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

Thursday, 25 January 2007

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

National Media Reports

Violence Resulted in Deaths And Injured

The violence during the past week left five people dead and 24 injured, said Antonio Caleres Junior, Director of the national hospital. According to Caleres, between 15 and 22 January the hospital registered 5 deaths and 24 injured from violence in Dili and the districts. He said many of the people were injured from blows, rocks, darts, machetes, knives and gun shots, noting that some were seriously injured and the majority were from the area of Fatuhada, Bairro Pite, Hudilaran and Ailoklaran and mainly male under the age of 35.

President of the Partido Milenium Democrata, Hermenegildo Lopez "Kupa" believes some political parties are behind the groups involved in the violence due to their discontentment with the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Ramos-Horta.

Minister of Interior, Alcino Barris said PNTL members involved in groups and violence must be responsible for their acts and would be detained, adding that the government plans for 40 UIR members to join UNPOL on the grounds.

Vice President of the National Parliament, Jacob Fernandes reportedly said the international forces have the capacity to stop the violence but are not doing it to obtain some advantages out of it, stressing that the presence of the UN is like a project in which the forces want to maintain a long term stay. Fernandez said the UN police are not providing good results due to the unprofessional work of the international forces and if both cannot perform well they should allow the government to activate PNTL and F-FDTL. He further said the security situation must be guaranteed in order for the elections to proceed with the participation of the people. (TP, STL)

Presidential Elections Scheduled For May

The Office of the President has issued a letter to the public on the opinion and analysis of the President of the Republic that the presidential election will take place before May 20 in order to allow the new president to start the mandate before May 20. The parliamentary election should take place between May 20 and September 15 to allow the new elected MPs to start their mandate on 15 September.(DN)

Administration Problems Delayed PM's Travel

The Indonesian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Ahmed Beyn Sofwan said Prime Minister Ramos-Horta's delegation to Oecussi were delayed at the border due to small administrative problems and security for the Prime Minister especially during the night. He said up-to-date his embassy has not received any formal complaints from the Prime Minister as they tried their best to accommodate the Minister. The Ambassador said good relations are important to both countries therefore Indonesia is prepared to assist Timor-Leste including opening and operating the embassy on Sunday. (DN)

I'll Undo Some Political Parties: Fernanda Borges

Fernanda Borges, founder of the new political party, Partido Unidade Nacional (PUN) stated at the opening of the party's congress that she will undo the old behaviour that some political party leaders are still holding on to. Borges said PUN would establish a new political model to serve the people, noting that the country needs many changes and it can only achieve them with the trust of the people. She said PUN can achieve the changes because it is based on the Christian democracy principles. (TP)

International Media Reports

NATIONAL NEWS SOURCES: Timor Post (TP)

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

UNMIT MEDIA MONITORING