Monday, 25 February 2008

UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING

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National Media Reports

TVTL News Coverage

No TVTL news coverage.

RTL News Coverage

Lasama appeals for petitioners to remain calm: The Acting President of the Republic, Fernando 'Lasama' de Araújo, accompanied by Vice Prime Minister José Luis Guterres and Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Atul Khare, appealed to the petitioners to be patient and to resolve their problems peacefully.

Acting PR Lasama said that the increase of numbers of the petitioners to 300 shows the petitioners are optimistic and confident that their problems can be resolved.

SRSG Atul Khare further appealed to the petitioners to fight for development and poverty reduction rather than divisionism.

'State of emergency' extended: The Acting President of the Republic, Fernando 'Lasama' de Araujo, announced that the 'State of Siege' has been extended from February 23 to March 23 2008. Acting PR Lasama said that the 'State of Siege' was extended as state institutions are still jeopardized.

Australian Govt gives vehicles to PNTL: The Australian Government, through its Embassy in Timor-Leste, is providing 40 cars to the PNTL in order to support the work of the national police. The Operational Commander of PNTL Mateus Fernandes said that the support will allow the PNTL to work under any conditions to provide security throughout the country. "The PNTL is facing many logistical problems due to the lack of vehicles. This assistance by the Government of Australia will help the institution to work more effectively," said Commander Fernandes.

Print Coverage

PM demands arrests: In a speech made by Prime Minsiter Xanana Gusmão during the F-FDTL and PNTL military parade on Friday (22/2) in Dili, the PM said that it was time to arrest people who wanted to destroy the nation's unity. "I am asking all State institutions to support our forces by giving confidence to the F-FDTL and PNTL," said the Prime Minister. (DN)

'State of Siege' extended: The National Parliament officially approved on Friday (22/2) the extension of the 'State of Siege' for an additional period of thirty days. The curfew will be from 10pm to 6am every day from February 23 to March 23. The extension was proposed by the Government and authorized by the Acting President in consultation with the State Council and the Supreme Council of Defence and Security.

Fretilin MPs David Dias Ximenes and Cipriana Pereira protested the extension, claming that the nation does not need to be in a 'State of Siege' as there has been no major public disturbance to warrant it.

The PUN member of NP, Fernanda Borges, also said that many people were unhappy with the first and second stages of the 'State of Emergency', and has asked that human rights be respected by the joint F-FDTL and PNTL operation .

Prime Minister Gusmão defended the extension, arguing that the nation was still under threat from armed groups. (DN)

TMR: "We will look everywhere for Salsinha": The Commander of the F-FDTL and PNTL Joint Operation, Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, has said that the Joint Operation will track down Salsinha and his group anywhere they are. Commander TMR said that even though the Joint Operation is ready to conduct the operation on Salsinha and his groups, he still hopes they will submit themselves to justice. (DN)

Lasama asks petitioners to come together: The Acting President of the Republic, Fernando 'Lasama' de Araujo, has asked the petitioners to gather in Ai-Tarak Laran in order to resolve their problems in the quickest manner possible.

"I hope they all come to join the others here. I get daily information about the numbers of petitioners which has increased from 100 to 300. I believe that they will all come together," said Acting PR Lasama on Saturday (23/2). (STL)

Horta: no one should take revenge: President José Ramos-Horta has sent a message to the people of Timor-Leste through Acting President Fernando 'Lasama', saying that he wished all people in the country to live in peace and avoid any acts of vengeance. The message of the President was reported by Acting President Lasama during his visit to Ai-Tarak Laran to meet with the petitioners on Friday (22/2). (STL)

OP/ED: IDPs ready to return home: IDPs wanting to return home are waiting for assurances by the current government that they will be secure if they do so. "We have lived in these tents for two years now and are tired of it. We want to know that we can be safe to return home." said Abílio Fernandes, one of the IDPs from Bairopite village. (STL)

TMR: Salsinha's group never wastes time: The Commander of the F-FDTL Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak has officially launched the F-FDTL/PNTL Joint Operation to capture Salsinha and his group who attacked the residence of PR Ramos-Horta and ambushed PM Xanana on Monday (11/2).

"Today I declare that the Joint Operation has begun and will pursue the rebels anywhere they are. Whoever hides or provides food or transport to Salsinha and his group will be included in this operation," said Commander TMT on Friday (22/2). (TP)

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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