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

UNOTIL

Daily Media Review

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Thursday, 24 November 2005

National Media Reports

Hasegawa: Timor-Leste can request UN agency assistance after UNOTIL

After the UNOTIL mission completes its mandate in May 2006, the Government can request assistance from other UN agencies, in particular UNDP. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after meeting with Prime Minister Alkatiri, SRSG Hasegawa said that UNDP may be able to provide assistance for the 2007 general elections, among other areas, and other UN agencies such as UNICEF may also be able to provide assistance, as well as agencies such as the World Bank, ADB and IMF, as they will remain in the country after UNOTIL leaves. The SRSG said that he discussed with the Prime Minister the kind of assistance that Timor-Leste may wish for in the future, and Alkatiri agreed that he would consult with the relevant government parties regarding this matter, including the President, the President of the National Parliament, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. Hasegawa said that during the meeting he and the Prime Minister also discussed the transfer of skills from the UNOTIL advisors to their Timorese counterparts. (TP, DT)

Timor-Leste is not prepared for border pass system

It is reported that the Border Pass Agreement signed by Timor-Leste and Indonesia two years ago cannot yet be implemented because Timor-Leste is not yet prepared for such a system. Nelson Santos from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation said that such a system is very new for Timor-Leste, and not all the technical means have been developed in order to be able to implement it properly. Some of these technical issues include correct security measures for pass users, as well as the budget for the implementation of the system, and whether registration will be implemented at the central, district or local level. (TP)

Minister Lobato to address the National Parliament on budget allocated to PNTL BPU

Speaking at the National Parliament, Minister Lobato reportedly told journalists that he is ready to provide clarification to the National Parliament regarding the Border Patrol Unit (BPU) allocated budget if asked, STL reported. Minister Lobato made the above statement due to the complaint by the members of PNTL Border Patrol Unit police that the food that they are provided is not upto the standard as agreed with contracted company. Apart from the above concern the report also touches on other concerns over which PNTL Border Patrol Unit have to work in order to maintain a stable situation at the border. Minister Lobato added that the forthcoming 200 graduates of police together with Marine unit would be sent to the border since the current squad is not large enough to cover the whole border area. (STL)

Secretary of State, Ximenes: Veterans' law covers everyone

Secretary of State for Veterans' Affairs, David Ximenes stated that the proposed legislation on former Combatants currently in discussion covers everyone. "As an example, those heroes that died in August 15, 1975, are recognised, and those who had surrendered but were involved in the movement to provide support to the guerrillas would also benefit". Ximenes said that those who remained in the jungle for 24 years are entitled to immunity as a way of being respected as some institutions are still looking down at them. "Like or not they would be entitled to immunity. Because everybody goes to war to win," said the Secretary of State. He stressed that if there is no immunity, it will have a negative impact on the security of the country, stating that problems will arise if those who were not involved in the struggle and are currently in charge of security still want to continue to arrest those involved in the struggle. (TP)

Prosecution Is Investigating The Camera Case: Judge Ximenes

President of the Court of Appeal, Claudio Ximenes reportedly told the media that the case involving the alleged confiscation of the camera which journalist Jose Belo filed against an international official presently working for the court is under investigation and it is the responsibility of the Prosecutor to investigate the allegations. "The process which Jose Belo presented against an international staff is being processed by the prosecutor's office. Therefore I cannot comment about it, in order not to have any influence on this process. I have to allow the Prosecutor to carry his work without interference in order to have correct judicial procedure," Ximenes explained to the media.

According to STL, Claudio Ximenes was reportedly quoted as saying again that if he comments on the process it would have an influence on the case as well as the people in charge of the case. According to Timor-Leste Constitution, he said, one person must not be considered guilty when the tribunal has not made a decision. Only the prosecutor has the power to investigate and make a decision. Only the court can judge and decide if a person has been accused of what mistake. "We cannot use the media to accuse, and make judgment and condemn a person. We must allow the institutions to work without interference," added the President of the Court of Appeal.

STL reported that an international prosecutor from Dili District Prosecutor's Office officially returned the digital camera to Jose Belo, which the Tribunal officer allegedly confiscated from the journalist while he was filming the eviction of the house of Gui Campos on 13 October. According to Jose's Belo lawyer, Tome Xavier the case is under investigation and although the camera had been returned but Jose Belo refused to accept the cassette [that had been inside the camera]. "Our client Jose Belo does not want to accept this cassette because the film, the part inside the camera is missing, therefore it does not signal that the process would stop," said Tome. João Paulo Carreira, the Prosecution Coordinator, said that the case is under investigation by international prosecutor, Antonio Ozorio. (STL)

Fretilin and PSD members join PD

Fretilin and PSD members from five villages in the sub-district of Hatolia, Ermera, have changed their political party affiliation to the Democratic Party (PD). According to the members themselves, they changed affiliation of their own wishes, in accordance with the freedom and democracy present in today's Timor-Leste. PD Coordinator for Hatolia sub-district Afonso Martins told TP that he has received the new party members with open arms, and said that they will work together with other party members to prepare the party for the 2007 general elections. He said that he believes others will also join his party before the elections, and PD will then grow larger and this will increase the possibility that it will win the elections. (TP)

PD Coordinator, Bonaparte: Fretilin forces people to join

It is reported that Fretilin has been engaging in clandestine activities in Bobonaro sub-district to force the population to become Fretilin members, in the context of the upcoming 2007 General Elections. PD Coordinator for Bobonaro sub-district Bosco Napoleon Bonaparte said that the Fretilin party has become concerned, as they have not done for the people what they promised, and so they have begun to lie to and threaten the people. "These kind of activities are anti-democratic. No one should be forcing others to join a particular party, and in any case it is not yet time to be campaigning", said Bonaparte. The Fretilin Coordinator for the sub-district said that Fretilin has already won the hearts of the people, and has done all the hard work, while other parties are now just following in his footsteps. (STL)

TVTL News Monitoring

Resistance documents handed over The Coordinator of the Resistance underground movement from Region III, Jose Mendonca Alves alias "Koto Moruk", handed over resistance documents from Region III to the CAQR at the Palace of the Ashes. After the hand over ceremony, "Koto Moruk" told journalists that these documents were handed over to the Commission on Resistance Cadres (CAQR) because the Commission is perceived to be competent. The Commission was established the President of Republic to deal with veterans issues. He further stated that he, and others from the movement, hope the documents would help the Government in defining the veteran's law.

Public Audiences on Veterans Issue continue in NP In the fourth session of public audience yesterday, the Interior Minister, Rogerio Lobato, Minister of Labor and Community Reinsertion, Arsenio Bano and the Secretary of State for Veterans, David Dias Ximenes were the guest speakers. According to plans, the audience would end on Thursday, in which the President of Republic and the Prime Minister are scheduled to give their opinions.

Antonio Ximenes asks for equality in law. The President of PDC, Antonio Ximenes has reportedly asked the Government to implement the law equally for every citizen. Ximenes was reported as making this statement in relation to the Dili District Administrator decision to move vendors in front of the "Lita Store" supermarket, while others such as those in front of the Malaysian Embassy are free with their activities.

TL will host an International concert In commemorating the 30th anniversary of Unilateral Independent of Timor Leste, the Government has established a national commission, headed by the Secretary of State for Council Ministers Gregorio de Sousa, to organize an international concert in Dili. The concert will involve singers from all Portuguese speaking countries, including Timor-Leste. Speaking at a press conference, Nurima Alkatiri, a member of the commission said that the concert will be held on 27 of November and last for seven hours. Apart from the concert, an exhibition and an investment conference will also be held.

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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