[Poster's note: International and other articles already sent out to the east-timor list (info@etan.org) have been removed from below.]

UNMIT

(International news reports and extracts from national media. UNMIT does not vouch for the accuracy of these reports)

Ramos-Horta: 20 May, National Day of Forgiveness – Timor Post

In his speech on 20 May, President José Ramos-Horta said that the country's national day was a day of forgiveness and clemency when people could forego vengeance and concentrate on the nation's development.

"I encourage all the political leaders to work hand in hand to open the ways to the development of the nation. We have to forgive each other as it is easy to fall into vengeance," said PR Ramos-Horta on Tuesday (20/5).

Afraid if ASDT runs away: AMP try to respond Xavier's demands – Timor Post The Government of AMP is trying to fulfill the demands of ASDT President Francisco Xavier do Amaral in order to win back ASDT's sympathy and its participation in the AMP coalition.

AMP President and the president of the National Parliament Fernando Lasama said that the AMP Government is trying to carry out its programme, not only as demanded by ASDT's president, but also for the national interest.

"We will follow whoever need us to solve the nation's problem to the end, not stop midway," said Mr. Lasama.

ASDT President Xavier do Amaral said that for his part, he will always encourage the Government to improve itself in order to pay more attention to the nation's problems.

Ed: after Rogerio, who will be next to be pardoned? – Timor Post

The President of the country Dr. José Ramos-Horta has said that the pardon he gave to 80 prisoners, including the former Minister of Interior Rogerio Lobato, will be realized based on the constitution and the Government's recommendations.

There is no citizen who could change the decision of the president, as he has the legal power to grant pardons.

Let the President use his [legal] authority, even though many people are concerned and do not agree with his decision about the Rogerio case.

We have a big question: Which big criminal will follow Rogerio to receive a pardon? There are still many well known people from the 2006 crisis and the attacks of February 11.

On the surface everyone is talking about who has the legal authority in such matters. But behind the scenes we all know that it is politics which is motivating the quick decision making.

We should avoid this attitude, if not then Timor-Leste will always lose confidence in its law. We wait …

Xanana to implement promises to the people – Timor Post

This year the AMP Government is going to realize its promises to the people as stated during the political campaign last year.

PM Xanana Gusmão said that the Government has an enormous responsibility to do this by creating more fields of jobs and employment for the youth.

"I thank the young people who demonstrate a good attitude. There was no violence during a big concert in Dili. This shows to the world that we need to move forward and create peace and stability in our country," said PM Gusmão on Tuesday (20/5) on the 6th anniversary of Timor-Leste independence day in the Government Palace, Dili.

PM Gusmão said that the Government has signed an accord with the Korean Government to send 500 workers to Korea. Furthermore, he said that the Government will also send 1,000 people to Philippines for capacity building prior to going overseas for work.

Xanana Gusmão: national unity needed for development – Diario Nacional

Prime Minister Gusmão said that national unity is needed for the nation's development, as the objective of national unity is to improve people's lives and bring them together.

Vice Prime Minister José Luis Guterres said that PM Xanana was the resistance leader who is starting to strengthen national unity.

"That's why today the Timorese people celebrate the Independence Day as many people contributed to the national liberation," said Mr. Guterres on Tuesday (20/5) on the 6th anniversary of Timor-Leste Independence Day in the Government Palace, Dili.

Mari Alkatiri: Fretilin-ASDT defend self determination – Diario Nacional

On the speech of 34th anniversary of the founding of ASDT/Fretilin held in the Central Committee of Fretilin in Comoro, Dili on Tuesday (20/5), Fretilin Secretary-General Mari Alkatiri said that his party and ASDT are the only ones defending the nation's self determination. From now on, he said, Fretilin will work hard to improve the party's structure.

"Today we are gathering her to celebrate the 34th anniversary of ASDT-Fretilin's life. Glance back at our history to see how we reached today.

We pay homage to our founders and remember our history. We are preparing for early elections. Fretilin with his coalition partner ASDT will step forward for early elections and we will win the elections. We demand early elections for the legislature not presidency," said Mr. Alkatiri.

The anniversary's ceremony was attended by SRSG Atul Khare and his deputy, the diplomatic corps, members of neighbouring governments such as Indonesia, Brazil, Portugal, the Executive Secretary of CPLP and Fretilin sympathizers.

AMP Government holds a meeting with MCC – Suara Timor Lorosa'e

After the former government failed to get assistance from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the current government led by the Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão held a meeting with MCC where they discussed aid from MCC to Timor Leste in 2009.

Minister of Finance Emilia Pires said that the meeting between a representative from America who is responsible for the MCC project was attended by the Vice President himself, in order to discuss ways to work together better to benefit Timor Leste.

Past the two years, Fretilin held meetings with MCC but support was not forthcoming because MCC observed that the Fretilin Government did not have a good dialogue process with the civil society and others. Now the new government has created a better relationship with MCC which should help the process.

MCC has not discussed what projects they will invest in. The AMP government only consulted with civil society groups and all other partners to identify the key areas for investment.

"There should be a feasibility study carried out by the AMP government to create a base on which to make a decision about possible areas of investment for MCC," said Minister of Finance Emilia Pires to the journalists on Monday (19/15).

Horta: Rogerio Lobato positively receives pardon – >Suara Timor Lorosa'e It has been a confirmed that Rogerio Lobato will receive a pardon along with others from President Jose Ramos-Horta.

The list includes former Minister of Interior Rogerio Lobato who was sentenced by the court of his involvement in providing weapons to civilians in 2006.

"I will still assess the recommendation that has already been made by my advisors and the director of the prisons on the number of prisoners who will receive pardons. But the pardon itself commute 100 percent of the sentence," President Jose Ramos Horta told journalists after attending a mass ceremony held on Monday 19/5 at Dili's Cathedral church.

Regarding how many years the Rogerio Lobato will have to serve in prison, Ramos Horta said, "To give pardon is my decision as president and the authority to do so is contained in the constitution. I cannot make people happy 100 percent of the time," said Horta.

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