Subject: Timor-Leste Local Media Monitoring Dec 3, 2003

Timor-Leste International and Local Media Monitoring Dec 3, 2003 via World Bank

Lusa

East Timor: CPLP chief begins five-day visit Wednesday The executive secretary of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP), João Augusto de Médicis, begins a five-day visit to East Timor Wednesday. Officials in Dili said the visit would allow de Médicis to evalute the current situation faced by the CPLP's newest member state and discuss cooperation programs. During his stay, the CPLP chief will meet with all East Timor's senior leadership, including President Xanana Gusmão and Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri.

Lusa

This story below is a negative article which suggests the World Bank is critical of the Government . It also implies widespread corruption and mismanagement inside the Government. The basis of the article is the World Bank Background Document, however the article is entirely unbalanced and notes none of the Government's successes to date. Please find attached at the end of this Media Monitoring the World Bank Background Document and the three annexes. [Poster note: see links to docs at http://lnweb18.worldbank.org/]

Timor-Leste: Banco Mundial considera crucial combater corrupção e despesismo Díli, 02 Dez (Lusa) - O Banco Mundial estima que a corrupção, o uso de bens públicos para fins privados e a aplicação indevida de capital atribuído para outros objectivos são problemas prementes no sector público timorense que carecem de medidas imediatas. Ainda que o problema em Timor-Leste "pareça contido", segundo refere a instituição internacional em documentos preparados para reuniões com os doadores que decorrem esta semana em Díli, são necessárias medidas concretas e concertadas. Aludindo à dificuldade "em abandonar hábitos do passado" - uma referência às práticas corruptas do regime indonésio -, o Banco Mundial considera "essencial" agir "para evitar que a corrupção se consolide".O documento lamenta, por exemplo, que os relatórios das investigações do gabinete do Inspector Geral "tenham deixado de ser tornados públicos", questionando se não será possível "tomar outras medidas" para controlar o problema. Auditorias internas do próprio governo - que nunca foram tornadas públicas - apontam, segundo o Banco Mundial, outros problemas, incluindo a retenção ilegal de receitas por estruturas como a Universidade Nacional e os tribunais. Aquisições não-autorizadas e acima do limite previsto, excessivo uso de fundos de maneio e uso exagerado de "aquisições de emergência a fornecedores únicos", contribuem igualmente para os "riscos fiduciários" actuais. O documento alude ainda a sinais de "aumentos rápidos" nos custos em bens e serviços - que cresceram, de 24,6 para 37,3 milhões, no último ano - canalizados especialmente para viagens, operação de viaturas e material de escritório. "Até ao final do primeiro trimestre do ano fiscal em curso (que começou em Julho) muitas das agências (do governo) tinha já gasto o total do seu orçamento para operações de veículos e três quartos do orçamento anual de viagens oficiais", refere o documento. Um problema agravado, em parte, pela doação de material deixado pela comunidade internacional: como exemplo, o texto refere que há uma média de um carro por cada oito funcionários públicos. Em detrimento das agências centrais, perde "a entrega de serviços nos distritos", sustenta o texto: "estimativas sugerem que apenas um terço de todos os gastos do orçamento são destinados para distritos fora de Díli ou para programas de âmbito nacional". Como já se tornou hábito em documentos preparados para a reunião de doadores, o sector de maior "buraco negro" continua a ser o da electricidade, onde a única melhoria na cobrança de receitas se deve a pagamentos de contas do Estado e ao saldo de dívidas em atraso. Isso deixa o sector com um déficit estimado de mais de 8 milhões de dólares para o ano fiscal em curso. Uma situação que o executivo espera agora ver corrigida depois da assinatura, no final de Novembro, do contrato de gestão do sector com a Companhia de Electricidade de Macau (CEM).O documento do Banco Mundial refere ainda um conjunto de outras medidas já tomadas pelo governo, incluindo a "clarificação do papel" dos membros do governo relativamente a aquisições, a melhor gestão de bens deixados pela comunidade internacional, e a eventual racionalização da frota pública, paralelamente a restrições no uso de veículos públicos. Estes e outros temas serão debatidos detalhadamente nos três dias de reunião que a liderança timorense mantém com representantes da comunidade internacional, entre quarta e sexta- feira. Será o nono encontro do tipo e o quarto a decorrer na capital timorense.

