Timor-Leste International and Local Media Monitoring Jan 14, 2004-01-14

Timor Post

F-FDTL banned from demonstrating

The Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that members of F-FDTL who want to protest against a political decision taken by the Government to supply the Special Police Force with equipment from F-FDTL better leave the army. Dr Alkatiri said that the F-FDTL and the National Police Force are working together in cooperation. The Prime Minister added that he¡¦s happy to see that the training program is well underway. In the same story the Prime Minister is quoted as saying that the Government has plans to replace the current ID cards for all citizens provided by UNTAET with new ones. He added that before any ID card can be issued, the Government needs a draft law to regulate and implement citizens registration. Dr Alkatiri said that the Government has sent a draft law to regulate the political parties to the National Parliament for approval.

Smuggled goods held by Police

The Minister of Interior, Rogerio Tiago Lobato, said that the National Police have confiscated smuggled goods like prawns from people who have crossed the border without proper trading documentation. He added that those smuggling goods and who are now detained where seen in Dili selling goods. He has ordered an investigation. Mr Lobato also said that an investigation will clarify the situation but he suspects that some Police members are involved in smuggling goods. He said that his Ministry also has plans to increase the numbers of Border Patrol Units.

Community participation important for development

During a meeting yesterday with UNDP the Minister for Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr Armindo Maia, said that the community needs to participate in the development of Timor-Leste. He added the Government has reduced the total government budget but the necessities are there, and yet 25% of school children in Timor-Leste are still not attending school. Dr Maia also said that the meeting was to inform the donors about School Projects that are part of the second Phase of TFET program which is administered by the World Bank. He added that the money available will be spent on rehabilitation of pre-secondary and primary school buildings.

Non hazardous chemicals used to control bugs

The General Director from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Fishery, Cesar Jose da Cruz, said that his department has set up plans to combat bugs that are destroying corn fields and prevent them from spreading with non-hazardous chemicals. He said the chemicals used by his department would not create any side ill affects to the ground. Mr da Cruz said that the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the FAO and an NGO from Germany were able to distribute new corn seeds to farmers in need. He said that to prevent the spread of the corn disease, the farmers need to clear weeds from their field. Mr da Cruz also said that the Department of Agriculture has started distributing outboard motors and nets to fishermen in Oe-Cussi and Viqueque and training them on how to repair broken outboard motors.

Clean water with bilateral finance

The Secretary of State for Public Works, Joao Alves, said that the project programme on clean water for the District of Dili was financed by the Government of Japan. He added that the value of the project was an amount of USD 11 million dollars. Mr Alves said that bilateral projects are usually run by donor countries and the project is going well and is on schedule.

Ex-combatants looking after the environment

The commander of ex-combatants Falintil, Labarik Maia, said that the decision by the ex-combatants to plant trees in bare areas of Aileu was made without support or sponsors. It was designed to keep the country ¡§green¡¨. Mr Labarik said that so far 192 ex-Falintil members have volunteered to participate in the rejuvenation of the environment.

Baucau and Dili with high level of Dengue

The Director of Health and Sanitation, Carlos Boavida, said that from December to January, 25% of patients registered in Dili and Baucau have shown symptoms of dengue. He added that people need to be aware and take precautions by cleaning their backyard. Mr Boavida also said that the Health Department will soon start a information campaign through the local newspapers and radio stations on how to prevent being infected with dengue.

STL

Police must act according to law

A Member of the National Parliament, Maria Paixao, said that the National Police Force must act according to the law because they are an institution that guarantee security in Timor-Leste. She added that the Police cannot exhibit undisciplined behaviour by kicking and beating people they arrest. Mrs Paixao also said that most times, the National Police Force arrest people without any evidence on whether they have committed a crime or not. She added that there are a few members of the National Police that lack professionalism.

Agriculture training for farmers

The Administrator of the District of Dili, Ruben Joao Braz de Carvalho, said that to develop the capacity of farmers to produce better quality of goods, the District Administration will conduct a training program for farmers. He added that he will closely monitor the program and his staff will also supply corn and vegetable seeds for farmers.

Horses used to cart water for population

The head of the village in Rai Merah, District of Maubisse, Bento Mendonca, said that everyday the population have to travel five kilometres just to fetch drinking water because they don¡¦t have access to clean water. Mr Mendonca also said that many promises were made by the local government and NGO¡¦s including the Red Cross, but until now, they are still waiting.

Maliana pre-secondary school flooded

The Vice-Director of the pre-secondary school in Maliana, Domingos da Costa, said that the heavy rain flooded the Maliana pre-secondary school and the children were not able to attend school. He added that the problem was caused by lack of drainage so the water just ran through the school building. Mr da Costa said that the 1,400 students were now back at school but had to sit through their classes with water under their feet because there is no other alternative.

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program Opportunity

The World Bank with funding from the Government of Japan, established the World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (WBGSP) in 1987, now known as the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP), for graduate studies in subjects related to development. The World Bank administers the Program through the World Bank Institute (WBI). The Program objective is to help create an international community of highly trained professionals working in the field of economic and social development. The World Bank and the government of Japan require the scholars to return to their home countries on completion of their study Programs and apply their enhanced knowledge and skills to contribute to the development process in their respective regions and communities. The Program is highly competitive. Now in its seventeenth year, the Program has awarded 2, 887 graduate scholarships to professionals and policymakers in developing countries, drawing on the expertise of more than 150 universities in 32 countries. In 2004, as in all previous years, the World Bank will award scholarships to individuals from World Bank member countries to undertake graduate studies at renowned universities throughout member countries of the Bank. The JJ/WBGSP and the World Bank Office in Dili encourage Timorese students to apply. We are trying to align our selection of scholars with the Bank policy by giving some priority to candidates from countries that live in post conflict situations such as Timor-Leste, Afghanistan and Iraq. The applicant need to submit evidence of current unconditional admission (copy of formal admission letter) to at least one development related university master¡¦s degree program and proof of application to a second such program (copy completed application form or university acknowledgment) before applying. The Scholarship Program deadline is March 31, 2004.

To clarify whether your are eligible for a JJ/WBGSP scholarship and to receive assistance in application please contact Jose Filipe at the World Bank on 723 +0554.

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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