Timor-Leste International and Local Media Monitoring Feb 25, 2004

STL

UN Security Council must support the serious crimes process in East Timor

Crucial issues are being overlooked in the Security Council debate over a future United Nations mission for East Timor. The discussions currently taking place at the Security Council have focused on whether a peacekeeping or police force is the most appropriate way of securing law and order under a new Un mandate. Alarmingly, the article says that the future of the Serious Crimes Unit and funding for the trials before the Special Panels for serious Crimes has not attracted sufficient attention. JSMP is of the opinion that the serious crimes process is closely linked with the future peace and security of East Timor. Serious crimes trials that meet international standards are an integral aspect of the reconciliation process and only through adequate and sustained funding can the objectives of the Special panels be achieved. JSMP has just released a report entitled "The Future of the serious Crimes Unit" (available at http://www.jsmp.minihub.org) which discusses the impact reduced funding would have on the body that prosecutes serious crimes before the Special Panels.

UN Mission in Liberia welcomes volunteers from Timor-Leste

Tiago dos Reis becomes the second Timorese to serve as a United Nations Volunteer by joining the UN Mission in Liberia. His specific duties included the maintenance of a complex vehicle inventory for UN peacekeeping troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Professional army in two years? Impossible, says Ruak

The F-FDTL Commander Brigadier General, Taur Matan Ruak, said that it's impossible to guarantee a professional army for Timor-Leste in two years. He said that it will take a long time before any professionalism can be achieved within the Timorese army.

Development in Ermera reached 65%

A Member of the National Parliament, Jose Soares, said that development in the District of Ermera have reached the 65% target, but due to some difficulties, it will de some time before it can achieve the 100%. Mr Soares said for example, when looking at better quality coffee production people don't want to what they should do. He said that only 50% of the people that really trying hard to improve the coffee quality.

Timor Post

Careful with dengue warns Lobato

The Vice-Minister of Health, Luis Lobato, said that people have to take responsibility for avoiding being bitten by mosquitoes carrying dengue. He said that 198 people have been infected, and so far, 9 have died. Mr Lobato said that cases of dengue have been widespread in Timor-Leste and the rate is higher than usual. He said that people with symptoms like high fever should seek treatment as soon as possible.

BNU knows what people needs

A Member of the National Parliament, Cipriana Pereira, said that the Portuguese National Bank (BNU) cannot close the doors to the people who are seeking credit. She said that BNU needs to continue facilitating credit to people to help develop the country's economy. Ms Pereira said that BNU had made a positive step in giving credit to people to help them improve their lives in the future.

Oe-Cussi - two months without power

A Member of the National Parliament, Antonio Lelan, said that for two months the people in the District of Oe-Cussi have been without power due to shortage of diesel for the generator. He said that people have asked the Secretary of State for Water and Electricity and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to seek an accord with Indonesian Government to allow diesel into Oe-Cussi from Kefa or Kupang, West Timor. Mr Lelan said that the civil servants have no access to computers and most of documents are hand written. He said that until now, peoples' request have not been fulfilled, and they are still waiting for an answer.

Jose Filipe External Affairs World Bank, Dili Office Ph: 723 0554 Tel: 332 4649 Email: ffilipe@worldbank.org

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