From UNMISET

LOCAL MEDIA MONITORING

September 4, 2003

LOCAL MEDIA

STL AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT DELEGATION MEETS PRESIDENT XANANA

President Xanana Gusmao yesterday met with the Australian Parliament delegation at the Palace of Ashes. The delegation members are Dick Adams, Bill Heffernan and Peter Landsay. "During the meeting President Xanana talked about the UNMISET mission that will be finish in June 2004 and also raised the Timor Sea issue" said the President's Chief of Staff, Mr Agio Pereira. Mr Pereira said that during the meeting, the delegation listened to the President, Parliament and Government about their thoughts relating to the UNMISET mission that will end next year.

TIMOR-LESTE - INDONESIA JOINT COMMISSION MINITERIAL MEETING

The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mr Olimpio Branco, yesterday said that after the first ministerial meeting held in Jakarta-Indonesia last year, it is now time for Timor-Leste to host the second Timor-Leste and Indonesia Joint Commission. The Ministerial Meeting will be hold from September 5-6, 2003 at Independence Memorial Hall ? Dili. Mr Branco said that the delegation from the two countries will discuss issues and seek to enhance good relationship between the two countries in the future. "Matters that will be discussed in the meeting are related to border issues, trade and finance issues, law, social, education and culture, and transportation and communication issues" said Mr Branco. Mr Branco said that before a press conference is held by the two delegations, Timor-Leste's Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Jose Ramos Horta, and his counterpart Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Hasan Wirayudha, will sign the agreements.

AUSTRALIA WILL IMPORT TL RICE AND COFFEE

A delegation of 3 Parliamentarians from Australia, Senator Bill Heffernan, Peter Lindsay and Dick Adams, accompanied by Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Mr Paul Foley, yesterday met with Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri. The head of the delegation told reporters that the meeting with the Prime Minister was positive and it was conducted in an amicable environment. Senator Heffernan said that Australia wants to import Timor-Leste's rice and its well - known coffee, but he added that this matter will be discussed with his Government.

TIMOR POST

THE AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS' VISIT TO TL

Timor Post also covered the visit of the delegation of the Australian Parliament to Timor-Leste. There were several stories regarding Australian Parliament's visit, carry much the same information as was in STL. In the first article, Timor Post quoted Australian Senator Bill Heffernan as saying "Australia has committed to support Timor-Leste after the UNMISET mission over next year". Senator Heffernan said that he can not ensure whether the Australian troops still keep their presence in Timor-Leste after the UNMISET withdrawal. Senator Heffernan said that Timor-Leste needs continued protection from the United Nations.

In the second story Timor Post quoted from Senator Heffernan's statement at Timor-Leste's National Parliament plenary session. Senator Heffernan said "There are no better neighbors than Australia and Timor-Leste. We are neighbors forever and friends forever. As a friend, Australia has contributed to the Peace Keeping Force, UN Police, administrative experts to UN mission and has also provided advisors to the Government".

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