Timor-Leste International and Local Media Monitoring Dec 17, 2003

Timor Post

Cold war provoke conflict says Horta

During East Timor's Truth and Reconciliation Commission public hearing, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Jose Ramos Horta, said that the civil war in 1974 and 1975 was triggered by super powers due to the cold war at that time, and paved the way for Indonesia's invasion. Dr Horta also said that he was not there to accuse Fretilin or UDT, and in every process there's no white or black but the truth that is in between.

Cannot blame Fretilin and UDT says PM

The Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that the civil war was provoked by internal and external factors (the relationship between Lisbon and Jakarta deteriorated) that did not give time for leaders to think about what way to conduct the political process. He added that to complicate matters even further, Canberra stepped in the middle. Dr Alkatiri also said that at that time Washington didn't even know where Timor-Leste was. And for this reason Washington gave the green light to Jakarta to invade in 1975.

36 power stations rehabilitated

The Secretary of State for Power and Water (EDTL), Egidio de Jesus, said that with financial support from Asia Development Bank (ADB), 36 power stations have been rehabilitated throughout the country. Mr de Jesus said that ADB will finance the reconstruction of two new power stations in Fatu Lulik and Fatu Mea, in the District of Suai.

Commander and Deputy dismissed - says Lobato

The Minister of Interior, Rogerio Tiago Lobato, said that the Rapid Intervention Unit Commander and his Deputy were dismissed by the Government due to their undisciplined behaviour. He added that they were only demoted from their positions, and not discharged from the National Police Force.

Team Alfa militiamen found not guilty of 1999 murder of Lospalos King

Judges of the special Panel for Serious Crimes acquitted Gilberto Fernandes, Jose da Costa and Inacio Oliveira, of the charges of murder and persecution as crimes against humanity, while convicting the three former Team Alfa members of violence against property or people. Nine others who are charged with the murder of the Liurai (King) of Lospalos remain fugitives and are believed to be in Indonesia, including two TNI officers and the former Administrator of Lautem. The prosecution alleged that although the three defendants in this trial were not direct perpetrators of the killing, they played a sufficient role to incur criminal responsibility for the murder. The Special Panel disagreed and acquitted the three defendants on the charge in Count One of first degree murder as a crime against humanity under Section 14 UNTAET Regulation 2000/15.

STL

I'm a leftist but not a communist - says PM

During East Timor's Truth and Reconciliation Commission public hearing the Prime minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that as a founder of Timorese Social Democratic Association (ASDT) which transformed afterwards to Fretilin, choose the left wing political ideology which is not a communist ideology. Dr Alkatiri said that accusations made against Fretilin members as communists was propaganda used by Indonesia to convince the United States of America of a reason to invade Timor-Leste in 1975.

Students fined for missing school

The Principal of the Pre-Secondary School in the District of Viqueque, Mateus Lobo, said that his school has adopted a discipline rule to fine USD1 to students that miss school. He added that since the implementation of the rule in September the numbers of attendees have doubled, and the children are taking less days off from school.

Heavy rain caused landslide in Manufahe

A member of the community from the District of Maufahe, Mario Oliveira, said that the heavy rain from the past few days has caused landslide in the main road that connects Same to Dili. He added that since then travellers have to sleep overnight to catch the next car that arrives from Dili.

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

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