| Subject: UNOTIL Daily Media Review 06-08
May 2006
UNOTIL Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources Daily Media Review Saturday & Monday, 06-08 May 2006 National Media Reports Investigation commission established to look into problem Members of the Investigation Commission established to look into F-FDTL case, were sworn-in on Friday by Prime Minister Alkatiri, reported the media Saturday. The Commission is composed of: Minister of State, Ana Pessoa Pinto and Vice-Minister of Interior, Alcino Barris as members of the government, MPs Francisco Branco (Fretilin) and Pedro Costa (PST) representing the Parliament, Longuinhos Monteiro and Sebastião Ximenes representing the Office of the President of the Republic, Fr. Antonio Gonçalves representing the Catholic Church, Aniceto das Neves and Tiago Sarmento representing the Civil Society and Maria Natercia representing the Court of Appeal. According to Timor Post, the latter was not present at the ceremony. The Commission’s coordinator is Minister Ana Pessoa Pinto. The Commission held their first working meeting soon after the swearing-in and is scheduled to present the investigation conclusion and recommendations on the “petitioners” documents after 90 days including the investigation on the Lospalos and Becora incidents, reported the media Saturday. In a separate article, STL reported Aniceto Neves, a member of the Commission, as saying “as a representative of the civil society, I would like to stress that the Commission established by the government will carry out its task independently and faster. It will carry out the investigation according to the mandate to resolve the problem within F-FDTL as a State institution because it is a matter of concern to civil society.” (STL, TP) F-FDTL cannot intervene MP Clementino do Amaral (KOTA) says he is of the opinion that the Armed Forces should never have intervened in the internal security of the country as the population feels threatened by them. Amaral told the media on Friday that only PNTL must be in charge of the State security noting that both institutions have different instructions and structures. He says he also rejects police carrying heavy weapons adding that any decision on military intervention must come from the President of the Republic. (STL) Don’t use violence to solve problems: Taur F-FDTL Brigadier General, Taur Matan Ruak appeals to members of the “petitioners” not to use violence to resolve the problem reported STL Monday. Ruak reportedly asked members of the ‘petitioners’ to resolve the problem through dialogue since it is a matter “between us”. He appealed for the group to rethink and contribute to a peaceful solution as violence can have many consequences to the nation and the people. According to STL, Brigadier General Ruak contacted Salsinha Gastão and asked him why the situation happened the way it did. Salsinha replied “there is no other solution but to return to the jungle to resist,” reported STL. The General was quoted as saying that if there is no clear vision on what the petitioners are defending, the best solution is to speak. Brigadier General Ruak said the problems started with un-disciplinary issued but it turned into a political character according to the documents in a form of pamphlet he obtained when the “petitioners” asked the President of the Republic to dissolve the National Parliament and call for early elections. The Head of F-FDTL claims there is no discrimination within the Armed Forces but he would like the Commission to carry out the investigation to find the truth. He appealed to everybody to fully cooperate in the investigation. (STL) 28 April incident 48 houses burnt and 116 destroyed After meeting with the President Xanana Gusmão at Palacio das Cinzas, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri told the reporters that since 28 April the incidents take took place included 54 burnt houses and 116 destroyed including Taibesi market. Alkatiri informed that the government would provide assistance to the people who lost their properties and will rebuild Taibesi market as well. On the same occasion, Alkatiri appealed to the public servants to return to work because the situation is normal again. By Monday, the government will not tolerate those people who do not turn up for work, he said. (TP) Regional Media Reports E Timor confident of quelling unrest East Timor's Prime Minister says his country will soon have its internal unrest under control and has played down the need for Australian intervention. Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri says his Government needs to resolve its own affairs and should have the situation under control within the next two weeks. He says most of the 21,000 residents that left the capital, Dili, after riots, which claimed five lives 10 days ago, have started returning to their homes. But Mr Alkatiri is keeping open the option of Australian troops. "We can keep really this open as a possibility, but I repeat again, for the situation right now we are still able to control it," he said. "I do believe that we still do not need this kind of assistance, although I would like to make sure that as soon as we feel that we need this kind of assistance we will do it, we will request [it]." East Timor has asked the United Nations to deploy an international police force ahead of next year's elections. Australian Prime Minister John Howard said last week that he would be willing to help if asked. (ABC News Online) -- REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE GABINETE DO PRIMEIRO-MINISTRO PRESS RELEASE Cabinet of the Prime Minister rejects rumours of the PM’s resignation As a consequence of the unfounded and malicious rumours circulating in the capital of Timor-Leste, the Cabinet of the Prime Minister would like to categorically state that Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri is performing in full the normal functions of head of the Government. This morning, for example, he held meetings with several members of the Executive and maintained contacts with the President of the Republic, Xanana Gusmão. Díli, 6 de Maio de 2006 Para qualquer informação adicional contactar o assessor de imprensa: Rui Flores (tel. +670 723 01 40 ou rui.flores@gmail.com) 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 May menu |