Friday, 8 February 2008

UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING>

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National Media Reports

TVTL news coverage Unidentified groups blast petitioners' gathering: Unidentified groups threw a grenade in the gathering place of the petitioners in Ai-Tarak Laran, Dili. No injuries were sustained. The suspects fled before the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) Task Force arrived. The PNTL Operational Commander, Henrique da Costa, said that the situation was under control and that the case is currently being investigated. PNTL police will remain on location until the dialogue has ended.

Government to provide extraordinary subsidies to F-FDTL and PNTL: Members of the National Defence Force of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) and the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) will receive extraordinary subsidies from the Government. The subsidies will increase monthly salaries by up to 60 per cent. The State Secretary of Minister's Council, Agio Pereira, said that the Council of Ministers has approved the decree providing the subsidies.

RTL news coverage

District populations struggle to meet basic necessities: Since January of this year, villagers in Manufahi and Lautem Districts have struggled to meet their basic necessities. Arnaldo Soares, a villager from Rotuto village from Same sub-District, Manufahi, said that as a vulnerable people, he could not afford to buy a suck of rice as the price has now increased from USD14.00 to USD18.00. "We have sold our domestic animals and still we cannot afford to buy a suck of rice," said Mr Soares on Friday (8/2).

FONGTIL appeals to MSS: The Director of the National Forum of NGOs of Timor-Leste (FONGTIL), Angelina Sarmento, has appealed to the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MSS) to create a mechanism able to respond to the needs of students applying for scholarships as recommended by President Jose Ramos-Horta. Ms Sarmento raised this issue on the back of recent protests by thousands of students demanding scholarships from MSS. "Because of the President's unconstitutional and illegal promises, a new mechanism has to be created to respond to the protestors' demands," said Ms. Sarmento.

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UN calls upon Alfredo to submit to justice peacefully: The United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) insists that Alfredo and his group must submit themselves to justice in a peaceful manner.

"Alfredo must make an effort to submit himself to justice," said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Timor-Leste, Atul Khare. "I would also like to call again for Alfredo Reinado, if indeed he feels for this country and has the best interests of this country at heart, to submit himself to justice in a peaceful manner," added the SRSG at the UNMIT regular press briefing in Obrigado Barracks Caicoli, Dili on Thursday (7/2). (TP and DN)

71 Petitioners gather in Dili: Seventy one members of the petitioners' group gathered together in Ai-Tarak Laran, Kampung Alor, Dili. The petitioners, led by Major Tara and Major Marcos, came from Manatuto, Lautem and Maliana Districts. People residing near the meeting place for the petitioners in Ai-Tarak Laran have voiced fears over having the gathering in such close proximity to them. "We are afraid and worried about the potential consequences of having the petitioners gathered here." said the Aldeia Chief, Jacinto Tavares. (TP, STL, DN and TVTL)

Parliament PD Chief: Dialogue invalid if Salsinha not involved: The Chief of the Democratic Party (PD) in the National Parliament (NP), Adriano Nascimento, has said that unless the Government approaches the petitioner's Spokesperson, Gastão Salsinha, the whole dialogue will be invalid.

"Efforts made by the Government are good, but if Salsinha is not included, then this shows that the Government wants to divide the petitioners into two groups. This will be a very dangerous situation," said Mr. Nascimento in the NP, Dili on Thursday (7/2). (TP, STL and DN)

Petitioners' gathering place attacked with grenade: Unidentified groups threw a grenade in the gathering place of the petitioners in Ai-Tarak Laran, Dili. No injuries were sustained. The suspects fled before the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) Task Force arrived. The PNTL Operational Commander, Henrique da Costa, said that the situation was under control and that the case is currently being investigated. PNTL police will remain on location until the dialogue has ended. (TP)

Dr Sadik: Government has to resolve HIV/AIDS: Dr Nafis Sadik, the UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific has said that the Government of Timor-Leste should prioritize HIV/AIDS issues even though current rates of infections are low. "The leaders of Timor-Leste should talk strongly about HIV/AIDS in all sectors," said Dr. Sadik at the UNMIT regular press briefing held on Thursday (7/2) in Obrigado Barracks Caicoli, Dili. Dr. Sadik also said that all related ministries should work together to design a program of HIV/AIDS prevention, and that one of their main target groups should be youths. (TP and DN)

PM: Petitioners should remain calm: Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão has made a strong appeal to the petitioners to be disciplined and to not be incited into violence by other trouble makers as they to work together with the Government to solve their problems.

"I appeal to all people who live in Dili to come here together to solve the problem as these issues have remained unresolved for two years already," said PM Xanana in Ai-Tarak Laran, the gathering place of the petitioners on Thursday (7/2). The Prime Minister guaranteed that security would be provided to all petitioners. (STL)

AMP-Fretilin and Horta seek joint solution to national problem: The Majority Alliance in Parliament and Fretilin held a meeting with President José Ramos-Horta on Thursday (7/2) to form a Formed Unit to collectively solve the problems presented by Alfredo Reinado, the petitioners, and the IDPs.

"In the coming days I will consult with PM Xanana Gusmão, Mari Alkatiri, Lu-Olo and other political leaders to establish a high level mechanism to solve these issues," said the President. "Fretilin is involved in this Formed Unit and will take part in the decision making process." (DN)

Bano: Sad over Government's food reduction policy: The Former Minister of Social and Solidarity, and recent NP Fretilin member, Arsenio Bano, said that he is distressed over the Government's food reduction policy. "I am really sad when I consider what the Government's food reduction policy will mean for the IDPs. The Government has no rice, has reduced the salary of public servants and is now reducing food for the IDPs." said Mr. Bano in the National Parliament on Thursday (7/2). Mr. Bano also said that the former ration of 8kg rice per person/month was based on an international standard. (DN)

NATIONAL NEWS SOURCES: Televizaun Timor-Leste (TVTL) Radio Timor-Leste (RTL) Timor Post (TP) Suara Timor Lorosae (STL) Diario Tempo (DT) Diario Nacional (DN) Semanário Nacional (SN) Tempo Semanal (TS)

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