From UNMISET

LOCAL MEDIA MONITORING

LOCAL MEDIA

STL

1. The Portuguese newspaper Expresso reported that UN personnel were involved in bringing girls and women from Thailand to Timor-Leste to work as prostitutes. "This allegation is without foundation. UNPOL, the National Police of Timor-Leste and Timorese judicial authorities have been actively engaged in the investigation", said David Wimhurst, UN spokesporson. The same newspaper article also alleged that a ship contracted by the UN is being used for prostitution.

2. The world's 49 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Timor-Leste will receive duty-free and quota-free access to the Australian market from Tuesday, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said in Canberra on Tuesday. The new legislation, passed last week, gives effect to the Australian Prime Minister's announcement last October at the APEC Leaders' Meeting in Los Cabos, of duty-free and quota-free access for goods originating in LDCs. The government has also extended the preferential access to Timor-Leste. "Australia has provided generous preferential market access for the world's poorest countries for many years, and now LDCs and Timor-Leste will have duty-free and quota-free access for all products from today," Mr Vaile said. "Economic growth is the best poverty-buster, and this initiative will help the poorest to increase their exports and living standards. (Australian Embassy press release).

TIMOR POST

1. The Appeals Court's decision concerning the unconstitutionality of articles 11 and 12 prompted different reactions from the members of the Parliament. The Fretilin fraction said that they will examine the decision. The Opposition Parties said that at the earlier discussions they did not agree to pass these two articles, when the bill will come into force.

2. Resident of a house that is used as massage center in the area of Farol-Dili, yesterday were expelled by force. A joint team of Land and Property Authorities and police conducted the operation. The team coordinator from Land and Property, Mr Francisco Amaral, said that according to regulation N0.I/2003, tenants occupying former Portuguese and Indonesian premises have to leave these premises after a formal notification letter from the Land and Property Authority. However, the residents of that premise refused to comply.

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