UNOTIL Daily Media Review Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review Tuesday, 25 July 2006

National Media Reports

PNTL Hands Over Weapons

Members of PNTL and the civil society handed in more weapons on Monday following Brigadier Slater appeal: about 10 heavy weapons, 50 pistols, ammunition and gas. Speaking during a press conference on Monday, Slater said anyone apprehended with guns following Monday’s deadline will be detained by the forces. He also said an inventory of the national police weapons will take place in the next 10 days adding the police officers in the districts are entitle to carry their guns for work purposes. The Australian Brigadier said so far a total of 1000 guns have been collected. In the meantime the commander of the international police in Timor-Leste, Steve Lancaster who according to STL has the full support of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior said the guns handed in on Monday is a first step for the reintegration of PNTL to continue their services. Lancaster said in the past 3 weeks a team of the international police have questioned around 830 people in relation to crime such murder and burning of houses. He further said the international police are coordinating with the Minister of Interior and the United Nations to develop a plan for future reintegration of PNTL and in order to enable them to carry their work independently in future. The police commander also said from 7 to August 10 the international police will be fully responsible for the security reminding the population that the international troops will continue to be in Timor-Leste, adding a new police hotline, likely to be 112, would be established to facilitate direct contact.

In a separate article, Brigadier Slater said 12 guns from F-FDTL have been reported missing since the crisis started.

Minister of Interior Alcino Barris traveled to Viqueque to ask PNTL officers who have fled to that district to return to work. During the meeting he said a new structure for PNTL would take place in the district followed by better training for police officers especially in the area of code of discipline. Barris said one of the concerns presented by officers to resume work, were accommodation as some have lost their homes. (STL, TP DN)

TL Signs Accord on Joint Oil Exploration

To continue the joint exploration in the Timor Sea for gas, Timor-Leste signed an agreement on Monday between Timor-Leste, Woodside (Australia), INPEX (Japan) and Talisman (Canada). José Lobato, the Executive Officer of the Timor Sea Designated Office, said the new agreement is based on new regulations because the Timor Sea treaty was signed under an interim regulation. Present at the signing were Prime Minister Ramos-Horta and Minister for Natural Resources, Energy and Minerals, José Teixeira. (TP, DN, STL)

Reinado’s Group Ordered To Relocate To Dili

President Gusmão has written to Reinado and his group to relocate to Dili and according to Reinado he will follow the orders as President Gusmão is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Reinado and his group fled to Maubisse during the crisis. In separate article Reinado appealed to youths not to incline too much to politics and they should careful analyze the situation in the country for the safety of unity. He said many youths in Dili are still looking at each other not in a friendly manner and they should know that without extending their hands and embrace each the nation will not move forward. (TP, DN)

Protesters Demands Government Urgently Resolve Crisis

The National Unity Movement (MUN) held a demonstration yesterday in capital Dili and demanded the four sovereign bodies to resolve the crisis urgently especially to reintegrate the refugees to their places. The coordinator of MUN, Bruno C. Magalhes told the media “the objective of the demonstration is to demand the four sovereign bodies to resolve the crisis in the country” He further added that the demonstration would continue until 28 July and they will work closely with the security to avoid any conflict. (TP, DN)

PM Ramos-Horta to Discuss Border Crossing During Visit

Prime Minister Ramos Horta is visiting Jakarta to discuss border crossing with the President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). Horta told the media before his departure that to improve the economic development between the two countries there is a need to open the market in the border as well as build a road from Oecussi to Mota-Ain to maintain good relation with the investors He further said the border still needs 1% to be finalized. (DN)

Fretilin Never Formed Secret Group: Lu’Olo

In response to the declaration of RaiLos group that they were a Fretilin secret group, president of Fretilin party, Francisco Guterres “Lu’Olo” said that Fretilin never formed any secret group because Fretilin is a political party and has the majority of the support. Lu’Olo also rejected all accusations that he had been involved in the recent political crisis, adding he has been trying his best to work with the President of the Republic, to resolve the political crisis. (DN)

