| Subject: UNOTIL's Daily Media Review March
2 2006
UNOTIL Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources Daily Media Review Thursday, 02 March 2006 National Media Reports Discussion on Women's Participation in 2007 Elections President Gusmao, Prime Minister Alkatiri and the organizing committees, Fokupers and UNIFEM, will hold a discussion on women's participation in the 2007 election. The Advisor for the Office of Gender, Promotion and Equality, Maria Domingas Fernandez (Micato) told the media following a meeting with the President on Wednesday. Fernandez said that the seminar will be held on March 6 in Dili. She added that it is important for the political parties, especially those contesting the election, to be informed about the women's platform and the importance of their vote. Political parties and women's organization will be invited to take part in the seminar, reported STL. In a separate article, Timor Post reported that the women's organisation, OPMT (Organizao Popular Mulher Timor) held a District meeting in Baucau to establish a Coordinating Council body and Judiciary Commission and to select 11 delegates for the national congress scheduled for March 24-26. (STL, TP) Office of Provedor Opens Door To The Public The Office of the Provedor for Human Rights will be open to the public on March 20. The President of the Provedor, Sebastiao Dias Ximenes, reportedly said that as of this date, each citizen can present their complaints which will be followed up with an investigation. Speaking in an information session in Baucau Ximenes said, "we already told the public that our door would be open on March 20. We would like to hold a mini campaign especially for the administrators and those in charge of the administration not only in Baucau but also in the other 12 districts. The last district would be Dili. Apart from activities like this one in Baucau, the other two groups have gone to the districts in the South and West". He added that in order to better serve the public, the Provedor Office for Human Rights has plans to open offices in the East to cover the districts of Baucau, Lospalos, Viqueque and Manatuto as well as to cover the areas in the South. (TP) "I Will Not Be a Candidate President of the Republic": Belo The former Bishop of Dili, Dom Carlos Ximenes Belo said he had not made an agreement with a political party regarding his candidature for the 2007 President of the Republic. Belo said he would not run for the Presidential elections but he leaves the door open for other people to be the candidate. "I am not ready to become a candidate and I am not a candidate for the political parties. Up to now I have not made an agreement with a political party or anyone for the President of the Republic candidature," Belo said. (DN) Timorese In West Timor Wants To Return Timor-Leste Consul General for Kupang, West Timor, Caetano Guterres, said many Timorese currently living there want to return to Timor-Leste. Caetano Guterres said he was warmly greeted when he visited the areas of Noelbaki and the refugee camp in Naibonat. He said many of them cried, saying they want to return to Timor-Leste. The Timorese Consul General said the living conditions of some of the Timorese in Naibonat are really poor. He asked them for a list of names of those who wish to return, saying he would discuss the matter with the Governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia. He added that those Timorese working in the police and military forces also wish to return when they complete their work. (TP) MP Amaral comments on use of state facilities + Soldiers can present complaints if not happy with investigation Vice-President of KOTA Party, MP Clementino Amaral responded to claims by Fretilin MP Francisco Branco that Fretilin MPs use government facilities to carry out activities related to the national interest, saying that such a statement is "child politics". Speaking to journalists last Monday, Branco had said that the party in power has the right to make use of state facilities in the interests of national development. However, according to Amaral, such an argument does not make sense, because the kind of activities being carried out must first be considered and ascertained that such activities really are in the interests of the people at large and not just in the interest of party supporters. Amaral stated that the reality is that MPs from majority party Fretilin use government facilities such as vehicles more often than MPs from the minority parties, and that this is unjust. He said that there are many forms of discrimination practiced by the majority party, including bans on raising minority party flags in pro-Fretilin villages. He said that the KOTA party culture is not like this, as his party understands that minority parties must also participate in the development of this country. Remarking on the F-FDTL case, Amaral said that those soldiers who believe that the investigating team is conducting an unfair investigation can submit a complaint to that effect. He said that the complaint would have to be in written form and addressed to their relevant commanders. He expressed his disagreement with the proposal to hold a national dialogue in an attempt to resolve the problem. (TP) RTTL News Headlines Children and Parents reunited The Working group for separated Children held a meeting at the border on Tuesday aimed at re-uniting separated children with their parents, RTTL reported. Two children were brought in to meet their parents but were not being reunited for good with their respective parents as they allegedly decided to remain in the care of their foster parents. Refugees wish to return to Timor-Leste Meanwhile, ten families have reportedly registered themselves at Timor-Leste Consulate in Kupang to return home to Timor-Leste, Timorese Consul in Kupang, Caetano Guterres, told RTTL at the border on Tuesday. Guterres said he would coordinate with both Indonesian and Timor-Leste Governments about facilitating the return of these families. Guterres also said that the Timorese students study at Universities in West Timor were being well treated. Storm Threat put Marine activities on hold The warning of a possible storm threatening to hit Timor-Leste issued by the Government reportedly put on hold marine activities in Dili. RTTL reported that the fishermen in Bidau Santa Ana, Dili did not carry out their fishing activities as usual. Both services between Dili and Atauro Island were also stopped on Wednesday. National News Sources Timor Post (TP) Radio Timor-Leste (RTL) Suara Timor Lorosae (STL) Diario Tempo (DT) Diario Nacional Seminario Lia Foun (LF) Televisaun Timor-Leste [TVTL] These Items Do Not Reflect the Position or Views of the United Nations. UNOTIL Public Information Office Back to March menu |