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

Wednesday, 21 March 2007

UNMIT ­ MEDIA MONIITORING

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

National Media Reports

Three Presidential Candidates haven't submitted their Campaign Schedules

In three days the candidates to be President of RDTL will start their campaign. Until yesterday the CNE received only five campaign schedules of five candidates. The other three candidates, Lucia Lobato, Manuel Tilman and Avelino Coelho haven't submitted or represented their campaign schedules to CNE yet.

CNE had not announced the campaign schedule of the presidential candidates because of the three candidates. The other five campaign schedules of presidential candidates at CNE are therefore considered as temporary schedules. (STL)

Horta: the situation benefits the election process

According to the meeting of High Level Committee, the security situation in the country before the presidential election will enable all the Timorese to give their votes on the Election Day.

The high level weekly meeting held at Palacio das Cinzas (20/3) was participated in by SRSG Atul Khare and his Deputy Fin Rieske Nielson, Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak, Brigadier General Mal Rerden, Prosecutor General Longuinhos Monteiro, Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta and President Republic Xanana Gusmão.

The spokesman of High Level committee, Jose Ramos Horta reportedly said that the meeting was talking about logistical assistance which prepared for the elections. The upcoming election is the great preoccupation of the Electoral Commission. He said that each Ministry has to send an officer to assist CNE to work on the process.

Answering to the additional security and situation, he added that the State and government are evaluating the reinforcement of UNPol in Dili. To ensure the upcoming election is well organized it needs collaboration among PNTL, UNPol and F-FDTL. (STL)

PSHT and 77 in conflict again, 3 houses burnt, 1 destroyed

The members of PSHT and 77 (seti-seti) were in conflicts\ again yesterday afternoon at 1:00 pm in Kampung Baru, Comoro. Three 3 houses of PSHT were burnt and 1 house and 2 kiosks in front of the Comoro church were destroyed. The initial conflict came from provocation between members of two groups by throwing stones at each other. None of the suspects were arrested. (STL)

Timorese Overseas have right to vote

The Chairperson of East Timor People Actions (ETPA) Cecilio Caminha Freitas reportedly said that East Timorese who live overseas have the right to vote. Furthermore, he said according to article 35 law of presidential election, they have right to vote. In fact, the Government and STAE have to give them a means to vote by creating polling stations via all embassies abroad. (STL)

Horta: "The state decision in capturing Alfredo is not changed."

In the 6th High Level meeting at Palacio das Cinzas, which also discussed Reinado, Ramos Horta said that the decision has not changed. If Alfredo does not submit himself and give up the weapons, the ISF will continue searching for him. (DN)

Local Electoral Observers Getting Training

Officers of the Provedor de Direitos Humanos e Justisa (PDHJ), other civil societies and university students took the training to be observers on the presidential and parliamentary elections that was held in the PDHJ office, Caicoli Dili from 15 to 21 March 2007. This information was gathered by DN on Tuesday 20/03 through a press conference.

The training was aimed at improving the knowledge of the local observers during their monitoring of the elections. (DN)

President Xanana's Party going to have its National Conference on 28 March

The Congresso Nacional Reconstrução Timor (CNRT) is planning to hold its national conference on 28 March 2007.

Duarte Nunes, Secretary of National Committee of CNRT (20/3), at his office in Bairo dos Grilhos, said that on 26/3 the Committee will present a proposal to Kayrala Xanana Gusmão to resign as president and become the president of CNRT to compete in the parliamentary elections. They will ask Xanana to run the party mutually. (TP)

Horta: will reinforce Security in Capital

UNPOL reported that the volume of violence from 17/03 has decreased significantly.

Ramos Horta said that Timor Leste will reinforce security in the country, especially in Dili for the upcoming presidential election on 09/04/2007 in order to avoid provocations and disturbances. (TP)

President Candidates can utilize any symbols

The Vice President of NP, Jacob Fernandez said that all presidential candidates can utilize any symbols in their campaigns for democratic competition in the upcoming presidential election 09/04/2007.

