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

Thursday, 6 December 2007

UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING

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National Media Reports

71,5% of the Transitional Budget is Being Executed

The Minister of Finance, Ms. Emilia Pires, said that up to now the government has executed 71.5% of the transitional budget - therefore only 28.5% is remaining. According to government estimates, this year the government could spend the remaining budget.

"For the year 2008 budget, the government is prioritizing IDPs," said the Minister. (STL)

Taur: Alfredo and the Petitioners Should Follow the Rules The Commander-General of the F-FDTL, Mr. Taur Matan Ruak, appealed to Major Alfredo Reinado Alves and Petitioners to comply with the law if there is a warning from the Court. He asked Major Alfredo and the Petitioners not to use the excuse that they are waiting for a military tribunal. "In fact, we have no military law or military court," he said.

"F-FDTL officers have submitted themselves to the legal process in a civil court. I therefore ask Alfredo and the Petitioners not to waste time with this line of argument," said Mr. Brigadier General. (STL)

The International Stabilization Force and UNPOL Seize Ammunition at an F-FDTL Member's House The ISF and UNPOL seized ammunition at house where two members of the F-FDTL were living in Kampung Baru, Comoro, Dili. Both of them should be held responsible for the ammunition. (STL)

Committee C has Received the Budget Proposal for the Year 2008 Committee C of the National Parliament officially received the budget proposal for 2008 from the President of the National Parliament, Mr. Fernando Lasama de Araujo.

"The President of the National Parliament just received the budget proposal from the government and will officially hand it over it to Committee C for review and discussion at all levels." Said the Deputy of Committee C. (STL)

Portuguese Military Will Train the F-FDTL The Portuguese government wants to train F-FDTL members with a view to maintaining military relations with Timor-Leste. This is a part of an agreement between Timor-Leste's Secretary of State for Defence and Portugal's Secretary of State for National Defence and Maritime Affairs.

The Portuguese Military will train the F-FDTL in four areas, including legal advice for the defence ministry and F-FDTL, helping train the military in Metinaro and helping train the naval component in Hera base. (TP)

Fretilin Insists that Major Alfredo Cooperate with the Justice Sector The Fretilin party insisted that former Military Policy Commander Major Alfredo Reinado should engage in dialogue and cooperate with the justice sector, because Timor-Leste is a State based on law which means the law should come before everything else.

"We insist that Mister Alfredo comply with the legal process; he may be having dialogue planned with another group, but he should also cooperate with the justice sector because people need to see justice working", said Fretilin vice-President, Mr. Arsenio Bano. (TP)

Carascalo agrees with Major Alfredo that a Military Tribunal should be established The President of the Social Democratic Party, Mr. Mario Carascalao, agreed with Major Alfredro's idea that the government should establish a military tribunal to try his case.

"He is a soldier and so are the petitioners. In our constitution, it clearly says that military cases should be resolved in a military court", said Mr. Carascalao. (TP)

The HAK Association asks that the President of the Republic concern himself with more that just the case of the six murdered journalists The HAK association has asked for the President of the Republic, Mr. Ramos Horta, not only to concern himself with the six journalists who were killed in Timor-Leste in 1975 – he should allso be concerned with the East Timorese who fell victim to the brutal action of the Indonesian military during 24 years of occupation .

"I feel sad because up until now our leaders have not listened to the cries of the victims demanding the establishment of an international court", said Mr. Jose Luis Oliveira, the HAK Association Director. (TP)

Audit Team is Conducting Investigations into the Former Government Program The Minister of Finance, Ms. Emilia Pires, said that audit team from Deloit company is conducting an investigation focusing on procurement, tax and customs. The Audit team is also investigating the solidarity, education and infrastructure departments.

"The investigation is underway; I am waiting for them to submit their report after finishing their work", said the Minister. (TP)

The Government Stops the Contract with Tafui Oil The Government has terminated the contract with Tafuir Oil which supplies the fuel to Comoro Central Electricity, because irregularities have been discovered in the contract.

"Consequently, the Ministry of Finance advisor is conducting an investigation in order to find solution", said the Minister. (DN)

Lu Olo: "Don't Forget the People Underground" The President of the Fretilin Party asked the leaders of this nation not to forget to pay attention to people's lives and the daily hardships they confront. The leaders should defend the people's rights without regard for their colour or party. (DN)

Brigadier Taur: "Next Year the F-FDTL will Recruit 300 Soldiers." Next year the F-FDTL will conduct the first phase of recruitment for 300 personnel in order to replace those who left the F-FDTL in March 2006. "We want to bring the total number of soldiers up to 3000."

"Probably next year in June or July, in the first phase of recruitment, we will recruit 300 personnel", said the General. (DN)

International Media Reports

East Timor government submits first full budget ABC Radio Australia 6 December 2007 East Timor's government has submitted its first full year state budget calling for expenditure of $US348.1 million in 2008.

It will be the largest ever for the country that won independence in 2002.

It is expected to be approved by the parliament before the end of the year.

The country remains in a fragile state following unrest on the streets in April and May last year that left at least 37 people dead and required the deployment of international peacekeepers who are still on patrol.

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)