Thursday, 14 February 2008

UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING

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National Media Reports

TVTL News Coverage

NP President appeals for national unity: The President of the National Parliament, Fernando de Araujo Lasama, has appealed to the public to create national unity by respecting the nation's institutions. He has also demanded a thorough investigation into the assassination attempt on PR José Ramos-Horta and PM Xanana Gusmão.

"We all know that there was an attempt on the life of PR Ramos-Horta on 11 Monday…I appeal to the nation to remain unified and reaaffirm my confidence in the nation's institutions…I guuarantee that the cooperation between state institutions and all people will create a normal situation in this country…Timor-Leste would like to invite foreign investiigators to conduct an investigation into the assassination attempts," said Mr Lasama.

PR Ramos-Horta no longer in coma: The Minister of Foreign Affairs Zacarias da Costa said PR Ramos-Horta is no longer in a coma after receiving surgery in the Royal Darwin Hospital."The doctors have taken out the rest of the bullets lodged in his spine. The doctors say that the President will still need to stay in the hospital for three or four more days," said Mr da Costa.

Alfredo's case put to rest: The General Prosecutor Longuinhos Monteiro said that the case of Alfredo Reinado has been archived given that he is dead, but that the case of his group is still active.

Alfredo's father appeals to youth: The body of Alfredo Reinado and his man has been released to his family upon the decision of the Government through the General prosecutor, Longuinhos Monteiro. "Alfredo is dead. What he has done is buried with him. As a father and a family man, I appeal to all youths, sympathizers and lovers who follow him to remain calm and to avoid problems," said Alfredo's father, Victor Alves.

RTL News Coverage Third surgery for PR: The Minister of Foreign Affairs Zacarias da Costa said PR Ramos-Horta is no longer in a coma after receiving surgery in the Royal Darwin Hospital.""The doctors have taken out the rest of the bullets lodged in his spine. The doctors say that the President will still need to stay in the hospital for three or four more days," said Mr da Costa. Mr. da Costa also said that while the condition of the President is stable, he requires further medical attention as one of his lungs has been shot.

18 suspects identified: The General Prosecutor Longuinhos Monteiro said that the Public Ministry has identified eighteen preliminary suspects on the attack against PR Ramos-Horta and PM Xanana Gusmão on Monday (11/2)."Eighteen people have been identified- they were coming with Alfredo to attack PR Ramos-Horta in his residence in Metiaut. The names of the suspects will be released after discussions with the tribunal," said Mr. Monteiro in a press conference on Wednesday (13/2) in Caicoli, Dili.

Reinado and Leopoldino's bodies released:"Alfredo has died. What he has done is buried with him. As a father and family member, I appeal to all the youth, sympathizers and lovers who follow him to remain calm and avoid problems." said Alfredo's father, Victor Alves.

Fretilin demands international investigation: Fretilin member of NP Francisco Miranda Branco is demanding the creation of an Independent International Commission of Investigation into the attempted assassination on PR Ramos-Horta and PM Xanana Gusmão on Monday (11/2).

"An Independent International Commission of Investigation should be established to guarantee its impartiality involving neutral nations as we need the results of the investigation to be impartial, credible and independent," stated Mr. Branco on Wednesday (13/2).

Mr. Branco also stated that for his part, he will demand that UNMIT and ISF shoulder the responsibility for attack as the nation's security is their responsibility. Mr. Branco further appealed all people to support the government to solve the nation's problems.

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SRSG: UNMIT responsible for security: The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Timor-Leste, Atul Khare, said that while the security provided to the residence of the President was the responsibility of the F-FDTL, the security outside the residence was the responsibility of the police, under the UN. The SRSG also said that PR Ramos-Horta has requested that F-FDTL provide security to his house. "This is a sovereign state, and as such, UNMIT respects the decisions made," said SRSG Khare on Wednesday (13/2) in UNMIT HQ Caicoli, Dili. (TP)

UNMIT supports independent commission: The Special Representative of Secretary General (SRSG) in Timor-Leste, Atul Khare said that for his part, he agrees and supports the establishment of an International Commission of Investigation (ICI).

