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Subject: Media Review 22 August 2003
From UNMISET - Dili, August 22 2003 Daily Press Review Reactions on de Mello's Death Timor Post reported on Friday that Bishop Ximenes Bello had received a letter from Sergio Vieira de Mello" on Wednesday (August 20) morning. The Bishop did not reveal the contents of the letter, but he said that the people of Timor-Leste shared the grief of the Brazilian people and the family of the deceased. The Dili Dioceses Vicar General, Jose Antonio, said a special mass on Thursday morning. On Friday evening, a memorial service will be held at Obrigado Barrack in Dili. (TP) Jose Ramos Horta Criticized for Death Penalty Comments Human rights group Amnesty International has criticized Foreign Minister José Ramos Horta over his comments about terrorists and death penalty. In an article published by "The Australian" on Thursday, Jose Ramos Horta said that in cases where a person is found guilty by a credible court of terrorist acts that kill many people, he would not sign a clemency petition. Amnesty International, which opposes capital punishment, said it is sad to hear a Nobel Peace Prizewinner defend the death penalty for terrorists. (ABC News). Parliament Resolution on Sergio de Mello The Speaker of National Parliament, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo told the media yesterday that the National Parliament through its permanent commission will produce a resolution on the death of Former SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello. The resolution will be made to convey the sentiment of condolences to be presented to UN as well as the Brazilian Government and the Brazilian population. (STL) Paulo Martins: President's Comments on PNTL Are Useful The Head of the National Police of Timor-Leste, Paulo Martins said that the comments made by President Xanana Gusmão about PNTL are useful for the improvement of PNTL. During his speech in the occasion of Falintil Day, President Xanana Gusmão criticized acts and attitudes of PNTL personnel who tend to use violence in handling many situations. He said that those attitudes show that they still have the "Indonesian police mentality". Paulo Martins said in order to balance the critics of the President, the Minister of Internal Administration, Rogerio Lobato, has sent telegrams to all PNTL commanders on the issue. (STL) Police is Tracking the Import of Drugs Superintendent Paulo de Fatima Martins told the media on Thursday (21/8) that for the moment PNTL and the Office of Prosecutor General of Timor-Leste are making an investigation on the import of drugs and drugs dealers. "It is important for us to know where the drugs that are circulating in Dili are from," Paulo Martins said. He added that the investigations have had the support of UNPOL. (STL) Australia, East Timor and Indonesian Discuss Counter-Terrorism Summit The Australian Foreign Minister will meet next Monday with his Indonesian and Timorese counterparts, in Adelaide, for talks on the future of the United Nations in Timor-Leste. The Australian and Indonesian Foreign Ministers are holding talks today [Friday] in Canberra, on plans for a regional counter-terrorism summit. Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said his discussions with his Indonesian counterpart, Hasan Wirajuda, will focus on how the two countries can cooperate to fight terrorism. "The most specific thing that we'll be looking at is this idea that we've been discussing between us of holding a regional ministerial meeting on counter terrorism - probably some time early next year," Downer said. (ABC News, Lusa) RI-East Timor MOU on Border Crossing to Take Effect Mid-November Thursday, August 21, 2003 Indonesia and Timor-Leste signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on border crossing and trade last June 11 in Jakarta but it will only take effect in mid-November, a provincial official said Thursday in Kupang, cited by ANTARA. "The MoU will serve as a legal basis and protection for people who live along the border shared by the two countries," The head of East Nusa Tenggara province`s industry and trade office Supartantyo said. Supartantyo said the MoU was signed by Indonesia`s Industry and Trade Minister Rini MS Soewandi and Ramos Horta representing the Timorese government and would take effect 150 days after its signing. (ANTARA) Back to August menu |