Bahasa Indonesia Headlines ­ Tuesday 11 September 2001

1. Building a new relationship with Indonesia 
2. Ramos-Horta supports ‘inclusive’ government 
3. Fernando Lasama: PD not yet contacted on Cabinet composition 
4. The second transition Cabinet

1. Building a new relationship with Indonesia (Suara Timor Lorosae, front page headline)

ETTA Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta said yesterday Timor Lorosae must move forward to new horizons in its relationship with Indonesia.

“Indonesia is our nearest neighbour. Because of that we must develop new ties with Jakarta. We must put aside past bitterness in order to normalize ties with our neighbour,” said Ramos-Horta when he met journalists at the ceremony to certify the results of Timor Lorosae’s first general election. The ceremony was held at UNTAET’s Media Center.

Ramos-Horta said he together with UN Transitional Administrator Sergio Vieira de Mello, independence leader Xanana Gusmao and Fretilin Secretary-General Mari Alkatari would be leaving for Jakarta today. He said a meeting with new Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri was scheduled at the Merdeka Palace on Wednesday (12 September).

Besides Megawati, the delegation from Dili would also be meeting Indonesian leaders like the Coordinating Minister for Social and Political Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudohyono, Foreign Affairs Minister Hasan Wirayuda and Attorney-General M. Rahman.

“We are grateful to the Indonesian government for extending this invitation to us. Obviously as visitors we will listen to what our hosts have to tell us,” said Ramos-Horta.

2. Ramos-Horta supports ‘inclusive’ government (Suara Timor Lorosae, front page second lead)

The ETTA Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta said yesterday he favoured an inclusive government centered Fretilin which won the largest number of seats in the 30 August election.

Ramos-Horta said an inclusive government would have good credentials because it would comprise professional with talents in their respective fields.

“An inclusive government means not all the Cabinet ministers are Fretilin members,” said Ramos-Horta.

When asked by journalists whether he was named as a minister in the second transitional Cabinet, Ramos-Horta said if he was not named by Fretilin he would lead life as a normal person.

“I prefer being a normal person because I will be free to go where I like without any ties,” he added.

3. Fernando Lasama: PD not yet contacted on Cabinet composition (Suara Timor Lorosae, front page)

The Democrat Party (PD), the party that became second in the 30 August election, has not yet been contacted by UNTAET for consultations on the new Cabinet.

“Till now Sergio de Mello [UN Transitional Administrator] has not yet called us to get our views on the new Cabinet. It seems that UNTAET is only consulting with the first winner ­ Fretilin,” said Fernando Lasama, PD President.

Fernando said he had met Sergio de Mello yesterday, but the formation of the new Cabinet was not brought up.

“The discussion was short and it was out of my own initiative,” he told STL.

Fernando said Sergio de Mello had always stressed that this new Cabinet is the second transition Cabinet formed by the UN.

“The UN still holds the mandate, for the moment, to run this country and not Fretilin,” said Fernando.

The PD President said a person, in the new Cabinet, should be prevented from holding two or three portfolios.

“There are enough talented Timorese in the country to fill the various Cabinet positions,” added Fernando.

4. The second transition Cabinet (Suara Timor Lorosae, editorial)

Although the 18 ministers to the new Transitional Cabinet have not yet been named, speculation, however, is rife among the people on who would be chosen. The second Transitional Cabinet is an all Timorese one and this is an acknowledgement that the Timorese are ready to govern their own country.

UN Transitional Administrator Sergio de Mello has acknowledged that the party that won the elections, Fretilin, together with other parties is being consulted with regard to the Cabinet members to be named.

But there are indications that that UNTAET has not yet consulted the party that came second. The UN seems to be only talking seriously with the winner and side-lining the other parties.

In this regard, we hope the people would not be confused because many Timorese are awaiting a clear outcome in the selection of Cabinet members. It must be remembered that this is the second Transitional Cabinet and not a Cabinet dominated by one party. This message must be made clear to the people.

It is in the mandate of UNTAET to form this Transitional Cabinet and the UN must stick to its policy and not waver.

Back to September menu
August
World Leaders Contact List
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu