[Poster's note: Long repeats of international articles already sent out to the east-timor list have been removed.]

UNOTIL

Daily Press Review

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Daily Media Review
Tuesday, 24 May 2005

MP: Fretilin exploits 20 May for own interests

A Member of Parliament from the Democratic Party, Rui Menezes, has criticised Fretilin for mobilizing district masses to come to Dili for Independence Day celebrations, only to arrive in Dili to find they were attending a celebration solely for Fretilin. Menezes said that Fretilin exploited Independence Day for its own personal interests and that this is a way of causing division amongst the population.

Speaking in Parliament's Plenary Session yesterday, Menezes said that he also disagrees with Fretilin's use of government vehicles to transport the masses. Menezes said that there is no point in talking about democracy, stability and development if actions contradict these words. (Timor Post, STL)


Karlele's release raises questions of manipulation

Ex-Falintil member Tome Karlele, arrested in front of the Government Palace earlier this month for being in possession of a loaded pistol, was released after being in custody for three days. His release has prompted claims by some that his arrest and subsequent release are a manipulation.

However, according to the Minister of Interior, Rogerio Lobato, this case is not a political game but should be taken as an example to all those who have not yet surrendered weapons to do so. He said that many studying Karlele's case will understand that they will not be sent to prison if they surrender their weapons, but rather a motivation for them to surrender their weapons.

But Karlele's presence and active involvement in Fretilin's anniversary celebrations last Friday has prompted speculation that Karlele is a Fretilin member and thus is being protected by Fretilin. Some have raised concerns that the case has been a political game to persuade people to surrender their weapons. (STL)

TCL Accord no longer valid

The Tactical Coordination Line (TCL) between Timor-Leste and Indonesian West Timor, which was established by the UN and the Indonesian military (TNI) during UNTAET, is no longer valid, according to Secretary-General for Negotiations, Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Nelson Santos. In an interview with Timor Post on Monday, Santos said that the original TCL was established so that the peacekeeping troops and TNI could carry out military patrols in the area, and that the line is not a part of the border agreement, which has just recently been decided between Indonesia and Timor-Leste. (Timor Post)

Lu-Olo comments on todays' ASDT

Fretilin President Francisco Guterres says that the party that Francisco Xavier do Amaral currently leads, ASDT, is not the ASDT that existed in 1974, but was only established after the end of the Indonesian occupation. Speaking to journalists, Guterres also rejected the claim that Fretilin used government vehicles to transport Fretilin sympathizers to the celebration saying that anyone who makes such a claim has bad eyesight. Guterres reiterated that the convoys of Fretilin supporters seen around Dili last weekend were not taking part in a political campaign. (Timor Post)

TL to become member of ASEAN POL

General Commander of the PNTL, Paulo de Fatima Martins, returned from Indonesia yesterday after attending the ASEAN POL meeting there as an observer representative of Timor-Leste. Speaking to journalists upon his return, Martins said that issues discussed at the conference included that of trans-national crime, such as drug and people trafficking. Martins said that he expects that Timor-Leste will next year be offered the opportunity to become a member of ASEAN POL. (Timor Post)


Parliament activities stalled for one week

Activities in the National Parliament were stalled last week following the absence of a large number of MP's. KOTA MP Clementino dos Reis Amaral said that to his knowledge the members of Commission C were participating in a retreat in Baucau last week, but many others did not attend Parliament sessions for reasons that are unclear. Amaral said that the competent authorities in the Parliament must explain this otherwise it will look like the MP's are earning the people's money for free and without attending to the needs of the people.

Responding to Amaral's concerns, Fretilin MP Elizario Ferreira said that some of the MP's who did not attend Parliament last week were involved in work in the districts, such as assisting in the village chief and village council elections. (Timor Post)

TVTL crew strike amid restructuring

Timor-Leste Radio and Television (RTTL) last Saturday held the official launch of their new restructuring as well as the inauguration of their new management. But the Director General of RTTL, Virgilio da Costa Guterres, said that some of the television crew have launched a strike, unhappy with the fact that they have not yet been informed of their new positions. Guterres said that this delay may just be because there have been some changes in some of the senior positions, with the result that these managers have not been able to advise their staff of their positions. (STL)