[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, 18 May 2005

President inaugurates members of State Council

President Xanana Gusmao inaugurated 12 members of the Council of State on Tuesday. Members of the Council include the President of the National Parliament, the Prime Minister, leaders of opposition political parties and a member of civil society. The function of the Council of State will be to assist the President in "exercising his constitutional competencies" according to the Constitution.

The functions of the also newly formed Superior Defense and Security Council will be to advise the President during an emergency situation before the President makes any decisions regarding declarations of war or peace.

When asked after the inauguration why no members of the Church had been included as members of the Council of State or the Superior Defense and Security Council, President Xanana responded that while they were invited to participate, Canonical law does not allow members of the clergy to take part in political organs. (Timor Post, STL)

Carrascalao resigns from Parliament

President of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Mario Carrascalao has resigned from his post as a Member of the National Parliament so that he may implement his functions as a full time member of the Council of State. Timor-Leste's Constitution does not allow a Member of Parliament to hold two positions at the same time, and thus Carrascalao was obliged to resign from the Parliament before being inaugurated as a member of the Council. According to Vice-President of the National Parliament Jacob Fernandes, the PSD President's resignation would give the opportunity for another PSD member to take his place in the Parliament and that it would be up to Carrascalao to decide who that may be. (Timor Post, STL)

STAE announces provisionary election results

Director of the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration, Tomas do Rosario Cabral, yesterday announced the results of the village chief elections in three districts, Viqueque, Ermera and Covalima. While Fretilin won the majority of seats, some seats were awarded to candidates from the Social Democratic Party, the Socialist Party of Timor, and independent candidates. In Covalima and Ermera districts, seven candidates elected to hold the post of village chief are women. (Timor Post)

Ramos-Horta admits confusion over border shooting

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Jose Ramos-Horta, said that he is still confused as to why PNTL recently shot and injured a TNI soldier. Speaking to journalists, Ramos-Horta said that the fact that the TNI soldiers had entered Timor-Leste territory was not a reason to shoot. He added that if the police want to fire a warning shot, they should shoot into the air and not toward the ground. (Timor Post)

Chilean and PNG Ambassadors present credentials

Chilean Ambassador James Sinclair Maler and Papua New Guinea's Ambassador Christopher Mero yesterday presented their credentials to President Xanana Gusmao. President Xanana took the opportunity at the ceremony to invite the Chilean Ambassador to meet with other diplomats in Timor-Leste to ascertain the best means of developing good relations with Timor-Leste. (Timor Post)