UNOTIL

Daily Media Review

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Saturday 21, Monday 24 July 2006

National Media Reports

Fretilin Will Let Alkatiri Be Imprisoned If Found Guilty

President of Fretilin’s bench in the Parliament, Francisco Branco said his party would support the imprisonment of Mari Alkatiri if the court finds him guilty but if he is not found guilty everybody should welcome him with open arms. Branco said Alkatiri should not be condemned the way he is now, adding he should be tried in an independent court. He says he doesn’t believe Alkatiri was involved in the recent allegations. On the lawyers defending Alkatiri, Francisco Branco said these lawyers offered their services to the former Prime Minister free of charges and also it is an international prestige for them. He added that Mari Alkatiri asked for international lawyers due to the limited resources in the legal system. In a separate article MP João Gonçalves (PSD) said if Mari Alkatiri is found guilty in, it would be a big shame to the internationals lawyers as it would not be good for their reputation. (STL, DN)

Civilian Group Hands Guns To Forces

Timor Post reported that civilian groups have handed over their weapons to the international troops, the Australians in Ermera. Operational commander in Ermera district, Mick Magbire told TP that the guns of type HK3 with 556 rounds of ammunition were taken by the Australian troops from civilian groups under the responsibility of Francisco da Cruz. “Two guns were handed to Ermera District PNTL commander, Sub inspector Jacinto da Conceição who than handed them to us” said Magbire. Ermera District community leader, Eduardo de Deus said he was happy with the handover of guns and hopes other groups could do the same asked the international troops to process them under rule of law.

In a separate article, Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta appealed to all groups who are still carrying illegal weapons to turn them in, because using weapons to kill people would not gain anything. He also appealed to the people if they are scared to return the guns they should contact the international troops, or call him (PM) or the president. “Whoever surrenders their weapons voluntarily there will be no problem but if the International troops find them in the car or in the house they will process them according to law” said Horta. (TP)

PM Horta asks MPs to find money

In response to the statement of MPs from opposition party that they will not approve the national budget for the fiscal year 2006/2007, Prime Minister Ramos Horta said that if the MP’s do not want to approve the budget in the Parliament they should find the money to feed the people. Ramos-Horta further said Members of the Parliament should contribute and approve the budget because the people are waiting for development, infrastructure and other things adding “This budget is our responsibility for this people so MPs should approve it and I have talked to MP’s from Fretilin and opposition and they supported me 100%”, said Horta (TP)

RTTL News Monitoring 24-7-2006

4 F-FDTL funerals in Metinaro:

RTTL stated that 4 bodies of F-FDTL who died during the confrontation have taken by Lt. Col Filomeno Paixão in Hospital Dili and brought to Metinaro for Funeral. The ceremony of funeral started at 14.00. Representatives at the funeral were PM, MP’s and members of political parties. At the funeral PM Horta stated that those people who died during the confrontation in the crisis while on the job, still receive salaries for several months. Horta said that probably for those still work need to create a law so that could guarantee those people died when they were still in at their jobs.

Brig. Gen. Taur Matan Ruak stated that this country right now has lost credibility, so those leaders in this country have to explain for the people of TL about the cause of the crisis.

FM and Vice Minister of Interior sworn in by President:

RTTL said that Foreign Minister Jose Luis Guterres and Vice Minister of Interior Jose Agustinho have been sworn in by President Xanana Gusmão. In the swearing ­in ceremony, President Xanana stated that with the swearing-in the crisis will be resolved and revive the reputation of the country that has fallen down.

International Media Reports

New Timor PM To Make First Overseas Trip 7:18 AM, 24 Jul 2006 Jose Ramos Horta will this week make his first trip overseas as East Timor's prime minister for talks with key regional partners. He will head to Jakarta on Tuesday for talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, before moving on to Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN Regional Forum. Mr Ramos Horta was appointed prime minister earlier this month after Mari Alkatiri quit amid bitter factional fighting. He says he will discuss bilateral issues with Indonesia, including the commencement of a border pass regime and the completion of the two countries' land border demarcation. He also plans to meet with leading members of the Indonesian business community to explore their possible involvement in economic development in East Timor, which is rich in natural resources. The New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister says a reduced New Zealand presence in East Timor is being considered. Winston Peters has just held bi-annual talks with his Australian counterpart Alexander Downer. He says they discussed the Australian-led multi-national force in East Timor, which includes almost 200 New Zealand soldiers. Mr Peters says the size of the force could be cut as the security situation has improved and the political situation is quieter He says he cannot say when a decision will be announced but hopes it might be later this year. (newswire.co.nz)

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