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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 Monday, 21 February 2005

Government not serious in fighting corruption

The President of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Mario Viegas Carrascalao, accused the government of not being serious in fighting corruption in Timor-Leste. Carrascalao said that the proof of this intransigence are the 47 cases of suspected corruption involving government officials, which have filed but not been acted upon. He said that as far as he is aware, not one person has yet been taken to court in relation to these 47 cases.

Carrascalao, speaking to STL in an interview on Saturday, related his experiences of fighting corruption when he was governor of Timor-Leste during Indonesian times. He said that he firmly dealt with corruption then, even though it meant that his position as governor and even his life were in danger. Carrascalao advised that if the government wishes to fight corruption to its roots, then it must listen to what the people say, as it is the people who are the eyes and ears of the government, not government staff themselves. (STL)

Piles of rubbish contribute to mosquito-borne diseases

The Administrator of District Dili, Ruben Braz de Carvalho, has reminded all Dili residents to take proper provisions when disposing of rubbish. Although the local government has repeatedly requested Dili residents to dispose of rubbish thoughtfully, namely in rubbish bins provided, many continue to disregard these appeals. He said diseases such as dengue fever arise from the large piles of rubbish around the city, including in the drains and gutters. Once rubbish piles up in the drains and gutters, rainwater cannot flow, leading to water piling up and then becomes a breeding place for mosquitoes. Ruben said that if all residents made an effort to dispose of their rubbish thoughtfully, then the program would succeed and the incidence of various sicknesses would be drastically reduced. (STL)

Prime Minister: Police has capacity to conduct operations on border

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri stated that the police force still has the capacity to conduct operations in border areas and therefore there is no need for the defence force to intervene. When asked about whether those who infiltrated to Timor-Leste are militia, he responded by saying that they are former militia. "There is no more militia since our country became independent. Alkatiri said. Moreover, he said there is a need to cooperate with Indonesia in order to control them, adding that if the militia enter the country, it would be Timor-Leste's security forces who would deal with them. (Timor Post)

Fretilin nominates candidate for Provedor of human rights and justice

Fretilin's Francisco Branco stated last Friday that his party has nominated one candidate for the post of Provedor of human rights and justice, but refused to reveal the name of the candidate. Moreover, Branco said that the post is an important one, adding that to establish it, there is a need to go through a process so that there is consensus. In so doing, he added, the candidate will proceed further with strength and the support of all people.

Meanwhile, the representative of Democratic Party (PD), Mariano Sabino, said that Provedor is an important institution that should not be politicised but it should be independent in order to guarantee the rights of people. (Timor Post)

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