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

Daily Media Review Wednesday, 26 July 2006

National Media Reports

State Honors Victims of the Crisis

President Xanana Gusmão said the crisis in Timor-Leste is the State responsibility therefore those who died as a result of the crisis must be honored. Gusmão said the Bishop of Dili Diocese, Alberto Ricardo opened his heart to celebrate the mass for all who died during the crisis especially the children and the old as well as members of PNTL and F-FDTL. Gusmão said honoring the dead is only a small contribution and the government is looking into relieving the population’s suffering but those who suffered the most were the one’s killed. The President also said Deputy Prime Minister Estanislau da Silva spoke to the widows and assured them the government would not close an eye to them. Responding to the killings still taking place in some areas, President Gusmão said the UN police will arrive on August 15 and those continuing to commit crime will be punished. A mass was celebrated in Dili Cathedral to commemorate those died during April 28 and May 25 incident, followed by laying of flowers wreaths at the ocean in front of the Government Palace in Dili.

During the homily Bishop Ricardo said President Xanana personally asked for the mass as a Christian and to bring together everybody to commemorate the mass for the deceased ones. According to STL, leaders and members F-FDTL did not participate in the mass.

In a separate article in Diario Nacional Minister of Interior Alcino Barris said the 8 police officers who died were victims because they died with bullets in their bodies. Barris also said PNTL will resume their work on August 1 as the State crisis ends on 30 July saying one of the areas that needs attention is transit. (STL, TP, DN)

Railos Rejects Lu’Olo Statement

Vicente da Conceição alias Railos said he rejects the statement of Francisco Lu’Olo Guterres that he is not a member of Fretilin. Railos said Lu’Olo knows that he is a member because he saw him (Railos) during the second Fretilin national congress. Railos said he and his group were the representative from Bazartete, Liquiça District saying he has Fretilin delegate card as evidence. He rejects that the group was Fretilin’s secret group. But he said it was a group reporting only to Fretilin’s Secretary General, Mari Alkatiri and Rogério Lobato. He says he fully supports Fretilin Group for Changes because he defends Fretilin as an organization and not one or two individuals. (STL)

Alkatiri Is Not Like Fujimori: Branco

MP Francisco Branco (Fretilin) told the media on Tuesday that former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri is not like Alberto Fujimori. Branco was responding to the statement released by PSD and Leando Isac that Alkatiri should not follow Fujimori footsteps. Further to the statement Branco said unlike Fujimori, Alkatiri was the founder of Fretilin party and added Alkatiri would not leave East Timor and is willing to continuing living in the country.

In a separate article Deputy Prime Minister Estanislau da Silva said Mari Alkatiri still requires security protection as former Prime Minister and also because he has to go to the court adding his life is at risk as people have threatened him. Da Silva said Alkatiri has not been found guilty therefore he still requires protection in order to participate in the court process to be able to help resolve the crisis. (STL, TP)

UNICEF Director Visits TL

UNICEF Director for South East Asia and the Pacific, Anupama Rao Singh arrived in Dili on Sunday (23/7) for a four-day visit. The visit would allow the head of UNICEF for this region to review the emergency assistance for UNICEF in the next three months. On Monday Singh went to the refugee camp in Don Bosco and met the coordinator of the center, Fr. Adriano and spoke to the IDPs. She also met with leaders of women’s organizations namely the first lady, Kirsty Sword-Gusmão, Bishop Alberto Ricardo and government officials. On Tuesday she travel to Liquiça District and met with IDP coordinator for that area, head of education and health department in Liquiça. Today, Wednesday she was scheduled to meet with President Gusmão and speak to the media about UNICEF work in the region.(STL)

Rogerio’s Lawyers Rejects Monteiro’s Declaration (TP)

Rogerio’s lawyer Paulo dos Remedios rejects declaration of Prosecutor General Longuinhos Monteiro who said that Rogerio himself recognized the allegation from Railos group which claimed that their weapons were received from him. “The Prosecutor General should bring the evidence to the court so the judge can read it and say what date our client gave the weapons to Railos group” said Remedios. He said the Prosecutor General should not speak in public because the secrecy of justice and the court will decide the case. (TP)

Major Alfredo Caught With Weapons by Forces

Major Alfredo Reinado was captured with weapons by International forces in Bairo Pite. Spokesperson for Battalion Battle Group James Baker told the media that they have appealed to all people who still carrying weapons to surrender them but Alfredo and his member still carry weapons. “We will process him and his members according to law” said Baker. “If they didn’t carry weapons why did we capture him,” Baker asked. (TP, DN)

Population Shouldn’t Be Forced To Return Home: Bishop

Ministry of Labor and Solidarity allocated 300 sacks of rice to the refuges who live in Aileu. Aileu district administrator Xisto Amaral told the DN reporter that starting from last Friday 214 families including widows already received rice. He said the rice was not only distributed to Aileu city but also to the four sub-districts.

