East Timor Press Review 4 November 2002

· Suara Timor Lorosae reported today that during his visit to Kupang, West Timor, President Xanana Gusmão appealed all Timorese refugees to return to their homeland. “If some of you feel you have not done anything wrong, don’t be afraid to come back to Timor-Leste. If some of you have been involved in killing, rapes, burnt of houses or looting must take responsibility, and have the courage to face justice. If we do not have justice then hatred and revenge will be passed on to our grandchildren and that can lead to conflict among them in the future. And that is bad. We must provide freedom and unity,” said President Gusmão to an audience of 5000 Timorese refugees in Kefamenanu gymnasium,West Timor.

· In a separate article it is reported that Mr. Gusmão traveled by car to the refugee camps in order to be able to see the condition of refugees still living in West Timor. Due to time constraint the President visited only 1 refugees camp—the Noelbaki camp—where he met 7000 refugees for more than 3 hours. West Timor governor Piet Tallo and the local military commander, Colonel Moesanip were present at the event, reported STL.

· Executive Director of East Timor Study Group, João Mariano Saldanha said the reconciliation process in the country is a priority before focusing on Timorese refugees currently living in West Timor.

· It is reported that the Government is sending an investigation team to Viqueque District Viqueque tomorrow. The team is composed of FALINTIL-FDTL members and East Timor Police Service representatives. The team will work together with the local Administrator, chief of villages and the residents to resolve a problem occurred in the sub-district of Uatu-lari last week.

· Referring to Uatu-Lari problem, the Executive Director of East Timor Study Group (ETSG), João Mariano Saldanha, stated that the government must act urgently on this cases ­stealing of animals—because it can happen to other districts as well.

· Members of National Parliament have agreed with Bishop Belo’s request for the establishment of a television station in Portuguese language in order to facilitate the Timorese in learning the language throughout the country. MP Clementino dos Reis Amaral of KOTA party said the Bishop’s request is positive because the Timorese children will gain so much from it.

· In an interview with STL, Timor-Leste Police Commissioner, Paulo Martins said terrorism is a hot topic in the country right now. The commissioner added that it is important to take adequate measures in anticipating terrorism in Timor-Leste. He added that Timorese Police officers have updated information about terrorist involvement in the country.

· Norwegian government has agreed to donate a generator to Timor-Leste. It is reported that the generator will arrive by mid December. In the same article Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri said that the electricity capacity would be increased in other areas, starting with Baucau.

· Prime Ministers of the government of Timor-Leste, Australia and Indonesia will sit together to discuss the boundaries of Timor Sea, reported STL.

*Please note Timor Post was not published today*

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