Subject: UNMIT Daily Media Review 14 Oct - 16 October 2006

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

UNMIT

United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste

Public Information Unit

Daily Media Review

Saturday 14 Oct, Monday 16 October 2006

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

National Media Reports

ICG Report Contrary To Reality

Prime Minister Ramos-Horta said the report of the International Crisis Group is contrary to the reality in Timor-Leste where thousands of people including political parties have expressed their views that President Xanana Gusmão should continue in office for another mandate. On Mari Alkatiri, Fretilin’s Secretary General, Ramos-Horta said it was not up to the ICG to decide but it is the people’s decision on who should lead the party in the elections.

In a separate article, the Prime Minister reportedly said that Australia is prepared to continue to provide assistance to Timor-Leste at least until December, adding that the Australian government would maintain their forces in the country with impartiality. During his recent visit to Australia, the Prime Minister met with his Australian counterpart and, among other issues, discussed the exploration of the Greater Sunrise oil.

STL reported the Prime Minister as saying he would ask an Australian expert to investigate Timor-Telecom’s rates, which are considered very high. He said he would discuss the prices with the company and request lowering of the rates - especially the internet rate ­ to enable youth to have access. Speaking to the IDPs in Becora on Friday, he stressed that he wants the youth to have access to the internet to broaden their education and knowledge of the technology. (TP, STL)

Shooting Between F-FDTL-PNTL Result of Manipulation

STL reported in a separate article that during his visit to Becora, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta told community members currently taking refuge in the nuns’ compound, that F-FDTL and PNTL had harmonious ties but they were destroyed by some members of the government. Ramos-Horta said the shooting between the two institutions was the result of manipulations. He said he is not certain who is responsible. The Prime Minister said the government is now working hard to restore the PNTL, adding once all the United Nations police are on the ground and the screening of PNTL officers is complete, permanent posts will be established in the entire neighbourhood. (STL)

Ximenes-Longuinhos Ready To Try Authors of Crisis

President of the Appeals Court and the Prosecutor General made a joint statement on Friday (13/10) saying that the court is ready to process the authors of the crisis based on recommendations of the report of the Independent Special Commission of Enquiry. Ximenes said their statement is based on Timor-Leste’s Constitution and it is the competence of the Public Ministry to take penal actions if there is evidence against the accused of any alleged crimes. He told the media that the court would then proceed and make a decision on the case in an objective and impartial manner according to the law and facts.

On the same occasion, Prosecutor-General, Longuinhos Monteiro, appealed to Major Alfredo Reinado and his group to return to prison, as the court decision on their recapture is still valid. Monteiro refused to comment whether he has been in telephone contact with Alfredo but STL reports that Monteiro and Brigadier Mick Slater met with him near Alas, Manufahi District. The contents of the discussion have not been revealed.

Meanwhile, Tomas Pinto, military political analyst said the UN must provide security to the judges to proceed with the cases of those responsible for the crisis. Pinto added that it is important that the judges work in an environment free of terror. (TP, STL, DN)

Man Stabbed To Death

A 50-year-old man living in the IDP camp opposite Obrigado Barracks, Caicoli, was fatally stabbed by an unknown person while returning from church on Sunday. According to Timor Post, Benjamin was walking towards Obrigado Barracks after attending the morning mass when he was stabbed. UNPOL police closed the area for about two hours, reported TP. (TP)

CNE Will Have Own Budget: Pessoa

The Minister of State, Ana Pessoa said the National Electoral Commission (CNE) will have its own budget but legislation first needs to be established for the Commission to proceed with its work. Pessoa said that there are no problems with STAE, noting it has started its work. She added that the focus now would be on CNE. The Minister of Justice Domingos Sarmento is of the opinion that the votes must be assembled in the districts for counting, adding that the decision would be from the Parliament. (TP)

International Media Reports

Portugal sends security police to E. Timor on peacekeeping mission

UPDATED: 10:35, October 16, 2006

Source: Xinhua

The first batch of 17 Portuguese Public Security Police (PSP) left Lisbon on Sunday for East Timor to join a United Nations force deployed there, a senior PSP officer said. The police, part of the 58 police officers the Portuguese government is to send at the request of the United Nations and East Timor's government, will be tasked with training local police force, helping maintain social security and participating in criminal investigations, the officer said. The police, who will be commanded by the PSP's deputy superintendent Antero Lopez, have been trained in victim support, public order, criminal investigation and personal security, the officer said. The second group of 20 police officers will leave on Wednesday, and another 21 have been promised, but their departure date has not been set, the officer said. He added that more than half of the police had worked in East Timor, a Portuguese colony for 460 years until 1975. Some 3,200 international peacekeepers and police were sent to East Timor in May, after violence, pitting the country's police, military and gangs against each other, forced the resignation of the then prime minister Mari Alkatiri. Portuguese-speaking East Timor, an island south of Indonesia and northeast of, gained independence in 2002. (People’s Daily Online ­ Beijing, China)

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. UNMIT Public Information Office


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