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Subject: UNOTIL Daily Media Review, 15 - 17 October 2005
[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 Saturday and Monday, 15 & 17 October 2005 National Media Reports Alkatiri: Government preparing durable infrastructure The preparation by the government of infrastructure for 60 new schools for Timor-Leste is not an election ploy, according to Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri. Writing in Diaro Tempo, Alkatiri says that the inauguration of these schools is not political campaigning, but that the government is doing this as part of national development programme. In the article he explains that the infrastructure which is being built will be durable enough to last for 100 or 200 years, with education being one of the priorities of the National Development Plan and the Millennium Development Goals. (Diario Tempo) MP Tilman: PM has made a big mistake It is reported that the statement from Fretilin Secretary-General Mari Alkatiri that the attack on the UNDERTIM flag in Bucoli is a normal response from the people has been strongly criticized by KOTA President MP Manuel Tilman. According to Tilman, the Prime Minister should not make such statements, but should instead emphasise that in a democratic nation it is important that there is respect for different beliefs. He said that Alkatiri’s words are a big mistake, as they legitimize this behaviour, and gives the impression that there is no law and order in this country, signifying a descent into anarchy. He conceded that as the President of KOTA, he would introduce his political party and its delegates and members to the relevant parties in villages before he would allow his party to raise its flag there. Commenting on the government food stocks policy, Tilman said that in his opinion this is a valuable policy. However he believes that it would be incorrect to associate Fretilin’s name with the policy, as opposed to the government. He said that the money for this food comes from taxes and oil revenues, therefore it is the people’s money, and does not belong to any one party. (TP, DT) Do Not Be Scared of a Possible Invasion: Xanana Gusmão President Gusmão warned of a possible conflict among the Timorese in a film documentary produced by Max Stahl, the journalist who filmed the 12 November massacre. In the documentary titled “ Timor After Independence,” Gusmão said that many Timorese are scared of another invasion by Indonesia, but they should be more concerned about killing each other as many people have used the veterans’ problems for political interests, reported Diario Tempo on Monday. The film was launched on Friday in coordination with Arte Moris to celebrate the rights of the people. (DT) Coverage on Allegations Against Police in Laleia It is reported that three PNTL officers on 13 October allegedly threatened the local population in Laleia, Manatuto District, by “firing guns and in general mistreating three members of the population”. According to a press release issued by HAK Association on Sunday, the incident was related to a traffic argument and resulted in a police assault on the three men. According to the HAK press release, this police behaviour and attitude is contrary to the Timor-Leste Constitution and the International Convention Against Torture, which has been ratified by Timor-Leste. The three police officers concerned, from the Police Traffic Unit, have since been suspended, according to PNTL General Commander Paulo Martins, based upon the fact that they were unable to control their emotions, and resorted to violence. He said that the case will be submitted to both criminal and disciplinary investigation, and that the officers concerned may have disciplinary action taken against them. (TP) PNTL Receives Bomb Disposal Training A small unit of PNTL is currently receiving bomb disposal training as provided by Japanese experts. “Before, we put our faith in the International Force for East Timor, but they are no longer here and we have to put our trust on PNTL technicians in this small unit and who are currently receiving training from the Japanese on bombs and explosives,” Minister of Interior, Rogério Lobato told the media on Saturday following the swearing-in of Liquiça Inspectors Olivio and Raimundu as Police commanders in that district on Saturday. (DT) Tilman: Timor-Leste Facilities the Success of UN in Timor-Leste It is reported that MP Manuel Tilman of KOTA party told the media last Friday that Timor-Leste achieved its success in the democratization process due to the culture of the Timorese people and not because of Prime Minister Alkatiri, adding that with such a moral culture of moral, Timor-Leste has facilitated the United Nations’ success in this country, Timor Post reported. The Timorese, he added, should properly use the facilities provided by the international community through the UN, otherwise when the UN mission is over, the country will be in jeopardy. (Timor Post) Editorial: Timor-Leste Successful in Settling Conflict The Saturday edition (15 October) of Timor Post editorial quoted SRSG Sukehiro Hasewaga as saying that Timor-Leste, compared to other countries in the world, is the most successful country in settling conflict. With such success, SRSG said, it shows that Timor-Leste will carry out the democratization process well in years to come. The success that Timor-Leste has achieved also shows to the world that Timor-Leste can become an example of democracy to other countries that have not attained democracy. The assessment of Hasegawa was based on the fact that: firstly, the people of Timor-Leste indeed have the political maturity, secondly, the Government that is now in power runs the administration well, and thirdly, the Government has the major confidence and trust from the people; this is due to the fact that whenever there is any conflict, the Government tries to settle it well by not dragging into a conflict which threatens the stability of Timor-Leste. The editorial noted that the success that has been achieved should be well reflected by all Timorese in how to carry out the process further in times to come. And the key element for all of this is upholding national unity. (Timor Post) TVTL News Monitoring, 14 October 2005 PNTL members suspended: TVTL reported on Friday that three members of PNTL were suspended in the Sub-District of Laleia, Manatuto District, for committing violence. The three had reportedly beaten a community member in the Sub-District. Camera Confiscation: It was also reported that the action of confiscating journalist’s camera by an International staff at the Court of Appeal was regarded as a crime against the code of ethics of Journalism. This incident, the TV station said, saddened the Timorese Association of Journalists. Vicaris General of Dili: Meanwhile, the Catholic Vicaris General of the Dili Diocese was reported as saying that he was shocked with the faith of the people of Timor-Leste who, during the occupation era were very close to the church but leaving the church after independence. Solidarity with Burmesse: The Timor-Leste Forum in Solidarity with the people of Burma was reported to have conducted a peaceful protest in front of the Korean Embassy in Dili. Dictionary Donations: In another news, TVTL reported that the government of Portugal, through its Embassy in Dili has donated some forty Judicial Dictionaries in Portuguesse language to the Timor-Leste Judicial Training Centre, which were officially received by Timor-Leste’s Justice Minister. 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]
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