Timor-Leste International and Local Media Monitoring Dec 16, 2003

STL

Timor honours "Sacred Serpent" Cosgrove

Australian Defence Force Chief General, Peter Cosgrove, is now known in East Timor as "Fohorai Lulik" or the Sacred Serpent, a hero's honour which forever marks him as a unique person in Timorese folklore, and one who possesses special powers as a protector. General Cosgrove said he was deeply honoured by his new name and said it meant he had now been "accepted as part of the East Timorese family". The Australian Defence Force Chief was in East Timor to open a new English training facility at Metinaro, and to watch the graduation of a group of platoon commanders and to inspect Australian peacekeepers stationed on the Indonesian border.

Australia plans to leave East Timor

Australia will stick to the United Nations deadline to withdraw peacekeepers from East Timor despite an appeal for continued help. Australian Defence Force Chief, Peter Cosgrove, said that only 50 to 60 of its 400 troops will remain in East Timor after the UN mandate runs out May 20.

Look after the irrigation system

During the inauguration of the irrigation system in Laclo, District of Manatuto, the Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that he hopes the farmers will now be motivated and double their efforts and better their lives.

Political Parties needs to apologise

During the public audience organized by the Truth, Reception and Reconciliation Commission (CAVR), the Bishop of Baucau and Dili, D. Basilio do Nascimento, said to the public audience that it's important to help heal wounds of the past and look to the future. He added that it's also an opportunity for the political parties who were involved in the struggle in 74, to apologise to the people. The Bishop also said that reconciliation in the long run will help achieve justice.

Draft regulation for investment on debate

During a seminar on the draft regulation for investment, the Secretary of State for Tourism, Environment and Investment, Jose Augusto Teixeira, said that the draft is an important issue for the Government of Timor-Leste. He added that the debate will focus on the proposal and what measures the Government should adopt on the draft regulation for investment.

Timor Post

Political parties should not apologise

The President of the political party PSD, Mario Carrascalao, said that for political parties to apologise to the people, first we need to identify who was the biggest culprit. He added that people should be clear and say whether the party or the people responsible for the mistakes should apologise. Mr Carrascalao said that political parties cannot be blamed for the actions of some members. He added that those who recognise their mistake should apologise now to the people of this country.

F-FDTL with 50 undisciplined soldiers

The Commander of F-FDTL Brigadier General, Taur Matan Ruak, said that 50 members of first and second battalion of F-FDTL will face disciplinary action for what he considers has been undisciplined. He added that he thinks that some of them will be dismissed from the army.

Border Patrol Unit reinforced with 37 members

During the graduation ceremony for the 37 members of the Border Patrol Unit, the Minister of Interior, Rogerio Tiago Lobato, said that the BPU will be equipped with bigger and better guns to defend the border. He added that not to cause war but to defend the border.

Pest is killing coconut trees in Lospalos and Viqueque

The Head of the International Centre for Cooperation of France (CIRAD), based in Baucau, Laurence Olivier, said that a team from France has arrived in Timor-Leste to identify the bugs responsible for the killing of coconut trees. Mr Olivier said that the team will evaluate the damage caused by the pest in the District of Baucau, and also try to identify if it is the same bug that is also killing the coconut trees in the Districts of Viqueque and Lospalos.

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

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