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

Monday, 24 September 2007 UNMIT ­ MEDIA MONITORING

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National Media Reports

UN, asking Alfredo to submit his weapons

Acting SRSG Eric Huck Gim Tam said that the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) wants Reinado and his men to relinquish its weapons and to submit to justice.

Speaking to the journalist at the weekly press briefing at Obrigado Barracks on Thursday (20/9) Mr. Tan said that the police have a role in solving the issue and UNPol Commissioner Rodolfo Tor will be involved in the task force to secure security during negotiations.

"Our concern has always been to see Reinado return the weapons and submit himself to justice," said Mr. Tan. (DN)

Hasegawa, to be Special Counselor of Ramos-Horta

The President of the Republic, Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta, announced today that he has appointed Dr. Sukehiro Hasegawa as his Special Adviser for Good Governance and Democracy.

"Dr. Sukehiro Hasegawa is an outstanding expert on governance and development issues with 30 years of service in the UN system in many countries of the developing world", said President Ramos-Horta.

"Secondly, he is very committed to the well-being of the people of Timor-Leste. Also, Dr. Hasegawa is a national of Japan, a country with which Timor-Leste maintains very strong bi-lateral ties with. So I am very pleased that Dr. Hasegawa, now retired from the UN, has agreed to serve as my Special Advisor", the President of the Republic said.

"He will also be available to assist the Government and National Parliament", President Ramos-Horta added.

Dr. Hasegawa was Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Resident Coordinator for many years until August 2006, having served in two UN Missions in Timor-Leste, first with UNMISET and later as head of UNOTIL.

(TP, STL and DN)

Ramos-Horta: CTF should not be worried about UN position on amnesty

The United Nations has questioned the Commission of Truth and Friendship on the possibility of giving amnesty to the actors of human rights violations in Timor-Leste under the occupation of Indonesia.

The UN said that the Commission violates international principles in respect of the amnesty provision.

The Indonesian Chief of the Commission Benjamin Mangkoedilaga said on Sunday (23/9 in Dili that President Jose Ramos-Horta has asked the CTF not to be concerned with the statement by the Secretary-General of UN.

According to President Ramos-Horta, as quoted by Mr. Mangkoedilaga, the statement is by the Secretary-General, not an official mandated position of the General Assembly through the Security Council.

Mr. Mangkoedilaga will meet President Ramos-Horta in Denpasar next week to discuss the matter. (TP)

PSD criticizes, Alkatiri for boycotting the Government

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) has criticised the statement of the Secretary General of Fretilin, Mari Alkatiri who plans to organize boycott the the Alliance led by Xanana Gusmão.

"There are leaders who say they plan to boycott the activities of the government because they say it is an illegal government," said the PSD MP Fernando Gusmao.

According to the MP, the act that will be taken by the leaders of Fretilin will harm the state, especially Timorese people. (STL)

F-FDTL, ready to face security situation

The F-FDTL is ready to cooperate with the PNTL and International Stabilization Forces (ISF) to face any security situation that may arise in Timor-Leste.

"The F-FDTL is ready to collaborate with PNTL, UNPol and ISF to secure the security of the country, especially in Baucau and other places.

If the situation is serious, the PNTL will need the F-FDTL to assist in controlling it," said Major Haksolok.

According to Major Haksolok, the F-FDTL will fulfill its mandate to control any conflicts which threaten the security. (STL)

Illegal, the presence of Australian Defence Forces The independent watchdog Aid/Watch said that the Australian Defense Forces (ADF) are operating illegally.

The ADF presence is considered illegal as the agreement has not yet been ratified by the new National Parliament.

"This is one example of how John Howard’s gives little respect to the laws of the neighboring countries, which is increasing tension in the Pacific region," said Co-Director Aid/Watch, Flint Duxfield.

Furthermore, Dr Tim Anderson, a member of Aid /Watch said that the only way to end this illegal arrangement is to place the ADF under United Nations (UN) or withdraw it from Timor-Leste. (STL)

Honesty is needed to solve the Reinado problem

The National Unity Party (PUN) says honesty is needed to fine a solution for the problem of Alfredo Reinado and his men.

"The state and Reinado should be serious and honest if they are to end this problem," said the MP Fernanda Borges. (STL)

Aniceto, judges to be the instrument for the dialogue between Alfredo and the State

Member of HAK Association and Human Rights Observer, Aniceto Neves said that judges should hold the dialogue between Alfredo Reinado and the state to solve the problem quickly.

"Judges will also provide the opportunity for Reinado to talk about justice.

The 12 F-FDTL members have already submitted themselves to justice regarding last year's crisis and their role in weapon distribution. Reinado should also submit himself to justice," said Mr. Neves on Friday (21/9). (DN)

International Media Reports

The people's president September 21, 2007 - 11:03AM The Sydney Morning Herald

He's one of the world's enduring political figures. And, if he has his way, this Nobel Peace Prize-winner will tread the stage for years to come, possibly as the secretary-general of the United Nations.

Jose Ramos-Horta says he has always put East Timor first, from his days as a Fretilin leader fighting for independence from Indonesia, to his years living in exile overseas and his recent return to help lead the newly-independent but devastated country.

East Timor's problems are vast; its administrative and public sectors inexperienced, its political classes divided and, Ramos-Horta tells GOOD WEEKEND magazine, its politicians arrogant.

UN-branded tents house people who fled their homes last year to escape violence; many are still sharing Ramos-Horta's garden with his pet deer. He's happy to host them; he's not happy with either former PM Mari Alkatiri, resistance hero Xanana Gusmao, or the angry East Timorese youths who have yet to experience the benefits of nationhood.

So can this charismatic, but flawed leader cut through the competing interests tearing at East Timor's heart? GOOD WEEKEND, available only when you buy the paper, investigates.

Also in Good Weekend: Daphne du Maurier's bitter tale of adultery and betrayal, written when she was young, has resurfaced. So who is the illicit lover? Plus, why the long love-in between Aboriginal people and the Wilderness Society is over.

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