Bahasa Indonesia Headlines ­ Tuesday 22 May 2001

1. Political parties put forward campaign methods 
2. Commander Taur and wife honeymoon in Darwin 
3. Hornai: Don’t scuttle reconciliation 
4. Param: “This is just the UNTAS Sec-Gen’s opinion”

1. Political Parties Put Forward Campaign Methods (Timor Post, Front Page headline)

Political parties in Timor Lorosae have offered two campaign methods for the forthcoming 30 August election. The first is a joint campaign with all political parties and the second is individual political parties campaigning through a neutral international community.

UN Transitional Administrator Dr Sergio Vieira de Mello was made aware of these two methods at a meeting Saturday with all political parties in Timor Lorosae. The session, however, was closed to journalists.

Later when meeting journalists, KOTA Party Secretary-General Clementino dos Reis Amaral said a joint political campaign meant that all parties simultaneously carried out their campaigns in one place. The media will be there together with the public.

This, said Clementino, will give the impression that all political parties are united. “This also will augur well in terms of public perception. It will dispel the notion that there are splits and disagreements,” he said.

“Five or six political parties will be able to simultaneously let the public know their work program,” added Clementino.

On the second method, Clementino said political parties would communicate their work programs to the people through the international community.

At the meeting with Sergio de Mello, political parties also brought forth problems with the mass media. They said many people, especially, in the districts did not have radio sets and hence could not receive adequate political information to make informed choices.

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2. Commander Taur And Wife Honeymoon In Darwin (Timor Post, Front Page second lead)

Commander of the Timor Lorosae Defense Forces (FDTL) Brigadier-General Taur Matan Ruak and his wife Isabel da Costa Fereira have chosen Darwin for their honeymoon. The couple were married at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, in Dili, last Sunday.

The couple left for the Northern Territory yesterday on board an Air North flight.

Both Brigadier Taur and Isable arrived at the Komoro Airport in a Land Rover with their Brazilian bodyguards.

While waiting to catch their flight to Darwin, both Brigadier Taur and Isabel were also at hand to meet UN Transitional Administrator Sergio Vieira de Mello and CNRT President Xanana Gusmao, who had just returned home from the United States.

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3. Hornai: Don’t Scuttle Reconciliation (Suara Timor Lorosae, Front Page second lead)

East Timorese who are still refugees in Indonesia-controlled West Timor have been advised not to scuttle reconciliation talks with their brethren in Timor Lorosae. This appeal came from the Secretary-General of UNTAS Filomeno de Jesus Hornai in an interview with STL.

Hornai said reconciliation, among the Timorese people, must involve the participation of all sides.

“”Because of this, either today or tomorrow we will be making our way to Baucau for reconciliation talks,” he said.

Hornai said he was participating in the talks in his personal capacity and not representing any organization.

“We want to be able to discuss things freely without any agendas,” he said.

When asked why he wasn’t representing UNTAS, Hornai said not everyone supported reconciliation.

“Because of that, I as a Timorese who supports reconciliation want to make sure that reconciliation becomes a bridge for peace in an independent Timor Lorosae,” he added.

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4. Param: “This is Just The UNTAS Sec-Gen’s Opinion” (Timor Post, Front Page third lead)

Registration of refugees at the camps in Indonesia-controlled West Timor would begin on 6 June. Only then would data be made available on whether a majority or minority of refugees want to remain with Indonesia.

This was stated by UNTAET’s Chief of Staff N. Parameswaran to the Timor Post. Parameswaran was reacting to UNTAS Secretary-General Filomeno Hornai’s statement to the press that 95 per cent of refugees in West Timor want to be Indonesian citizens.

“That is the UNTAS Sec-Gen’s opinion. Let’s see what happens when the registration starts. I think Filomeno might have not got accurate information,” said Parameswaran.

Intimidation and terror campaigns are still rampant in the refugee camps.

“Those [refugees] who want to come back can do so safely. There is nothing to stop them from coming home,” said the UNTAET Chief-of-Staff.

Parameswaran said reconciliation talks would be held in Baucau between the 24 to 26 May with political leaders, both inside and outside Timor Lorosae.

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