UNMISET Daily Press Review

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review Friday, 4 March 2005

Alkatiri: Truth Commission must have credibility

Prime Minister Alkatiri says the Truth and Friendship Commission must be credible, but if the international community and the people of Timor-Leste and Indonesia do not put faith in the Commission, then it is better to not establish it. Speaking during an interval of the discussions on the body in Parliament on yesterday, Alkatiri told Timor Post that it is clear from the Commission's Terms of Reference that the aim of the Commission is not justice but to find the truth, particularly relevant for the Indonesian people, many of whom are unaware of what happened here in 1999. (Timor Post)

Meeting on Truth Commission receives mixed reaction

The session on the Truth and Friendship Commission held in the National Parliament yesterday has received mixed reactions from parliamentarians, non-governmental organizations and educational institutions. Some of the political parties questioned the issue of funding for the Commission, while NGO's such as Yayasan Hak criticized the Commission as a means for the current political leaders to demonstrate what they regard as truth and disregarding the voice of the people. However, Father Juvito, one of the Commissioners on the Timor-Leste Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) expressed his view that the Commission is an opportunity for Timor-Leste to move slowly forward in its search for justice and truth. (Timor Post)

F-FDTL to guarantee security post-UNMISET

The Chief of Staff of F-FDTL Lere Anan Timor has declared that both Timor-Leste's defence and police forces are ready to guarantee security when UNMISET completes its mission. Lere said that management of the border will be based on the current principles of cooperation, not confrontation.

Responding to questions from STL, Lere said that he is not concerned about the fact that America will soon begin training the Indonesian military. He said that the Indonesian military is concerned with maintaining security in its own nation, and is not interested in Timor-Leste. He added that members of PNTL will also be sent to the United States for training in the near future. (STL)

Equality Promotion to do general clean-up

As part of commemorations for International Women's Day on 8 March, the Advisor for the Promotion of Equality in the Prime Minister's Cabinet has joined forces with local and international non-governmental organizations to run a general clean-up of Dili's market areas and the Muki Bonaparte Park in Mandarin. Advisor Maria Domingos Fernandes Alves told STL that the theme for gender equality this year is to construct a secure future for women, by focusing on security, development, natural disasters, and human rights. (STL)

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