UNMIT Daily Media Review 12, January 2007

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

UNMIT MEDIA MONITORING THE UN INTEGRATED MISSION IN TIMOR-LESTE DOES NOT VOUCH FOR THE ACCURACY OF THESE REPORT

Speaking to the journalists, the chief of the presidential cabinet, Agio Pereira reportedly informed that both President Gusmão and Prime Minister Ramos-Horta discussed the government’s policy and the situation of Timor-Leste towards both presidential and parliamentary elections. The PR Gusmão informed that he had summoned the Director of STAE to discuss the preparation of the elections and meet with some of the political parties to discuss the same matter. Similarly, the PM Horta shared the information on the plan of Timor-Leste to be the member of ASEAN, which the government of Timor-Leste would sign soon. Hence, as part of this plan, PM Horta and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Luis Guterres reportedly would attend the ASEAN summit in the Philippines next week. (DN, TP, and STL).

Speaking to journalists about Rogerio’s trial, Pr. Martinho Gusmao, the Director of the Commission of Justice and Peace in the Baucau Diocese said that the case of Mr. Lobato was considered a crime against human rights and against humanity. Pe. Gusmão said the judiciary system in Timor Leste did not work well and Lobato’s case would be the benchmark for justice in the countrym adding that putting Mr. Lobato in jail would be a miracle. He emphasized that justice should be implemented not only for common people but also for the leaders. Furthermore, if Mr. Lobato was sentenced, it meant justice was in place already. So, we should not extend our support for someone like Rogerio Tiago Lobato, he said and adding that Fretilin supporters who came to support Mr. Lobato should not defend any perpetrator like Lobato. (TP)

Implementation of Military Compulsory Law is too early in Timor-Leste: Pe. Gusmão

Pe. Marinho Gusmão, Director of Commission of Peace and Justice of the Baucau Diocese said that compulsory military service would regulate the individual or groups that want to violate the law and order in this country. However, Pe. Gumão proposed that such a law was not yet sustainable and requested the Parliament to delay the aforementioned law. In addition, Julio Tomas Pinto, an East Timorese military and political analyst also reportedly suggested to the Parliament to take a consensus on the law of military service, military disciplinary, and Law of Defense Policy instead of discussing the Military Compulsory Law. (STL, DN, and TP)

Preparation for the coming national election was the main agenda item for the weekly meeting of the President Republic Xanana Gusmao and the Prime Minister Dr. Ramos-Horta. The two leaders of RDTL are trying to agree the date for the National Election for the President of Republic and members of Parliament before Mr. Xanana will hold a consultative meeting with other leaders of the country, said Mr. Agio Perreira the Chief Cabinet of President Republic. Mr. Agio stressed that the President of Republic has the constitutional right to determine the date for the national election but he also has a constitutional obligation to consult with members of the Council of State as well as the leaders of Political parties in the country. At the same meeting the two leaders have discussed the development of the political situation and other priority programs for the nation.

On the third day of Lobatos' trial, the court presented the witness named Antonio da Cruz. Mr. Da Cruz supplied evidence to support the position of Mr. Railos and accused Mr Lobato of distributing weapons to the civilians. Mr Da Cruz sited dates and places where he was ordered by Mr. Lobato the former Minister of Interior to deliver weapons to the civilian groups. He said, on 20 August 2006, he received an order to deliver 10 weapons to one civilian group in the Indonesian Cemetry at Liquica. Mr. Lobato also asked Da Cruz to keep it a secrete from others including the commander of the PNTL Paulo Martins.

Yesterday the commission B of the National Parliament held a consultative meeting with the representatives of the Catholic Church, and the political and Military observer Julio Tomas Pinto to discuss military law. The aim of the meeting was to clarify the doubts of the Catholic Church on some articles in the draft military law. The representatives of the Church pointed out that one article regarding the provision of obligatory military servicefor young Timorese. They said that compulsory military service for the young people is not realistic because so far, there is no military personnel who can be an example to be followed. Through the persons of Fr. Martino Gusmao and Fr. Agustino Soares, theChurch also suggested a few important concerns including: the military personnel must be free from political affiliations, there must be transparent and equal promotion in the military and they must create an environment where everybody can respect each other and develop a sense of nationalism and belonging.

The Minister of Labour and Community Reinsertion Arsenio Bano held a meeting yesterday with the representatives of IDPs. The intention of the meeting was to seek the solution to the provision of humanitarian assistance. Mr. Bano stressed that it is already time for the Timorese to be together and stop hatred and violence. Mr. Bano also said that there are 484 families returning to their home districts. Most of the returnees are from the IDP camps in sea port, airport and National Hospital Guido Valadares and returning to the districts, Baucau, Lospalos and Viqueque.

PGMA to push establishment of a truly compassionate ASEAN Thursday, January 11 2007 @ 04:44 PM GMT

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to make a strong push for the establishment of a truly compassionate Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in line with the theme, "One Caring, One Sharing Community," which she herself chose for the 12th ASEAN Summit that formally starts here Saturday, January 13.

The President, chairman of the Cebu Summits, will arrive here before noon Friday to begin a hectic schedule that will keep her "very busy" until January 15, a presidential aide said.

At the Summit, the President will push for greater cooperation and networking among the 10 member-states to achieve ASEAN's goal of building a stronger and borderless regional community.

The President has underscored the need to push for greater trade and security among the ASEAN countries to eradicate poverty in the region.

"The Philippines hosts the ASEAN Summit at a time that the whole region is taking stock of the present and planning ahead for the future," the President said in a statement.

"Great stakes are involved in the continuing integration of the entire East Asia, which is driven by strong centripetal forces to close ranks for a safer and more secure community, more open and equitable trade, cooperation in all fronts of energy development, and the prosperity of it diverse people," she added.

This year's summit theme was chosen by President Arroyo among the three pillars of ASEAN-ASEAN Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

She said the meetings among the ASEAN leaders and their dialogue partners from Australia, China, Japan, India, South Korea and New Zealand will be another "golden opportunity" to discuss plans and strategies to develop new directions in intra-regional cooperation fighting poverty, the sciences and technology.

"We stand at a threshold of great challenges and opportunities, and timely decisions will enable ASEAN and East Asia to seize the moment to achieve borderless human security, peace and prosperity at the grassroots of every village and community," the President said.

Shortly after her arrival here Friday, the President will attend the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit at the Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort and Spa at 2 p.m.

The BIMP-EAGA meeting is expected to discuss means to accelerate economic development in the region's growth area through increased investments, the development of human resources, effective use of natural resources and strengthening security measures.

Later in the afternoon, the President will meet with former President Fidel V. Ramos, the Philippine representative to the Eminent Persons Group (EPG), before she proceeds to the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) for the unveiling of the center's commemorative marker.

At the CICC, the President will welcome the heads of state of the 10 ASEAN member-countries and their dialogue partners to be followed by informal meetings among the visiting leaders.

The Chief Executive is likewise expected to meet with Timor Leste Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta on Friday night on the accession of the former Portuguese colony to ASEAN, the first step before becoming the youngest member of the grouping.

Timor Leste is scheduled to sign the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Summit. (Philippines News Agency)

Timor Post (TP) Radio Timor-Leste (RTL) Suara Timor Lorosae (STL) Diario Tempo (DT) Diario Nacional Seminario Lia Foun (LF) Televisaun Timor-Leste [TVTL]

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