UNOTIL

Daily Press Review

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review

Friday, 07th October 2005

National Media Reports

Australian Government withdraws funding from Timorese NGO

The Australian Government via the Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer has condemned the financial assistance in the amount of A$600,000 provided to 10 NGOs involved in protests about the human rights situation in the Asia-Pacific region, including the Timorese NGO Forum Tau Matan (FTM). The Foreign Minister’s protest has impacted on funding for FTM. AusAid was scheduled to hold a ceremony to hand over a cheque to the local Timorese NGO in March 2005, but this date was then postponed to June 2005. In June, AusAid invited FTM to a meeting where they informed them that they could no longer support FTM due to their participation in the demonstration against the Australian Government held earlier this year, related to Australia’s position on the Timor Sea negotiations. FTM then followed-up with a letter to the Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste H.E. Margaret Twoomey, requesting clarification on the matter. Ambassador Twoomey responded by saying that the Australian Government’s position on the matter was that FTM had made some errors in expenditure. (DT)

Indonesia authorizes Timor-Leste to open three Consulates

The Indonesian Government has authorized Timor-Leste to open three consulates in Surabaya, Kupang and Denpasar. Speaking to journalists upon his return from Bali to accompany President Xanana Gusmao on his private holiday, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Jose Ramos Horta said that as soon as there is budget provision, the new consulate officials will begin their duties in the said offices, either this month or the next. He added that Timor-Leste Ambassadors have been chosen for posts in Australia and Japan, but that the Ambassadors for Malaysia, Thailand and Mozambique have not yet been decided. (DT)

Indonesian military to put in efforts to prevent terrorism at border

The Indonesian military stationed at the border between Timor-Leste and Indonesia have said that they will continue to monitor the border and remain wary, in the context of recent terrorist threats. According to Captain Yuniar D.H., speaking in Motaain, Belu District, after commanding the flag-raising ceremony to mark the Indonesian military’s 60th anniversary, the TNI will work quickly to prevent anything happening in the event of a suspicious situation. (DT)

Ximenes: Many Challenges Ahead for Timor-Leste’s Judicial System

The President of the Court of Appeals, Judge Claudio Ximenes said that many challenges ahead in maintaining a judicial system in Timor-Leste due to lack of human resources. Ximenes noted that one of the aspects of these challenges is the command of the official. He said the Timorese judges, lawyers and prosecutors should fully understand the international and national law in order to protect the rights of the citizens and themselves to guarantee a good judiciary system in a democratic state. (DT)

100 investors to participate in Timor-Leste investment conference

Speaking following his return from South Korea, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Ramos Horta told media that the Timor-Leste Government has invited more than 100 entrepreneurs to participate in an important conference on the opportunity to invest in Timor-Leste from 28 ­ 29 November 2005. When asked regarding his visit to South Korea and Singapore, Minister Horta responded that apart from participating in a peace conference it was also meant to follow-up with the agreement signed between Korean and Timor-Leste Governments regarding employment opportunities for Timorese workers in Korea. (JND)

National News Sources Timor Post (TP) Diario Nacional Seminario Lia Foun (LF) Televisaun Timor-Leste [TVTL] Radio Timor-Leste (RTL) Suara Timor Lorosae (STL) Diario Tempo (DT)

[This message was distributed via the east-timor news list. Write info@etan.org.]