East Timor Press Review

Dili, 15 November 2002

STL News Coverage

· STL front page carried a photo of President Xanana Gusmão, Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Ramos Horta and Bali Governor, Dewa Beratha. The caption reads, "Mr. Xanana, Horta and Governor of Bali visited the site of last month's bombing and laid wreaths at the site".

· Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, has said that the fighting spirit of the heroes of the Santa Cruz Massacre, November 12 1991, is an example of the sacrifices made for the independence of East Timor. He added that the heroes gave their lives for the freedom of Timorese.

· Vice-Minister for Internal Administration, Alcino de Araujo Barros has denied holding two government positions. Mr. Barros was reacting to allegations by MP Maria Paixao of PSD.

· President Xanana Gusmão has urged heads of the Falintil-FDTL and TLPS to take firm action against the officers involved in the beating up of two TLPS Traffic Officers last Friday. He demanded that those found responsible for the attack should be brought to justice.

· Member of Parliament Clementino dos Reis Amaral says the decision by the Australian Government to deport Timorese refugees currently in that country is unfortunate.

· Member of Parliament Arlindo Marçal has noted that after this country achieved its independence, the followers of the Christian faith have tended to take distance from the Church. "Before independence the Church was seen as one of the sanctuaries for those who were involved in the clandestine movement", Mr. Arlindo said. He added that this is probably caused by the fact that now Timor- Leste is no longer in the situation of war.

· Dili District Administrator Ruben Braz said that the Administration plans to relocate street vendors still operating from the former Central Market. He cautioned that the site is no longer designated for such business. The former central market is now a National Expo Park.

· In a separate story, Mr. Braz is quoted as saying that he appealed to all Dili residents not to let their domestic animals such as pigs and horses wander loose on the streets.

· It is reported that former district military commander, Kuswani, former Liquica district police commander, Adios Salova and former Liquiça Administrator, Leonito Martins, suspects in the serious crimes trial were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Jakarta Ad-Hoc Tribunal.

· Chairman of Dili Court, Aderito P. Tilman said that in order to develop and uphold the rule of law in Timor-Leste, any court decision should be obeyed, respected, and implemented.

· Member of Parliament, Mariano Sabino Lopes of PD urged the Government to reflect upon the difficulties of people in the economy. The Government, he said, should prioritize what should be done to really address the people's interest.

· On concerns of some members of Parliament on the nomination of Alcino Barros as Vice-Minister of Internal Administration, STL quoted PM Mari Alkatiri as saying that it is better for the members to learn more how to interpret the Constitution.

· On the question of deficits faced by the Government, Member of Parliament Clementino Amaral of KOTA party said that the Government should have a strategy on how to lobby donor countries that have promised to help develop Timor-Leste.

· It is reported that residents of Ainaro district demand to reclaim their land, taken by Indonesian Government for 24 years, to be used for development. They said that it was taken without any agreement.

· Aniceto Guterres, the President of the Commission of Reception Truth and Reconciliation said that all sides should be objective when it comes to violent actions in Timor Leste over the last 24 years. "We cannot simply say that all refugees still living in West Timor were involved in violence." said Mr. Guterres.

Timor Post Coverage

· Timor Post quoted President Xanana Gusmão as saying that former pro-integration leaders in Indonesia accept the current reconciliation initiative by the Government of East Timor.

· Minister of Finance, Maria Madalena Boavida said that the deficit of US$ 2 million faced by the Government was due to the fact that many people do not pay their electric bills and fees for other services.

· President Xanana Gusmão said in a press conference upon his arrival back to Timor Leste yesterday that his official visits to Thailand and South Korea were considered as an opportunity to learn the economic and political experiences of these two countries.

· During the same press conference, President Xanana Gusmão said that firm action should be taken against those who hit the police [during last week's clash].

· National Parliament President, Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres, has appealed to the Timorese people to be patience as his Government works towards development. Lu-Olo, said East Timor was in a difficult economic situation and it will take time for the government to deliver the economic expectations of the people.

· Timor post reports that six Falintil-FDTL Officers, suspected of beating up two local traffic police officers last Friday, appeared in Dili Court for hearing. The FDTL Officers were remanded

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