From UNMISET

Dili, July 07 2003

Daily Media Review

President Gusmão Says There Are No Crisis

President Gusmão held a press conference on Monday at the Palace of Ashes to appeal to the media to explain to the people the process of the proposed bill on immigration and asylum. Gusmão said that the document would be returned today [Monday] to the National Parliament and the Court of Appeal. The Court considered the law as unconstitutional, and the President announced that he would for this reason veto it. In a separate development, the Minister of Foreign Affairs José Ramos-Horta said the decision of the Court must be respected. He added, "I believe that Prime Minister Alkatiri will carefully analyze the opinion of the Court of Appeal and overcome the situation". (Lusa, STL)

Bishop Belo Arrived In Dili on Friday

The former Bishop of Dili, Ximenes Belo arrived in Dili on Friday after 6 months of medical treatment in Portugal. Upon his arrival at Nicolau Lobato International Airport, Belo held a press conference during which he commented on the recent travel advisory issued by the American Administration regarding Timor-Leste. He said the Timorese must create conditions to attract tourist or face losing them to Bali. Referring to the prostitution problem, the former Bishop of Dili said "it gives a bad impression to the country; the Government and the Parliament must take steps to face the situation". Ximenes Belo added that prostitution derives from poverty. It was reported that Belo's return is due to his mother health conditions. (TP, STL, TVTL)

Dili District Court Sentenced Police to Fifteen Months Imprisonment

Dili District Court sentenced a police officer to fifteen months imprisonment on Friday for killing a 9 year old girl, Maria Auxiliadora in a car accident. The incident occurred on June 3, when the officer named C. A. Ramos was patrolling Becora neighborhood and failed to stop when the girl and her friend tried to cross the road. It was reported that Ramos kept on speeding even though he had noticed the girls were trying to cross the road, reported STL. (STL)

Demonstrators Asked For Establishment of IT

On Friday (July 4) about 50 people gathered in front of the US Ambassador's residence in Lecidere, to demand the establishment of an International Tribunal for crimes against humanity committed in Timor-Leste during the Indonesian occupation. Candles were light in memory of those victims who have passed away. The coordinator of the event, Thomas Freitas from Lao Hamutuk said that the aim of the event was to congratulate the US for support basic human values, support the establishment of an International Tribunal and stop military support to Indonesia. They call on the US to urge Indonesia to be committed to the Human Rights Tribunal and strive for peace in Aceh and West Papua. (STL)

Interpol Issued Mandate For The Detention of Timorese and Indonesian

On Saturday, Interpol published the first nine mandates for the detention of Timorese and Indonesian responsible for the violence committed in Timor-Leste in 1999. The list of the names include two Indonesian, one military accused for being responsible for various crimes against humanity, included murder, forced imprisonment and the murder of the Dutch journalist Sander Thoenes. Djoko Sarosa the then Indonesian commander of battalion 745 stationed in Lautém, was accused in 2002 for 17 crimes against humanity included 14 for the murdered of 21 civilian on 20 and 21 of September 1999 during the military pull out from that region. A member of the battalion has allegedly murdered the Dutch journalist in Becora, Dili. The others eight (one Indonesian) are part of a group of 12 people formally accused of the murder in August 1999 of the former traditional head (liurai) of Lospalos. (TP)

Bishop Nascimento: Population Too Frightened to Approach Ministers

In a lengthy interview with STL, the Bishop of Dili and Baucau Diocese, Basilio do Nascimento said he is not sure whether the open governance program has been successful. The Bishop said that for the Timorese it is important that their concern are heard and added that opening government isn't the only way. It is important for the people to be able to approach the ministers and speak to them but it is not possible as the security around them scare them away. The Bishop said there are reports and people he has met, are frustrated with the government for not keeping their promises. Prime Minister and members of the government began today [Monday] the open governance program in the eastern part of the territory. The program is scheduled to end on Saturday. (STL)

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