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

UNOTIL

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review

Friday 11 November - Monday 14 November 2005

National Media Reports

Santa Cruz Massacre commemoration

12 November is a day for youth to demonstrate their patriotism to Timor-Leste, and a day that the youth of Timor-Leste should know more about, according to President Xanana Gusmao. Speaking on Saturday at the 14th commemoration of the Santa Cruz massacre, the President and other government officials gave their perspective on what they believe the day means for Timorese. Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri told the crowd that the day should not be a day of mourning for the past, but a day of pride for the heroes, and a day to move forward. He said that the government will proclaim a law that defines who are and who are not heroes, and would also build a monument to commemorate the massacre. Speaking on a separate occasion, Secretary of State for Youth and Sport Jose Manuel da Silva Fernandes said that in order to face the future, the youth of Timor-Leste must follow their parents' actions in fighting for independence. During his speech at the Cultural and Artistic Festival held on Saturday, Fernandes also said that young people must be proud of their culture and must work to carry it forward into the future. (TP, STL, Diario, DT)

National Parliament Condemns Minister Lobato's Behaviour

It was reported that National Parliament strongly condemned the [alleged] criminal act carried out by Minister of Interior Rogerio Tiago Lobato towards two community members in a traffic accident in Dili last Monday. Head of Social Democratic Party bench, Maria Paixão considered such action as the same as the ones taken by the Indonesian military towards the people of Timor-Leste for the last 24 years. " We strongly condemn it. We notice that the action was not proper since the Minister used his own hands to resolve the matter. If later there is a big problem, the Minister might use guns to kill people.", Paixao said. MP José Buras of Commission B noted that such action was against the law.

Moreover, Paixao said that in the era of independence, when the Government uses the same type of actions as the Indonesians did to solve problems, then people become frustrated, adding that being an authority is to be become a servant for the people, and whenever there is a problem, it should be resolved in accordance with the applicable laws and not taking justice into one's own hands.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Alkatiri stated that a Member of Government can directly take action towards a case if the situation demands him or her to do so. Regarding the case involved Minister Lobato, he said he was not aware that the Minister was allegedly hitting people. "I will try to find out about this. But I do not believe that this had happened," he said. (STL, Diario).

The 'Brain' of Baucau Bombing Detained

STL reported that the joint team of Baucau District's PNTL comprising of members of PRU and UIR had managed to arrest five people who were suspected of being the 'brains' of the bomb attack towards Baucau District's PNTL HQ last Monday. During the search at the house of one of the suspects, the team was successful in finding ammunitions of AR-15 rifle and TNI uniforms. From the house of the other suspect, the team managed to confiscate one hand grenade, three handy talkies, antenna, TNI uniforms, and two bayonets. According to a credible source, the police are currently conducting an in-depth investigation towards the five suspects, and trying to identify the network of the attackers.

Commenting on the Baucau bombing, Head of Fretilin party bench at National Parliament, Francisco Branco was quoted as saying that it should not have been a proper action to be taken by anyone if it is related to social problems. "Our society is democratic. We can use other means to express our aspirations but violence should not be the way for us to achieve what we aspire", said Branco further. (STL)

Death and serious injury following attack in Comoro

The Oecussi student's boarding house in Kampung Merdeka, Dili, was assaulted late on Wednesday evening by a group of drunken youths, resulting in one death and one serious injury. The injuries and death were the result of a fight between the group of drunken youths and youth staying at the centre. It is reported that the PNTL have arrested two people in relation to the incident, and that they are still looking for another three suspects. The two suspects already arrested appeared in a closed court session at the Dili District Court last Friday. It is reported that the youths accused of the attack have been causing problems with the students of the boarding house for some time now, including throwing rocks at the building resulting in some broken windows. (TP, STL, Diario)

Police Deports Two Indonesian Citizens

Bobonaro District police deported two Indonesian citizens through Mota Ain border last Tuesday, reported STL on Friday. The Commander of the Border Unit Police Lino Carvalho, said the two Indonesian citizens had crossed the border with the intention to visit their relatives in Bobonaro District. Carvalho said according to investigation the two were not involved in crimes. (STL)

TVTL News Monitoring

1. Alkatiri meets Gusmao: The Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri met with President Xanana Gusmao and informed the President about the existence of some groups whose aim was to obstruct national development by impeding foreign investors from investing in Timor-Leste. Alkatiri reportedly stated that the attacks on police in Baucau and Dili, as well as the killing of two youth in the area of Comoro on Wednesday night, are indications of that. Alkatiri also informed the President on the special events that will take place during the month of November.

2. PM disagrees with Government member beating people: Following his meeting with President Gusmao at the Place of the Ashes, the Prime Minister reportedly told journalists he was surprised to hear that the Interior Minister, Rogerio Lobato had beaten-up two people in the area of Delta following a traffic accident. Although it is necessary for members of Government to take action, he does not believe that any government members should beat people-up. Alkatiri added that he does not believe the action to have taken place, he promised to confirm with the Minister referred.

3. 12 November: Juliao Musiri, an MP and a living witness to the killing of Sebastiao Gomes, reportedly asked the President of PSD, Mario Viegas Carrascalao to justify his account on Gomes death, which was published in the daily newspaper STL on Wednesday 9 November. On his account, Carrascalao reportedly stated that he believes Sebastiao Gomes was not shot by the TNI, but by someone who was also hiding inside the church in Motael. Sebastiao Gomes' death was the embryo for the Santa Cruz Massacre on 12 November 1991.

4. International Veterans arrives in TL: The President of International Federation of Veterans, Datu Abdul Hamid Ibrahim, arrived on Thursday in Dili to obtain information about veterans in Timor-Leste. Upon his arrival, at the Dili International Airport, Ibrahim reportedly told journalists that if veteran's issues are not paid attention to, and are not respected, there would be negative impacts on national stability. Ibrahim was also reported as praising the efforts of TL Government in the issue of veterans.

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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