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Subject: ETimor president's office apologises for budget publication
ETimor president's office apologises for budget publication [This is the print version of story <http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/200808/s2327176.htm>] ETimor president's office apologises for budget publication Updated August 7, 2008 16:39:13 The president's office in East Timor has "accidentally" promulgated the controversial mid year budget, despite the president's orders not to do so. Our correspondent in Dili, Stephanie March, reports President Jose Ramos Horta said in a television address this week he had "concerns and doubts" over the size of the mid-year budget, and that he would hold off on approving it until it had been cleared by the constitutional court. He signed the budget before leaving for Beijing on Tuesday, in the event it was successful in the court appeal before his return, with strict instructions not to promulgate it until he gave permission. The approved law was published in the government gazette on Wednesday. Mr Ramos Horta's office has released a statement apologising to the nation for the mistake, but declined to say how it would be rectified. The review budget has been criticized by civil society and international community for the large amount of money it draws from the nation's oil fund.
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