Thursday, 23 August 2007

UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING

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National Media Reports

F-FDTL: ready to have dialogue with Petitioners and Alfredo

The Secretary of State and Military and Defence, Julio Thomas Pinto has confirmed that the F-FDTL is ready to have dialogue with the petitioners and Alfredo Reinado and his men.

“F-FDTL is always open to have dialogue with petitioners and Alfredo Reinado Alves and his followers,” said Mr. Julio on Tuesday (21/8) in Government Palace, Dili.

He said that the F-FDTL is ready to talk to try and solve the problems in the country. (TP)

New government starts discussing IDPS’ problems

The new government led by Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão in the meeting of council ministers on Wednesday has begun discussing the IDP problem.

“We discussed many issues to keep an eye on the emergency situation in the eastern part of the country concerning IDPs and the Government will examin the problems,” said Vice Prime Minister, José Luis Guterres after meeting.

He also said that the government continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims of violence that broke out in Baucau, Lautem and Viqueque districts. (TP)

Xanana: Fretilin’s member will be involved in the government

The Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão has declared that the Alliance government will include some members of Fretilin in the government’s structure.

Speaking to the journalists after the meeting of council ministers on Wednesday (22/8) in government palace, Mr. Gusmao said that he will consult with Fretilin members to ensure they are involved in the alliance government.

“I will not name those Fretilin members who will be included in the government’s structure, as it is better you ask the Vice Prime Minister and Fretilin representative Jose Luis Guterres,” said Mr. Gusmão.

“I know that our Prime Minister, Mr. Gusmão has sent some letter to Fretilin’s leaders to ask some members to take part in the government,” said Mr. Guterres. (TP)

Emergency assistance lost in the mid way

The emergency support distributed to the eastern part of the country, Baucau, Lautem and Viqueque districts a week ago, did not reach the victims.

“Some got lost mid-way or did not reach the victims because the location of the victims is difficult to reach,” said Ms. Antonia Carmen da Cruz, the Director of Social National Services on Tuesday (21/8) in Caicoli, Dili.

According to Ms. Carmen, the number of the victims is large and includes victims of sexual assault.

Separately, the CNRT parliamentary member Paulo de Fatima Martins informed that the emergency supports to the victims in the eastern parts of the country has been insufficient. (TP)

Government to reform F-FDTL’s standpoint

The Secretary of State and Defence, Julio Thomas Pinto affirmed that government led by Prime Minister, Kayrala Xanana Gusmão will reform the F-FDTL to professional standards.

“The reformation is not focused on the Falintil veterans; there are many veterans that have a vision for how to develop the military. It is very important to reform the mentality from that of a guerilla mentality to a professional mentality,” said Mr. Pinto.

He added that government will also make a special study on the military’s ability to vote in elections. (TP)

RENETIL to monitor activities of the parliament

The Resistencia National do Estudantes Timor0-Leste/ National Resistance of Students of Timor Leste (RENETIL) has commended monitoring the new parliament.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday (22/8) in Dili RENETIL’s Coordinator, Eurico Nelson de Carvalho stated that the RENETIL’s role is to monitor things such as participation, quality of participation, decision making mechanisms and parliamentary ethics.

Mr. Eurico said that the national parliament represents all Timorese people in the process of legislation, supervision and political decisions. (TP)

Xanana’s governmental cabinet not completed yet

Although the Alliance’s government was sworn in on 8 August, there still remains some ministry and state secretary positions that have not been filled.

Speaking to journalist on Tuesday (21/8) in Government Palace, Dili the vice Prime Minister José Luis Guterres said that the Prime Minister Gusmão will find people to fill the positions but did not comment on who they would be. (STL)

ISF 20km away when dialogue with Alfredo held

Alfredo Reinado has told the Government that the International Stabilization Forces (ISF) should 20km away from where any talks may be held.

Mr. Reinado has also called on the ISF not to conduct helicopter and ground patrols near the place of dialogue. Reinado’s lawyer, Benevides Correia Barros said on Wednesday (22/8) at the Hotel Timor in Dili said that it’s important that the ISF, UNPol and PNTL fulfill the president’s request in halting the operation against his client.

He also said it should be guaranteed that when Reinado does come to talk, that he is not captured. (STL)

UN agencies condemn violence against children

The United Nations Agencies in Timor-Leste together with national and international NGO have condemned the violence against children in the country..

The agencies include UNICEF, Catholic Relief Service (CRS), FORUM NGO Timor-Leste, IOM, European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), UNMIT, TIMOR AID and Care International.

The condemnation is done through the joint declaration which calls on all Timorese people including political parties, authorities and the members of community to protect children from the violence and physical threat and to promote childrens’ right to peace.

These agencies note with concern the violence in the eastern part of the country that resulted in children becoming the victims during violent protests.

The agencies also proposed to the authorities to arrest the perpetrators that have been violent. (STL)

Cipriana Pereira: Fretilin militants complicated with the Alliance government

The Fretilin parliamentary member Cipriana Pereira said that Fretilin’s militants in the rural areas specifically in sub-district Atauro are concerned about the alliance government led by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão.

Speaking to journalist on Wednesday (22/8), Ms. Pereira said that the people from Atauro sub-district are concerned the alliance is unconstitutional. (DN)

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)

UNMIT MEDIA MONITORING www.unmit.org