TVTL- News Headlines

Monday, 20 March 2007

F-FDTL Likely to Support ISF

Support from the Unidade Intervenção Rapida (UIR) and F-FDTL during the presidential elections was one of the topics discussed during the high level weekly meeting today between the government of Timor-Leste, the UN, the ISF, the Presidents of the Republic and the National Parliament. Prime Minister Ramos-Horta said discussion is still in process about F-FDTL assistance during the presidential elections as UNPOL and over 700 PNTL officers are already active. (RTTL)

Electoral Law Revised

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the electoral law no. 7/2006 in relation to the counting of votes, registration of votes and votes verification was reviewed in the Parliament today and passed with 61 votes in favor. The Commissão Nacional Eleitoral (CNE) requested the review. (RTTL and STL)

Baucau Diocese Celebrates 10th Anniversary

The Diocese of Baucau celebrated its 10th anniversary today with a mass attended by the Bishop of Dili Diocese, Bishop Ricardo, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta, some members of the Diplomatic Corps and the people from different districts. Following the mass, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta, the Bishop of Baucau Diocese Basilio do Nascimento and Bishop of Dili planted a tree as a symbol of peace. Soils from various districts were brought by the community representatives specifically to plant the tree. (RTTL)

Ramos-Horta Rejects Accusations

Presidential candidate, Ramos-Horta has rejected accusation by another candidate, Lucia Lobato (PSD) that he has already started his campaign, adding that the population is aware that the presidential campaign is only starting on March 23, hence there is no point campaigning now. (RTTL)

Youth Support Amaral

Associação Social Democrata Timorense (ASDT) youth organization appealed to all the youth to support presidential candidate Francisco Xavier do Amaral as he can help resolve the situation of the country if he becomes the president. (RTTL)

Report on Corruption in Some Government Ministries

The Provedor of Human Rights and Justice has a report ready to be presented to some government ministries including the ministry of natural resources and the ministry of finance. The report will be presented to the respective ministries for further actions. Jose Teixeira, Minister for Natural Resources and Energy, has welcome the report saying his ministry will cooperate with the office of the Provedor, carefully study the report and take appropriate measures. (RTTL)

Environment Protection

A National NGO, Fundasaun Haburas, together with youths from Lecidere, Bidau and the Florets Department have planted over 100 trees along the ocean front in as a way to educate the youth and protect the environment. (RTTL)

Fretilin Launches Information Centre

Fretilin Central Committee today launched the party information center in Comoro, Dili. The center has also established the party's website which is in three languages; Tetum, Portuguese and English. (RTTL)

International Media Reports

Iroquois for Timor Manawatu Standard | Wednesday, 21 March 2007

Helicopters from Ohakea will be heading to East Timor in May

The New Zealand Defence Force will send up to three helicopters with 32 crew and support staff to further assist with stability operations in the troubled nation.

Drawn from the Ohakea- based 3 Squadron, the RNZAF personnel and Iroquois helicopters will deploy in late May in the first rotation of what will be a 12-month deployment.

The mission was prompted by a request from the Australian Defence Force for extra helicopter support in East Timor.

Likely tasks for the crew include transporting troops, assisting with the provision of aero medical evacuation and air logistic support. Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral Jack Steer says 3 Squadron is more than ready for the deployment.

"In recent years 3 Squadron have deployed on similar operations in the Solomon Islands and Bougainville, and in 2000 worked in partnership with Australian air assets in Timor Leste. We are pleased to be able to provide a further capability to assist the Government of Timor Leste as they continue to strive for stability, and this deployment is further proof of the range of operations the NZDF can effectively contribute to."

The helicopters will be flown to East Timor aboard RNZAF C-130 Hercules transports and based with the Australian units at the heliport in Dili. Also announced yesterday was the appointment of a New Zealand deputy chief of the combined force in Timor Leste.

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 www.unmit.org