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Timor-Leste International and Local Media Monitoring July 27, 2004

Timor Post

L7 will be investigated, says Martins

The National Police Commissioner, Paulo de Fatima Martins, said (Monday) that the police are trying to speak to Cornelio Gama (L7), who is allegedly responsible for the demonstration at the government palace, on 19-20 July. When questioned if L7 would be tried, the Commissioner said that all depends on the evidence, and if he was involved then the law would be applied, regardless of their status. He added that 31 people involved in the demonstration have been released after they went through an investigation process and the case has now been forwarded to the court. Meanwhile the Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that he will not be looking for L7, because the problem of the former combatant and veterans are different issues, and appealed to those who know the whereabouts of L7 to inform him.

International airport closed following discovered of ammunition

According to the newspaper Dili international airport closed on Friday afternoon for about three hours following the discovery of various ammunitions in a plastic bag in one of the bathrooms. The newspaper reports that the bag was inside a toilet of one of the arrival bathrooms, and due to precautionary measures the airport was closed, forcing the cancellation of the Australian Company Air North flight between Dili and Darwin. The case is under investigation.

Vice-President of PSD resigns

Today's edition of the newspaper reports that the Vice-President of the National Council of Social Democratic Party (PSD) and former founder of the party, Jorge Serrano, has resigned from his post. The newspaper reports that the former Vice-President decided to quit to concentrate on his business activities.

Australia milk aids East Timorese children

Five thousand children in East Timor will soon be drinking fresh Australian milk. Thirty-two dairy heifers and two bulls left Darwin on the weekend, destined for a dairy farm outside the capital Dili. It?s the second consignment organized by the Kiwanis Club, who have spent about $500,000 to get the dairy up and running. Project spokesman Frank Fotiades said that for many kids, it?s just like Christmas. ?From the information we have received, kids would walk to school and faint from hunger ? they were not getting the right nutrition.? Ford Australia donated an F250 truck, which was very generous of them, and we have had it fitted up with refrigeration equipment; the truck just goes around to the schools and the villages with the fresh milk in the containers.? Bet it?s like Santa Claus coming, isn?t it? said Fotiades.

Dili leaders say ?no? to any delay in Timor Sea talks with Australia

East Timor?s leaders have rejected any possibility of postponing the upcoming second round of negotiations with Canberra on demarcating their maritime border in the oil-rich Timor Sea ? a move threatened by Australia?s Prime Minister last week. ?Our position is clear: we will not accept any postponement,? Timorese Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, told Lusa on Saturday. The second round of bilateral talks ?was set for September and should take place in September,? said the Prime Minister at the international airport where he saw off President Xanana Gusmão, who was headed to the Lusophone summit in São Tomé. The President said that it was a matter of ?good faith or bad faith,? adding that he hoped Australia would not give further grounds for Dili?s publicly expressed doubts over Canberra's intention.

Iralalaro project needs everyone's support, says Mari

During a seminar in the Sub-District of Lautem, Lospalos, the Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that everyone should stand behind the electricity project for Iralalaro, especially the people from Lospalos, for the usage of the water from the Lake Iralalaro to generate electricity. Meanwhile the District Administrator of Lospalos, Olavio da Costa Monteiro, said that the seminar is very important for people to exchange ideas and see the pros and cons of the project.

Suara Timor Loro Sa'e (STL)

Dismiss Rogerio and Paulo Martins

Today's edition of the newspaper reports that the National Unity of Ex-Combatants and Members of the Resistance of Timor-Leste (UNAQMERTIL) Vice-coordinator, Reis Cadalac, has demanded that the Government dismiss the Minister of Interior, Rogerio Tiago Lobato, and the National Police Commissioner, Paulo de Fatima Martins. The paper reports that the demands are not only for those two but also the dismissal of the Vice-Minister of Interior, Alcino Barris, the inspector, sub-inspectors and ex-police officers that worked as Indonesian Police who are now integrated into the National Police Force.

Jose Filipe External Affairs World Bank, Dili Office

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