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

Friday, 24 August 2007

UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING

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National Media Reports

26 houses were burnt in Metinaro

Twenty six houses were burnt in Metinaro on Thursday (23/8) morning by unidentified people from nearby IDP camps.

Three young men alleged to be involved have been arrested by the Portugues FPU in IDPs camp of Metinaro and are being investigated for the arson.

According to the UNPol Daily Security Briefing, there was a fight in Metinaro yesterday morning involving 100 - 300 people armed with machetes, steel darts and bows. Formed Police Units (FPUs) and the International Stabilization Force (ISF) managed to control the situation, but the market was almost completely destroyed in the fighting. Three people were arrested.

Mr. Ananias Gonçalves, one of the victims the said that he did not know the reason behind the violence.

“We totally lament this criminal action, we will not tolerate the damage done in Metinaro by displaced people. We as the population accept them but they do not consider what we have done for them,” said Mr. Gonçalves sadly. (TP and STL)

Humanitarian assistance distributed today

The Vice Prime Minister José Luis Guterres has announced that the Government will send 30 trucks of humanitarian assistance as emergency support to the victims of the eastern violence.

“The assistance will got to people in Baucau and Viqueque districts especially in Uatolari sub-district,” said Mr. Jose Luis on Thursday (23/8) in Government Palace, Dili. (TP and STL)

Xanana: Fretilin, not to be egoistic

Prime Minister Kayrala Xanana Gusmão has called on the Fretilin party not to be egotistical by stating that the Alliance government is the autonomist.

Speaking to the journalist after meeting with President José Ramos Horta on Thursday (23/8) in the Presidential Palace Caicoli, Dili Mr. Gusmão said that Timorese should not continue with the bad tradition of commenting on peoples’s backgrounds, but rather that they should accept each other.

“I will ask the National Parliament to create a board to investigate the backgrounds of all of us,” said Mr. Gusmão. (STL)

Dudu: Alfredo is the defender of law

The Former Falintil Commander region IV, Ernesto Fernandes Dudu on Wednesday (22/8) in Fatubesi Ermera said that the current meeting between President José Ramos-Horta and Alfredo Reinado Alves and his men is the sign of willingness from the state and church to solve the problem.

Mr. Dudu also said that Reinado will not run away from his responsibility to the judicial process.

He said that Reinado should be responsible for his action through justice. (STL)

Timor-Leste, needs anti-corruption law

The head of the Public Administration of Political Science Faculty of UNTL, Tolentino de Araujo said that the by the new Prime Minister, Kayrala Xanana Gusmão to draft an anti-corruption, collusion and nepotism law is a strong step towards good governance.

“I think it is the positive step that will combat corruption in the country,” said Mr. Araujo on Thursday (23/8) in national parliament. (STL)

Need time to solve Alfredo’s problem

The state and government of Timor-Leste need time to solve the case of Alfredo Reinado Alves and his followers as it is a serious case in the country according to the member of national parliament from CNRT party, Paulo Martins.

He said that the problem could be solved when all parts have the same good will to seek the solution for Reinado’s case in the dialogue.

He said that the problem will not be ended when all parties stand apart and do not accept each other. (STL)

Horta to presents Alfredo’s case to the government

President José Ramos-Horta reportedly will present the case of Alfredo Reinado Alves to the government on Tuesday next week.

“Next week Reinado’s case will be presented to the High Level Committee,” said East Timor Prime Minister, Kayrala Xanana Gusmão on Thursday (23) after meeting with President José Ramos-Horta in Presidential Palace Caicoli, Dili. (TP)

Fund for health treatment, Rogerio rejects the accusation

The P former minister of interior, Rogerio Tiago Lobato has rejected the accusation that the Fretilin’s government gave him US$30.000 for his medical treatment.

His lawyers Mr. Paulo Remedios and Nelson de Carvalho told journalists on Thursday (23/8) in Hotel Timor, Dili that Lobato did not receive the money.

“Government should not accuse our client of receiving money from Fretilin. I ask the government to show the legal invoices, it is clear that Mr. Rogerio does not receive US$30.000 from Fretilin,” said Mr. Paulo Remedios, quoting Lobato’s words. (TP)

Arsenio Bano gets SMS threats

The Vice President of Fretilin party also the member of national parliament from Fretilin, Arsenio Paixão Bano said that he received threats of the Short Text Message (SMS) on Monday (20/8) via the overseas Mobile Number.

“This is the first SMS I receive from Australian Mobile Number on Monday (20/8) at 1306 hours,” informed Mr. Bano on Thursday (23/8) in CCF Comoro, Dili.

He said that he is totally concerned by the SMS that threatened him not to criticize East Timor’s new Prime Minister.

“O lalika Kontra bebei-beik katuas Xanana, mas kuidadu buat ruma iha Dili halai mak biban se lae……” / “You should not go against Mr. Xanana, be aware if something happen in Dili manage to run if not……’ he quoted the SMS. (DN)

Joaquim dos Santos: If Alfredo loves stability

The Fretilin member of the national parliament Joaquim dos Santos said that if Alfredo Reinado honours his public word, he is ready to submit himself to the justice, to have dialogue and disarm.

Speaking to the journalists on Thursday (23/8) Mr. dos Santos said that his actions will be based on his desire for stability in the country as a Timorese citizen. (DN)

Manuel Tilman: accepts anticipation elections

The member of the national parliament from Democratic Alliance (AD – KOTA/PPT), Manuel Tilman said that he agrees that the problems causing the conflict and violence that broke out in the country need to be resolved.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday (23/8) at the national parliament Mr. Tilman said that Fretilin will lose when its programmes do not pass in national parliament. (DN)

Cornelio Gama: “Timorese leaders overlook the national unity”

The member of national parliament from UNDERTIM party, Cornelio Gama L-7 said that Timorese leaders have forgotten the word of National Unity they declared to develop Timor-Leste.

“I want to say that at the start of independence, we spoke words of compromise that all Timorese should trust in national unity to build the nation and people of the country,” said Mr. Gama on Thursday (23/8) at national parliament, Dili. (DN)

International Media Reports

Political violence flares again on TL; Prime Minister moves to defuse tension August 23, 2007 8:31 p.m. EST Richard Bowden - AHN News Writer

Dili, East Timor (AHN) - Two people have been killed and about 300 men armed with knives, machetes and steel darts, rampaged across East Timor in ongoing post-election violence.

The latest unrest continues the violence which occurred after independence hero Xanana Gusmao was named prime minister earlier this month after an inconclusive election failed to deliver a majority government.

U.N. police reported Thursday that a market in the town of Metinaro was almost completely destroyed and International Stabilization Force (ISF) forces and local police had rushed to the east of Dili where over 10 houses had been set ablaze.

Reports also say two people from the eastern town of Ermera were killed in the latest round of violence.

Supporters of the leftist former ruling Fretilin are believed to be behind the violence. Though Fretilin gained the most number of seats in the recent elections, the party was unable to form a government and negotiations over a government of national unity collapsed.

Prime Minister Gusmao has moved to defuse the tension by inviting some Fretilin members into his government.

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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