Bahasa Indonesia Headlines ­ Wednesday 16 May 2001

1. CNRT to be dissolved in early June 
2. Four political parties registered with Electoral Commission 
3. Timor Lorosae ­ Indonesia bilateral negotiations restart

1. CNRT/CN To Be Dissolved In Early June (Timor Post, Front Page headline)

The Concelho Nacional da Recistencia Timorense/ Congresso Nasional (CNRT/CN) will be dissolved in early June 2001. Ex-members of CNRT will then form the Resistance Veterans Foundation.

An extra-ordinary conference will be held between 28-29 May to pave the way for the CNRT dissolution.

According to Armando da Costa, the coordinator of committee overseeing the CNRT dissolution, talks had been held with CNRT President Xanana Gusmao on 9 May.

“The extra-ordinary conference will be attended by all CNRT divisions from all districts,” he said.

Armando also said the CNRT Vice President Mario Carrascalao was no longer active in the organization and was, instead, concentrating on his own political party ­ the Social Democratic Party of Timor (PSD).

The planned dissolution of CNRT/CN has attracted comment from Dili Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo.

According to Bishop Belo it was advisable for CNRT to remain till a new government is in place after the general election.

“CNRT has always been the face of unity for the country. Let CNRT hand over power to the new government once it is elected in by the people,” added Bishop Belo.

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2. Four Political Parties Registered With Independent Election Commission (Timor Post, Front Page third lead)

Four out of the 14 political parties in Timor Lorosae have been registered with the Electoral Commission to contest in the 30 August Constituent Assembly election.

The four political parties are Partido Povu Timor (PPT) ­ registered on 7 May; Partido Demokratica Cristaun (PDC) ­ registered on 8 May; Fretilin ­ registered on 9 May and Partido Demokratica de Timor (UDC/PDC) ­ registered on 15 May.

Catarina Fabionson, the Electoral Commission’s Public Information Officer said the four political parties satisfied the registration requirements of the Commission.

“Once a party has been registered, it will receive a certificate from the Commission. With that certificate, they are eligible to contest in the 30 August election,” she said.

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3. Timor Lorosae ­ Indonesia Bilateral Negotiations Restart (Suara Timor Lorosae, Front Page second lead)

Negotiations between Indonesia and Timor Lorosae, represented by UNTAET, restarted in Denpasar on Monday. Delegates from the two countries will discuss re-registration procedures for refugees still in Indonesian territory ­ namely West Timor.

UNTAET spokesperson Barbara Reis said in a press conference yesterday that the bilateral meeting will also discuss the maritime boundary between Indonesia and Timor Lorosae, the problems of East Timorese students wanting to continue their education in Indonesia, the land corridor between Oecussi and the Timor Lorosae hinterland and Dili’s diplomatic mission in Jakarta.

Barbara said the Timor Lorosae delegation will also discuss cooperation in border control matters.

Barbara said Monday was a historic day for Timor Lorosae’s diplomacy.

“For the first time 15 Timor Lorosae diplomats are representing the country in bilateral negotiations. These Timor Lorosae diplomats are from the Department of Foreign Affairs,” said Barbara.

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