[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

Tuesday, 03 January 2006

National Media Reports

Vice-Minister Abrantes: Judicial sector to function better in future

The Vice-Minister for Justice Manuel Abrantes has said that for the judicial sector to function better, it is necessary to increase quality, professionalism and excellence. Speaking to the media after attending the Prime Minister’s presentation on the year 2005, Abrantes said that the Ministry of Justice hopes to change the mentality of the judicial sector in terms of despotism, colonialism and money politics. As such, he hopes that the judicial sector will perform better in the future. (TP)

President Gusmão’s message: Political strategy to face 2006 challenges

In his end-of-year message President Gusmão has asked the people of Timor-Leste to analyse and reflect on the year just gone. Speaking from the government palace the President said that 2005 has been a year for development, particularly regarding the relationship between the leaders and the people. He thanked all the people, in particular the youth, for their behaviour in 2005, saying that they have demonstrated their civic attitude, which will aid in strengthening the democratic values that will assist the development process for 2006. The President listed the 10 political strategies planned for 2006 including: increasing the capacity of the defence and security bodies; increasing the people’s understanding of development; increasing the participation of non-government organizations; to introduce the electoral law to the people so that it may become a topic of open and profound debate; to proclaim the law on ex-combatants; to step-up the fight against corruption; to strengthen national unity; to provide support to the democratic institutions; and to strengthen cooperation and friendship with friendly neighbours. (TP)

PM Alkatiri presents perspective on Timor-Leste’s development for 2005

In closing the year 2005, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri last Friday presented his perspective on the national development process for 2005, touching on the issues of health, education, infrastructure, telecommunications, transport, roads, agriculture and others. President Gusmao, President of the National Parliament Francisco Guterres, SRSG Hasegawa as well as government officials and members of the diplomatic corps attended the presentation. (TP)

UNHCR Director Carlos on remaining 18,000 Timorese in West Timor

Even though UNHCR on 31 December 2005 officially closed its offices in West Timor, there are still approximately 18,000 Timor-Leste refugees in West Timor. UNHCR Director for Timor-Leste Alberto Xavier Carlos told the media that these people no longer carry the status of refugees. He said that it is now up to them to decide whether they want to return to Timor-Leste or become Indonesian citizens. (TP)

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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]-