[Poster's note: Repeats of international articles already sent out to the east-timor list (info@etan.org) have been removed.]

Thursday, 19 April 2007

UNMIT ­ MEDIA MONITORING

THE UN INTEGRATED MISSION IN TIMOR-LESTE DOES NOT VOUCH FOR THE ACCURACY OF THESE REPORTS

National Media Reports

Final Count, Lu-Olo 27.89% and Horta 21.81%

After six days of counting, the CNE President, Faustino Cardoso, announced the final preliminary results of presidential election on Wednesday (18/4) afternoon at the Election Media Center (EMC), Caicoli Dili.

The top ranking candidate is from Fretilin, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, with total number of votes 112.666 (27.89%). The second is Jose Ramos Horta with 88.102 (21.81%), third Fernando de Araujo Lasama with 77.459 (19.18%), fourth Francisco Xavier do Amaral with 58.125 (14.39%), fifth Lucia Lobato with 35.789 (8.86%), sixth Manuel Tilman 16.534 (4.09%), seventh Avelino Coelho with 8.338 total votes (2.06%) and the last finally João Carrascalão with 6.928 total votes (1.72%). (DN, STL, RTL, TVTL and TP)

Halting the operation on Alfredo is a political campaign

In response to the decision by President Xanana Gusmão to halt the operation on Alfredo, as declared by Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta, the President of National Parliament, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, said that this was a political move by Jose Ramos Horta to get more supporters for the second round of presidential elections.

"Things are all happening at this time. The decision (halting the operation) was made urgently. I will not do the same thing. I want to win or lose with dignity," said Lu-Olo.

Lu-Olo said that until now the National Parliament has not received any letter of declaration to halt the operation. (DN)

Jose Luis de Oliveira: "Halting the operation on Alfredo will create stability"

The Coordinator of Yayasan Hak (Human Rights), Jose Luis de Oliveira, speaking to journalists on Wednesday (18/4) at the office of Yayasan Hak Farol Dili, stated that President Xanana Gusmão's decision to halt the operation on Alfredo will restore the stability of the country, especially in Same, Manufahi district. (DN)

STAE stands on impartiality and transparency

Victor Belo and Umberto Fernandes, the District Coordinators of STAE Baucau and Viqueque districts, speaking to journalist in Caicoli, stated that STAE is a body that stands on its principle of impartiality and transparency to give technical, administrative and logistical assistance for the success of the elections.

Umberto said that there was no manipulation as published by the media, but rather technical shortcomings that would be addressed as lessons learnt for the second round.

STAE recognizes its failures but did not intend to manipulate the overall process of the elections in the interest of some candidates and parties. (DN, STL and TP)

Moneylenders in IDPs camps (TP)

Prime Minister Ramos Horta said that during the crisis some people gave money to the IDPs to continue provoking the situation.

The moneylenders thought that only Fretilin could resolve the crisis and therefore wanted them back to rule the country.

The State should have dialogues with F-FDTL and PNTL

The spokesperson of Front Mahasiswa Timor Leste (FMTL), Julio Soares, said that there should be preparations for dialogue with Alfredo and his group, as well as with F-FDTL, PNTL and petitioners for the sake of justice in the country.

He revealed that this crisis started within F-FDTL (petitioners) and PNTL then caused Alfredo and his members to leave their barracks and head to the mountains. (TP)

Alfredo's lawyer to be contacted by the state

Benevides Correia Barros, Alfredo Reinado's lawyer, confirmed that they are now waiting for the state to contact them to resolve his client's problem.

"Even though Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta wants to resolve this problem in a peaceful manner, we still have not been contacted by the state," said Barros. (TP)

Jose Luis Guterres to forward President's letter to UN

The Minister of Cooperation and Foreign Affairs, Jose Luis Guterres, accompanied by the Chief of the Cabinet, Agostinho de Deus, yesterday (18/4) traveled to the United States to pass the President's message to UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon in New York.

Jose Luis stated that he knows nothing about the content of the message. (TP)

The court decision on the results does not benefit anyone

The presidential candidate from the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Lucia Lobato, speaking to the journalists on Wednesday (18/4) at the PSD office in Bairo Formosa, Dili stated that everyone is waiting for the decision from the court on the results of the presidential election.

"If the court decides that the result is properly based on the facts and law and without any manipulation, I believe that all people will accept such decision," said Lucia. (STL)

International Media Reports

Presidential Runoff Confirmed In East Timor

7:39 am, 19 Apr 2007

East Timor's election commission has confirmed the Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta and the parliament chief, Francisco Guterres, will contest a presidential runoff next month.

Neither won the 50 per cent support required for an outright win in the April 9th elections - East Timor's first presidential poll since its independence in 2002.

The Electoral Commission says Mr Guterres, of the ruling Fretilin party, won 28 per cent of the vote and Mr Ramos-Horta was second with 22 per cent.

The run-off vote will be held on May the 8th.

..

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)

UNMIT MEDIA MONITORING www.unmit.org