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[Poster's note: Long repeats of international articles already sent out to the east-timor list have been removed.]

UNMISET Daily Press Review

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review Wednesday, 16 February 2005

Bishop Belo Supports The Creation of Truth and Friendship Commission

Speaking to the press after his meeting with President Xanana Gusmão yesterday, the former Bishop of Dili Diocese, Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, stated that the initiative of the governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia to establish the Truth and Friendship Commission is a good one that needs the support of the entire community. However, he said the victims of the 1999 conflict and their suffering should not be forgotten. “President Xanana has briefed me on the matter, but I would like to find out more what actually ‘Truth and Friendship’ means”, Belo said. “When we talk about victims, we are all victims because we all fought for a common goal, but we need to try to dry the tears of the victims and make everyone understand that even though we suffered, we still managed to achieve our objective; that is independence,” he added. (Timor Post)

Government calls for UNMISET to be extended

Timor-Leste’s government is soon expected to submit a request to the UN Security Council to extend the UNMISET mission for another year. The Minister of Interior, Rogerio Tiago Lobato, yesterday told journalists that he is hopeful that the UN will remain in Timor-Leste for as long as they are needed to further develop this country.

Rogerio disagreed with the suggestion by sections of the community that due to other major global issues, such as the tsunami and conflict in the Middle East, Timor-Leste has been forgotten. He said that for as long as Timor-Leste still needs assistance, the international community will assist.

Meanwhile, UDT’s Member of Parliament, Alexandre Corte Real, said that he supports government measures to extend the mission because assistance is still needed in security and judicial areas. (STL)

Dengue fever outbreak in Timor-Leste

An outbreak of dengue fever in Timor-Leste has killed 20 people. Since the outbreak began last month, more than 200 people have been hospitalised, most of them with the dangerous haemorrhagic strain of the fever, which causes internal bleeding. Health authorities believe the outbreak emerged in the slum areas of the capital, Dili, but has spread to other districts, including Baucau and Liquica. The World Health Organization (WHO) and local authorities are continuing efforts to control the spread of dengue-carrying mosquitoes. (ABC)

Lobato: Hunger issue just propaganda

The Minister of Interior, Rogerio Tiago Lobato, has denied media reports of people starving in various parts of the country. However, a member the Social Democratic Party, Fernando Gusmao, said that the government disagrees with the assertion that there is hunger because they rarely visit the districts. (STL)

Lobato: “The number and the capacity of URP will be increased”

Minister of Interior, Rogerio Tiago Lobato, announced yesterday that the Government will soon increase the number and capacity of PNTL’s Reserve Unit (URP) in an attempt to maintain the security in the country.

When asked about the current security situation of the country, Lobato said that the situation is normal. However, he said that his ministry has been required to take precautionary measures. “We have heard that armed groups entered into the country and killed our fellow residents in Leimea Kraik, [Ermera district], and therefore the police should work harder to deal with the matter along with the community,” Lobato said.

Lobato praised the work performance by URP members in maintaining security. He said that the most important thing is to create stability and a good atmosphere so that people can work and live their lives peacefully. When Timor-Leste is peaceful, Lobato added, foreigners wanting to invest in the country would feel secure. (Timor Post)

President Xanana Received Credential From New Thai Ambassador

President Xanana Gusmão received the credentials from Thailand’s new Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Wiwat Khon Thon Thien, who is replacing Ambassador Kulmut Singhara Na Ayudhaya. In his welcoming remarks, the President expressed his appreciation for the support received by Thailand in Timor-Leste’s bid to become an ASEAN member. He also said that he hopes that the relations between Timor-Leste and Thailand will be further strengthened in years to come. “I believe Timor-Leste can learn many things from the experience of Thailand in the areas of development of agriculture, finance and banking,” President Gusmão added. (Timor Post)

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