Timor-Leste Local Media Monitoring

Dili, 27 Feb 03, Bye My Friends

STL:KF Does Not Have Capacity To Handle Security: MP Fernandes

MP José Manuel Fernandes said the shows that the UN does not have the capacity to handle the security in TL, reported Suara Timor Lorosae. According to the newspaper he said the security in 12 districts is still under UNMISET but somehow "PKF have not stopped the militia's infiltration into Timor-Leste". He added that PKF must explain to residents where the attacks eventuate about the present security. But MP, Antonio Ximenes said the group which attack the minibus in Atabae does not belong to Kolimau 2000. He said individuals are using Kolimau's name as a cover up wrote the newspaper.

STL, Lusa: Timor-Leste Has 1520 Witnesses to Send The Perpetrators To Court

Timor-Leste General Prosecutor Longuinhos Monteiro told STL. " We have 1520 witnesses for this particular indictment to sent the perpetrators to the court," the General Prosecutor was commenting to the press on the indictments of 8 Indonesian officials, issued on Monday. He said the charges were Crimes Against Humanity committed in Timor-Leste during 1999. The former Indonesian military chief, Wiranto who was also indicted this week, denied that he had committed any wrongdoing in TL during the territory's referendum in 1999. He said " I am ready to testify to the Indonesian people that I, as defense minister at the time of the independence referendum in Timor, never contemplated or ordered the committing of any crimes, including murder, torture, rape, kidnapping and deportation." Wiranto added that it is unlikely that any warrant would be served against him and his co-accused. (STL, Lusa)

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Special Fund Meeting

Representatives of former Indonesian civil servants on Wednesday met with members of the Timorese National Parliament, representatives of UNDP, UNMISET, and the representatives of Indonesia in Timor-Leste, Kristyo Wahyono. After the meeting, UNDP and the representative of Indonesia produced the following document:

Following the discussions held during the meeting convened by the President of the National Parliament, Mr. Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres, and members of the National Parliament's Committee F, I would like to respond to specific queries made by members of the Orgão dos Direitos Comunidade Vítimas de Timor-Leste (ODCVTL).

First, in response to your request, I wish to confirm that the Special Fund project is not in any way connected or related to the Indonesian pension payments, Tabungan Hari Tua payments or Tabungan Perumahan payments currently being administered by the Public Service Department of the Government of Timor-Leste. This point was stressed by representatives of UNDP, the Government of Timor-Leste and the Government of Indonesia at this morning's meeting at the National Parliament.

Second, UNDP is simply facilitating the implementation of the Special Fund project as a service to the people and Government of Timor-Leste, and at the request of the four donors who have generously contributed to the Special Fund, namely Australia, Indonesia, Portugal and the European Commission. UNDP is not responsible for any policy decisions regarding the Special Fund. The Government of the independent nation of Timor-Leste and the four donors are responsible for the policy decisions guiding the allocation of resources contributed to the Special Fund.

Third, the payment scale, which provides proportionately more to those who have spent longer years of their lives working as civil servants, was approved by the Project Steering Committee. As I stated at the meeting at the National Parliament, UNDP follows the payment scale proposed by the Government of Timor-Leste and endorsed by the donors, because the scale is weighted in favor of former civil servants who spent long portions of their careers working for the civil service.

Fourth, the total amount of contributions received in the Special Fund thus far amounts to US$ 4,386,183, comprising US$ 2,000,000 from Indonesia, US $ 1,130,583 from Australia, US$ 800,000 from the European Commission, and US$ 455,600 from Portugal. We expect to receive additional contributions of US$ 800,000 from the European Commission and approximately US$ 540,000 from Portugal (depending on the US$ / EURO exchange rate). With the blessing of the Government of Timor-Leste, UNDP will facilitate payments to approximately 20,000 former civil servants this year, many of whom are in need of these lump sum payments.

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