From UNMISET

LOCAL MEDIA MONITORING APRIL 1, 2003

STL :

The Prime Minister has ordered the General Inspector, Mr Mariano Lopes, to investigate the Customs Service in light of allegations of collusion and corruption.

The Government said that, Timor - Leste as a sovereign nation needs to take steps forward gradually to form a Central Bank in order to create its own currency in future. This statement was made by the Vice-minister for Planning and Finance, Aicha Bassarewan, when she attended the "Millenium Development Goals" workshop.

Timor Post :

In response to the criticism of the Government's "open government" policy made by the President of the Democratic Party, Mr Fernando Lasama, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said that maybe Mr Fernando made his comments while he was drunk .

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From UNMISET

LOCAL MEDIA MONITORING

STL

According to the head of the fact finding division from NGO (HAK), Aniceto Guro Berteni Neves, the Atsabe and Atabae violence was perpetrated by organized and armed groups. He explained that their findings will be submitted to the Vice Attorney and the police for further processing in accordance with the Criminal Procedures Act.

Timor Post

The Opposition Parties (PD, PSD & PPT) in the parliament have rejected "The Fiscal Year 2002/2003" Budget submmited by the Government. The reason for their rejection was that the Government's explanations were not clear. They also said that the Government had already implemented this budget and they did not want to be just a rubber stamp.

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From UNMISET

LOCAL MEDIA MONITORING

APRIL 3, 2003

STL TheInternational Federation of East Timor urges President Xanana Gusmao to fully support accontability for past abuses. In a letter to President Xanana Gusmao, IFET expressed dismay at the President's reaction to February's indictment by join UN-East Timor Serious Crime Unit of high ranking Indonesian military officers for crimes against humanity committed before and after East Timor's 1999 referendum. While praising Gusmao's promotion of reconciliation and good relations with Indonesia, the letter argued that the President's views are not "Incompatible with the pursuit of justice...(and) that they should (not) be given priority over justice".

The Vice Minister for Planning and Finance, Mrs Aicha Bassarewan, reported that The National Budget for the fiscal year 2002-2003 is facing a deficit of $3.5m.This shortfall is due to rescheduling of some donors' funds resultant from domestic issues in their home countries.The original budget was $77.7m. It's now $74.2m.

Timor Post In commenting on Xanana Gusmao's visit to the Australian State of Tasmania, Chancellor of Dili University, Dr Lucas da Costa said he welcomed the Tasmanian Government's offer of mutual cooperation on sandalwood.

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April 4, 2003

From UNMISET

LOCAL MEDIA MONITORING

STL: In the National Parliament, Mr Rui Menezes, from the Democratic Party has: said that "Donors do not trust financial management in Timor-Leste".

Timor Post : Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said that the hand over of Lautem District by UNPOL ( United Nations Police ) to PNTL ( Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste ) is a historic day.

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