[Poster's note: International and other articles already sent out to the east-timor list (info@etan.org) have been removed from below.]

Saturday 30 Sept, Monday 02 October 2006

National Media Reports

PD National Congress

Partido Democratico (PD) concluded its first national congress on Sunday with the re-election of Fernando ‘Lasama’ de Araújo and Mariano Sabino as President and Secretary General respectively of the party. According to Lasama, one of the aims of the congress was to delineate the development program for the 2007 elections. Prime Minister Ramos-Horta, PSD President, Mario Carrrascalão, ASDT President, Francisco Xavier do Amaral, President PMD, and some members of the Diplomatic Corps were in attendance. (TP, STL, DN)

I maybe dumb but I have not distributed Guns

Speaking on the final day of the PD congress, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta said he accepts any kind of criticism, even asking him to step down because he is dumb. But he reiterated that, though he may be dumb, he has not distributed any guns, rocks or slingshots. He says the reason he sits and communicates with all the different parties is to see the best path for Timor-Leste. The Minister appealed to the youth not to be scared to speak out or feel that they lack experience. He held up as an example, some of the members of the PD who were all young people with lots of experience and who were involved in the clandestine movement during the occupation. Ramos-Horta pointed out that his generation belongs to the past and with their experience they are willing to be the backbone of the youth. (TP)

Alfredo Warns Anyone Trying To Detain Him

In response to Prime Minister Ramos-Horta’s statement that the international forces would try and dialogue with Alfredo for his surrender, rather than have more bloodshed, Alfredo said that no one, including the international forces, should bother him because he has been ‘quiet’ in his place and is not hiding from anyone, because this is his country and he has not stolen anything from anyone. On the dialogue, Alfredo said he proposed it but up until now it has not happened but he still sees it as a way to resolve problems. He said he would not surrender and warned anyone trying to detain him, to try and see as he is not a threat and does not need security. (TP)

President Gusmão Prepare To Respond To Accusations

Addressing the fifth Legislative Session of the National Parliament on Friday, President Gusmão said he is prepared to respond in court to accusations as being the promoter of the crisis for his personal interest. Gusmão stressed that he will not run away from his mistakes if there is evidence to prove it. He said everybody should rest because he would not need a lawyer and he cannot afford one due to their high fees. He said he has had many experiences with trials of which he remembers well in terms of political maturity during the seven years he spent in an Indonesian prison. On the issue of guns, the President said over 119 guns still have not been registered by the former guerrillas and 231 have not been returned by police, making it a total of over 300 guns still among civilians. He appealed for the Commission of the Parliament in charge of Defence and Security to look in to this problem to find out who has not been handing in their guns as well as the entry of illegal guns. Gusmão said the action to verify is to avoid all sorts of speculation and secure an environmental of trust among the population. MP Francisco Branco said the problem of ‘east and west’ started following the President’s message in March. (TP, DN, STL)

Ramos-Horta New Budget Would Assist Parliament

Prime Minister Ramos-Horta said he would discuss with the President of the Republic and the National Parliament to the new budget in response to the demands of the Parliament regarding the lack of transport for them to travel to the districts to be in contact with the electors. He said apart from the vehicles, the Parliament also requires economists and legal advisors and more staff to carry out the work of the Parliament. The Prime Minister also said with the current budget, the government will provide budget assistance to all political parties for the 2007 elections. He said the assistance will be given once the electoral law is in place. (DN, TP)

RTTL Headlines 29-09-06

Parliament needs Adviser : PM, Horta

PM Horta after attending the opening ceremony of 5th session of legislation reportedly told media that Parliament should have more advisers in the areas of legal and economics. PM Horta said he will dialogue with the President and Parliament to discuss the issue.

PM Horta: Reaffirmed his support to Political party

PM Horta told the media upon attending the opening ceremony of the 5th session of legislation by saying that the Government is going to support all political parties’ activities, including the congress. Government now does not yet support any political party because it is still waiting for the electoral law.

JSMP (Judicial System Monitoring Program) launched a report on progress to date in the cases of Rogerio Lobato and Mari Alkatiri. The Director of JSMP, Tiago Sarmento reportedly told media that the Prosecutor-General is facing difficulty in processing the case of former Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri because he does not have not enough evidence to process the case. According to JSMP’s view, the Prosecutor-General is supposed to request Commander Railos to declare an official statement at the office of Prosecutor General so that the evidence can be used to process the case.

National Congress of Democratic Party (PD)

Speaking at the opening ceremony of National Congress of PD, the President of PD said that through the congress, PD would like to strengthen the party structures on ground. PD has the responsibility to strengthen the security for all peoples of Timor-Leste so that the IDPs can return home. Meanwhile Prime Minister, Horta who is also attending the national congress reportedly told media that as Government he would like to serve all peoples of Timor-Leste and not serve any political party. PM Horta also appealed to all Members of Government to include the District Administrators to serve people with impartiality and integrity.

International Media Reports

First Police Group For Timor Leste To Leave Monday

October 01, 2006 23:47 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- The first of two groups from the police General Operation Force (GOF) will leave for Timor Leste Monday to join the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor Leste (UNMIT). The Malaysian force will total 140 officers and men, and the first group to leave will comprise 70 personnel. The remaining 70 will leave on Oct 8. Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum said the mission is fully sponsored by the United Nations and provided under an agreement between the governments of Malaysia and Timor Leste to help maintain peace in the country. "They will be there for three to six months and will establish an anti-riot police to maintain peace there," he said after breaking fast with the GOF personnel. The group had undergone a three-month intensive training to prepare for the mission. The Deputy Minister said he would visit the Malaysian force in Timor Leste next month. Also at the gathering was Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and his deputy Datuk Mohd Najib Abdul Aziz. (Bernama)

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]

These Items Do Not Reflect the Position or Views of the United Nations. UNOTIL Public Information Office