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Subject: Daily Media Review Tuesday 19 February 2008
Tuesday, 19 February 2008 UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING "UNMIT assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the articles or for the accuracy of their translations. The selection of the articles and their content do not indicate support or endorsement by UNMIT express or implied whatsoever. UNMIT shall not be responsible for any conseque6nce resulting from the publication of, or from the reliance on, such articles and translations." National Media Reports TVTL News Coverage Path to dialogue closed: The Acting President of Republic Fernando Lasama de Araujo has said that the path to dialogue has been closed by the petitioners and Alfredo's men. "The assassination attempts against PR Ramos-Horta and PM Xanana closed the way to dialogue," said the Acting President during a press conference held on Monday (18/2) in the Palacio das Cinzas. "There is only one path now and that is for Salsinha and his men to submit themselves to justice." The meeting was attended by PM Xanana, F-FDTL Commander TMR, ISF Commander James Baker, UNPol and PNTL. NP to force report on 1st 'State of Emergency': The CNRT member of MP, Cecilio Caminha, said that: "The government has to report on the first stage of the State Emergency before approval is given for the next stage." said Mr Caminha. "This is because many MPs were insulted during the first stage," said Cecilio Caminha in the NP. "I and my friends are really disappointed with the implementation of the 'State of Emergency.' In the 'State of Emergency' there are no rules that permit the security apparatus to attack civilian houses at night, and to forbid people from holding meetings and demonstrations," said Mr. Caminha on Monday (18/2) in the National Parliament in Dili. TMR: the public is hiding Alfredo's men: The Commander of the F-FDTL Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak has said that some members of the public are hiding Alfredo's group somewhere in Camea and Becora until Dare. "Many people were nervous and tense when the F-FDTL conducted their operations in the areas of Camea, Becora, Sabraca laran to Mota Ulun. This means that they are hiding Alfredo's men in their houses," said Commander TMR during a press conference on Saturday (16/2) in Hera, Dili. Commander TMR also said that the F-FDTL will check the houses of those who are suspected of hiding Alfredo's men. RTL News Coverage Government involves F-FDTL in joint operations: The Government has commissioned the Commander of the F-FDTL Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak to create a joint command between the F-FDTL and the PNTL for security operations. PM Xanana Gusmão said that the security operation is being implemented under the President's Decree of the 'State of Emergency'. The joint operation will be coordinated with UNPol and the ISF. Lao Hamutuk appeals over Greater Sun Rise: The NGO, Lao Hamutuk, has appealed to the Government to prepare adequate human resources before starting explorations on the Greater Sun Rise. Santina Soares, the Representative of Lao Hamutuk, said that while gas in the Timor Sea will benefit East Timorese, the judicial system, environmental law and capacity building should first be prepared. "Working on this kind of project requires realistic plans and sound preparations before the project can commence," said Ms. Soares on Monday (18/2) in the Memorial Hall, Dili. Print Coverage Afonso: community has to help PNTL: The Commander of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), Afonso de Jesus, has asked all communities to collaborate with the authorities to ensure calm and peace within the country. "Community members must have a strong collaboration with the PNTL in order to guarantee the security of the country," said Commander Afonso on Saturday (16/2) in Vela Verde, Dili. Separately, the Deputy Commander of PNTL Dili District, Delfim da Silva, said that the PNTL will practice a zero tolerance policy for those who commit crimes. (STL) Alfredo's advisor detained: The General Prosecutor has identified an eye witness to the assassination attempts on PR Jose Ramos-Horta and PM Xanana Gusmão in Metiaut on Monday (11/2). "From the seven eye witnesses we have called, one of them is considered a suspect. As a civilian, she had information but failed to provide it to the proper authorities," said the General Prosecutor Longuinhos Monteiro on Monday (18/2) in Caicoli, Dili. The suspect is detained in Becora Jail and will partake in a hearing process this afternoon in the Dili District Court. (STL) The 'State of Emergency' misconduct: A CNRT MP, Cecilio Caminha, said that the 'State