[Poster's note: Repeats of international articles already sent out to the east-timor list (info@etan.org) have been removed.]

Thursday, 08 March 2007

UNMIT ­ MEDIA MONITORING

THE UN INTEGRATED MISSION IN TIMOR-LESTE DOES NOT VOUCH FOR THE ACCURACY OF THESE REPORTS

National Media Reports

Rogerio Sentenced To Seven-And-A-Half Years

Former Interior Minister, Rogerio Tiago Lobato has been sentenced to seven years and six months in prison, after the Dili District Court found him guilty of distributing weapons to a civilian-hit squad, manslaughter and disturbing public order. A panel of judges led by Ivo Nelson Rosa Batista read out the verdict yesterday. However, Lobato' lawyer, Paulo Remeidos said the verdict was not fair and that his client would appeal the sentence. The panel, consisting of three international jurists and led by Judge Ivo Rosa Batista, reached a verdict after a three-month trial. (DN)

In Crisis, But Timor Is Not A Failed State: Xanana

President Xanana Gusmão said that despite the crisis that Timor-Leste has been through, it is not a failed state. The President made this comment yesterday when he received the credentials from the Indian and Egyptian Ambassadors to Timor Leste. Gusmão said Timor Leste would continue building important bilateral ties and bi-lateral programs currently running in the country. (DN)

Xavier, Lucia And Lasama Ask For Security Guards

Three presidential candidates ­ Francisco Xavier do Amaral, Luucia Lobato and Fernando "Lasama" Araujo ­ havve asked President Xanana Gusmão to provide security guards for them, due to the volatile security situation in the country. Xavier told the media following yesterday's meeting with President Gusmão at the Presidential Palace. The three candidates are concerned that they might be killed during the campaign. (DN)

38 UIR Police On-Duty Again

Thirty-eight members of the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) have been given the go-ahead to carry their pistols while on duty, said Interior Minister, Alcino Barris. Barris said UIR would work with the UN police to respond to conflicts within the capital, Dili. They have resumed duty after passing the screen test established after last year's crisis in which some police had been actively engaged. (RTL)

International Forces Continue To Ask For Alfredo's Surrender

Commander of the Australian-led international forces, Brigadier Mal Rerden has once again appealed to former Military Police Commander, Major Alfredo Reinado Alves and his followers to surrender. " am asking Alfredo to avoid further conflict, including the possibility that he may lose his life. He should therefore surrender, with his men, to the national police, the UN police and international forces so that he can go to court and face the charges against him" said Rerden yesterday.

Meanwhile, one of Alfredo's men, Susar, said in a telephone interview that Alfredo wants dialogue and not confrontation with the government. Alfredo and his men are on the run after the Australian-lead international forces raided their hideout in the southern town of Same last weekend. (TP)

Henrique's Body Handed Back To Family

The body of Henrique Marques, who was killed during the Australian-led international forces operation last weekend in the southern town of Same, has been handed over to his family after it was delivered to Guido Valadares National Hospital, Dili. Speaking to the media, Henrique's widow, Herlina Efendi expressed her grief over the death of her husband, who she said had provided for their whole family. Henrique had deserted F-FDTL and joined Alfredo during the crisis of May last year, when Alfredo demanded that Timor's justice system be overhauled. (TP)

Horta Decides To Deploy F-FDTL

Prime Minister, Jose Ramos Horta has decided to provide greater security for people within Dili and protection for state property and buildings by deploying Timor Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL). The decision was made after President Xanana Gusmão gave more power to international forces and to F-FDTL to curb the violence within the country. (TP)

Internally Displaced People Ask To Provide Them Polling Centre

Coordinator of the internally displaced people at Colmera/Jardim camps, Leopoldo Pinto said yesterday that the internally displaced people, currently living in the camp have requested the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration (STAE) to put a polling centre near their camp in order for them to participate in the election process adding that the numbers of displaced people he is talking about is about 3, 776. (STL)

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]

UNMIT MEDIA MONITORING www.unmit.org