UNOTIL

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review

Wednesday, 09 November 2005

National Media Reports

Baucau case, Lobato condemnation of new group

PNTL General Commander Superintendent Paulo Martins has reportedly told reporters that Baucau District Police have discovered a range of weapons in two private houses in Baucau, and that the weapons have been taken to Baucau Police Station. He confirmed that the police have arrested two suspects in relation to the Molotov attack on the Baucau Police Station on Sunday evening and that the two are currently being held at the Police station and are awaiting results of the investigation. The Police Chief confirmed that the explosion had caused injuries to one police officer, and that the group responsible for the attack took advantage of a power cut that night. Minister of Interior Rogerio Lobato has condemned the attack, blaming a new political party for the attack, with the intention of creating instability. Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the Minister said that in the new Timor-Leste there is no more war, and those who want power must contest it in elections, not with weapons.

President to meet Martial Arts Groups following attack on UIR

The UIR Headquarters located in Aimutin, Dili, is reported to have been recently attacked by an unknown group, with one UIR officer assaulted. According to TP's information, some youths from a martial arts group were responsible for the attack. Related to this attack, President Xanana Gusmão will soon call upon those leaders of martial arts groups in Timor-Leste who signed last year's Peace Pact. Speaking to the press on Tuesday in relation to the Molotov attack on the Baucau police station, the President said that based on the information received by his office, it seems that some martial arts group elements were involved in the attack. As such, he will soon call the leaders of the groups to ascertain once again their commitment to fulfilling their oaths made at the national dialogue to not engage in violence either among themselves or with the security forces. (TP, STL, Diario Nacional)

"One stop shop" gives benefits to investors

The government investment policy of a "one stop shop" is a very positive with benefits for investors interested in investing in Timor-Leste. According to President of the Timor-Leste Business Association (ASSET) Oscar Lima, the "one stop shop" system will ensure that certain investors do not close off business opportunities to others. He said that this will help attract more investors to Timor-Leste. (TP)

Security Stable but State Must Not Be Authoritarian: Carrascalão

PSD President, Mario Carrascalão reportedly said that in order to improve the security situation in Timor-Leste, the police should not be involved in crime activities and have political interests. Carrascalão said that the state should not be authoritarian because an authoritarian government would use politics to control security. He added that if this government is democratic, it would welcome institutions working on human rights, otherwise those police officers involved in crimes would not be punished. Mario Carrascalão said that if people in charge of security start to cover up and there are no actions taken people are forced to use violence and that such practices one should not be subject to. "We know that only a few people in the police are creating violence and these people have been taken to court without justice for the victims, like protests organized by L-7, police received orders to use gas to disperse the crowd. One should blame whoever gave the orders rather than the police. Those police involved in violence twice and if found guilty in court should be removed from the police force or be punished," said Carrascalao adding that since police salaries are paid from people's taxes the population should not be subjected to beating from the police. He added that in order to have a better security system, the police force should not be under the responsibility of the Minister of Interior and the Government as it is partisan and should not receive orders from members of the parliament to detain people. (TP)

President Gusmão To Spend Christmas with Refugees

President Xanana Gusmao told the media on Tuesday that he plans to spend Christmas with the Timorese refugees living in West Timor, Indonesia. Gusmão informed the media that before Christmas he will visit China between 13-17 December and then Jakarta on 17 and meet with Vice-President Yusuf Kalla as the Indonesian President will not be there. He added that the purpose of the visit is to discuss the problems along the border and strengthening the ties between the two countries and spend Christmas with the Timor-Leste refugees in Betun, Kefa, Atambua, Soe and Kupang. The President stressed that spending Christmas with the refugees would remind them that although they have taken Indonesian citizenship they must also think of their brothers back home in Timor-Leste. (TP)

TVTL News Monitoring

1. Cuba and Timor-Leste: The Cuban Ambassador for Timor-Leste and Malaysia, Pedro Monzon Brata, met the President of Republic Xanana Gusmao at the Palace of the ashes in Caicoli Dili. After the meeting, the Ambassador told journalists that his government will intensify cooperation with Timor-Leste in the future.

2. PNTL: PNTL General Commander, Paulo Fatima Martins declared that PNTL captured a person in Aileu district for allegedly possessing military equipment. The suspect is now detained in the Dili police station. In Baucau, according to Martins, PNTL district investigation unit has identified two suspects involved in the attack on the police station, which injured an agent. Martins also stated that the case of Bidau Mota Klaran will be opened for investigation.

3. Electricity goes off, Parliament Disturbed: The irregularity of electricity caused disturbances at the National Parliament on Monday and Tuesday, where the plenary sessions of the NP were stopped and cancelled. The cancellation prompted protest and suspicions of the majority party from the benches of PSD, PD and UDT.

4. National Youth Policy: The Secretary of State for Youth and Sport, Jose Manuel Fernandes, opened a one-day seminar at the Sao Jose College in Balide, Dili, on Tuesday to discuss the essence role of youth for the process of national development. After the opening ceremony, Mr. Fernades reportedly stated that youth is a determinant factor and has a fundamental role to play in a state transformation, particularly in transforming the mentality of society.

Regional Media Reports

Peters names new Ambassador to Timor-Leste

New Zealand's first ambassador to Timor-Leste will be career diplomat Ruth Nuttall, Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced today. "The upgrading of our consulate-general to a full embassy and the assignment of our first resident ambassador reflect our commitment to Timor-Leste as it develops and defines its place in the Asia-Pacific community," Mr Peters said. "New Zealand has strongly supported Timor-Leste's independence and emergence as a stable sovereign nation. Our major contribution to United Nations' Peacekeeping operations over three years has generated huge goodwill toward New Zealand. "Our current support includes a growing NZAID programme, which will reach $5million a year by 2008, and support for the Timor-Leste Defence Force through the recently-established NZ Defence Force Mutual Assistance Programme. "As Timor-Leste continues to find its feet on the world stage there will be new opportunities for political and economic engagement. A fully-fledged embassy will be well placed to capitalise on those opportunities," Mr Peters said. Ms Nuttall joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1980 and has extensive experience in the Asia-Pacific region, including as Deputy Director of the South East Asia Division. She will take up her assignment in December. Her previous overseas assignments have included Jakarta, The Hague, Canberra, and most recently as Deputy Head of Mission in Beijing. (New Zealand Government).

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]

These Items Do Not Reflect the Position or Views of the United Nations. UNOTIL Public Information Office

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