UNOTIL

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review

Thursday 25 August 2005

National Media Reports

3 Timorese Prosecutors Accused of Corruption

A Timorese citizen and his lawyers have accused three prosecutors of involvement in corruption during a press conference on Tuesday. Prosecutor General Longuinhos Monteiro, Prosecutor Benevides Correia Barros and Prosecutor Estaqiu Guterres are alleged to have shared the amount of US$8000 which they allegedly received in return for a false document saying that the money was handed to the Ministry of Justice. According to Akui Leong, his sister had brought the money into Timor-Leste when his father became very ill, but the money was seized at the border and the family was only allowed to collect the money later. It is alleged that some of the money was given to Longuinhos Monteiro at his request at his residence and then shared between the three prosecutors. (TP, Diario Tempo)

Dili District Administrator Under Responsibility of Ministry of State Administration

Timor Post reported a follow-up story on the calls for the resignation of call from Dili District Administrator, Ruben Braz the President of the National Parliament, Francisco Guterres for over the eviction of fruit-sellers as reported the previous day. The Director of the Territorial National Administration, Lino Torezão told Timor Post that he shared the opinion of the President of the National Parliament but it would be better if the issue was addressed through the Ministry of State Administration which would deal with the Dili District Administrator. He also stated that it is better that the National Parliament should question the cause of the actions instead of just asking the Dili District Administrator to resign. He also commented, " the Dili District Administrator has told the vendors many times to leave but it was the vendors who chose not to leave the place". Meantime, Vice Minister Valintin Ximenes said that Lu Olo is merely conveying the aspirations of the population as their representative. (Timor Post)

STAE Violates Law: Gonçalves

The Technical Secretary of the Electoral Administration (STAE) has been accused of violating the law by accepting Fretilin candidates for positions of village chief and village councils for Dili District through the back door. Speaking to the media after a press conference held by STAE on Wednesday, MP Joao Gonçalves (PSD) provided an example of an incident in Comoro where the PSD party submitted the details of 20 candidates only to reportedly to have two candidates rejected for not providing photographs. He also told the media that while the Partido Democratico (PD) submitted details of 17 candidates and Fretilin 12 candidates, the number of Fretilin candidates increased to 27. "How could this happen? This must mean that the candidates were presented through the back door," Gonçalves said. Responding to such concerns, STAE Director Tomas Cabral said that two organisations have been established for the elections, the National Elections Commission (CNE) and the Technical Secretariat (STAE) with CNE in charge of any addressing any irregularities. He added that the commission has not raised any cases of irregularities. "If CNE, as an independent body, says there are no cases of irregularities we cannot do anything. Political parties have the right to speak but must first consult with STAE and CNE," Cabral added. (Diario Tempo, STL)

Minister da Costa: There is No Urban Planning Policy to Evict Population

Minister of Public Works, Odete Victor da Costa is reported to have confirmed that as the Government of Timor-Leste does not have a National Policy on urban planning, it is not yet in a position to remove and relocate the population from their current residences in Dili. Minister da Costa clarified the above information after she was questioned regarding rumours about government plans to relocate people in Dili as well as to vacate properties identified as belonging to the state where the population are currently living. The report also urges the government to put in place a national urban planning policy with regulations on the construction of houses and offices. Therefore, the relocation of people would only be discussed when the required conditions are in place such as space for the relocation of people. (Timor Post)

Foreigners Running Businesses on Tourist Visas

The Chief of Immigration Police, Carlos Jeronimo told journalists that currently there are 171 foreigners in the country who are engaged in business activities while on tourist visas, reported Diario Tempo. He added that most of these people are from Indonesia, Philippines and China, and the police is planning to conduct operations in order to identify exactly how many such people are in Timor-Leste. It was mentioned that up until now there are 52 foreigners who have applied for temporary residence and another two persons have been fined USD250, while 54 people have left voluntarily and 25 people have commenced the application process with another 4 persons having been deported from Timor-Leste. (Diario Tempo, Timor Post)

Opinion: Political Leadership Needs to be United

The Diario Tempo editorial argues that the leadership of political parties need to work together to lead the country forward instead of causing people to disrespect one another. "How can the people have good and peaceful lives unless politicians work together. Diario Tempo further argued that often the leadership of the country expects the population to live peacefully and not to listen to propaganda that divides the people while it is the leaders who themselves who are contradicting their appeals to the people. A student was quoted as telling the politicians that, "it is sad to see politicians arguing in independent Timor-Leste by pointing fingers at each other, calling each other autonomists or opportunists and traitors, therefore it is better for them to reflect first before coming out with such statements. The opinion article also argued that during the occupation by Indonesia, that it was not those leaders who pointed fingers, calling each other names who fought but instead the citizens and students, who were shot and stabbed by the Indonesian army during the 1991 massacre. Therefore, it is better not to blame each other as it is the civilians who died for the cause and the people are aware of the fact. (Diario Tempo)

US Plans to Train F-FDTL and PNTL

The United States plans to provide coastguard training to F-FDTL and PNTL naval units the media quoted Ambassador Joseph Rees as saying on Wednesday after meeting with Prime Minister Alkatiri. "I came to inform the PM about US plans to provide assistance programmes to Timor-Leste in the coming months. The US has always tried to assist with programmes of cooperation, such as our programme of assistance in military cooperation with the government and we first consult with the Prime Minister," said the US Ambassador to Timor-Leste. Rees added that the US coastguard will consult with members of F-FDTL and PNTL on the maritime security in Timor-Leste because the team will assess the situation and then provide relevant training. He also added that the US has recognised that the Timorese people are diligent in establishing institutions for law and order but the US has also recognised that Timor-Leste still needs assistance. (Timor Post, Diario Tempo, STL )

PNTL Dismantle CPD-RDTL Posts

The Police in Bobonaro district commenced a three-day operation starting on August 20 to dismantle CPD-RDTL posts. According to STL, about 10 posts in Bobonaro district which have become the base for the group were dismantled without any confrontation by members of the group. The PNTL commander for Bobonaro district said that the operation was carried out successfully and the PNTL will continue to monitor the group to ensure that the group will not proceed with flag-raising activities and setting up posts. The Secretary of CPD-RDTL in Bobonaro reportedly said that a member of his group was detained and beaten by PNTL officers in Maugel post and another member was beaten in Pipgalak (Maliana). Nakroman Domingos Combat also stressed that the police operations have not destroyed their struggle for a 'proper road' to independence. (STL)

Regional Media Reports

UN SG, Kofi Annan Reminds Indonesia, Timor-Leste and International Community of Timor-Leste Human Rights Atrocities

The UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan reminded the Governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia, and to the international community to ensure that all those responsible are held accountable for serious crimes committed in Timor-Leste in 1999 in the aftermath of the popular consultation. The UN Security Council is planning to have special session on the recommendations of the Commission of Experts. It also plans only to evaluate UNOTIL three months report in the up-coming 29 August. UNOTIL, which replaces the previous UN mission UNMISET, would end its mission by 20 May next year is expected to provide assistance to Timor-Leste in terms of its institutional building which would cover government administration, police, military and other institution through the provision of its civilian advisers. (Kompas, Indonesia -UN Source)

National News Sources

Timor Post (TP) Suara Timor Lorosae (STL) Diario Tempo (DT) Diario Nacional Seminario Lia Foun (LF) Televisaun Timor-Leste [TVTL] RTL Radio Timor-Leste [RTL]