Timor Post

Reduce Poverty

The Minister of Planning and Finance, Madalena Boavida, said that the theme for the Timor-Leste Development Partners' Conference is poverty reduction. She added that also they will ask the development partners to continue support the Government's development program. Mrs Boavida said that the Government needs to implement its development plans and the development partners have already given the signal that they will continue with their support to the Government of Timor-Leste. Mrs Boavida also said that she'll be presenting the Government strategy to the development partners to bridge the "finance gap".

32 Nations attend Timor-Leste Development Partners meeting

The National Interim Director Ministry of Planning and Finance, Gastao F. de Sousa, said that delegates from 32 nations have been invited to the Timor-Leste and Development Partners meeting. He added that of the 32 nations invited, 18 countries have confirmed their presence at the meeting. Mr de Sousa said that the Government of Timor-Leste will present its report on the projects implemented to the Development Partners. He added that the World Bank, the IMF and ADB are also attending the meeting.

Timor Sea recruits Philippine workers

A Member of the National Parliament, Joao Mendes Goncalves, said that a Philippine newspaper reported that Philippine workers are being recruited to work on Timor Sea. He says that the information he received says both Philippinos but and Indonesians will be working on the rigs. Mr Goncalves said that the Timor Sea agreement signed between the Governments of Australia and Timor-Leste gives the sole rights to the workers of the two countries. He added that the 32 Timorese dismissed recently by the Timor Gap (does not say which office or company) have already presented their case to the National Parliament.

Ex-Indonesian Police wont be recruited for Special Force

The National Security Advisor for the Prime Minister, Ricardo da Costa Ribeiro, said that the Special Police Forces of Timor-Leste will not include Timorese who had once worked for the Indonesian police. He added that the Government plan is to recruit only members of the clandestine movement and youth to the Special Police Force. Mr Ribeiro said that those recruited will need to have "the mentality" and more importantly patriotism.

German government donates new ferry to Timor-Leste

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Ramos Horta, said that the Governments of Timor-Leste and Germany will sign an accord that will see a new ferry being delivered to Timor-Leste in July 2005. Dr Horta said that the ferry will be used to transport passengers and cargo to Atauro, Oe-Cussi and other parts of the region.

STL

Timor-Leste needs continued support from donors

The Director of the Banking and Payments Authority, Dr Luis Quintaneiro, said that the Government of Timor-Leste has to double its efforts in convincing donor nations to continue with financial support until 2007.

UNICEF supports 40 teachers with training

A member of the UNICEF training team in the District of Bobonaro, Jorge Mouzinho, said that 40 Primary School teachers are receiving training financed and supported by UNICEF. He added that the training is focused on how to improve teaching methods.

Mr Mouzinho said that UNICEF is also giving training and financial support to the Districts of Same, Liquica and Manatuto.

An intrusion to civil society life

The Executive Director of East Timor Study Group, Joao M. Saldanha, said that the Government of Timor-Leste has excluded the NGO Forum from the participants list of the Timor-Leste Development Partners Meeting. He added that the donors should note this when considering further aid given the Governments attitude of exclusion. Mr Saldanha also said that Mr Alkatiri has consistently excluded competent East Timorese from activities that are very technical not necessarily political.

Students protest over bad management

A student leader from Dom Boaventura University, Jose Belo, said that his foundation fully supports the student movement protest against the Director of the University of Dili for mismanagement. He added that the students want the Director to act more responsibly in managing the university.

December 4 Report Would be Returned to UNPOL

The Prosecutor General Longuinhos Monteiro said on Monday that he would like to return the report on the investigation of 4th December 2002 to UNPOL for UNPOL to gather more evidence in order to allow him to take the case to court. He said that tomorrow he would be meeting with UNPOL Commissioner Sandy Peisley who had contacted him regarding this matter. He said that if the report did not include detailed evidence nobody would be charged.

Action of CPD-RDTL in Maliana Causes Unrest

MP Jose Andrade da Cruz said on Tuesday that terror and intimidation acts by members of CPD-RDTL on November 28 have caused unrest among the community in Maliana sub-district. Da Cruz explained that apart from forcing the local residents to turn up at the Independence commemoration ceremony, the group also forced them to contribute money for the event. He pointed out that people have also been influenced by this group not to obey the constitutional government of Timor-Leste. This has given rise to confusion among the community, that is [the impression that] there are two governments in Timor-Leste, one ruled by Prime Minister Mari Alkatri and the other by Antonio Aitahan Matak. It is also reported that the group controls the network of businesses along the border.

Jose Filipe External Affairs World Bank, Dili Office Ph: 723 3110 Tel: 332 4649 Email: ffilipe@worldbank.org Email: maubere07@yahoo.com.au


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