[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

Tuesday 15 November 2005

National Media Reports

People flee to mountains as unhappy with PNTL

It is reported that some members of the population of Nahareka-Waibobo, Viqueque District, have run away to the mountains due to the actions of PNTL. Speaking in Parliament's plenary session on Monday, Member of Parliament from the Democratic Party (PD) Jose Nominando said that several weeks ago the PNTL assaulted members of the local population, suspicious that they were members of CPD-RDTL. Nominando expressed his dissatisfaction with the PNTL actions, as he said that the people should have the right to join any organization they wish, and that the police should not be punishing the people for the actions of the organization, but should arrest its founders, Antonio Ai-tahan Matak and Olegario. He complained that the police behaviour resembles that of police behaviour in Indonesian times, and asked the Parliament to convey the issue to the relevant parties, in order to resolve the matter.

On a separate matter, PNTL General Commander Paulo de Fatima Martins has expressed his opinion that some people are unhappy with the police, hence the recent Molotov attack on the Baucau police station. Responding to the statement from lawyer Augusto dos Santos Marques that there is not enough evidence in the case and that the case was engineered, Martins countered that while the police are still looking for the suspect(s) to the case, they have strong evidence as one police officer was injured, and they also have the remains of the Molotov used in the attack. Responding to journalist's questions on the recent attack on the Oecussi student's boarding house, Martins said that the investigation is in process. (TP, STL, DN)

Parliament should be proactive

Member of Parliament from the Socialist Party of Timor (PST) bench Pedro da Costa has reportedly asked Commission B on Defence and Security not to remain quiet on the matter of several recent cases of PNTL behaviour. He expressed his opinion that Commission B should make a statement on the issue, as this recent spate of incidents is creating a bad precedent for the future. Speaking in Parliament's plenary session yesterday, da Costa said that the PNTL should be working to ensure a peaceful lifestyle for the people, as well as to guarantee their rights. He also strongly condemned the government representative who took police action into his own hands and assaulted a driver in Comoro last Monday. He said that the Members of Parliament should address these issues so that the people do not become dissatisfied with the situation. Political and Security Observer from Timor-Leste National University Alarico da Costa has predicted that the attack on the Baucau police station occurred due to weak intelligence. He said that there must be an improvement in the capability and professionalism of Timor-Leste intelligence. (TP)

Parliament accused of politicizing Bidau Case

The investigation conducted by Commission B of the National Parliament into the Bidau Mota Klaran police assault case has been criticized as being too politicized due to a situation of family relations. According to Democratic Party MP Jose Nominando, the case involved relatives of Fretilin MP Cipriana Pereira, and he has accused her of not being neutral and impartial in finding a solution to the problem, but instead taking on a tendency to defend her family in the case. Pereira has strongly protested the accusations, saying that she has been representing the complaints of the local community in her statements related to the investigation. (TP, STL, DN)

Members of Government Should Not Act Like Police: MP da Costa

Speaking at the plenary session on Monday relating to the recent incident where Minister of Interior Rogerio Lobato was allegedly accused of hitting two community members in a traffic accident, MP Pedro da Costa of Timor Socialist Party (PST) had been quoted as saying that members of Government should not act like police. Quoting the laments presented by the community members, da Costa said such action is not good for the future, and if it continues as it is in times to come, the fate of this country will be in danger. "Parliament as the symbol of the people in the democracy should take a strong stand on these kind of actions so that it will prevent it from happening again in the future," da Costa argued. (Diario Nacional)

Council of Ministers Approves Law Faculty, Budget for Proclamation Day Celebrations

The Council of Ministers met on 10 November and, inter alia, approved the establishment of the Faculty of Law in Timor-Leste National University. The course would last five years with one year course introduction, three generalised years and the fifth year as specialist. The Council of Ministers already authorized the National University to hold an admission test for the introduction course, likely to start this month with writing and oral tests. One of the requisites necessary for this course would be the Portuguese language. The course has the support of the Portuguese Corporation which through the Portuguese University Foundation, responded favourably to a request from the Timorese Government to support Timor-Leste in the establishment of a credible course. The Council also approved the allocation of US368, 956 dollars for the upcoming 30th independence proclamation celebrations planned throughout the country. (DN, TP)

Electronic Manufacturing To be Established in Timor-Leste

Speaking to the media on Monday prior to his departure back to China, Director of Zhuai Doumen Tak Kong Electornic MFC company, I.K. Leong, a Timor-Leste-born investor from Maucau, had been quoted as saying that in 2006 his company will establish an electronic manufacturing in Timor-Leste. According to Leong, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri welcomed the initiative, and it would be the first electronic manufacturing to be built in Timor-Leste Moreover, Leong said that as a Timorese he really has the desire to do so in order to develop this country, adding that the manufacturing in which he was about to establish would produce cameras, tape recorders and televisions, among others. He further explained that the manufacturing plant would employ around 10,000 workers. "The establishment of the manufacturing plant will provide the chance to the people to learn more about electronic matters. So, it is not only a business deal but it will offer an informal education for the people to prepare themselves for the future," Leong added. (TP, STL)

National Task Force Organized Workshop To Anticipate Avian flu

It was reported that the National Task Force (NTF) for Combating Avian Flu organized a workshop on Monday aiming at finding the mechanism to respond and prevent the avian flu in order not to spread throughout Timor-Leste. According to Vice Minister of Health, Luis Lobato as the President of NTF, avian flu has become a big threat for the world, especially Timor-Leste since it is close to Indonesia, a country which has been affected by the virus of avian flu. Moreover, Lobato said that in order to prevent avian flu in Timor-Leste, the Ministry of Health through the NTF has set up prevention plans and coordinates with the Ministry of Agriculture in strengthening the mechanism of not importing poultry and eggs from countries that have been affected by the flu. (TP)

PM Lays First Stone for National Hospital Rehabilitation

Prime Minister Alkatiri today (Tuesday Nov 15) laid the first stone for the reconstruction of the National Hospital Guido Valadares. The rehabilitation of the hospital has been co-funded by Timor-Leste Trustee Funds ( funds mainly from the European Union) and by the State Budget. It would cost US$6.9 million and is expected to be concluded in 24 months. It is aimed to improve the hospital complex to international standards and the construction of a new operation bloc. The reconstruction of the National Hospital by the Ministry of Health is part of the government policy from 2002 assigned to rehabilitate the hospital network of Timor-Leste up to 2007 including hospitals in Oe-cussi, Maliana, Maubisse, Suai, Baucau and Dili. (TP, Press Release)

TVTL News Monitoring

1. Prime Minister Inaugurates Ministry of State Office as a central office:

2. Window for Timor Leste: Jose Teixeira, Vice Minister of Investment stated that Timor-Leste will be open for the world and will be as an example for other countries because Timor Leste it is culturally rich. Teixeira also said that in the future. Timor-Leste would be open to free market access in the world. He also stated that on 16 to 18 November there will be a workshop for potential investors.

3. Gregorio Sousa, Secretary of Council of Minister: To commemorate the Proclamation of Independence on 28 November, professional artists from Portuguese-speaking countries such as Guinea Bissau, Angola, Mozambique and Brazil will come in Timor Leste for a concert on 27 November.

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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