Bahasa Indonesia Headlines ­ Monday 21 May, 2001

1. UN Security Council debates post-UNTAET situation 
2. PTT to nominate Xanana and Ramos-Horta 
3. Mari Alkatari: Fretilin wants peace and guarantees multi-party democracy 
4. Taur marries Isabela

1. UN Security Council Debates Post-UNTAET Situation (Suara Timor Lorosae, Front Page headline)

The residual problems of Timor Lorosae, mainly refugees in Indonesia-controlled West Timor, has been given priority by members of the United Nations. They acknowledged that it was a complex issue and good diplomatic ties between Indonesia and Timor Lorosae were needed to resolve the matter.

This was brought out at a UN Security Council session at the UN Headquarters in New York on Friday. The Security Council was debating the post-UNTAET secnario.

It was Japan, which initiated the debate on Timorese refugees still in Indonesia-controlled West Timor.

“We must admit that the problem [of the refugees] is difficult and complex,” said Japan’s Permanent Representative at the UN Yukio Satoh.

“Because of this, Japan hopes Indonesia uses its good offices to return back the refugees to Timor Lorosae,” added the Japanese diplomat.

The Security Council session was also attended by the CNRT President Xanana Gusmao and Jose Ramos-Horta ­ foreign minister in the Transitional Cabinet.

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2. PTT To Nominate Xanana and Ramos-Horta (Suara Timor Lorosae, Front Page second lead)

Partido Trabalhista Timor (PTT), on Friday, submitted its registration application with the Independent Electoral Commission. The party also nominated Xanana Gusmao and Jose Ramos-Horta as its candidates for the Constituent Assembly.

PTT President Paul Freitas da Silva and his followers were at the IEC to lodge their registration application. They said their party was the oldest in Timor Lorosae and was formed in 1974.

“Xanana and Ramos-Horta will be nominated as the party’s candidates. These two piltical figures will be able to unite the people,” said Paul Freitas.

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3. Mari Alkatari: Fretilin Wants Peace And Guarantees Mutli-Party Democracy (Suara Timor Lorosae, Front Page third lead)

Fretilin wants to show the people and the international community that it intends to build peace and stability in the country and guarantee multi-party democracy. The party is also committed to Timor Lorosae’s smooth transition to democracy.

This was stated by the Vice President of Fretilin, Mari Alkatari yesterday.

Mari Alkatari said Fretilin will hold its National Conference today and tomorrow to discuss issues concerning democracy in the country. Also the party will use the conference to get feed-back in order to ready itself for the 30 August election.

“We will also be discussing what must be done by Fretilin if it gets elected into power to form the new government,” said Mari Alkatari.

Mari Alkatari also introduced Lu-Olo to reporters.

“My friend started fighting in the revolution when he was still very young and practically gave all his adult life to Fretilin. Because of this, he is fit to be our leader. He has sacrificed so much for the country,” he added.

Mari Alkatari also said he did not want the leadership of Fretilin to be held by people who once served the Indonesian generals.

“This goes against the spirit of our independence,” he said.

“Fretilin is the people and the people are Fretilin (Fretilin mak povu, povu mak Fretilin)” added Mari Alkatari.

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4. Taur Marries Isabel (Timor Post, Front Page headline)

After 24 years in the jungles, as a guerrilla, Taur Matan Ruak finally found his love. The Commander of the Defence Forces of Timor Lorosae Taur Matan Ruak marreid Isabel da Costa Ferreira yesterday at the Immaculate da Conceicao Cathedral in Dili.

Isable, a human rights activist, is director of the Timor Lorosae Human Rights Commission.

The couple married under tight security provided the Brazilian Contingent of the PKF.

Present at the wedding were Commandante Lere Anan Timor, Commander Falur Rate Laek, Fretilin President Lu-Olo, Fretilin Vice-President Mari Alkatari. Also present were Kirsty Sword ­ the wife of CNRT President Xanana Gusmao and CNRT Security Chief David Ximenes.

Isabel graduated from the Law Faculty of the National Education University in Bali in 1197. In 1998 she formed her own NGO called Kontras which helped traced missing Timorese who were taken away by the Indonesian armed forces.

In September 1999, after the militia violence, she formed the Timor Lorosae Human Rights Commission.

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