"I am in favor of transparency and accountability. If there is request from the authorities of Timor-Leste to establish an independent commission, I will support it" said SRSG Khare on the UNMIT press briefing on Wednesday (13/2).

The SRSG also stated the need to renew efforts to implement the results and recommendations of the Independent Commission of Inquiry report into the 2006 crisis. (TP)

Lasama: armed civilians should submit themselves: The Acting President of the Republic, Fernando Lasama, has made an appeal to the criminals involved in the attacks on PR Ramos-Horta and PM Xanana Gusmão to immediately submit themselves to justice."I appeal to my civilian East Timorese colleagues who are carrying weapons to voluntarily submit their weapon and themselves to the state and to justice," said Mr Lasama on his return from Portugal on Wednesday (13/2).

Mr. Lasama also agreed to an international commission of investigation on the attacks."I want a deep investigation into the attempted assassinations. Timor-Leste will invite international experts to provide support and to investigate these matters. I appeal to the nation to remain unified and reaffirm my confidence in the nation's institutions … I guarantee that the cooperationn between state institutions and all people will create a normal situation in this country," said Mr Lasama. (TP)

Fretilin refutes accusations of backing Alfredo: The Secretary-General of Fretilin Mari Alkatiri has totally rejected claims that Fretilin had backed Alfredo Reinado and was planning to assassinate President Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão.

After the attacks on the President and Prime Minister, an anonymous email was circulated accusing Fretilin of being behind the assassination attempts.

"I am always blamed when something wrong happens in this country," said Mr Alkatiri. "But I do not let this worry me. I know the people who are doing this- they are people who used to support Alfredo. Because he has died, they are now trying to lay the blame on others."

Fretilin NP member, Francisco Miranda, also said the attacks should be investigated through an Independent International Commission of Inquiry.

Fretilin is also demanding that the State Secretary of Security, Francisco Guterres, and the State Secretary of Defense, Julio Thomas Pinto take responsibility for the attacks. Furthermore, Fretilin wants UNMIT, UNPol and ISF to provide an explanation as to why they were unable to detect and prevent the attempt. (TP)

Alfredo's father appeals to youths: The National Hospital has released the bodies of Alfredo Reinado and Leopoldino to their families yesterday afternoon after the General Prosecutor issued a letter of release."Alfredo has died. What he has done is buried with him. As a father and family man, I appeal to all the youth, sympathizers and lovers who follow him to remain calm and avoid problems," said Alfredo's father, Victor Alves. Alfredo Reinado's body will be buried today after a mass ceremony. (TP and DN)

Government provides security for Alfredo's funeral: PM Xanana Gusmão, accompanied by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Timor-Leste, Atul Khare, and by Alfredo's father Victor Alves, said that the government would provide security for the funeral of Alfredo. The Prime Minister also said that the Government would not allow anyone desecrate Alfredo's grave. (DN and TP)

18 suspects identified: The General Prosecutor Longuinhos Monteiro said that the Public Ministry has identified eighteen preliminary suspects for the attacks of the PR Ramos-Horta and PM Xanana Gusmão on Monday (11/2). Mr. Monteiro said that the names of the suspects could not be released as the investigation was still underway. Arrest warrants have not been issued yet as they are still being processed. (STL and TP)

ISF fail to detect Alfredo: The CNRT member of NP, Cecilio Caminha, questioned why the State had requested International Stabilization Forces (ISF) members when current ISF members had failed to detect the movements of Alfredo Reinado.

"ISF fails to protect PR Ramos-Horta and PM Xanana. Are they incompetent, or were they just insufficient in numbers? The NP has to evaluate this," said Mr. Caminha on Wednesday (13/2) in the National Parliament.

The ISF Commander Brigadier General James Baker has responded that it was not ISF's mandate to provide security for the President's residence.

F-FDTL Commander Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak said that UNPol and PNTL should bear the responsibility for the attacks. He also criticized the presence of ISF which did not detect the movements of the armed group into Dili. "This requires an international investigation as the district roads are controlled by the ISF," said Commander Matan Ruak.

"Stage of Emergency" extended: PM Xanana Gusmão has extended the Stage of Emergency for a further ten days. In his national message, PM Xanana has appealed to all people, especially those who are in Dili, to contribute to the security and stability of the country.

International Media Reports

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)