UNOTIL

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review

Saturday & Monday, 25 - 27 February 2006

National Media Reports

Recommendation for Intensive Dialogue Between CVA and 1999 Victims

Dili Diocese Bishop Alberto Ricardo da Silva has recommended that the joint Timor-Leste-Indonesia Truth and Friendship Commission open an intensive dialogue with the 1999 victims, in order to uncover the truth and achieve justice in accordance with the hopes of both the people of Timor-Leste and the international community.

During a visit to Timor-Leste on which commenced on 20 February, the Commission has met with President Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, head of the National Parliament Francisco Guterres, Prosecutor General Longuinhos Monteiro, Dili Diocese Bishop Alberto Ricardo, and SRSG Hasegawa, among other government and community figures, NGOs, the diplomatic corps and academia. The Commission also made a visit to Liquica District to meet with representatives of the victims and witnesses of crimes against humanity. According to its Terms of Reference, the Commission will not lead to indictments or the creation of a new court, however one of the Commissioners Agus Widjojo stated that although differences of opinion are natural, via the Commission the two sides will better understand each other and forgive. (STL)

Members of CVA Request NP Support for Amnesty

Members of the Truth and Friendship Commission have requested the support of the National Parliament in recommending amnesty for the perpetrators of the 1999 violence, if the Commission recommends such in its final report. Speaking to journalists after a meeting with the Commissioners, President of the Parliament Francisco Guterres (Lu-Olo) said that he cannot at this stage commit to such a request, but that it is important that the Commissioners first complete their task. He said that during the meeting he affirmed to the Commissioners that the Parliament supports the work of the Commission. (TP)

PD and PSD Are Like Frogs: Alkatiri

Speaking at the opening of the congress at the district level in Gleno on Saturday, Fretilin's Secretary General Mari Alkatiri reportedly compared both PD and PSD to frogs and said that they are trying to destroy Fretilin in order to win the elections in 2007. Alkatiri told members that it is not worth being scared of both parties. "The opposition knows that to win Fretilin they must divide it, to win, they must get Fretilin to fight against Fretilin, that's because they don't have another way out," Alkatiri said. Alkatiri said the purpose of the congress is to make changes and that's the way to become a member of CCF (Comite Central da Fretilin/Fretilin Central Committee), and if it does not serve that purpose, then one must quit. He said that there are indications of some trying to bring him and the Government down, citing as an example a petition signed during a meeting within the party to bring down the Government and the Secretary-General. " I'm still here and waiting for people to remove me. But, despite the various demonstrations, the Government is still strong." In another report, PD's Vice-Coordinator, Ernesto Fernandes, alias "Dudu" reportedly said the statement of Fretilin's Secretary-General, Mari Alkatiri, is like that of a dictator. Dudu pointed out that as a democratic country, the leaders should measure what they say rather than criticize people or parties and that this is a new era.

In a separate articles, Mari Alkatiri was reporting as saying that the current political situation in Timor-Leste in one in which the opposition parties are not respecting the majority party (Fretilin). Alkatiri made such statements in relation to President's Sampaio speech in the Parliament during his official visit last week where he said that the majority party must respect the oppositions. Timor Post reported Alkatiri as saying that it is not true that Fretilin is not respecting the opposition and that stating the contrary is as good as lying. (STL, TP, DN)

Security Council Debates New Mission For TL

SRSG Sukehiro Hasegawa reportedly said the Security Council of the United Nations is discussing the possibility of establishing a new mission in Timor-Leste in order to provide assistance to the 2007 elections. According to Timor Post, SRSG Hasegawa said what will be implemented in Timor-Leste when UNOTIL concludes the work in Timor-Leste is currently under discussion by the Security Council. He added that many nations support the new mission as requested by Dr. Mari Alkatiri to establish a political stability mission, pointing out that countries such as Brazil and Portugal fully support a new mission. On the issue of F-FDTL, SRSG said he trusts the President and Brigadier General Taur Matan to resolve the problem in good faith so that the soldiers who have presented the petition to President Xanana Gusmao will feel that they are part of the transparency and accountability process. (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

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