Subject: Local Media Monitoring - August 1, 2003

From UNMISET

LOCAL MEDIA MONITORING

August 1, 2003

STL

FRETILIN'S PRESIDENT SAYS NO EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS

The Speaker of the National Parliament and President of the Fretilin Party, Mr Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, said that his party has no intention at holding an extraordinary congress. Mr Lu-Olo made this statement on Wednesday to clarify rumors that the Fretilin Party will hold an extraordinary congress in order to reduce conflict within the party. The article said that there are rumors that the ruling party was split into two blocks as the result of the Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri's unwillingness to accommodate some political views within the party's interest, the Immigration Law and the eviction of Mr Mario Carrascalao from his house.

PRESIDENT XANANA GUSMAO WARNS POLITICIANS

President Xanana Gusmao yesterday met with community members of Ossuala, Vemasse's Sub District - District of Baucau. During the meeting President Xanana reiterated that members of the National Parliament do not use the Parliament as a laundry to wash their dirty clothes. Mr Xanana said Parliamentarians should debate the real life difficulties faced by the community. (This is a Portuguese term of phrase that means the Parliament is not the right place to discuss small inconsequential matters).

ANICETO G. LOPES RECIPIENT OF THE MAGSAYSAY AWARD

The Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation has announced that seven individuals from India, Japan, the Philippines and East Timor will receive the Asia's most prestigious prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award. The East Timorese recipient, Aniceto Guterres Lopes, Chairperson of the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation, has been awarded for Emergent Leadership. Mr Guterres Lopes is being recognized for his courageous stand for justice and the rule of law during Timor-Leste's turbulent passage to nationhood.

TIMOR POST

PRESIDENT XANANA SAYS CPD-RDTL IS NOT A LEGITIMATE INSTITUTION

President Xanana Gusmao yesterday told the community of Loelubu's Suco, Sub District of Vemasse ? District of Baucau - that the CPD-RDTL (Conselho Popular de Defesa ? Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste) is not a legitimate institution. He said this means it cannot speak on behalf of the people. President Xanana said that if the CPD-RDTL wants to be recognised it must follow the existing legitimate process. The President said this in response to a CPD-RDTL's militant request to convey their message to the United Nations to hand the sovereignty of Timor-Leste over to East Timorese.

TIMOR-LESTE'S AMBASSADOR TO USA AND UN WARNED POLITICIANS

On Wednesday the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to the United States and United Nations, Mr Jose Luis Guterres, warned Timor-Leste's political leaders to speak out carefully. Mr Guterres said that political leaders statements and comments could influence an international opinion regarding the political and security situation in Timor-Leste. Mr Guterres spoke to reporters at Nicolau Lobato International Airport after accompanying the President of the United Nations General Assembly's visit to Timor-Leste.

LUCIA LOBATO SAYS LU-OLO ACTS AS GOVT. SPOKESPERSON

A Parliamentarian member from the Social Democratic Party, Mrs Lucia Lobato, yesterday said that the Speaker of the National Parliament is acting as the Government spokesperson. Mrs Lobato said that when a member, at the Opposition Parties criticizes the Government, the Government that should respond, but it is the Speaker of the National Parliament who often responds on behalf of the Government.

PRIME MINISTER SAYS "OPEN GOVT." IS TO HEAR PEOPLE'S VOICE

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri yesterday told the community of Nitibe Sub District- District of Oecusse during the "Open Government" visit that the people are the Government's strength, therefore the Government is trying to keep close with the people, listening to the people's voice in all districts.


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