Timor-Leste International and Local Media Monitoring Nov 18, 2003

STL

No plans to place F-FDTL at border The Chief of Staff for F-FDTL, Col. Lere Anan Timur, said that there's no immediate plans to send F-FDTL to secure the border. He added that at the moment his men are receiving intensive training to boost their professionalism in terms of military conduct.

Australia should halt oil production, says ET The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that Australia should halt production in the disputed oil fields of the resource-rich Timor Sea until the two countries agree on a maritime border. Dr Alkatiri said that Australia was violating international law by exploiting the oil and awarding new exploration permits for disputed territory without East Timor's agreement. (Interviewed by Reuters Friday)

RDTL Independence day celebrations The UNPOL and PNTL Chiefs of Operations have conducted extensive planning for the forthcoming 28 November Independence Day Celebrations in consultation with the PKF Chief of Operations. UNPOL and PNTL are expecting strong representations from all Districts converging into Dili area to participate in these celebrations.

Timor Post

Fretilin members want clarification A member of Fretilin, Jose Ximenes, said that Fretilin members in the District of Baucau want clarification from the Government on the reasons for the dismissal of the Director of Civil Servants and Public Employment (CISPE), Victor da Costa. Victor da Costa was dismissed last week by the Minister of State, Ana Pessoa. She said she had lost confidence in Mr da Costa's ability to perform his duties as the Director of CISPE.

Two detainees "disappeared" in custody Family members of two detainees, Fernando dos Santos and Manuel dos Santos, complained to the National Parliament that their relatives have been tortured by Police officers in Becora. (The paper does not mention the reason why or when they were detained by the police). The families do not know the current whereabouts of their relatives. The Police did not wish to make comment.

Education before teaching During the speech for the inauguration of the Catholic Institute of Teachers College in Baucau, Bishop, D. Basilio do Nascimento, said that teachers have to have the skills of a teacher before they can teach. He added that the objective of this College is to prepare future teachers for the Catholic Primary schools in Timor-Leste.

Council of Ministers approves budget According to the press release send by the Secretariat of State for Coucil of Ministers the budget for FY 2003/2004 presented by the Minister of Finance and Planning, Madalena Boavida, has been approved. The budget outlines a reduction in public expenditure, and will be sent to Development Partners and Members of the Parliament.

Jose Filipe External Affairs World Bank, Dili Office Ph: 723 3110 Tel: 332 4649 Email: ffilipe@worldbank.org Email: maubere07@yahoo.com.au

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