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Subject: UNMIT Daily Media Review 16 July 2008
UNMIT (International news reports and extracts from national media. UNMIT does not vouch for the accuracy of these reports)(International news reports and extracts from national media. UNMIT does not vouch for the accuracy of these reports) National Media Reports UNDESA solar energy project in Atauro – Timor Post UNDESA has undertaken a solar project as part of their program to help communities meet their energy needs in Timor-Lese. “It is critical that the government continue to support alterative energy sources. We have seen that with the appropriate support, solar can become a viable alternative,” said UNDESA representative Mr Paulo da Silva. Mr da Silva explained that the focus was on rural communities that had great trouble with electricity. He also explained that UNDESA was implementing this project based on lessons learned from similar projects that were implemented during the occupation until now. UNDESA has tried to avoid the mistakes of the past by involving the community in all aspects of the project to ensure the sustainability of the project. UNDESA closes their program in three districts – Suara Timor Lorosa’e UNDESA has started to close its program in Timor-Leste. UNDESA’s program was implemented over three years in three districts. The program was water supply management, including some infrastructure and the provision of solar energy. UNDESA’s Community Development Officer Oscar da Silva explained the importance of active community participation in the project. He also said that the communities need ongoing support if they are to actively participate. Another UNDESA Officer, Paulo da Silva said that it was critical for the Government to support alternative energy to meet the needs of the people, particularly in rural areas. UNDESA guarantees solar can work in Timor-Leste – Diario Nacional UNDESA’s program has attempted to bring solar power to rural areas in Timor-Leste. UNDESA has been in Timor-Leste since 2005 and worked in three districts. Their program will end this year. UNDESA explained the importance of community participation in the program implementation. The solar program has been implemented in a few areas of Atauro Island. The Community Development Officer of Ataúro said that the local administration wanted to present a proposal to the Government to expand the solar project to all parts of Atauro. Mr Paulo da Silva, UNDESA, explained that UNDESA has working in partnership with local NGOs and community leaders to implement the Government’s program. Mr da Silva said that UNDESA is ready to continue their program if the Government requests them to do so. Ed: accusation politics not educating people – Suara Timor Lorosa’e It is normal that in a political democracy there are different ideas of government political decisions. If there are no critics then there is no democracy, only authoritarianism that does not allow criticism and rejects differences in ideas. But freedom allows that there are norms with respect to others’ dignity. Political leaders should educate the community by providing good examples to the people; they should teach how to express their opinions and criticisms to find the way to resolve existing differences. In June, leaders of the country showed something that people do not accept; Fretilin’s Secretary General Mari Alkatiri and the party’s Vice President Bano accused Xanana of bad governance. Mr. Alkatiri expressed this to the international media, Australia and Portugal, which did not give respect to Xanana’s dignity. Xanana was also angry with the accusation and, in turn, expressed the bad administration that took place during Alkatiri’s governance. The psy war between the two leaders leaves no input to the people as it is not a tradition of democracy – this tradition belongs to primary school students. We all should be careful with their manoeuvres behind the curtain – we only need national political stability and a sense of security for the country. Amin… International Media Reports [Poster's note: Repeats of international articles already sent out to the east-timor list (info@etan.org) have been removed.] Yudhoyono regrets Timor-Leste violence – UPI.com, 15 July JAKARTA, July 15 (UPI) -- Indonesian President <http://www.upi.com/topic/Susilo_Bambang_Yudhoyono/>Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed sympathy Tuesday over human rights violations during Timor-Leste's independence referendum. "We would like to express our sympathy over the past violence that have claimed lives and material losses," Yudhoyono said in Bali after receiving the final report from the two nations' Commission for Truth and Friendship, Antara news agency reported. Timor-Leste President <http://www.upi.com/topic/Ramos_Horta/>Ramos Horta also received the report. The 1999 referendum was for Timor-Leste's independence from Indonesia, which had occupied it for more than two decades. But the period leading up to the referendum resulted in hundreds being killed, raped and tortured. "I believe that from this report the relations between the two countries will remain strong," Yudhoyono said. Ramos Horta was quoted as saying the report could improve the spirit of mutual forgiveness and improve relations between the two countries. The BBC said the report details the violations with the Indonesian army taking much of the blame. The United Nations, which blamed Indonesia for the violations, has demanded those guilty be brought to justice. UNMIT MEDIA MONITORING <http://www.unmit.org>
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