of Emergency' has been corrupted by the Government. "I and my friends are really disappointed with the implementation of the 'State of Emergency.' In the 'State of Emergency' there are no rules that permit the security apparatus to attack civilian houses at night, and to forbid people from holding meetings and demonstrations," said Mr. Caminha on Monday (18/2) in the National Parliament in Dili. Mr. Caminha also said that United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) and the International Stabilization Forces (ISF) failed in their responsibility to provide security for the country as internal security fell under the jurisdiction of the United Nations Police, and the external security under the jurisdiction of ISF. (STL) Lasama issues ultimatum to arrest Salsinha: The Acting President of the Republic Fernando Lasama de Araujo has asked the F-FDTL, the PNTL and the ISF to arrest Gastão Salsinha and his group in the next thirty days. "As Acting President, I am requesting that you bring them to court within the next thirty days," Mr Lasama on Monday (18/2) in Palacio das Cinzas Caicoli, Dili. "There is no military that wants to assassinate its Supreme Commander, the President and chief of the Government." The Acting President also said that the arrest warrants were not issued because of Salsinha's role as the petitioner's Spokesperson, but because of his involvement in the 11 February events. Mr Lasama also said that the petitioners have ruined their chance to have constructive dialogue due to the assignation attempts on the lives of PR José Ramos-Horta and PM Xanana Gusmão. (STL) NP accepts F-FDTL involvement in operations: The involvement of the F-FDTL in the ongoing operations to arrest suspects of the assassination attempts on PR José Ramos-Horta and PM Xanana Gusmão has been considered a positive move by the National Parliament. The Fretilin member of NP David Dias Ximenes said that the involvement of the F-FDTL in this operation fals within the constitution of Timor-Leste. "In our constitution, F-FDTL and PNTL guarantee the security and stability of the country when the nation is in a 'State of Emergency," said Mr. Dias Ximenes. MP Duarte Nunes said that the involvement of F-FDTL could provide support to the police, the ISF and UNPol. "Even though ISF has modern weapons, they are not familiar with the terrain, so they could work together well," said Mr. Nunes. (STL) Alfredo's followers hide in private homes: The Commander of the F-FDTL Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak said that this is the first time the Government of Timor-Leste has allowed the F-FDTL to be involved in an operation such as the one to track Alfredo's men as previous operations were handled by the ISF. Commander TMR said that on Monday night (11/2) Alfredo's men were suspected of being near the Becora River and Dare. "Some people are hiding them," said Commander TMR during a press conference on Saturday (16/2) in Hera. The Commander also said that F-FDTL will check the houses of those suspected of hiding Alfredo's men. (STL) PM: We will work to fulfil people's demands: In response to calls from some members of the government to hold early elections, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão responded that the Government's main priority was to continue to work towards fulfilling the demands of the population. The PM also appealed to people to support the military operation to find Alfredo's men and Gastão Salsinha's group. "I will not allow any armed group or political group to destroy this nation," said PM Xanana. (STL) Arsenio: AMP responsible for Metiaut incident: The Fretilin member of NP Arsenio Bano is claiming that the Government of the Alliance Majority in Parliament (AMP) bears responsibility for the assassination attempts against PR José Ramos-Horta and PM Xanana. "I think the Government of AMP should take responsibility for the incidents on Monday 11 February as the nation's security is coordinated by them," said Mr. Bano in the National Parliament on Monday (18/2) in Dili. Mr. Bano said that as a sovereign nation, security and defence falls directly under State responsibility. He also said that if the government is authorising F-FDTL to arrest Alfredo and Salsinha's groups, then they cannot make the claim that the UN is responsible for the nation's security. Mr Bano has further questioned whether the International Commission of Investigation into the 11 February events will be established or not. "Alfredo should be alive to give his testimony in court regarding his accusations that PM Xanana is the author of 2006 crisis," said Mr. Bano. (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) UNMIT MEDIA MONITORING www.unmit.org Back to February menu |