[Poster's note: International and other articles already sent out to the east-timor list (info@etan.org) have been removed from below.]

UNMIT

United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste

Public Information Unit

Daily Media Review

Tuesday, 17 October 2006

These Items Do Not Reflect the Position or Views of the United Nations. UNMIT Public Information Office

National Media Reports

COI Report Still Not Ready: Reske-Nielsen

Acting SRSG, Finn Reske-Nielsen told the media on Monday, following his meeting with Prime Minister Ramos-Horta that he could not give the specific date for the release of the COI report, adding that it was still being translated, but it would be soon. Finn Reske-Nielsen said that UNMIT is working hard with UNPOL and the international military forces to control the situation when the report is released, adding that the UN is aware of the government’s stand following two weeks of meetings with its members. According to Timor Post, MP Clementino dos Reis Amaral said the Acting SRSG appealed to leaders of political parties to educate/encourage their members not to create disturbances when the report is released. He said that the crisis can be overcome if the Timorese maintain stability and allow time for justice to proceed through the investigations carried out on the subjects mentioned in the report. STL reported Reske-Nielsen as saying the leaders must be prepared to receive the report. STL also reported on the meeting between Acting SRSG Finn Reske-Nielsen and Longuinhos Monteiro, Timor-Leste Prosecutor General, who told the media afterwards that the meeting was in relation to preparation for the release of the COI report. (STL, TP)

Petitioners Return Questionnaires

About 519 petitioners have returned the questionnaires handed to them by the Notable Commission. According to Pedro da Costa, a member of the Commission, the response to the questionnaire has been very positive and outlines a way forward to resolve the problems within the Defence Force. Da Costa said since the mandate of the Commission ends on 30th October, the report must be submitted and a decision made on the subject. (TP)

New Judges Must Learn Tetum Language

MP Alexandre Corte-Real (UDT) said part of the contract for new judges is to learn Tetum since it is one of the two official languages used by the population. Corte-Real said another area the international judges should have thorough knowledge of is in the crimes that have been committed in Timor-Leste during the recent crisis. (STL)

Political Parties Ready to Participate In Elections

President of the Court of Appeal said 13 political parties have registered to participate in the 2007 elections. He said the latest party to register was the Republican Party, adding each party must have a minimum of 1500 members to be entitled to register. He said those parties who have not yet registered but are represented in the National Parliament are UDC/PDC, Klibur Oan Timor Aswain(KOTA) and the Liberal Party. In 2001, 16 political parties participated in the elections. (STL)

RTTL News Monitoring Reporting

16-10-2006

President Launches Community Reintegration Commission

President Xanana Gusmao launched the Commission for Community Reintegration at his office on Monday. The commission is tasked with coordinating the “Simu Malu” program of the government to assist in speeding-up the process of community reintegration to overcome the crisis. Speaking at the launching ceremony, President Gusmao said that the commission was established to carry out a political approach to the problems to bring about security and stability. He called on the youth to stop violence.

Handgun and grenade found in Dili

A university student yesterday found a handgun and an active grenade in the vicinity of the National University’s Caicoli campus, near UNMIT’s Obrigado Headquarters. Upon seeing the artillery, the student immediately informed the Interior Ministry and the International police and military forces arrived at the scene to take the materials away.

NP passed a motion on International forces

The National Parliament yesterday passed a motion on the action of the international forces in Timor-Leste, particularly the Australian Defence Force. Elizario Ferreira from Fretilin told journalists that the motion was proposed based on information available to the Parliament that the Australian forces had not been acting impartially and hence the motion was to call on the government to coordinate with UNMIT on how to better provide security to the population.

International Media Reports

Press Releases

Plenary Session Agenda n. 452/I/5a Monday, 16 October 2006

Today’s Plenary Session was chaired by the Vice-President of the National Parliament, Mr. Jacob Fernandes, together with the Secretary of the Mesa, Mr. Francisco Carlos Soares and the Vice-secretaries, Mrs. Maria Avalziza Lourdes and Mrs. Maria Terezinha Viegas.

In the Period before the Agenda the following information was given to the MPs:

* Report from the Community of Bebonuk, Aldeia Metin I , regarding the intervention of the International Forces from Australia;

* Distribution to the MPs of the report of the activities implemented during the month of September by UNDP Parliamentary Project;

* Discussion and voting of the Project of Deliberation No. 16/I/5ª. regarding the intervention of the Australian Forces in Dili. The above mentioned Project was approved with the following result: 40 votes in favor, 3 against, 5 abstentions.

* Information to the MPs by the acting SRSG, Mr. Finn Reske-Nielsen on the preparation realized by UNMIT for the hand over of the report of the Independent Special Commission of Inquiry. This information was given exclusively to the MPs, without the presence of the Media and the Public.

The discussion in the specialty of the Project of Resolution n. 23/I/4a about “National Symbols” was postponed to tomorrow’s plenary session.

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. UNMIT Public Information Office