Daily Media Review

Wednesday, 01 February 2006

National Media Reports

PM Alkatiri and Lu Olo on Power and the new Generation

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri has declared that at some stage he will give up his position as Prime Minister, but he will do so in order to hand over the position to the new generation, and not as a result of being forced or pressured to do so. Speaking to STL, the Head of Government spoke about the Penal Code, which is currently awaiting promulgation by the President. The PM also pointed out, that due to an increase in national income in 2005, development programs can now be implemented with ease.

Also speaking to STL, Fretilin President Francisco Guterres alias Lu-Olo said that he would like to rejuvenate Fretilin and hand over power to the new Fretilin generation. He explained that in his opinion, youth are very important for Fretilin, because at some stage they will take over for the current leadership. He said that the leadership is currently considering candidates to be groomed for leadership positions within the party. (STL)

Alkatiri responds to UN concerns on Defamation Law

The new Timor-Leste Defamation Law has become a concern of the UN. The Commission of Experts which recently visited Dili as the Prime Minister's initiative on accountability and transparency, has asked the Prime Minister to revisit the defamation law. Responding to these concerns, Alkatiri said that he is disappointed with continued comments from certain parties, including civil society, that can say what they want without any accountability. He explained that the law is intended to make people accountable for what they say. He added that the law has been approved by the National Parliament and is currently awaiting promulgation by the President. There will be no further review of the law, the Prime Minister stated. (STL)

Alkatiri: Stop Criticizing CVA

Prime Minister Alkatiri said the criticism from civil society regarding CVA/TFC is not fair. Alkatiri pointed out that they should look at the MoU that the Government has established with Indonesia from the time Timor-Leste restored its independence on 20 May, 2002. He cited as an example the Government's decision to establish good ties with Indonesia in the areas of economic, commerce and a joint ministerial to look into various issues including education, assets, health, agriculture and so forth. No one has pointed out that this is a bad politic, the Prime Minister said. He remarked that he can not understand the criticism when the two Governments have established a Commission to look into the truth, adding that the Truth and Friendship Commission was established in the interest of the nation. (TP)

MP Fernandes: International Community assistance needed for fragile TL judiciary

The Timor-Leste judicial system is still weak, and without the necessary human resources, it is necessary to provide training to the judges, prosecutors and public defenders, according to Vice-President of the National Parliament Jacob Fernandes. He said that for this reason, Timor-Leste still needs the assistance of the international community through UNOTIL. Speaking to journalists on behalf of the President of the National Parliament after receiving the report of the Commission of Experts at UNOTIL HQ on Friday, Fernandes said that Timor-Leste is providing continued assistance to the judges, prosecutors and public defenders, with both judicial and language training. (STL)

President Gusmao: Political parties abandon population alone after elections

President of Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmao said that he has made received many complaints from the population regarding game-playing by political parties who organize and rally people during the campaign period to get their support and then abandon those populations, never to be seen again, not even to express their appreciation to the voters, Timor Post reported. He then stated that a sound political process needs to be developed in this country to address this situation. President Gusmao said the above while participating in a seminar on democracy held in Lecidere, on Tuesday, January 31 2006. (TP)

PM Alkatiri does want to respond to West Timor military commander

PM Mari Alkatiri declared that he does not want to respond to the statement made by West Timor military commander Coroner Noach Bola, who commented that PM Alkatiri and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Horta are behind the allegations of the recent sexual violence on the border, Timor Post reported. According to reports, the border incident involved Indonesian military personal and a Timorese woman. "I will not respond to a statement by a provincial military commander. I am a Prime Minister and not the Governor of Tim-Tim," PM Alkatiri stated, referring to an Indonesian slang term for East Timor. (TP)

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