Timor-Leste International and Local Media Monitoring Dec 15, 2003

Antara

East Timorese community threatens to sue Indonesian Government over asylum-seekers case Kupang - The East Timorese Community (KMTT) in Belu district, East Nusa Tenggara, has threatened to file a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice against Indonesia if the latter`s government insists on deporting 26 East Timorese asylum seekers sheltered in the district. The Indonesian government should allow the asylum seekers and former East Timorese refugees in the province to live in the country instead of deporting them to East Timor, the KMTT said in a statement issued on Saturday. The three-page statement was signed by 11 East Timorese community figures representing 11 different areas in East Timor and 52 former East Timorese refugees living in the district.

STL

UNPOL denies Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist group operating in Timor-Leste The Vice-Commander of UNPOL, Allen King, said that the information circulating in Timor-Leste saying that members of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah are operating in the country is not true and are only rumors. Mr King said that to date UNPOL has not found a member of Jemaah Islamiyah in Timor-Leste.

Population handed ammunition to Police The Inspector of National Police Force in Baucau, Pedro Belo, said that two farmers from Saelari-Laga, sub-district of Laga, found 122 J3 ammunitions buried in a hole while cleaning their farm. He added that he believed the ammunitions were buried in '99 during the civil war.

Respect first peoples dignity During the Human Rights Day ceremony the coordinator for Justice and Peace Commission for the Diocese of Baucau, Ilidio Gusmao, said that before we can talk about human rights first of all we should learn how to respect other peoples rights, and most importantly their dignity. He added that then we all can live in peace and harmony.

Inspector General: Public Works Case Was Not Corruption The accusations made against the Department of Public Works, of corruption, collusion and nepotism, are not true said the Inspector General, Mariano Lopes, according to a report published by Suara Timor Lorosae. Mr da Cruz said that the investigation on the alleged corruption could only prove mismanagement of financial resources, but not corruption. He added that the investigation is over and that a report has been presented to Prime-Minister Mari Alkatiri.

Timor Post

Corruption is not out of control The Inspector General, Mariano Lopes da Cruz, said that corruption in Timor-Leste does not exist in great scale when compared to Indonesian times, which was out of control. He added that most of the alleged corruption usually comes from people that like to talk about it without presenting any evidence. Mr da Cruz said that people who talk about corruption, when asked to come forward, suddenly have nothing to say.

Council of Ministers Approves Cuts in State Budget The Council of Ministers approved Thursday the draft law of a revised State budget, which takes in consideration the US$9.4 million shortfall resulting from the lower revenues from oil and gas exploitation in the Timor Sea. The draft budget foresees cuts of US$4.5 million, affecting mainly salaries and wages (a decrease of one percent), the budget of State departments and capital expenditure. The bill will be sent to the National Parliament for consideration.

Jose Filipe External Affairs World Bank, Dili Office Ph: 723 3110 Tel: 332 4649

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