Tuesday, 26 February 2008

UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING

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National Media Reports

TVTL News Coverage

Joint Operation rejects exchange of fire: The Operational Commander of the Joint Operation of F-FDTL and PNTL, Lieutenant Filomeno Paixao, said that the Join Operation was conducted well with no exchange of fire between the F-FDTL/PNTL and Salsinha and his group.

"The joint operation has started from Fatuahi to Raikotu in the Dili area. The operation is aimed at bringing Salsinha and his group to submit to justice alive, not dead." said Commander Paixao.

Lack of space as Petitioners' numbers increase: The numbers of the petitioners gathered in Aitarak Laran, Dili has increased to more than three hundred. However, there is not enough space for all the additional petitioners. As a result, some of the petitioners are camping on the veranda of the building and some are living under the tents provided to them.

Events of February 11 reconstructed: The Prosecutor General of the Republic (PGR) Longuinhos Monteiro said that events of February 11 have been reconstructed in an attempt to uncover more details of what happened. The Prosecutor-General said that the reconstruction shows that the incident was an organized act of Alfredo and his group.

RTL News Coverage Man who attacked Horta surrenders: SRSG Khare said that one of the members of the armed group who attacked the residence of PR Ramos-Horta had voluntarily surrendered to the United Nations Police (UNPol) in Maubisse, Ainaro district on Monday (25/2).

"I personally received the information this morning that one of the men had voluntarily submitted himself," said SRSG Khare. The SRSG said that the man's name was also listed in the arrest warrants. The General Prosecutor will investigate his involvement in the attacks of February 11.

Joint Operation rejects exchange of fire: The Operational Commander will use an alternative approach to bring the rebels to justice, even though the rebels' movements have been discovered in the western part of the country.

The Operational Commander of the Joint Operation, Lieutenant Filomeno Paixao, said that the movement of Salsinha, Susar and others had been discovered, but the operation would not take any reckless action as the Joint Operation aimed at bringing Salsinha and his group to justice alive. However, he did warn that a physical confrontation would occur if the rebels did not submit themselves peacefully.

Print Coverage UNMIT not responsible for 11 February incidents: The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Atul Khare said that UNMIT was not responsible for the attacks against PR Jose Ramos-Horta and PM Xanana Gusmao on Monday (11/2).

"This is a sovereign and independent nation. As stated in its constitution, Article 115/1.c, the responsibility for the security of Timor-Leste belongs to Timor-Leste. It is not a question that the international forces are here to provide the security or not. As this is a sovereign nation, the leaders should do something," said SRSG Khare in the UNMIT press conference on Monday (15/2) in UNMIT HQ, Dili.

SRSG said that Alfredo and his men were responsible for the incidents of February 11.

"UNPol in here to work together to maintain law and order, not pursue those who carry weapons," said SRSG Khare

SRSG Khare also appealed to Salsinha and his group to submit themselves to justice. (STL)

SRSG: Alfredo responsible for 11 February: The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Atul Khare, said that the attacks against PR Ramos-Horta and PM Xanana Gusmao were the responsibility of Alfredo Reinado.

"Alfredo and his men must take responsibility for what happened on February 11, 2008," said SRSG Khare in the UNMIT press conference on Monday (15/2) in UNMIT HQ, Dili.

SRSG Khare also said that further investigations were needed to uncover all the details of the attacks.

"When I came back from New York, I asked that an investigation be conducted to see what was happening and what errors had been made in February 11 and how these can be improved," said SRSG Khare.

In answering a question as to why Alfredo was able to move freely without being detected by the ISF, SRSG Khare responded: "I think the question is better answered by the ISF. But I can respond. Some weeks ago, the PR himself met Alfredo. Discussions were also held between Alfredo and Minister Joao Goncalves and with other MPs. I still remember when Alfredo came down and met PR Horta in Palacio das Cinzas in December. It is wrong to say that Alfredo had no license to move around. Alfredo was not forbidden to move around the country and he did so and met with the leaders of the country." (DN)

UNMIT mandate extended for one more year: The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Atul Khare, said that the mandate of UNMIT has been extended for one more year as proposed by the United Nations Secretary-General after meeting with the Security Council. The SRSG also said that in the Security Council meeting, members strongly supported the way the Government of Timor-Leste and the opposition had dealt with the situation. (DN)

UN believes Salsinha will submit himself: The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Atul Khare believes that Gastao Salsinha and his group will submit themselves to justice. "I don't know whether Salsinha is going to submit himself or not, but I hope he does because the best way is submit to justice," said SRSG Khare on Monday (25/2) in the UNMIT press conference in UNMIT HQ Obrigado Barracks, Dili.

SRSG Khare also talked about the member of Salsinha's group who surrendered himself to UNPol in Maubisse, Ainaro District.

"The man will now be produced before the courts," said SRSG Khare in the UNMIT press conference on Monday (15/2) in UNMIT HQ, Dili.

"I want to emphasize the statements of the Acting President Fernando Lasama de Araujo and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao that those who submit themselves to justice will be treated with dignity." (DN)

Man who attacked Horta surrenders himself: One of the members of the armed group who attacked the residence of PR Ramos-Horta surrendered himself to police in Maubisse sub-district, Ainaro district on Monday (25/2).

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Atul Khare, said that the man was part of the group who attacked the residence of PR Ramos-Horta.

"This morning I got a phone call from a man who was involved in the attack against the residence of PR Horta on February 11. The man has submitted himself to PNTL and UNPol in Maubisse," said SRSG Khare. "I was really happy to hear this and I immediately asked the UNPol and PNTL Commander to go straight away to meet him in Maubisse and bring him to Dili."

SRSG Khare has also appealed to Salsinha and his group to submit themselves to the State.

"I appeal to Salsinha and his group to submit themselves and cooperate with justice as this is the best way to solve the problems," said SRSG Khare.

SRSG Khare also said that if petitioners want to come to Dili, they can ask for escorts from the UNPol and PNTL. (TP)

UNMIT mandate extended to 2009: The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Atul Khare informed the Acting President Fernando 'Lasama' de Araujo that the Security Council has decided to extend the UN Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) as proposed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.

SRSG Khare also said that the Security Council meeting, held on Thursday last week, went well and that SC members gave their support to the Timor-Leste Government, Parliament and the opposition party. (TP)

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)

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