Timor-Leste International and Local Media Monitoring Jan 16, 2004

STL

PM supports continuation of UN in TL

The Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that he fully supports an extension of the UN mission in Timor-Leste, and he says it is desirable to have continued UN support in areas that need further assistance. He said the new UN presence would not to make decisions but would help maintain peace and stability.

Judges cannot discriminate

A Member of the National Parliament, Maria Fatima Vaz, said that some judges in the District Court of Dili are discriminating against "small people", by not giving priority for rape cases. Mrs Vaz said that a civil servant in the Sub-District of Bobonaro raped a girl in 2001 and the judges have still not sentenced the culprit.

PSD not happy with Vice-Minister of Finance report

A member of PSD from the National Parliament, Fernando Gusmao, said that his party is not happy with the budget report presented by theVice-Minister of Planning and Finance, Aicha Basarewan. He said that the budget presented for FY04 is the same one from FY03. Mr Gusmao said that he does not accept the Vice-minister's explanation associated with her budget presentation.

ADB will continue supporting development in TL

The representative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Timor-Leste, Armanath Hinduja, said that in FY04, the ABD will continue with its implementation of the capacity building program and human resources that started in FY03. Mr Hinduja said that the ADB program will focus on the area of administration at suco and aldeia level. He said that ADB will also continue supporting the Government on the development of human resources. Mr Hinduja also said that ADB would concentrated on working closely with the Ministry of Planning and Finance to help reduce expenditure, and will continue to support the micro-finance project.

Clean water for District of Bobonaro

The Liaison Officer for the Community Water Supply and Sanitation Project (CWSSP) in the District of Bobonaro, Diamantino dos Reis, said that the project has concluded its works on many water wells for the people in the Districts of Bobonaro, Maliana and Kailaco and they now have clean drinking water. Mr dos Reis said that the bilateral project was financed by the Government of Australia who has now plans to continue with similar works in the Districts of Viqueque and Suai.

Maubisse population cannot pay their electricity bill

A member of the village in the Sub-District of Maubisse, Olandino Araujo, said that people cannot afford to pay their electricity bill because they don't have the financial means. He said that the Government should understand that the people have many difficulties. Confronted with the situation, the Administrator of the Sub-District of Maubisse, Jose Mendonca Koto Moruk, said that people are always complaining and saying that they cannot afford to pay their bills. He said however that they manage to buy buffalos, pigs and goats for parties. He added that for the benefit of their children who need electricity to study, and become the future generation of this country, the parents need to act.

Timor Post

TL needs UN presence for another two years - says PM

The Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that Timor-Leste still needs UN assistance for another year or two. He said that Timor-Leste needs with theto work for UN to continue learning from the UN's technical assistance, as well as supporting the economy and security. Dr Alkatiri said that in general, he thinks that UN is willing to continue with their assistance.

Ex-Falintil has AK-47 in his possession

The Head of the Information Unit of F-FDTL, Mau Nana, said that an ex-Falintil member known as Loro Dias left the Falintil cantonment in 2001, with a rifle AK-47 and revolver and never returned. He said that F-FDTL have requested the National Police Force to seek, arrest and disarm Loro. Mr Nana said that Loro deserted from Falintil because he was not happy with the decision taken by UN to change Falintil to F-FDTL. He said that Loro deserted together with Commander L7, Seregia 7 and Fernando the group that belongs to the Sacred Family Religion.

People now know they need to pay for electricity

The State Secretary for Electricity and Water, Egidio de Jesus, said that after four campaigns of public information carried out by his department throughout the 13 Districts people, now know they have to pay their electricity bills but few are doing so. Mr de Jesus said that in FY03-04 his department spent over USD $ 6 million dollars in salaries, management and maintenance of generators. He said that USD$ 364, 000 was spent on uniforms, USD$ 7, 600 on diesel and car maintenance.

TL participates in preparatory meeting on counter terrorism

The Government of Timor-Leste designated Mr Roberto Soares Cabral, Director of Regional Affairs Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, to attend the Preparatory Meeting on Counter-terrorism, which held in Jakarta yesterday. Mr Cabral said that the Preparatory Meeting is being held to discuss administrative arrangement for the forthcoming Bali Regional Ministerial Meeting on Counter-Terrorism, as well as possible solutions to combat terrorism in the Asia-Pacific region.

TL ambassador to EU presents credential

Mr Jose Antonio Amorin Dias, the Ambassador designate of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the EU presented his letter of credentials to H.E. Dr Romano Prodi, the President of the European Commission. (the story does not say where it took place) Mr Amorin now becomes the first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the European Community.

Jose Filipe External Affairs World Bank, Dili Office Ph: 723 3110 Tel: 332 4649

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