Extraordinary Meeting before Approval of Budget

Before the government presents the state budget for fiscal year 2006/2007 to the National Parliament to approve, president of National Parliament Francisco Guterres Lu’Olo held an extraordinary meeting with all Parliamentarians at National Parliament with the Minister of Council, Antonino Bianco to discuss budget. After the meeting Lu Olo told the media the budget would be US$ 315, 5 millions but the allocation of it was not discussed. He said there were different opinions because some parliamentarians prefer that the second constitutional government, lead by Jose Ramos Horta should have their own budget plan rather than a continuation of the first government’s plan. “We finally came to a conclusion that the state budget will be approved and sent to commission C (budget commission in parliament) for further discussion” s aid Lu’Olo. He added the Parliament would call the Prime Minister to defend the budget for fiscal year 2006/2007 which is really big but he believes that the government can implement it because all the ministers’ have their own plan and they have the capacity to do so. (DN)

Summary of RTTL news 24-07-06

PM Horta reaffirms his availability as a witness

PM Horta before departing Dili for Indonesia reportedly told journalist that he is ready to give testimony to investigation process on the distribution weapons to civilians. PM Horta speaking at press conference said the Prosecutor General has requested his confidential testimony in the case of distribution of weapons to civilians. PM Horta also added that he preferred to give his testimony by letter to avoid the influence of his position.

PM Horta visits Indonesia

PM Horta departed Timor Leste for Indonesia yesterday to meet with President SBY. Speaking to journalist at press conference PM Horta said there are a few things that he would like to discuss with President SBY: the relationship between Timor Leste and Indonesia, issue of border demarcation, the, issue of rehabilitation of road that linked Oecussi and Batugade which was funded by World Bank and also about the border pass between peoples who live in border between Timor Leste and Indonesian sides. Horta will return to Dili on Friday.

PM Inaugurated office of National Olympic Commission of Timor Leste (CONTL)

Speaking to journalists PM Horta stated that sports are linked with youths, therefore he asked the Secretary of State for Sports and Youths to pay attention to youths and also the Ministry of Education. Meanwhile President of CONTL, João Carrascalão has stated that the office of CONTL was funded by Olympic Council of Asia. The Government of Timor Leste provided space and house.

PNTL members handed over weapons to International forces

Speaking to journalists the Commander of Australian International forces in Timor Leste, Brig. M Slater said that 50 PNTL members handed over their weapons to International forces.

President of National Parliament meets with heads of parliamentary benches.

After meeting with heads of parliamentary benches at National Parliament President of National Parliament, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo reportedly told journalists that the aim of their meeting today was to discuss the agenda of Fiscal Year which the NP has received. During the discussion there were diverse opinions on FE 2006-7. The Minister of Council Ministries was also present on behalf on PM. Opposition leaders reportedly said that the new government must present their annual planning before submitting fiscal year as constitution required.

President of Democratic Party (PD), Fernando Araujo “Lasama” met President Xanana Gusmão yesterday

It is reported that yesterday President of Democratic Party (PD), Fernando Lasama held meeting with President of Republic, Xanana Gusmão. Speaking to journalist after the meeting, Mr. Lasama has stated that the new Government will not possible to implement the new budget of new Fiscal Year during nine months. President Lasama also said that the aim of his meeting with President Xanana Gusmão is to request to President not to forget the issue of petitioners and also to discuss the general election, security and IDPs.

Maj. Alfredo and his group met President Xanana Gusmão

Speaking to journalists after meeting with President Xanana Gusmão the AWOL commander, Maj. Alfredo said he came to receive a written order from President Xanana Gusmão as his Supreme Commander. While respond to journalists’ questions on what kind of writing order, Maj. Alfredo said that subject of that order is to move from the previous place to come down to Dili. He also said that dialogue can end the crises.

International Media Reports

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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