The content of this Email does not necessarily reflect the views of the World Bank. Not for Publication.

Timor-Leste International and Local Media Monitoring July 28, 2004

Timor Post

Women need to be the motors of development, says PM

During the opening ceremony for the Women Congress in Dili the Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that women will be the future motors of the economy for the development of the country. The Prime Minister said that women deserve to be recognized because they have shown capacity. The Prime Minister said that throughout good and bad times women have shown courage and determination and know better than the men the real meaning of suffering.

Cultural freedom is important, says Hasegawa

The Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Sukehiro Hasegawa, said that freedom of culture is very important throughout the world and through the diversity of Timor-Leste. Mr Hasegawa said that it is an important factor for human development and as a bridge for collective harmony that is vital for the economy.

Judges refuse to learn Portuguese, says Sarmento

The Minister of Justice, Dr Domingos Maria Sarmento, said that some judges consider the Portuguese language as an obstacle for them and refuse to learn. The Minister said that in 2000 the Ministry of Justice created a judiciary learning centre for judges, lawyers, prosecutor and public defenders but they have shown no willingness to learn Portuguese.

New Zealand and Australia are committed to assist TL, says Hasegawa

The Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations (SRSG), Sukehiro Hasegawa, said after returning from an official visit that both governments of New Zealand and Australia have shown their willingness, interest and commitment to continue to assist Timor-Leste. Mr Hasegawa said that Australia's support for Timor-Leste has been mainly on two areas, the capacity building of Timor-Leste's Police (PNTL) through the cooperation with the Australian Federal Police, and in financial management and administration. Mr Hasegawa said that the New Zealand Government has been focusing more on supporting the overall justice sector especially peace and nation building. Mr Hasegawa said that he noticed that both New Zealand and Australian Governments are delighted to see the progress of Timor-Leste's government under the leadership of President Gusmão and the Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, adding that both countries have also been following the work of the National Parliament.

Ready to resign if proven of wrongdoing, says Martins

Timor-Leste's National Police Commissioner, Paulo de Fatima Martins, said that he is ready to resign from his position if all the accusations of wrongdoing against him are proven. The Commissioner made the statement following the demands by the Veterans Association, UNAQMERTIL for the resignation of the Minister of Interior, Rogério Tiago Lobato, and himself. Mr Martins pointed out that facts must be proven before demanding for a persons resignation adding that they are ready to be accountable for any wrongdoing.

CPD-RDTL members in court for threatening Census Officials

The newspaper reports that two members of CPD-RDTL appeared in court Monday for threatening census officials in Suai, District of Covalima. The paper says that a census official, Domingas Barreto, said that she and six staff members were asked to leave the area by members of the CPD-RDTL. When they returned to carry on with their work two members of CPD-RDTL threatened them, and where later detained by the local police.

Suara Timor Loro Sa'e (STL)

No spies working for the National Police, says Lobato

The Minister of Interior, Rogerio Tiago Lobato, said he does not accept the accusations made against the National Police Force that there are Indonesian spies integrated in the Police Force of Timor-Leste. The Minister said that people who made the accusations made them only because they want the position. The Minister said that those who worked before for the Indonesian Police contributed to the liberation of the country and we need to value their contribution to and recognition for their work with the resistance.

Reis Cadalac is frustrated, says PM

The Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that Reis Cadalac, the Vice-Coordinator of the National Unity of Ex-Combatants and Members of the Resistance of Timor-Leste (UNAQMERTIL), is frustrated because he did not get a position in the Government. The Prime Minister said that for this reason he is using the ex-combatants to see if he can get a job with the Government. The Prime Minister said that Cadalac had tried previously by using members of the Central Committee of Fretilin but failed, now he is trying it again.

Widows and orphans protested against Conselho do Suco

Today?s edition of the newspaper reports that the widows and orphans have protested in Mau-Lau (does not say what District) against the Conselho do Suco for not disbursing the amount of USD4 1,000 financed by the Community Empowerment Project (CEP) and the World Bank for a local project. The newspaper reports when confronted with the issue the head of the Conselho do Suco, Raimundo de Araujo, said that he will not give back the money, because he worked many years without receiving any salary from the government.

Media Advisory from UNDP

Ireland donates more than $400,000 to strengthen Justice sector in Timor-Leste

28 July 2004

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Ireland are set to sign a US$440,000 cost sharing agreement aimed at strengthening Timor-Leste?s justice system. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UNDP?s Resident Representative, Mr Sukehiro Hasegawa, will sign the agreement with the representative of Ireland Development Cooperation, Ms Carol Hannon, during a ceremony at the Ministry of Justice tomorrow morning (Thursday, 29 July 2004). Also present at the ceremony will be the Council of Coordination (CoC). The CoC comprises of the Minister of Justice, President of the Superior Council of the Judiciary, and the Prosecutor-General ? the heads of the three main bodies of Timor-Leste?s justice system. The US$440,000 will be channelled through UNDP?s project, Strengthening the Justice System in Timor-Leste, which is the leading initiative for the development of the nation?s justice sector. The overall aim of UNDP?s project is to enhance the effectiveness, equity and efficiency of the justice sector. Ireland Development Cooperation?s support is vital to ensuring the continuation of progress being made towards developing a sustainable justice system in Timor-Leste, which continues to need significant assistance from development partners.

Details of the signing ceremony are as follows:

Date: Thursday, 29 July 2004

Time: 9:00 am

Venue: Ministry of Justice, Dili

Contact: Angelique Doueihi, UNDP Media and Public Information Office, on 724 9572.

Jose Filipe External Affairs World Bank, Dili Office

Back to July menu
June
World Leaders Contact List
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu