Timor-Leste International and Local Media Monitoring Nov 19, 2003

Timor Post

Report on 4 of December not clear

The Special Representative for the UN Secretary General (SRSG), Ambassador Kamalesh Sharma, said that the UNPOL investigating team could not clearly identified those responsible for the 4 of December 2002 riot. Mr Sharma said that to avoid incidents that may occur in future, the Government of Timor-Leste and UN need to work together to strengthen the capacity of the National Police force. The UNPOL Commissioner, Sandy Priesly (stet), said that the Police had 50 people that witnessed the incident in the Parliament and setting fire to Hello Mister. She added that the delay was caused by forensics that needed time to find the cause of death of two people. Ms Priesly said that was not possible to find the bullets to identify exactly who fired the gun.

Power off in ManuFahe and Viqueque Districts

The Director of EDTL for the Districts and Sub-Districts of ManuFahe and Viqueque, Domingos Bonaparte Soares, said that these areas had no power because the generator had broken.Mr Soares said that he hoped to solve this problem soon when spare parts arrive.

National Parliament requests Commissioner's presence

A Member of the National Parliament, Elizario Ferreira, said that the National Parliament has to call National Police Commissioner, Paulo Martins, for clarification on the whereabouts of Fernando dos Santos and Manuel dos Santos. These are the two men who allegedly disappeared from Police custody in Becora. Mr Ferreira said that the Police Academy needs to teach ethics and morals to their officers.

ASDT wants PKF to stay in Timor-Leste

The President of Associacao Social Democrata Timorense (ASDT), Francisco Xavier do Amaral, said that the UN mandate in Timor-Leste will end in May next year but he would like to see PKF stay give the much needed support on security. Mr Amaral said that he has informed the President, Xanana Gusmao, about his party's request for PFK to continue its presence in Timor-Leste.

STL

Lack of job caused domestic violence in Covalima

The Vice-Police Inspector in the District of Covalima, Patricio de Jesus, said that the domestic violence increased in the District of Covalima. He said that most of the cases are caused by frustration over not having a job. He added that break-ins have doubled in recent months.

Health Department been criticized

The Director of the National Hospital, Antonio Caleres Junior, said that he appreciates very much the criticism received from the National Parliament and patients about the lack of ethics in nurses and doctors. Mr Caleres Junior said that he hopes that the staff will change their attitude towards the patients (The paper doesn't say what measures he'll be taking to correct their attitude).

UN failed in identify December 4 2002 riots suspects

The events of 4 December 2002 were unfortunately and tragic and had a significant impact on the perception about internal security in East Timorese as a Nation. At a news conference, Ambassador Kamalesh Sharma, said that UNMISET investigations could not identify those responsible for the fatal shooting of two crowd members and the wounding of a number of demonstrators. He added that as a result of the investigation made by UNPOL, 20 suspects were arrested, most of whom were identified on video and photographs taken by journalists. These suspects were arrested for burning and looting the Prime Minister's house. The UNMISET investigation team interviewed 144 UNPOL officers, 122 Rapid Reaction Unit (RRU) members of East Timor National Police officers, 78 Members of the Parliement, 50 eyewitness from ordinary people who were on the scene when the incident occurred, 4 UNPKF members, 13 victims. 30 police vehicles were forensically examined and 151 police weapons test fired for ballistic comparison. Video and photographic evidence was viewed and examined, and the investigation involved thousands of works hours by investigators and support staff.

Timor-Leste represented at meeting of PECC Minerals Network in Brisbane

At the invitation of the Australia Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) Minerals Network, two Timorese, Francisco da Costa Monteiro and Vicente da Costa Pinto recently attended a two-day meeting in Brisbane, Australia (17-18 November), where they gave a presentation on the mineral potential of Timor-Leste. Francisco da Costa Monteiro is the Natural Resources Officer for the Office of the President and Vicente da Costa is the Director of Energy and Minerals of the Timor Sea Authority. The meeting in Brisbane is a follow up to the recent Minerals Networks meeting held in Bali. The discussion in Brisbane focused on Community Integration in Mining and Mine Site Rehabilitation. Representatives from the Asia-Pacific countries, including Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Philippines, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Fiji and Australia took part in the two-day meeting.According to Francisco da Costa Monteiro, "this was a very good opportunity for Timor-Leste to learn from the experiences of other countries in mining and rehabilitation of mine sites. It was an excellent forum to inform and promote Timor-Leste's onshore resources to such an important network".

Press Release from the Office of the President of Timor-Leste

Jose Filipe External Affairs World Bank, Dili Office

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