UNOTIL Daily Media Review 4 April 2006

Subject: UNOTIL Daily Media Review 4 April 2006

UNOTIL UNOTIL

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review

Tuesday, 4th April 2006

F-FDTL Petitioners want to create instability + Salsinha: Our position is still military + Opposition MPs demand Commission of Inquiry

The Ministry of Interior has received information that the "591 petitioners" have been holding meetings to discuss burning their uniforms and creating instability. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Minister of Interior Rogerio Lobato appealed to the Timorese people and in particular the people of Dili not to support those people who are trying to create confusion, and to instead support the police in working to guarantee security. He emphasized that in all situations it would be the law which would determine what action should be taken. Responding to the statement of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Jose Ramos Horta that the expelled petitioners should return to their homes as civilians, spokesperson for the "591" Gastao Salsinha said that the petitioners still consider themselves as military personnel, and complained that Horta's statement is unfair.

Meanwhile, opposition MPs in Monday's Plenary Session in Parliament requested that a Commission of Inquiry be established to investigate the roots of the alleged discrimination in the F-FDTL. They also requested that the soldiers continue to receive their salaries, as there has as yet been no legal decision taken on their expulsion. (STL, TP, DN)

2,900 students to receive scholarships

The Minister of Labour and Solidarity Mr Arsenio Bano said that 2,900 students will be awarded scholarships. The scholarship will be given to students who obtain high marks in their studies from pre-secondary to university level and also to orphaned students. Mr Bano explained that the fund amounting to US $240,000 comes from the Prime Minister's Cabinet to help students with financial problems. (TP)

RTTL News Headlines 03-04-2006

Beto Community develops unity

In response to the recent situation in Dili, the Village Head of Comoro reportedly held a meeting on Saturday, aimed at enhancing unity among the people. Speaking at the gathering, the Village Head, Eurico da Costa appealed to the Government to pay attention to the community members affected and also called on the Government to find those who committed crimes to be brought to justice. Interior Minister Rogerio Tiago Lobato was present and congratulated the community for the initiative.

Ex- combatants and women in Ermera urged the Government to solve problems.

Former Combatants and women organizations from Ermera district held a press conference on Saturday in Ermera to call on the Government, including the Church, to stop and resolve the problems between the peoples of Lorosae and Loromonu. Speaking at the press conference, Ernesto Fernandes "DUDU" a former FALINTIL Commander from the area, reportedly called on the Government, the National Parliament and the President of the Republic to stop and resolve the problem. He added that the people of Ermera believe there is no east and west, but one Timor-Leste, and hence, they are against divisionism.

OPMT district Dili holds 1st conference

FRETILIN's women Organization, OPMT, of Dili district held its first Conference on Saturday. The purpose of the conference was to strengthen and improve the capacity of FRETILIN women from Dili District. Maria Filomena Belo who organized the conference told journalists that her organization was aimed to prepare the women of Timor-Leste to be leaders and actors of development in this country.

TLMDC demands STL correct its report

Timor-Leste Media Development Center, TLMDC, held a press conference on Friday to demand that the daily STL should withdraw its report in relation to FM Horta's criticism of Internews. In the article, STL reported that TLMDC was a part of Internews, which the Organization refuted stating that it is not a part of Internews. Meanwhile, the editor in chief of STL, Salvador Ximenes said that both sides have agreed to solve the issue.

Portuguese Government distributes Portuguese books to District Teachers

The Portuguese Government, through its Embassy in Dili, has reportedly distributed Portuguese books for Schoolteachers in the districts, RTTL reported. The distribution was done symbolically at the meeting hall of the Education Ministry in Vila Verde, Dili. The books were officially handed over by the Portuguese Ambassador in Timor-Leste to the Vice Minister for Education, Rosalia Corte Real. Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, Vice Minister Corte Real reportedly stated that the books would be very helpful in improving the capacity of district teachers.