East Timor Press Review

23 September 2002

· Suara Timor Lorosa’e front page reported on a ceremony held by UN PKF to award South Korean contingent (ROKBATT) with UN medals in Oecussi district. The awards were presented by Force Commander, Major General Tan Huck Gim last Saturday.

· It is reported that Minister of Internal Administration, Rogerio Lobato will present a list of about 500 former Falintil and resistant veterans to the National Police of East Timor on Tuesday for recruitment.

· Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak stated that FDTL members and those who intend to join the army should take into perspective the service of the nation and not the low salaries.

· Abilio Jose Osorio Soares, the former governor of East Timor during the Indonesian occupation has confirmed that some Militia members were provided with weapons by the Indonesian army.

· ETPF Commissioner, Paulo Martins informed that police only facilitated the detention of 24 trucks carrying sandalwood last week. Mr. Martins said the next process would be handled by the Forestry department.

· Timor Post’s front page carried a photo of a mass celebrated in Mount Ramelau on Sunday. Above the photograph headline reads: “The church had the power to shape East Timor’s destiny. On this article the Bishop of Baucau, Basilio do Nascimento said that many people used the church because of its power as an institution in East Timor, to remove the former rulers. They used the church power as a means to pass on information to the people. The Bishop added, “ East Timor is on a different path now and the mindset of the people has altered.”

· Minister of Education, Youth and Culture, Armindo Maia said that University students should not carry out acts of violence, like they did during the Indonesian occupation of the country.

· East Timor Police Commissioner, Paulo Martins said the sandalwood obtained from trucks which were caught transporting them illegally last week is currently being stored in a warehouse in order to avoid the possible sale of this commodity.

· It is reported that captain Domingos da Camara known as Amico has resumed his duty. Colonel Lere Anan Timor said that various reasons were presented by the captain for his resignation. Amico said that FDTL salaries are low and it’s hard to sustain the family. Another aspect is the health problems. Until now, he still has bullets in his body. Another problem presented by Captain Amico is his intellectual capacity. He said he can handle his job despite the fact that he never obtained any formal education as he joined the army at a when he was very young. Under orders from President of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, Xanana Gusmão who also heads the supreme forces, Captain Amico has now returned to his post, reported TP.

· Ministers of Internal Affairs, Rogerio Lobato announced that selected East Timor Police Officers will soon attend aviation training in Angola.

· Oecussi residents are requesting that the Indonesian customs officers in West Timor allow them to commute between East and West Timor for free.

[Drafted by UNMISET Spokespersons Office]

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