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

Thursday, 18 January 2007

UNMIT ­ MEDIA MONITORING THE UN INTEGRATED MISSION IN TIMOR-LESTE DOES NOT VOUCH FOR THE ACCURACY OF THESE REPORTS

National Media Reports

Gusmão and Rice Will Talk About Elections

During his visit to the United States of America, President Gusmão is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice to discuss the current situation of the country as well as the up-coming elections, Chief of Staff of the President’s Office, Agio Pereira who is accompanying President Gusmão on this visit told the media before departing the country Wednesday. Pereira further said that President Gusmão would also meet with Senator John of the Republican congress, President of the World Bank and President of the International Institute. He informed that the visit is an opportunity as well for Gusmão to address the US Sport Academy, following various invitations by this institution and to be presented with the Honoraries Cause by the same Academy (DN)

Electoral Team Meets President

Members of the UN Electoral Team who met with President Xanana Gusmão on Wednesday refused to speak to the media. The President’s Chief of Staff said issues discussed between the team and the President cannot be revealed as it is related to the elections. He said the President has put together his suggestions and the dates for the elections, which would be presented to the National Parliament and then made public. (TP)

Conditional Liberty Foa Oan Kiak

The Dili District Court, has released Frederico Florindo de Jesus, who is also known as Oan Kiak, on Wednesday on conditional liberty. Oan Kiak has to report to Hera police station once a week, on Mondays. He has been in detention since August 2006 following accusations he was involved in the crisis last May. (TP)

PM Rejects Recommendation on F-FDTL

Prime Minister Ramos-Horta has rejected recommendations by an UNMIT evaluation on F-FDTL before becoming active, as was the case with the PNTL. Ramos-Horta said the National Armed Forces had an evaluation about two years ago, before the crisis and did not have to wait for UNMIT recommendations. He spoke to the media following his meeting with the Parliamentarians to discuss the crisis of the country and how the government, the National Parliament and other institutions can work to overcome this problem. (STL)

International Media Reports

Freedom House Report Sees Global 'Freedom Stagnation' By VOA News 17 January 2007

A report by the non-governmental organization Freedom House says the world is developing what it calls a "freedom stagnation."

The Washington-based group released its annual survey of global political rights and civil liberties on Wednesday. It rates countries as "free," "partly free," or "not free."

The survey shows little change in world freedom in 2006. It gives Asia the largest number of countries with lowered freedom scores. The report says about one-half of the people in the world living in "not free" conditions are in China. It also indicates setbacks for East Timor, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Freedom House reports a modest decline of freedom in Africa, and it says authoritarian rule has solidified in a majority of countries in the former Soviet Union.

The report says the trend over the past decade is disturbing with the emergence of regimes aggressively hostile to democracy. It cites Russia, Venezuela, and Iran as examples of this negative trend.

Among the countries that showed a decline in 2006 are Burma, Zimbabwe, Somalia, and Eritrea. But Guyana moved from "partly free" to "free" while Haiti and Nepal advanced from "not free" to "partly free."

Freedom House also says the Bush administration's counter-terrorism efforts causes concerns about the protection of civil liberties in the United States.

The independent organization it is predominately funded by private contributions and grants from the European Union and the U.S. government.

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]

UNMIT MEDIA MONITORING