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

Saturday 03, Monday 05 March 2007

UNMIT ­ MEDIA MONITORING

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

National Media Reports

FSI Shot Four During Operation

The operation in Same early Sunday morning left four armed people dead. According to Brigadier General Rerden no member of ISF were injured or killed. Salsinha Gastão, the petitioners' spokesperson, who is currently in the area of Manufahi, affirmed that he does not know the whereabouts of Alfredo as they have escaped separately.

In a separate article, Salsinha reportedly told Timor Post, via mobile interview soon after the ISF operation that the State no longer has the capacity to resolve the military problem, which has been almost a year and is now resorting to the international forces for help. He stresses that the International Forces are here to protect the population and not to kill as they are doing to people who are defending the rights and the dignity of the people who have not found justice. He blames the State for ordering the International Forces operation which killed four people, stressing that since the international forces have separated the group, the path to surrender and hand in the guns would have to be requested from the population. On the operation on Sunday morning Gastão said the ISF fired first, not enabling them to retaliate and all they did was try to escape. The petitioners' spokesperson said the group is waiting for the ISF to catch them as they are not willing to surrender. Salsinha recalls that the group had dinner together before the attack and around 1am the ISF black hawk airplane started flying on top of their residence and their focus was on the plane. In the meantime, the ISF had moved by land and got close to them when one of the Alfredo's members, a military police called Deolindo Barros, told the ISF members to move back but they ignored his plea and starting running zig zag and fired straight at Deolindo. Salsinha Gastão said he doesn't know whether Deolindo is dead or alive.

According to STL correspondent in Same, two of Alfredo's members are now receiving medical treatment from the nuns in Same as a result of the operation. They are a UIR member called Neckson from Ermera District and Deolindo. According to sources from Same, a member of the ISF was also targeted but it is unknown whether the person was injured or killed. (STL, TP)

President Maintains Decision Of Capture

President Xanana Gusmão has maintained the decision for the Australian Forces to apprehend Alfredo adding that there is no other way for Alfredo but to surrender and hand in all the weapons. SRSG Atul Khare has reportedly said that the position of UNMIT is consistent with the government of Timor-Leste to capture Reinado. (STL)

Sympathizers Run Amuck Following Operations

Sympathizers of Alfredo Reinado have protested against the International Forces for failing killing the people. The supporters also appealed to the leaders of Timor-Leste and the International Forces to withdraw ISF troops, stressing that they are prepared to die in support of Alfredo. They rejected President Xanana's appeal which stated that efforts are continuing to apprehend Alfredo. (TP)

Prosecutor General Met Alfredo

Prosecutor General Longuinhos Monteiro met with Major Alfredo in Same last Friday in the capacity as State messenger. According to STL, the area occupied by Alfredo was surrounded by Australian troops and Reinado remained calm while discussing his surrender. The operation by ISF took place Sunday following Alfredo's decision not to accept the State proposal to surrender. STL reported that Australian troops were equipped with armoured tanks and Black Hawk helicopters (STL, TP)

F-FDTL Will Be Stationed At Border: Vice MI Agosto Sequeira

Vice-Minister of Interior Agostinho Sequeira Somoco reportedly said that F-FDTL would be stationed at the borders because Indonesia has their troops, the Indonesian National Military, TNI also at the border. Somoco said heavy sanctions will apply against BPU officers who have cooperated with Alfredo but the decision is pending on the investigation, adding that the situation in Tunu Bibi is now under control. (STL)

Xanana Must Be Ashamed In Relation Statement: Lu-Olo

President of Fretilin, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo said President Xanana Gusmão should be ashamed of himself for the statement he made on Monday 26/2 stating that guns remain in the hands of some Fretilin members in Ermera. He said there is no strong evidence to support the statement just as there was no evidence to support allegations against the former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri. (TP)

International Media Reports

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 www.unmit.org