UNOTIL

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review

Tuesday, 31 January 2006

National Media Reports

Branco: Campaign to Bring Down Fretilin

Head of the Fretilin bench in the National Parliament, Francisco Branco, has said that Father Domingos Soares alias Maubere is carrying out a systematic campaign to bring down Fretilin, as indicated in the homily he gave at the Same Parish Church last Sunday. Speaking to journalists on Monday and after having received reports from Fretilin members who were present at the mass, Branco said that Father Domingos told churchgoers that the students sent to Cuba by the Government, will turn Timor-Leste into a communist country, and that if Fretilin wins the next general election, they will kill all the priests and nuns. He also reportedly said that the Government should divide up the oil money among the population. Branco said that there is no Government in the world that would distribute national income among the people, but that the people will feel its affects via a program of national development in the areas of health, education, agriculture and infrastructure. Regarding the accusation related to the killing of the priests and nuns, he said that if there is proof of such a plan, the matter should be dealt with in court and not just commented on. (TP)

Lu Olo Agrees With Annan Call

President of the National Parliament Francisco Guterres (Lu-Olo) has said that he agrees with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's call for the Timor-Leste leadership to pay attention to the Penal Code which will soon be promulgated by the President of the Republic. Speaking to journalists on Monday, Guterres said that it is important that the intention of the law is to protect all citizens of the country and not just its leaders. He said that while the international legal instruments that Timor-Leste has ratified are like an umbrella for all countries of the world, each individual country is required to establish its own national laws that guarantee rights and liberties for all its citizens. (TP)

President Gusmao on Reconciliation Seminar

President of the Republic Xanana Gusmao has declared that he respects the opinion of civil society concerning reconciliation workshops. Speaking at a 'Truth and Friendship' seminar held at the Ministry of Education yesterday, President Gusmao said that reconciliation is not just a political issue but also one of humanity, which arises in the everyday lives of the people. (TP)

Ambassador Sofwan: Military Will Face Harsh Punishment If Found Guilty

Indonesian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Ahmed Bey Sofwan, reportedly said the five Indonesian National Military (TNI) allegedly implicated in sexual abuse of a Timorese woman in the border of Oecussi, would face harsh punishment if found guilty. Sofwan said although he has not yet received any information about the case, he hopes that, if true, the case would be processed according to Indonesian laws which are severe against domestic and sexual violence. He added that he is also waiting for confirmation about this matter from PNTL Commander Paulo Martins. (TP)

Timor-Leste Still Need International Judges

President of the Court of Appeals, Claudio Ximenes, said although there are 10 Timorese judges working in the courts, the assistance of international judges is still required.

According to Ximenes the judges have received basic training and are now ready to commence work with the assistance of the international judges. He added that the same assistance would be provided to the other judges that will commence working in July 2006 following their training. The 10 judges will be working in the districts courts of the Oecussi, Baucau and Suai. (TP)

Bishop Basilio: Timorese People Strong Feeling of Justice

The Bishop of Baucau Diocese, Basilio do Nascimento, said the Timorese people have strong feelings for justice, which they are demanding. Bishop Basilio said the population is not happy when they see that justice is partial. Regarding the issue of fault finding in Timorese politics, he said that Timor-Leste is a newly formed, democratic country and people are entitled to have their own opinion. But if people start physically fighting one another, he said, than this is no longer a democracy but savagery and it shows a lack of education. He pointed out that the negative side of the Timorese people is that no one wants to be a looser and this attitude can lead to conflict. Therefore he asks everybody to practice common sense in determining what one can and cannot do. Commenting on the general situation in the country post-UNOTIL, Bishop Basilio said Timorese people characteristically carry out activities peacefully and he sees the overall situation in Timor-Leste as stable. (STL)

These items do not reflect the positions or views of the United Nations.

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE IN TIMOR-LESTE (UNOTIL) Public Information Office (PIO)

National News Sources

Timor Post (TP) Radio Timor-Leste (RTL) Suara Timor Lorosae (STL) Diario Tempo (DT) Diario Nacional