the results at the end would be more certain.

“We don’t want to rush things through and at the end disappoint the people. Many important decisions are yet to be made,” said Galbraith.

Galbraith said the Timor Lorosae negotiating team would not accept the 1989 agreement between Indonesian and Australia on the Timor Gap.

“We have already made a clear commitment not the accept the 1989 agreement,” added Galbraith.

Galbraith stressed that that it was more important for the Timorese leaders to develop the economy based on existing resources rather than wait for the future income from oil and gas in the Timor Sea.

“What I’m emphasising is that though the future of Timor Lorosae is bright with future oil and gas revenue from the Timor Sea, however, the country must work together with Australia in technical aspects for oil and gas exploration.”

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