UNOTIL

Daily Media Review

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review

Saturday and Tuesday, 24 & 27 December 2005

National Media Reports

Magno: Government name not used when assisting Lay to buy sandalwood

Bonifisio Magno, who according to businessman Pedro Lay has been involved in negotiations on the sale of sandalwood, has said that the assistance he provided to Lay in these negotiations was not in the government's name, but his own. Not willing to disclose the nature of his work, Magno told TP that if Lay takes the case to court, he will defend his actions with the claim that his assistance to Lay was in a private and not official capacity. He claimed that without his assistance Lay would not have been able to carry out these negotiations, enabling him to export three containers of sandalwood. According to Magno, without his assistance Lay would not have been able to export anything. He said that if Lay has anything against him he should present his case in court, also accusing Lay of defaming him. "Its best if we answer for our actions in court", stated Magno. (TP, DT)

President Gusmão visits Aceh and Kupang

President Xanana Gusmao on Saturday left Dili on official visits to Aceh and Kupang, where he will remain until 29 December. A press release from the Office of the President last week said that the President's visit is in response to an official invitation from the Indonesian President to participate in the one-year memorial of the Aceh Tsunami, from where he will then continue his visit with a special program of reconciliation and reunion with former Timor-Leste citizens in West Timor. The visit to the refugee camps in West Timor will receive financial assistance from businesses and embassies in Timor-Leste, in the form of consumables. (TP)

Police return journalist's camera

The camera confiscated from Timor Post journalist Sisto Freitas at the Timor Block Building Industry last Friday was yesterday returned to TP. As reported previously, the journalist had his camera confiscated by the police when filming the arrest of lawyer Angelo Neves at the Timor Block Building Industry. (TP)

Molotov bomb thrown at UIR HQ in Baucau

Another Molotov bomb was thrown at the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) Headquarters in Baucau last Friday evening, with reports that one police officer was injured in the leg. Reports of who is responsible for the bomb and the reason behind the bomb are unclear. (TP, TVTL)

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]-