Tuesday, 21 August 2007

UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING

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National Media Reports

Ramos Horta: people are the heroes of national liberation

In a message to the nation on Falintil Day on 20 August, President José Ramos Horta stated that people are the heroes of the national liberation, so they must avoiding blame one another and come together for national unity.

President Horta appealed to the Timorese to reflect on their desired goal of national unity. (DN)

Lasama: no discrimination in development

In a message to the parliament on for the Falintil commemoration day on 20 August, the President of National Parliament, Fernando de Araujo Lasama stated that the parliament is committed to serving the people and that there will be no discrimination within national development.

Mr. Lasama said opposition leaders will have a special role within the level of ministries to enable parliament to collect all good ideas to develop the new nation. (DN)

Lu-Olo: “Better the president to ascertain his words”

The member of national parliament, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo has called on President José Ramos-Horta and all political leaders to consider their words before talking publicly following some declarations from parliamentary members that the recent violence was created by Fretilin radicals.

Speaking to journalists at the parliament, Mr. Lu-Olo said while he does not question the statements of the President, he “respectfully calls upon the president to measure his words,” said Mr. Lu-Olo. (DN)

Arsenio Bano: new government, tends to have positions

The vice president of Fretilin party, Arsenio Paixão Bano said that the new government led by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão will use Fretilin’s programmes as it has none of its own to work on.

Speaking to journalists on Friday (18/8) in Dili Mr. Bano revealed that Fretilin believes that the new government will use the programmes of Fretilin during their governance. “We observe that this new government is only to share political seats. We have not seen their programmes, because during the campaign they did not show their programmes,” said Mr. Bano. (DN)

John Hutcheson: “ISF is going on support eastern part”

The Commander of International Stabilization Forces (ISF), Brigadier John Hutcheson said that ISF will cooperate with UNPol and PNTL to maintain support of security in the eastern part of the country.

Speaking to journalists on Friday (18/8), Mr. Hutcheson said that the ISF has been deployed in many places during the last week in the eastern part of the country to maintain security.

He added that security situation in eastern part has calmed over the past few days. (DN)

Ramos Horta: Alfredo has honesty to solve the problem

In a message following the Falintil Day on 20 August, President José Ramos Horta said that fugitive Alfredo Reinado Alves shows sincerity in wanting to solve his problem situation.

Mr. Horta also said that as President of the republic, he keeps an eye on Reinado’s and the petitioners’ problems. (DN and TP)

MONALPON Threats to boycotting Govt’s activities

The National Movement of Maubere People/Movementu Nasional Povu Maubere (MONALPON) said it will continue to boycott Government activities formed by the Alliance.

Approximately 50 people protested in the national stadium in Dili yesterday to protest against the government led by Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão.

“The Government of Xanana-Horta is not national unity; Xanana ransacked power from Horta’s aspiration and President Horta makes decision depending on his will without people’s interest. Maubere youths should not let it be,” said a demonstrator through his protest.

“Our demand is to boycott the activities of the unconstitutional government because this government does not respect people’s right in the elections, more over the Alliance is not registered in the court of appeal,” revealed the MONALPON coordinator, Sanamia on Monday (20/8) in Municipal Stadium, Dili. (DN and TP)

Fretilin NPs back to National Parliament

The 21 members of national parliament from Fretilin returned to the national parliament on Monday (20/8) after two weeks.

However, even though they have returned, the chief member of the parliament from Fretilin, Aniceto Guterres declared that Fretilin maintains its position that they do not accept president’s decision on the new government formation. (TP)

International Media Reports

Fretilin wants Aussies out of E Timor after flag theft 21 August 2007 ABC News

Leaders of East Timor's Fretilin party are demanding the removal of Australian forces after three soldiers were forced to apologize for stealing several Fretilin flags.

One Fretilin official claims the men tore the flags up and made as if to use them like toilet paper, after stealing them from the village of Bercoli, east of Dili, yesterday.

The soldiers later returned the flags and wrote a formal apology, but Australian defence chiefs deny they were damaged.

Australia's Brigadier in Dili, John Hutcheson, says the soldiers' actions were inappropriate and culturally insensitive, but were an isolated incident.

"It's a very serious incident and I guess, as I've already stated, I'm disappointed in the actions of these few soldiers," he said.

"However I'm confident that the larger part of the force, particularly the remaining soldiers and so forth, they are actually doing a very good job."

East Timor's former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri has again called for Australian troops to return home accusing them of a lack of neutrality.

Mr Alkatiri called the seizure of the flags a provocation and accused the Australian forces of having intimidated Fretilin supporters for some time.

NATIONAL NEWS SOURCES: Timor Post (TP) Radio Timor-Leste (RTL) Suara Timor Lorosae (STL) Diario Tempo (DT) Diario Nacional (DN) Semanario Televisaun Timor-Leste (TVTL)

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