[Poster's note: International and other articles already sent out to the east-timor list (info@etan.org) have been removed from below.]

UNMIT

United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste

Public Information Unit Daily Media Review

Tuesday, 03 October 2006

These Items Do Not Reflect the Position or Views of the United Nations. UNOTIL Public Information Office - END ­

National Media Reports

Delay of Report due to Translation

At yesterday’s press conference held at Obrigado Barracks UNMIT’s Acting SRSG, Mr. Finn Reske-Neilsen, said, according to Diario Nacional, that the delay of the Special Independent Commission of Inquiry report is due to the time it will take for translation of the document into Tetum, Indonesian and Portuguese languages. Rieske-Nielsen said the release of the report would be this month, covering three main areas - the truth behind the events of April and May, identification of the responsibility of the main events and those involved as well as recommendations to safeguard the security and investigation process for the Prosecutor-General. This daily also quoted acting SRSG as saying that the important process is for the commission to disseminate the truth and not create impunity. He said the Commission came about based on the response of the Secretary General to a request by TL’s then Foreign Minister, José Ramos-Horta, to establish an independent enquiry commission to determine the facts and recommendation that can be continued.

Finn Rieske-Nilsen is confident that the government, civil society, and political parties have the sense of responsibility when the result of the commission is released and national institutions are responsible to proceed with judicial actions. He said the differences the Timorese are facing should be stopped in the ballot boxes and that peace should prevail.

Speaking to the media, acting SRSG Finn Rieske-Nielsen said the people of Timor-Leste must elect leaders with capacity in the 2007 elections, appealing to the population to exercise their conventional rights to vote and choose the leaders they believe would lead the nation. The UN will provide about 400 technical supervisors to oversee the general election process to ensure it is in accordance with international standards, said Rieske-Nielsen, adding he hopes the Parliament will soon approve the electoral laws for the political parties to start their campaign for the nation.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta appealed to the population not to enter into a panic state that there would be conflict following the release of the Special Independent Commission of Inquiry report. He said everybody must welcome the report, as it is the truth about the crisis that occurred in the country. The Prime Minister said the report, is the result of the Commission’s work and it is the truth, impartial and must be welcomed by everybody. He said if the Timorese do not want it, in future people would be hesitant to work in the country. But above all, he said, it was the Timorese who asked for it and therefore, the people must be humble, honest and accept the results of the report. He said the results will not only point to individuals but to failures of institutions like PNTL that led to the crisis.

Antero Lopes acting UN Police Commissioner also spoke during the press conference and said that UNPOL will establish a Special Unity to strengthen security for the nation. Lopes said UNPOL will work together with members of PNTL who are still not authorized to carry weapons. He said another 50 UN police would arrive during this month. (STL, DN, TP)

Government to Establishes Consultative Body

Following the regular meeting with the President of the Republic, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta told the media, that President Gusmao has recommended the establishment of a joint consultative body with the UN to better coordinate the work of the UN in Timor-Leste. Both Ramos-Horta and the President have said that they would like the President of the National Parliament, Francisco Guterres to be a part of the structure. On other topics, Ramos-Horta said he consulted with the President about the US$1million the government allocated to help those affected by the crisis and said a decision will be reached on Wednesday’s inter-ministerial meeting. On economic dynamics, the Minister said the President suggested a tax reduction and possible discontinuation of some taxes for investors, an issue he has already discussed with the World Bank and IMF. The proposal will be presented to the National Parliament on October 20. Another issue discussed with the President is the national dialogue scheduled for this month which would be headed by President Gusmão, Club Madrid and a Lutheran Bishop from Oslo and supported by the European Commission and Norway. (DN, TP)

IDP’s Present Complaints to NP

About 30 IDPs from the Comoro Airport and Jardim Colmera met with the President of the National Parliament, Francisco Guterres to present their complaints about UNPOL actions. The IDPs told Guterres the Australian and Malaysian police acted in an improper manner by using tear gas against those inside the camp at Colmera, composed mainly of young children, elders and some sick people during a fight between an unknown group and the IDPs. They also complained that the Australian police detained the IDPs from Colmera who tried to defend themselves from attacks by unknown groups. The President of the Parliament told the group he would raise the issue with those responsible for security. He also told the concerned IDPs that he’s waiting for Australian Force commander, Brigadier General Slater to capture Major Alfredo who fled prison together with some of his followers, adding he must be in prison. On the request to speed up PNTL return, he said the screening process is slow but it is important that the Ministry of Interior and UNPOL are working together and are planning to establish for permanent security posts.

In a separate article, Diario Nacional reported a member of PNTL shot and injured a man in Bobonaro District community following some disputes between villages on the cash-for-work program. Franselino Napoleão, 37 years old is now receiving medical treatment in Maliana hospital. (DN, TP, STL)

Ruak Not Aware of Attack: Leandro

MP Leandro Isac, said F-FDTL Brigadier General, Taur Matan Ruak was not aware of the attack on his residence by Abilio ‘Mausoko’ as reported on the website Timor online. Isac said if the General learned of the attack he would not have left his two children in the house to go experience the ordeal of the shootings between his bodyguards and Mausoko’s group. (STL)

Census Organized by STAE Unconstitutional

MP João Gonçalves said the census program currently being organised by STAE is unconstitutional because the constitution says an ‘independent body will oversee the census and election and the law will determine the competency of the body/organization”. He further added that the body/organization for this activity is the NEC (national electoral commission) which was established previously to oversee the chefe suco and council of village elections, and he questioned whereabouts of NEC? (STL, TP)

RTTL Headlines 02-10-06

Democratic Party (PD) woman organizations leave the PD national congress

The President of Democratic Woman Organizations (OMD), Gertrudes Caetano criticised the leadership of the elections for not promoting women’s participation at the national structure level. OMD left the congress in protest. Meanwhile the elected Secretary General of PD, Mariano Sabino said that PD has respect for women’s participation and will thus cater for 30 percent of women to participate in his party.

ASDT and PSD ready for coalition

Both President of ASDT and PSD have said that they are ready for the coalition for the 2007 general election. President of PSD is also ready for coalition with PD because PD has youth with good quality and capacity for the future. · UNDERTIM held meeting to prepare party program

On Saturday UNDERTIM held a meeting with all members from 13 districts in Bekusi. President of the party, Cornelio Gama, “L7” told media that the aim of the meeting was to prepare the party program for the general elections. L7 also added that by November or December UNDERTIM will set up district offices in the country.

Unknown people attack student

Arsenio da Costa, a student, was attacked in a recent incident by an unknown group of people and is now at the National Hospital. He told the media that he was attacked while he was waiting for the public bus from Becora.

International Media Reports

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