In a separate article Bishop of Dili Diocese, Alberto Ricardo da Silva told the media that people should not be forced to return home because the security still is not stable enough for them to return home. “The people who still stay in refugee camps, most of them are still traumatized because the security is not good enough to guarantee their safety,” said the bishop. (DN)

Summary of RTTL news 25 07-06

Hand over weapons voluntarily: Minister of Interior

It is reported that Minister of Interior, Alcino Barris has announced to all competent parties to hand over weapons voluntarily to international forces otherwise they will investigate as law required. Speaking to press Minister Barris said that there are PNTL members from districts who want to hand over weapons to international forces but they are afraid to carry weapons to come down Dili, therefore Minister Barris asked international forces to let them come to Dili to hand over their weapons. He also said that for those PNTL members in Districts it is not necessary to come to Dili because international forces will visit all districts and they can hand over the weapons. Minister Barris also added that PNTL members yesterday handed over 100 weapons at PNTL HQ

Fewer than 12 F-FDTL guns missing

Brig Slater speaking to press that the international forces have checked the F-FDTL guns and the result was fewer than 12 guns are missing from places where F-FDTL keeps the guns. Brig. Slater also continues that the international forces will continue protect the people. Meanwhile the international police commander, Steve Lancaster also said that during three weeks the international police arrested 83 people, who committed crimes like stealing, burning and looting. Mr. Lancaster also said that in two or three weeks the police international will open a new emergency number, 112, to immediately respond people’s preoccupation.

The Office of President of Republic organize the mass for PNTL officers who lost their lives

It is reported that yesterday at Dili Cathedral the bishop of Dili led the commemorate mass for those PNTL officers who lost their lives on 25 May 2006. The mass was organized by the office of President of Republic.

Speaking to press after mass, President Xanana Gusmão said that the aim of the mass is to honour those peoples who lost their lives during the crises including PNTL and F-FDTL officers. President Xanana Gusmão also added that this crisis is State responsibility and we choose the day 25 of July because that day we consider as culminating phase of crises situation in Timor Leste. Meanwhile the deputy Prime Minister, Estanislau da Silva reportedly told press that the vehicles that used by the former Prime Minister, Alkatiri, have been handed over to the Government. Mr. Silva also added that the government will continue provide security for Mr. Alkatiri as a former Prime Minister.

President National Parliament formally hands over draft of electoral law

It is reported that yesterday, President of National Parliament formally handing over the draft of electoral law to Commission A. MP Vicente Guterres reportedly told press that the draft law was submitted by the opposition benches. Mr. Guterres also added that the President of the National Parliament also informally distributed the budget document to MPs to study before discussing.

UNICEF regional director visits IDPs

It is reported that yesterday the Director of UNICEF for Regional East and Pacific, which based in Bangkok, Anupama Rao Singh has visited the IDPs camp in Dom Bosco Comoro. Speaking to press Mrs. Singh said that the aim of her visit to IDPs camp to make assessment of specific issues, kinds of support that UNICEF should provide and specifically for children’s issues.

International Media Reports

East Timorese rebel leader arrested

Wednesday, July 26, 2006. 11:17am (AEST)

By Anne Barker

Australian soldiers in East Timor have arrested former rebel leader Alfredo Reinado over firearms offences. He is expected to appear in court in Dili today. Australian troops arrested Reinado at a house in Dili last night, where it is alleged he and several others were in possession of unauthorised firearms. It is understood he has been charged with several weapons offences. Reinado led a band of military police into the mountains behind Dili after a fierce gun battle in late May, which left at least two people dead. He and his men fled the Army in support of the nearly 600 soldiers - nearly one-third of the Army - who were sacked from East Timor's armed forces earlier this year. They were staked out for weeks with their army weapons, demanding the resignation of Dr Mari Alkatiri, who stepped down as prime minister a month ago. The unrest in Dili has claimed 21 lives and displaced more 150,000 people. (ABC)

East Timor revel leader detained on arms charges

26 July 2006 Dili (ANTARA News) International peacekeepers have detained East Timorese rebel leader Major Alfredo Reinado and 20 others in relation to weapons offences, a spokesman for the Australian-led forces said Wednesday. Major James Baker was quoted by AFP as telling reporters that Australian troops detained 21 individuals overnight in connection with nine hand guns allegedly seized at their location. "Those individuals were taken into detention and they will appear in a court," he said. Baker said that Reinado, who led a rebel group of military police to Maubisse south of Dili amid a massive outbreak of violence in May, was among the group. Renegades led by Reinado had surrendered their weapons to Australian troops last month on the orders of President Xanana Gusmao. The violence in May involved fighting between rival factions of the security forces as well as ethnic gangs and led to the deaths of at least 21 people and forced some 150,000 people from their homes. The unrest had its origins in the March sacking of about 600 soldiers, who had deserted their barracks complaining of discrimination. President Gusmao has defended Reinado, saying that he led his men into the mountains to avoid conflict. The violence led to the resignation of Mari Alkatiri as premier, who has been replaced by Nobel peace laureate Jose Ramos-Horta, who will lead until elections due in May next year. (Antara News)

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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