Monday, 25 September 2007

UNMIT ­ MEDIA MONITORING

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National Media Reports

Fretilin condemns ISF threats on Fretilin supporters

Fretilin's MPs strongly condemned the actions of International Stabilization Forces (ISF) towards Fretilin's supporters in the Lete-Foho sub-district of Ermera.

Mr. Antoninho Bianco, Fretilin MP, confirmed that the ISF ­ together with language assistance ­ conducted a door-to-door operation looking for Fretilin supporters.

"The ISF is acting the same way the Indonesian military did during the resistance. What is the ISF doing in Timor-Leste ­ guaranteeing security or pressuring Fretilin?" said Mr. Bianco.

The Secretary-General of Fretilin stated that the ISF is not impartial; it pressures Fretilin supporters while supporting other parties. (TP, DN and STL)

Xanana testifies before CTF

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao today (25/9) will testify before the Indonesia-East Timor Truth and Friendship Commission. The public hearings will take place during the next three days - Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday - in Dili.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao will testify behind closed doors on what he knows about the unrest that led to East Timor's vote to separate from Indonesian rule in 1999.

"As the commander of the guerrillas and CNRT at that time, I will give my testimony to the CTF on the 1999 incidents. I was in jailed in Indonesia and the statement I will give will be based on the information I had at that time." said Mr. Xanana on Monday (24/9). (STL, DN and TP)

CTF discriminates against the families of perpetrators and victims

CTF which was established by Indonesia and Timor-Leste in 2005 to expose the truth on human rights violations in Timor-Leste during the incidents of 1999 is seen to be discriminatory towards the perpetrators and the victims in the manner in which the testimonies are given.

Unlike others, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, former President of Indonesia, BJ Habibie and President Jose Ramos Horta were allowed to give their testimonies behind closed doors.

A joint report dated 24 September by fourteen NGOs highlighted this discrimination by the CTF, saying that these 'closed door' hearings only benefit the government representatives and allow for impunity for the human rights violations.

"These procedures prove that the CTF does not follow the laws and international human rights principles, even though UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in his report of July 26, 2006 to Security Council called on the CTF to be credible and transparent," remarked the report.

The report calls on the governments of Indonesia and Timor-Leste to stop these hearings and to just implement the recommendations made by the CAVR (The Commission of Truth, Friendship and Reconciliation). (STL and DN)

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)