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Subject: Timor-Leste Local Media Monitoring April 13, 2004
Timor-Leste International and Local Media Monitoring April 13, 2004 Timor Post Many illegal migrants have entered TL, says Branco A Member of Fretilin at the National Parliament, Francisco Branco, said that the reason for the Government to order a search in the Mosque in Dili was because there are many illegal migrants entering the country. He said that many migrants had entered the country without legal documentation, and the police had to act according to the information they received. Mr Branco said that the reason to search the Mosque was that people who are residing in the Mosque are foreigners and they have to decide whether or not to become Timorese citizens. Mosque searched by Timor-Leste's immigration officers Timor-Leste's Immigration Officers searched last week the Indonesian mosque in Dili to certify the numbers of Indonesians living in the compound. The Immigration Commissioner, Carlos Jeronimo, said that the search found only 200 Indonesians out of 301, adding that the whereabouts of the other 101 was not known. Mr Jeronimo also said that the search was aimed to keep track of any foreigners illegally entering Timor-Leste. Meanwhile the Muslim religious leader of the Mosque, Haji Arham, thanked the immigration office for the search but hoped for clearer clarification in the future adding that the people have been considering Timorese citizenship. Bishop Belo statement is affecting TL's economy, says Horta The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Ramos Horta, said that Bishop Belo's statement could affect the development of TL's economy. On April 1 the Bishop was reported as saying that a new conflict would rise after the withdrawal of the UN. Dr Horta said that a statement made by the Portuguese President about holding a dialogue with the terrorists was a 'weak position'. Meanwhile a Member of the Democratic Party (PD), Rui Menezes said that comments made by the Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo is a fact and in reality the country is confronting this situation. Mr Menezes said that the Bishop's words reflect the current economic and political situation in the country. Mr Menezes said that the Bishop has sent a signal to the leadership of this country that the economic situation in Timor-Leste is deteriorating. President appealed to ignore pamphlets In his Easter message to the nation the President, Xanana Gusmao, made an appeal to the Timorese population and the youth to continue to put all efforts to build Timor-Leste, and that the 'process and the state is still vulnerable'. The President reminded everybody to hold on to the principle of democracy, and respect of human rights for the well being of the country. President Gusmao said that the two pamphlets currently circulating in Dili are meat (by certain people who are not considered Timorese) to destroy the peace and stability achieved by this country. The President said that the police are investigating those responsible for such documents. President Gusmao called on the youth who are planning to hold a demonstration in front of the Australian Embassy on April 14, 15, 16 and 19 to be careful and not to allow those responsible for December 04 2002 riots to lead to such an incident. Money available -but- no medicine at the National Hospital A Member of the National Parliament, Jacinto da Costa, said that the Ministry of Health has received lots of money from donors around the globe, but when patients seek medical treatment at the National Hospital in Dili there are no drugs (medicine). He said that people who sought medical treatment over the Easter period said that the National Hospital had no medicine to be administered. STL Intellectuals need to learn from people, says Mari In a lengthy interview published in today's edition the Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that his critics have no capacity to follow the process closely, and all they want instead is to create problems without trying to understand the government programs. The Prime Minister said that the opposition since the beginning has used religion as an excuse for a long time, and some at the National Parliament said that he (PM) was not born in Timor. Dr Alkatiri said that some considered themselves as intellectuals but its time for them to recognize and start learning from other people. The Prime Minister said that he challenges Petrotimor, Oceanic Exploration and their wrangler (cowboys) in Timor-Leste to present evidence. Questioned about the impact that allegations may have caused within the donors community the Prime Minister said that the donors know him well, better than the ones in the opposition, and this has not affected anything. Dr Alkatiri said that donors also know that the opposition are the ones who have been talking too much. In relation to the campaign made by the Democratic Party (PD) the Prime Minister said that the opposition (PD) still does not have political maturity, and they are looking always for a coat hanger. They used the President and International Republic Institute (IRI) as their coat hangers. Dr Alkatiri said that the President is not a coat hanger for them or anyone to use as they like. The opposition has started with a dirty campaign, when it's not yet time for it, using religion and other means against him. The Prime minister said that if they (the opposition) don't have the capacity to do politics better for them to do something else. Jose Filipe External Affairs World Bank, Dili Office Ph: 723 0554 Tel: 332 4649 Email: ffilipe@worldbank.org Support ETAN, make a secure financial contribution at etan.org/etan/donate.htm Back to April menu |