Donate

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 Not for Publication.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 September 9, 2004

Timor Post

Judicial system needs to spring up again, says PM

Today's edition of the newspaper reports that the Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, during the opening ceremony for the training of judges, prosecutors and public defenders said that the judicial system needs to be revived in Timor-Leste. The Prime Minister said that he recognizes that the judicial system has to confront many difficulties, and sometimes cannot respond to all of them. The President of Superior Judicial Magistrate, Dr Claudio Ximenes, said that the training of judges will establish for the future a priority to solidify the judicial system in Timor-Leste.

Police worried about martial art groups

The National Police Commissioner, Paulo de Fatima Martins, said that the overall situation in Timor-Leste is calm, but he is still worried about martial arts group activities. The Police Commissioner said that he has ordered the Police to convene a meeting with all the martial arts leaders, but he is still waiting for Government approval of the proposal.

Suara Timor Loro Sa'e (STL)

Government would not withdraw its decision, says PM

The Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that the government will not withdraw its decision on the house that used to be occupied by Eng Mario Viegas Carrascalão, the Timor-Leste former governor during the Indonesian times, and that it cannot be interfered with by anybody. The Prime Minister said that the court can make any decision they wish, but the government's decision cannot be interfered. (Decision taken by the Government to evicted the former governor out of the residence in Farol). The newspaper reports that the house is currently being rehabilitated for government use, even though is it under legal dispute in Dili District Court. Meanwhile the Deputy Director of Legal Assistance Foundation Liberta, Benevides Correia Barros, said that while a house or land is in dispute or seized, it should not be occupied and rehabilitated until a final court's decision. He said that legally, before a court makes a final decision, nobody is allowed to occupy or have the rights over a house.

PNTL and F-FDTL hold regular meetings

The Nacional Police Force (PNTL) and F-FDTL hold their regular meetings to discuss security of the nation, especially the problem of martial arts groups. According to the newspaper, the Police Commissioner, Paulo de Fatima Martins, said that PKF [UNSF] UNPOL, the advisor for security to the government and the Brigadier General, Taur Matan Ruak, also participated in the meeting. The Police Commissioner said that during the meeting they discussed internal security and that in the last two weeks the situation has been calm, but they are all a little concerned with the martial arts group problems.

CPD-RDTL commemorated the establishment of Fretilin

The newspaper reports that the coordinator for CPD-RDTL, Antonio ai-Tahan Matak, said that his organization will commemorate the establishment of Fretilin on 11 September with festivities starting Wednesday September 8.Mr Matak said that 30 years ago on 11/9, Associação Social Democratica Timorense (ASDT) was transformed to Frente Revoluciónaria de Timor-Leste Independente (Fretilin) by the late Nicolau Lobato and Francisco Xavier do Amaral. Mr Matak said that the event took place with a small number of people and noted that at the time he was still young but remembers delivering the invitation from Nicolau Lobato to the various party representatives who were unable to attend the ceremony. Antonio Aitahan Matak also said that his group has no intention of creating any problems.

Baucau District Administration paralyzed for 5 days

Today's edition of the newspaper reports that the Personnel Officer of the District Administration of Baucau, Antonio Augusto Guterres, said that the administration has been paralyzed for the last five days due to a shortage of electricity. He said that the generator offered by UNMISET uses 200 liters of diesel a day, which the administration cannot afford, and that the generator has broken down.

Jose Filipe External Affairs World Bank, Dili Office