UNOTIL

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review

Tuesday, 13 December 2005

National Media Reports

President Gusmão to meet UN SG

President Xanana Gusmão will shortly visit New York to meet with the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, to discuss the Timor-Leste-Indonesia Truth and Friendship Commission (TFC). The President's visit is related to the declaration issued by the Timor-Leste Church leadership to Kofi Annan, that the TFC will not provide justice for the victims of the 1999 crisis. Speaking to journalists at the airport upon his return from a visit to Malaysia, the President said that the UN justice process as implemented in Timor-Leste via the Serious Crimes Unit did not take into account the social and political impact of reconciliation. He said that he is very much aware that all Timorese are victims of the 1999 violence, not just a small number of people. (STL)

TFC not meant to deny victims' rights: Babo

The Truth and Friendship Commission is not meant to deny victims' rights, or to forget the past, according to TFC member Dionisio Babo, speaking on Saturday at the National Dialogue on the Commission held at the Don Bosco Centre, Comoro. He said that the TFC is designed to complete the work of CAVR, the Ad Hoc Court and the Serious Crimes Unit. He added that the TFC does not mean that the road is closed to justice, but that justice is a separate process and the two can function separately. (TP)

Hendardi: Establishment of TFC saves Indonesia

The Truth and Friendship Commission was formed without a strong basis, according to Hendardi from the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute. Speaking at the National Dialogue about the TFC on Saturday, he said that considering that the Ad Hoc Court process itself was incomplete, it is not appropriate to establish such a Commission. He said that the establishment of the Commission is certainly in Indonesia's interests, and in particular considering that Indonesia is geopolitically and economically much stronger than Timor-Leste. He also said that the Commission has saved Indonesia from having to assume responsibility for human rights violations, including the orchestrators of the 1999 violence. (TP)

Political and military observer Pinto on public interpretation of Indonesia as a big threat to Timor-Leste

Political and Military observer Julio Tomas Pinto has said that problems continue to arise in the border regions not because of the refugees on the other side of the border provoking the situation, but because of a general public belief that Indonesia is a threat to Timor-Leste. He said that Timor-Leste can choose to view these border incidents as a large problem, caused by the threat of Indonesia, or as something normal that other countries bordering Indonesia also experience from time to time. He said that Malaysia and Indonesia have recently experienced a much larger border problem than those which concern Indonesia's border with Timor-Leste. (TP)

Xavier do Amaral: ASDT will ratify Great Sunrise agreement between Timor-Leste and Australia if it wins 2007 election

Speaking to the press on Monday, ASDT President Francisco Xavier do Amaral was reportedly quoted as saying that if his party wins the 2007 general elections, it will ratify Great Sunrise agreement on oil and gas exploration between Timor-Leste and Australia. Xavier Amaral further explained that ASDT does not agree with the agreement, adding that prior to the Great Sunrise exploration there should be a settlement first on the maritime boundaries between the two countries. "The question of maritime boundaries should be solved first. We should demand that Australia should recognise our rights," Xavier Amaral said. According to Xavier do Amaral, the decision taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Mari Alkatiri in relation to the matter seems to make Australia order and dictate the Timorese to follow [its will]. (TP)

Fial Niquin: Joint Commission should quickly finalise the border demarcation between Timor-Leste and Indonesia

Speaking during a recent dialogue with National Parliament's Commission B in charge of security and foreign affairs, Abari Aldeia Chief of Passabe Sub-district, Fial Niquin, stated that the local population had demanded the Government of Timor-Leste to quickly have the Joint Commission finalise the border demarcation between Timor-Leste and Indonesia. In so doing, Niquin said, the population will know exactly which areas thus far have become the source of conflict and which need to be resolved, adding that the majority of the population have their farmlands near the border area. Niquin added that the demands presented by the population were based on the recent incidents that took place while the population were cultivating their farmlands. Niquin further stated that once the border demarcation is finalised, then whenever any incident occurs, it will be quick to solve it, and in turn, the population will live in peace and tranquillity. (TP)

Ambassador Sofwan: Fuel smuggling to RDTL is reducing

Speaking after his meeting with the Governor of West Timor, Piet Tallo, Indonesian Ambassador for Timor-Leste, Ahmad Sofwan told media that illegal smuggling of fuel from Indonesia to Timor-Leste is reducing after Indonesian government increased the price of fuel based on International standard since October 01, 2005. When asked about the border market, Ambassador Sofwan replied that, "the border market is/are not operating yet since the government of RDTL is not yet ready due to the lack of knowledge to politically provide boarding passes to its citizens who will be trading in the Indonesian market. He also confirmed further that Indonesia's border market in Metamasin and Mota-ain area are already operational. (Pos Kupang)

TVTL News Headlines - 12-12-2005

President Gusmão Promised to reflect on War Victims: Speaking at a press conference upon his return from Malaysia at the Dili International Airport, President Xanana Gusmao reportedly promised to hold a reflection on all the war victims from 1975 to 1999. Gusmao further stated that he considered himself to be a cause of the suffering of others. In regards to the recommendations of CAVR, Gusmão said, the state has no power to ask those countries that supported Indonesia in the past, such as Australia, to pay compensation and hence the state seeks other political means.

UNFPA and Equality Promoter end campaign on violence against women: UNFPA, in cooperation with the Advisor for Equality promotion at the office of Prime Minister reported to have finished their campaign on violence against women in Gleno, Ermera on Friday last week. The Advisor for Equality promotion to the Prime Minister's office, Ms. Maria Domingas Fernandes Alves, officially closed the campaign. After the ceremony, Ms. Alves told journalists that it takes a lot to get people aware of the importance of equality but she was optimistic. Many people, including students, Government officials and the public, reportedly attended the campaign.

Twenty-Four Students Expelled: From Liquica, TVTL reported that a 24 students were being expelled from the Catholic Secondary School Saint Joao de Brito, Liquica, due to in-disciplinary actions. The director the school reportedly informed TVTL that students are obliged to attend Sunday masses and not consuming alcohol and engaging in other activities. Meanwhile, in response to the TV station, the District Education Coordinator of Liquica, Mr. Jorge da Silva Nunes stated that his department would try to find measures to solve the problem immediately.

Regional Media Reports

Lisbon-financed training center graduates 60 new artisans

East Timor's Portuguese-financed professional training centre handed diplomas Monday to 60 new carpenters, plumbers, electricians, brick masons and construction foremen in a ceremony attended by Timorese and Portuguese officials. The latest batch of graduates raised to more than 300 the number of artisans trained by the CNEFP centre since its creation in 2001. Beyond their diplomas, the graduates received tool kits and the possibility of requesting micro-credits for start-up businesses, either individually or in groups. Instruction at CNEFP is in the hands of Portuguese and Timorese teachers, the latter having received training under the same program. Through last June, Portugal had spent some euros 1 million to finance the professional training program at Tibar, 15 kilometers west of Dili. (Lusa)

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

These Items Do Not Reflect the Position or Views of the United Nations. UNOTIL Public Information Office

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