Monday, 10 October 2007

UNMIT - MEDIA MONITORING

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National Media Reports

** Government Should Reduce Poverty

The Parliamentary Majority Alliance led by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao needs to work hard to reduce the poverty in this newborn country.

"Approving the transitional budget of $116 million USD is a good sign that the Government is trying to reduce the number of people in poverty, which is currently increasing", said Ricardo Cardoso, as chairman of Trade, Commerce and Industry body of Timor-Leste. (STL)

** Church Considers That Life Pensions Enrich Only Ex-High Level Officers

The Church Peace and Justice Commission member, Fr. Natalino Maia da Costa, said that by approving life pensions for the ex-President, Members of Parliament and the Government, the National Parliament members have shown that they only look after themselves and not the poor people living in misery. (STL)

** FRETILIN Anticipate Election

Fretilin Party Secretary General, Mr. Mari Alkatiri, said that he has no doubt that the current government will collapse in the next two years. Mr. Alkatiri stated that another election could happen because the government will not carry out its program to restore people's lives with the huge sum of money totalling $116.409 million USD. (STL)

** FRETILIN Worried about Government Transitional Budget

FRETILIN National Parliament spokesperson, Mr. Aniceto Guterres, declared that the transitional budget for the period between 1 July and 31 December 2007 is bigger than the government can execute in the short term.

"The Government have said that they have no capacity to spend large amounts of money in the short-term, yet they have allocated a lot of money to big goods and services without a plan to use it," said Mr. Aniceto. (DN)

** Fernando "Lasama" Believes the Transitional Budget Reflects People's Needs

The Chief of the National Parliament, Mr. Fernando "Lasama" de Araujo, said that the transitional budget reflects people's needs because the government is being transparent.

"I believe that the Government will respond to people's needs in the short-term by spending the transitional budget properly", said Mr. Fernando "Lasama".

** UNPOL Responsible for 25 May 2006 Crisis

Inocencio da Costa Maria, the PNTL logistics director, told a judge in court that UNPOL is responsible for the F-FDTL firing on them on 25 May 2006 because an UNPOL officer told him that UNPOL had coordinated with the F-FDTL, will escort the PNTL officers to Obrigado Barracks, and will not be responsible if any PNTL stay in the PNTL headquarters. (DN)

** Maria Domingas Alves: Budget is $2 million USD for IDPs

The Minister of Social Solidarity, Ms. Maria Domingas Alves said that the Government will devote 2 million dollars to Internally Displaced People for two months.

The Government, through the Ministry of Social Solidarity, took the initiative to invite other organizations including the United Nations agencies in Timor-Leste to discuss mechanisms to bring internally displaced people home. (TP)

** Buying New Tents Does Not Mean Refugees Are Staying Permanently

The Minister of Social Solidarity, Ms. Maria Domingas Alves, said that government also will buy new tents to replace the current ones provided by IOM last year.

"The Government will provide new tents in anticipation of the upcoming raining season, it does not mean refugees may stay permanently, using these tents," says Ms. Maria. (TP)

** National Parliament Has No Obligation to Consult with the Petroleum Fund Consultative Counsel

The Chief of Commission C on Finance Economy and Anti Corruption affairs, Mr. Manuel Tilman, stated that according to the Constitution, Parliament has no obligation to consult with the Petroleum Fund Consultative Counsel while defining the budget from the fund.(TP)


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




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