Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review

Tuesday, 04 October 2005

National Media Reports

President Gusmão regrets use of anti-democratic slurs

President Xanana Gusmao regrets the use of anti-democratic slurs launched by some government officials and members of the National Parliament during the village election campaigns. Speaking during the Solemn Ceremony to mark the opening of the Fourth Legislative Parliamentary Session on Monday, the President reminded parliamentarians of his words on last 20 May when he spoke of the abuse of state facilities during electoral campaigns, and voter intimidation. He said that now that the village elections are over, it is time to start considering the electoral law for the general and Presidential elections, which will follow. (STL, TP, Diario Tempo)

Minister Lobato: Indonesian border violations can be taken to UN

Minister of Interior Rogerio Lobato has said that if Indonesian citizens continue to violate the border by crossing into Timor-Leste territory, and if diplomatic efforts to solve the problem are not successful, then the matter should be taken to the United Nations Security Council. Speaking to journalists during the opening ceremony of the Fourth Legislative Parliamentary Session on Monday, Lobato asserted that as Timor-Leste is a sovereign and independent country, it is not appropriate that certain people should be provoking the situation along the border. He said that the international community has made a commitment to monitor the security situation of this country, and therefore if the government has gone to all lengths to reduce the number of incidents but to no avail, then the matter must be sent for UN review. He explained that in his opinion the provocations that have been occurring on the border are related to ex-militia entering Timor-Leste on the grounds of reconciliation, but that this is actually causing instability, as these ex-militia then contact militia in West Timor. He emphasized that not just Indonesians but also Timorese themselves are instrumental in causing this instability. (STL)

Cabral: Final results of CSCS election, 96% for Fretilin

Director of STAE Tomas do Rosario Cabral announced the final village election results in a press conference held yesterday, with Fretilin being declared as the overall party winner with 96% of the votes. In Liquica district, comprised of 23 villages, Fretilin won in 20 villages garnering 86% of the votes there, while in Dili Fretilin won in 30 out of a total of 31 villages, with the 31st village being taken by an independent. The final results will be sent to the National Electoral Commission for analysis, and then the Court of Appeal for final certification. (TP, Jornal Nacional Diario )

MFA, Horta sends double message to Timorese re visiting Bali

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Jose Ramos Horta has appealed to citizens of Timor-Leste to exercise caution when visiting Bali. Speaking to journalists via telephone from Singapore, the Foreign Minister said that particularly at the current time, Timorese should exercise caution when visiting Bali. Even so, he also requested people not to flee from or isolate Bali as the Balinese people are in need of continuing tourist funds, as their livelihoods largely depend on the tourist dollar. “We must be careful not to support the terrorist aim of punishing the people of Bali who are not at fault…otherwise these extremists will know that they have won”, advised Horta. He advised people that if they do visit Bali, it is better to steer clear of popular tourist places. Horta also condemned the bombings, saying that he felt very angry upon hearing the news, and extended his solidarity to the government and people of Indonesia, in particular the people of Bali and the victims of the bombings and their families, on behalf of the government and people of Timor-Leste. He also called on Timor-Leste’s own security agencies to take extra measures to prevent such extremist attacks in Timor-Leste itself. (DT)

60 School Inaugurated in 13 District

The Ministry of Education will inaugurate 60 schools in 13 Districts on Wednesday, October 5, reports Diario Tempo. The schools fall under the re-qualification/rehabilitation project, Fundamental School Quality Project (FSQP) and are funded by the East Timor Trust Fund (TFET), which is administered by the World Bank. Prime Minister Alkatiri will be present at the opening of the re-qualification of Metinaro Basic School on Wednesday. The first inauguration will take place in Ainaro District. A total of 103 schools, (4 basic and 99 primary) are scheduled to be constructed by June 2006, worth US $20 million. (DT)

MP Sabino: STAE Should Be Independent in Future Elections

MP Mariano Sabino of Democratic Party (PD) stated on Monday that the current work of the Technical Secretariat of Electoral Administration (STAE) in the recent Suco elections would not be suitable for future general elections, adding that this was due to the fact that the Government has its interest in the elections. For future elections, there is thus a need to establish an independent commission by the Court. According to Sabino, the criticism by opposition parties particularly towards STAE's work was aimed to better future electoral work. (TP)

PM Alkatiri: Population Still Have Confidence in Fretilin’s Government

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said that Fretilin’s victory in the suco elections revealed that the people of Timor-Leste still have confidence in Fretilin to run the administration. Moreover, such confidence motivates the Government to work much better in developing the nation. PM Alkatiri took the opportunity to congratulate the citizens of Timor-Leste in successfully participating in the elections, and also the Ministry of State Administration in running them with so much effort and limited resources. PM Alkatiri also appealed to those who won the participative democratic process to maintain unity within the communities, and for those who lost it, to continue respecting the democratic norms and to remain conscious of their obligations as community members. (STL)

Ambassador Sofwan on President Gusmão planned vacation in Bali and thank Timorese people for their solidarity

Indonesian Ambassador for Timor-Leste, Ahmed Bey Sofwan told the media at the President Palace, Palácio das Cinzas that, Timor-Leste’s President Gusmão chooses to spend his break in Bali despite the recent bomb attack that claimed 25 lives and injured many others. Meantime, Minister Lobato was quoted as saying that the bomb attack in Bali could spread to Timor-Leste due to the presence of many foreigners in Timor-Leste. He then argued that Bali was chosen ahead of Surabaya, Malang or Jakarta because Bali has a concentration of similar foreigners, such as Americans, Australians and Japanese, who are currently in Timor-Leste. (STL, TP)

Regional Media Reports

Global Geo Services ASA receives new order for Timor-Leste data

The Norwegian seismic company Global Geo Services ASA said on Monday (3 October) that it had received a new order for Timor-Leste seismic data. The order is worth US $8-0.9 million. Global Geo Services said that total sales for the data now consist of five full sales and two part sells, and that it expects additional sales in the future. One US dollar (USD) is worth approximately 0.55 British pounds (GBP). (NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT)

National News Sources Timor Post (TP) Lia Foun (LF) Televisaun Timor-Leste [TVTL]

RTL Radio Timor-Leste [RTL)

Suara Timor Lorosae (STL) Diario Tempo (DT) Diario Nacional Seminario

These items do not reflect the positions or views of the United Nations. UNOTIL Public Information Office