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

Friday, 31 August 2007

UNMIT ­ MEDIA MONITORING

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National Media Reports

Horta: 1975 generation is making the people suffer

President José Ramos-Horta has asked all the political leaders of the 74/75 generation to reflect upon their attitudes and whether they are making the people suffer.

"Twenty years have passed. We have to recognize our errors, by which we the political generation of 70s caused a lot of suffering for the people. Sometimes we ignore our errors because of our grand ego. We never learn the lessons of the past" said the president in his speech on the Referendum Day on Thursday (30/8). (STL and TP)

Government studying the case of Alfredo and the petitioners

The Vice Prime Minister Jose Luis Guterres stated that the government has started studying the case of Alfredo and the petitioners.

"Xanana is looking forward to the development of a good mechanism for finding a peaceful solution to the case," said Mr. Luis.(STL and TP)

F-FDTL will remain deployed in the east

Commander of F-FDTL Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak said that F-FDTL will remain in Baucau, Viqueque and Lautem as the length of its deployment is not yet determined.

Currently, 24 members of the F-FDTL are deployed in the east (7 in Baucau, 10 in Viqueque and another 7 in Lautem). (STL)

Bishop Ricardo: Leaders need to have correction

Bishop Ricardo da Silva said that the Referendum Day- 30 August - is a day for the East Timorese and a day for the leaders to look how they can do better for the people of Timor-Leste.

"A nation's stability is not only determined by the behaviour of the people; leaders need to focus on national unity, loving each other and working to improve people's live", said the bishop. (STL)

Alkatiri: the Alliance government should not make accusations

The former Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Mari Alkatiri asked the Alliance government not to make accusations against Fretilin by investigating corruption in the previous Fretilin-led government.

"I think they may perform an investigation, and when no evidence is found they should be prepared to go the tribunal, because they have committed defamation," said Mr. Alkatiri. (TP)

To be peaceful, avoid besmirching others

The president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Mario Carrascalao, said that if all want the nation to be peaceful, political leaders should avoid statements that might harm others.

"How can the nation be stable when we are always hurting each other? We all need to live in peace, no one wants to live as we have been recently," said Mr. Carrascalao.

Speaking about the words independence and autonomy that have been used by some leaders of late, Mr. Carrascalao said that the words were the options offered by United Nations to Timor-Leste to determine the future of the country. (STL)

Fretilin regrets the message of President Ramos-Horta

Francisco Miranda Branco, a MP of Fretilin, expressed regret at the message of President Jose Ramos-Horta on the anniversary of Referendum Day, 30 August, which he said showed Horta's contempt towards Fretilin.

Mr. Branco said that as a father the nation, the president is responsible for finding a balance between the previous and current governments, and should not forget the refugees and Alfredo whilst surrounded by important international guests.

In the speech, President Jose Ramos-Horta said that Fretilin is making an error in trying to force the UN to end its mission in Timor-Leste. Horta also said that Fretilin won the 2001 election outright, and then went on to create laws without cooperation with the opposition which led to defeat for Fretilin in the next two elections.

David Dias Ximenes, another MP of Fretilin also said that president's speech was used as an opportunity to attack others. (STL and DN)

Alkatiri: Illegal, the ISF presence in Timor-Leste

The Secretary General of Fretilin, Mari Alkatiri said that the presence of the International Security Forces in Timor-Leste is illegal as the trilateral accord was not ratified by the national parliament.

"I did sign the accord, but when I stepped down as Prime Minister I could do nothing. However, the new prime minister who replaced me should bring it to the national parliament for ratification.

"Why did the prime minister not bring it to the national parliament for ratification? If there was no ratification, then the presence of ISF in Timor-Leste is illegal," said Mr. Alkatiri. (DN)

International Media Reports

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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