UNOTIL

Daily Media Review

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review

Thursday, December 29th 2005

National Media Reports

MP reactions on Eurico Guterres' January visit to Timor-Leste

There have been a variety of reactions to the possibility of a January visit from ex-Aitarak militia leader Eurico Guterres to Timor-Leste. Some Members of Parliament including from the KOTA, ASDT and PD benches are pleased with Guterres' willingness to come to Timor-Leste in the framework of reconciliation. Minister for the Council of Ministers Antoninho Bianco on Wednesday told reporters that he is pleased that the door to this nation is open to all to visit, including Eurico Guterres, saying that the government of Timor-Leste does not have any enemies in the world, only friends. He emphasized that in particular it is enshrined in the Constitution that Timorese living in other countries have the right to visit their own country. Various Members of Parliament voiced their support for the visit, saying that the road to reconciliation being pursued by President Xanana Gusmão will assist in creating peace among Timorese. (TP)

Editorial: Controversial invitation during President's West Timor visit

President Xanana Gusmão's recent visit to the former refugees in West Timor demonstrated the President's strong commitment to reconciliation. The President's invitation to Eurico Guterres to visit Timor-Leste is a very serious matter, and one that people will question, as to whether it is a normal visit or a political one. Because like it or not, Guterres is a former central Militia Commander who was very much involved in the post-referendum destruction in 1999. If the visit does materialize, then President Xanana will be creating new history, one that will magnify the wounds of the victims, as happened with the CAVR and now the TFC, and which will give rise to a strong debate of pro and con. The visit should first be clearly defined, as to whether it will be a normal visit for immigration purposes, or a political one, and the President himself must determine this. (TP)

MP Menezes on Molotov bomb in UIR HQ

MP from the Democratic Party (PD) faction Rui Menezes has said that the recent throwing of a Molotov bomb at the UIR HQ in Baucau last Friday was engineered by certain groups wishing to threaten the people in the lead-up to the 2007 general elections and, in the process, testing the extent of their power. Speaking in the National Parliament on Tuesday, Menezes said that while the government may work hard to attract investment to this country, with continual incidents such as this, no one would invest their capital here. (TP)

MP Sabino on the need to draft a bill for foreign heroes

Responding to media regarding recognition of foreign activists, MP Mariano Sabino stated that a draft bill should be prepared, particularly considering Indonesian activists or Pe Yohanes Baptista Mangun Wijaya. He mentioned that Wijaya's contribution to Timorese students' organisations, IMPETTU and RENETIL, were holding their underground movement in Indonesia. Apart from the above name, MP Sabino also mentioned other people who assisted them when they were being blocked by Indonesian military during some demonstrations. He ended his statement by stating that Wijaya was the one who contributed the most to the issue of Timor-Leste at that time by lobbying Indonesian intellectuals such as Aming Rais, Gus Dur. (TP)

Minister Horta on a centre for street children and Timorese passport

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Ramos Horta told media that the government is considering how to establish a centre for homeless or street children. He also confirmed that he had spoken to Prime Minister Alkatiri to provide a location that Dom Bosco Youth Communication Forum can use as a centre, which would then enable the forum to provide the children with better care or attention. Meanwhile, the Director of Dom Bosco Youth Communication Forum, Cipriano Pereira told media that currently the forum is looking after 370 homeless or street children. He added that these children are divided into groups of children who eat and sleep in the street daily and a group of children who are currently in the school, but are engaged in some form of activity such as selling goods or metal. Currently, the centre, which is based in Kintal Boot, provides 30 beds of which 21 are occupied. When asked about the little celebration held with Minister Horta, Cipriano confirmed that it is the programme of the Foreign Affairs Minister, which then offers certain quantity of food and other items for the children at the centre annually. (TP)

TVTL News Monitoring - 28-12-2005

Heavy Rainfall results a young Girl's death.

Joana (Nina) passed away because of the heavy rainfall on Tuesday afternoon. A witness to the incident, Natalia da Costa reportedly said that Nina was taken away by the flood in one of the Dili drains. Meanwhile it was reported that the heavy rain also caused flood in the Comoro Airport that stopped all airport activities. The Minister of Transport and Telecommunication, Ovidio de jesus Amaral reportedly stated at the Airport that in the meantime he would approach the Ministry of Planning and Finance especially the Procurement to pay attention to drains around the airport. Meanwhile, the head of Fire Fighters, Bombeiros, stated that his unit is prepared to assist anyone who is in need.

Sexual harassment by member of F-FDTL

A victim of Sexual harassment, Angela, has reportedly informed PNTL of the attitude of an F-FDTL member who tried to sexually harass her in Liquisa District. Contacted by journalists, F-FDTL Chief of Staff, Col. Lere Anan Timor reportedly rejected the accusation. He also informed the journalists that PNTL had sent a letter to F-FDTL but that he would make no further comment because it was a civil case.

Grenade handed over to PNTL

From the districts, RTTL reported that people in the Samalari Village, sub-district Baucau voluntarily handed over a grenade to PNTL. Speaking to journalists via telephone, PNTL District Commander of Baucau, Pedro da Costa Belo said that the grenade was found by a farmer in Samalari village while working his farmland.

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]-