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

Wednesday, 06 May 2007

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

National Media Reports

The suspect of Viqueque case officially becomes fugitive

The United Nations Mission in Timor-Leste says the suspect in the case of a fatal shooting in Viqueque on Sunday is officially wanted.

“UNMIT is treating the incident that happened in Viqueque very seriously. The person responsible is officially wanted in relation to the fatal shooting,” UNMIT spokesperson, Allison Cooper said on Tuesday (5/6) during an interview at UNMIT headquarters at Barracks-Caicoli, Dili.

Ms. Cooper said that the suspect is the subject of police search. (STL)

Political, security and military observer says to disarmed PNTL of Viqueque

The observer of politics, security and military, Julio Thomas Pinto said the best way to proceed after the fatal shooting of a person in Viqueque on Sunday is to process with police screening in the regions.

Mr Pinto said this would be more effective than spreading inaccurate information about the incident. (TP)

After the public consultation, president will promulgate law of clemency

The leading parliamentary party, the Fretilin has approved a law of truth and clemency despite the controversy raised by the opposition.

The opposition has called on the President to consult with civil society, church and the victims before signing off on the law. (TP)

Timorese will get border access

It is expected that the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta will negotiate reopening the border between Indonesia and Timor-Leste during his state visit this week. (STL)

The Prime Minister calls upon the Ministry of Interior to investigate Viqueque case

The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Estanislau da Silva said he is deeply saddened about the incidents in Viqueque that has resulted in a death. He has called for a full investigation into the incident.

“On behalf of the government, I’d like to give our condolences to the family of the victims,” said Mr. Estanislau.

Furthermore, Mr. Estanislau said that the government will do its best to protect people from further violence. (TP)

Political party appeals supporters to remain calm

The president of the Democratic Party (PD), Fernando de Araujo Lasama has appealed to party supporters in Viqueque to be calm and avoid any provocation from others that will lead to insecurity.

“I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to all supporters of PD not to become involved in violence,” said Mr. Lasama. (STL and TVTL)

Commander of PNTL: “PNTL did not shoot Afonso-Kudalai”

The commander of the PNTL, Afonso de Jesus has said that the fatal shooting in Viqueque on Sunday was not done the PNTL but rather an individual who works for the PNTL. (TP)

Minister brings corruption case to tribunal

At a press conference held by LABEH on Tuesday (5/6), the executive director of Lalenok ba Ema Hotu (LABEH), Christopher Henry Samson stated that of the 55 corruptions cases against all ministries, the Ministry of Health has presented the case to court.

“The Ministry of Health is setting a good example for other ministries to follow,” said Mr. Samson. (TP)

International Media Reports

East Timor President Says Dili Remains Volatile By Nancy-Amelia Collins Jakarta 05 June 2007

The president of East Timor says the capital, Dili, remains volatile after two people were killed during election campaigning for parliamentary elections at the end of the month. VOA's Nancy-Amelia Collins in Jakarta has more.

East Timor President José Ramos Horta says most of the violence in his country is not political.

"The security situation in Dili remains volatile in the sense that we have not been able to completely eliminate some of the causes of the violence," he said. "But the violence is largely non-politically motivated. It involves youth gangs."

Mr. Ramos Horta made the remarks in Jakarta, during his first state visit since being elected president last month.

While those elections were peaceful, two people died in separate incidents Sunday in what appears to be political violence before this month's parliamentary election. Both were supporters of the National Congress of Reconstruction of Timor (CNRT), the new party led by former President Xanana Gusmao.

The parliamentary elections are expected to be a tough race between the CNRT and Fretilin, East Timor's dominant party.

The deaths have been blamed on a group of off-duty police officers, and an investigation is under way.

Mr. Gusmao, who will become prime minister if his party wins, accused the killers of not wanting the elections to take place. Mr. Ramos Horta played down the incident, saying while there has been sporadic campaign violence, most has been rock throwing and name calling. "This is the level of violence so far. In the comparative to elections in a few other countries, I do not believe that this can be considered as violence," said Mr. Ramos Horta. "I do not know whether it will be managed at this level, whether it will get worse, but I can say is we are taking precautionary measures."

Bitter rivalry between the police and security forces led to looting and street fighting a year ago in Dili. Around two-thirds of the residents fled to refugee camps where thousands still live.

The government asked for an international security force to keep the peace, and it continues to patrol the country.

The East Timor president was in Jakarta to meet with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The two leaders agreed to focus on building the relationship between their countries.

They pledged to extend the work of a Commission of Truth and Friendship, which is investigating violence that took place before and after East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia in 1999. More than 1,000 people may have died in rampages by anti-independence militias backed by Jakarta's army.

Human rights activists criticize the commission as toothless and say it has not brought to justice those responsible for the 1999 violence, or for Indonesia's often-brutal rule of East Timor. The East Timor government has repeatedly said it wanted to focus more on building a friendly relationship with Indonesia than on justice.

East Timor became fully independent in 2002 after a brief period of U.N. administration.

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)

UNMIT MEDIA MONITORING www.unmit.org