Daily Media Review Friday, 08 September 2006

National Media Reports

Commission Mandate Extended

The Notable Commission mandate has been extended until 30 October 2006 to complete their work. Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta made the decision to extend another 60 days to allow the Commission to complete its work, which had been stagnant since May due the crisis. According to Pedro da Costa, the Commission’s spokesperson the extension would help reactivate the contacts with the petitioners in order to get further information. He said the Commission would guarantee their safety for any information they wish to present, as they do not have sufficient information. He encourages anyone wishing to present their complaints on the issue of discrimination within F-FDTL to contact the Commission. (TP)

We Will Protect Major Alfredo: Eduardo

The community leader of Ermera District, Aduardo de Deus, also known as Dusae said the population will protect and conceal Major Alfredo Reinado until justice and truth are in place. Dusae said the youths from the 10 districts would protect Reinado and wait for the truth and justice of those involved in the crime adding they want a fair justice procedure. He said the youth in Ermera is holding a small activity in Gleno today (8/9) to ask the international forces not to proceed with their search for Alfredo and his members. They also do not want members of F-FDTL to travel to the 10 districts especially Ermera. The population has rejected the presence of three members of the national armed forces who visited that area with the international forces According to Timor Post, three members of F-FDTL are working with the international forces and went to Ermera to try to speak and win the sympathy of population but were asked to leave. Dusae said members of F-FDTL would be allowed to return to that district only after the problem of discrimination within the institution is resolved. (TP)

Four Injured Following GNR Attack

The population of Aldeia 30 Agosto in Comoro has expressed anger against the international forces, GNR, for attacking and shooting in that area right into the homes of the population. The incident occurred around midnight on Wednesday and according to Baltazar Bartolomeu, his younger brother was injured when GNR members shot into the house from the front door and hit his brothers. He said following knocks on his front door, he opened the door and was slapped on the face when he tried to question the presence of the police force. He said the loud noise scared all those inside the house including his pregnant wife who woke up crying not understanding what was happening. Barlolomeu said his two brothers who had come to Dili to sell coffee had their hands tied and were taking to the airport roundabout with other youths by the GNR who started interrogating and punching them. The two young men were later released. Baltazar Bartolomeu said his house door, window including his small shop were destroyed by the international force during the assault. Dismayed by this incident he went to GNR Headquarters in Caicoli to present his complaints but was told by a GNR sergeant to go and complain somewhere else. He is a pre-secondary teacher at in his village. (TP)

Appointment Of Acting Police Commissioner and DSRSG

Suara Timor Lorosae today (8/9) published the information released by UNMIT on the appointment of Acting Police Commissioner Antero Lopes and the nomination of DSRSG Reske-Nielsen. Both documents were release by UNMIT Public Information Office on Wednesday. (STL)

International Media Reports

120 troops to head for East Timor

Brendan Nicholson - With REUTERS September 8, 2006

AS AUSTRALIA announced it was rushing a 120-strong infantry company to head off a feared escalation of violence in East Timor, NATO has called on nations fighting in Afghanistan to send more soldiers there to help defeat a resurgent Taliban. The decision to strengthen Australia's military presence in East Timor was announced in Parliament yesterday by Prime Minister John Howard. Mr Howard said the recent escape of dissident Timorese army officer Alfredo Reinado and "56 other hardened criminals" had escalated tensions. The deployment of frontline troops will be balanced by the withdrawal of others in supporting roles. Mr Howard said 130 Australian Defence Force logistics, medical and support personnel would be brought home shortly and would be replaced by commercial contractors. Australia already has about 930 ADF personnel in East Timor and about 180 members of the Australian Federal Police. Mr Howard's announcement was made as Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, on an official visit to Canberra, told the Prime Minister that as a regional "superpower" Australia had a responsibility to help maintain security and good governance. "Australia is the superpower of our Pacific region," he said. "With this special thing comes special responsibilities. It is natural that sometimes your role will be criticised but I can tell you, however, that Fiji believes Australia's contribution is positive." NATO's commander of operations in Afghanistan, General James Jones, said yesterday that the NATO alliance had been caught by surprise by the intensity of the continuing Taliban offensive. He urged allies to provide reinforcements including several hundred additional troops, more helicopters and transport aircraft. Australia is in the process of sending more than 400 soldiers to Afghanistan in a reconstruction taskforce who will work with Dutch troops under the NATO umbrella. Several NATO soldiers have been killed in fierce fighting with Islamist Taliban guerillas since the alliance extended its peacekeeping mission to the south a month ago. The US Marine general said that while some violence was predictable, "we are a little bit surprised at the level of intensity". NATO was also concerned that the insurgents were standing to fight and not relying on their traditional hit-and-run tactics, he said. British NATO troops in several outposts have come under siege from Taliban fighters. Mr Howard took the opportunity of a joint media conference with Mr Qarase to hand in his "deputy sheriff" badge. "Could I just place on the record my rejection of the proposition that Australia has become the sheriff of the Pacific," Mr Howard said. "I don't accept that description at all, and we're neither a sheriff, a deputy sheriff, or a first assistant sheriff of the region, or indeed an acting sheriff." (The Age)

PM announces more troops for E Timor

Thursday, September 7, 2006. 6:11pm (AEST)

Prime Minister John Howard has told Parliament an additional 120 soldiers will be sent to East Timor in the next couple of weeks. The infantry company from Darwin will reinforce the Australian contingent in Dili. There are about 930 Australian troops in East Timor, although 130 logistical and medical staff are expected to return to Australia next week. Mr Howard says the increase is necessary despite a lull in violence in the country. "In recent weeks the level of violence has fallen in Dili thanks largely to excellent work by the Defence Force and the AFP and other international forces but there is no doubt that the escape of dissident FDTL Officer Reinado and 56 other hardened criminals has escalated tensions," he said. "And as the Foreign Minister said in this place on Tuesday, Australia is willing to help along with other members of the international community." (ABC)

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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