UNOTIL

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review

Wednesday, 22 February 2006

National Media Reports

TL Has Not Forgotten Sampaio's Contribution: Lu Olo

President of the National Parliament Francisco Guterres (Lu-Olo) has said that the people of Timor-Leste will not forget the efforts that the Portuguese President and his people have made in helping Timor-Leste to achieve its dream of self-determination, part of which was being a good friend in difficult times, such as during the Indonesian occupation. He said that President Sampaio is a strong fighter for human rights and for the Timor-Leste cause, who contributed to the concretisation of Timor-Leste's wish for freedom and independence and who "shared the struggle of the Timorese people in difficult times and now shares in their happiness in this time of independence". (STL)

Political Parties Are Like Projects: Sampaio

The Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio has said that sometimes political parties are like projects of power which take advantage of the people's desire for political pluralism. Speaking at the National Parliament on Tuesday, the President said that majority parties have a natural tendency to bring together power in the name of democracy. However, he qualified that democracy is only legitimised by political pluralism and respect for the opposition and small parties. He added that the state legitimises democracy and political pluralism through free elections. He also praised the political maturity of Timorese, saying that this political maturity is well-known by anyone who assisted Timor-Leste during the period of struggle. (STL)

UN Mandate Successful But Should Not End Suddenly: Sampaio

Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio has said that as the UN has achieved a great success in Timor-Leste, it is important that the assistance provided not end suddenly and that the UN should continue to monitor the situation in Timor-Leste. Speaking to journalists on Tuesday after accompanying the Timor-Leste President Xanana Gusmao in his meeting with Sampaio, Chief of Staff of the President's Office Agio Pereira related Sampaio's view that this period of stabilization should be managed properly. Sampaio also advised the Timor-Leste Government to establish some concrete projects in terms of national investment, as he senses that there are difficulties in this country. (STL)

PG Processes Corruption Cases

Prosecutor General Longuinhos Monteiro has declared that his cabinet has received four alleged corruption cases from four districts of Timor-Leste and that they are currently being processed. Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Monteiro confirmed that an international Prosecutor is handling the cases and therefore he does not have any information about them except that the districts included are Liquica, Aileu, Manatuto and Dili. He would not comment, however, regarding the Ministries involved. (STL)

Article Used On Accusations Against "Lasama" Legal: Monteiro

Prosecutor General, Longuinhos Monteiro reportedly said article 310 and 316 on defamation used against the President of Partido Democratico (PD) is legal. Monteiro said the case involving Fernando "Lasama"Araujo has been registered by his office and is being processing according to the investigation. He said that the case is being handling by Prosecutor Joao Carreira and therefore, he does not want to comment further except to say that the defamation law use in the Lasama case is legal.

Timor Post reported on the courtesy meeting between Longuinhos Monteiro and members of Comissao Verdade I Amizade (CVA) from both sides on Monday. According to the report, Monteiro said during the meeting that the Commissioners noted their intention to access documents of the Serious Crime Unit especially those cases that have already been processed by the court.

Longuinhos Monteiro who is currently the head of Timor-Leste investigation team on the border shootings, said the joint investigation team have reached an agreement in Bali that Timor-Leste must carry out a ballistic test in Indonesia because they believe more than one person was directly involved in the killing of the three former militias members, reported Diario Nacional on Tuesday. "I tried to explain to them that based on the reconstruction we found that only one person was directly involved but because they disagree with the findings, we have agreed to do a ballistic test on March 3 which will include myself and Police Vice-Operational Commander Ismael da Costa Babo who will take the three weapons used in the shootings, HK 33 to the Indonesian forensic laboratory. Hopefully, we will be able to bring the weapons back on the same date," Monteiro told the media. He added that the team is in its third and final phase of the investigation and have put together a report on the investigation to date which was presented to the Presidents of Indonesia and Timor-Leste when they met recently in Bali. (TP, DN)

They Will Have to Choose : Taur

In response to the ultimatum given by F-FDTL Chief of State, Lere Annan Timor to 404 members of the first battalion of the Armed Forces, Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak said the "definitions are in their hands and they should be the ones to choose what is best for them". According to reports, not all the 404 who have staged the petition to the President of the Republic, also the Supreme Commander of the country's Armed Forces, have returned to their compound. (DN)

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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