UNMIT

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

Gusmao and Horta call for defense force and police to contribute to stability- Timor Post, 21 August

President Jose Ramos Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao have called for the Timorese
Defense Force (F-FDTL) and National Police (PNTL) to keep contributing to the country's peace and stability.

The President and the Prime Minister made the calls yesterday during a ceremony for the 33rd commemoration day of the Timorese National Liberation Army (FALINTIL) at the Palace of the Government. "I am calling on these two institutions, F-FDTL and PNTL to show good
example and performance to the people to contribute to the peace and stability in the country," PR Horta said.

PR Horta added the country's state bodies would allocate amount of money to develop more both F-FDTL and PNTL in future. PM Gusmao said these
two security forces should guarantee security and stability in the country.

Australia provides $US50 million to Timor-Leste- Timor Post, 21 August

The Australian Government, through its International Development Agency Ausaid, has
provided $US50 million to Timor-Leste through the Ministry of Health and Infrastructures to help improve people's lives.

Deputy Director for Ausaid Richard Moore said these funds would be spent for water supply and sanitation in rural areas. Moore said the Australian Government wanted to help the Timorese Government, as they did not want to see the country's people to keep living in poverty. More said they were pleased, because the Timorese Government and its people wanted to accept aid support.

Better to reinforce PDHJ than set up anti-corruption commission, says MP Florindo-Timor Post, 21 August

The Parliamentary Majority Alliance (AMP) MPs initiated to set up an anti-corruption commission in Timor-Leste, but Fretilin MPs have rejected the Government's proposal of setting up this commission.

MP Osorio Florindo Fretilin said that there was no need to set up many commissions for combating corruption. What is needed is to establish a proper system and for the Government to better reinforce the country's Human Rights Ombudsmen known as PDHJ, because PDHJ was also working towards combating corruption.

Democratic Party MP Vital do Santos said he firmly defended the Government's initiative of
setting up the proposed commission, as it would help combat corruption in the country.

Horta sets deadline for recalling illegal weapons- Diario Nacional, 21 August

President Jose Ramos Horta has set a deadline for civilians to hand over illegal weapons at large in the community to the security forces. President Horta said all residents should hand
over illegal weapons to the security forces until the end of this month [August]. Horta said only the security forces, such as Timorese Defense Force (F-FDTL) and National Police were allowed to carry weapons. Horta called on the F-FDTL, PNTL, International Stabilization Force (ISF) and the UN police to find civilians who were carrying illegal weapons.

Gumao: Timor-Leste still needs ISF as country's situation still volatile- Dairio Nacional, 21 August

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao said that given thatthe stability of the country was still volatile, the country still needed the deployment of the International Stabilization Forces (ISF).

Gusmao made the comments yesterday after participating in the ceremony for the
commemoration day of the Timorese National Liberation Army (FALINTIL) at the Palace of the Government. "We have seen many problems around the world, such as state coups and murders, therefore do not think that things have improved. We still need the ISF's presence," Gusmao said.  Gusmao said that before developing a law for internal and defense security, the country should first produce a national security law.

F-FDTL does not belong to political parties: Father Gusmao- Suara Timor Loro Sa'e, 21 August

Director for Commission of Peace and Justice, Father Martinho Gusmao, said he was pleased with some significant changes within the country's defense force. Mr Gusmao said to improve the security force institutions in future, leaders who are in charge of this institution should have similar vision with the Minister for Defense Xanana Gusmao, Defense Secretary Julio Thomas Pinto and State Secretary for Security Francisco da Silva Guterres.

Mr Gusmao said these leaders had a combined vision to help develop the national spirit of
F-FDTL to be truly a state instrument, not belonging to political parties. Gusmao therefore
considered this was significant changes which were made in the country's difficult times.

Deadline set for police officers on the run with Reinado- Radio Televisaun Timor Leste, 21 August State Secretary for Security Francisco da Silva Guterres has set a deadline for the police officers who were on the run with former rebel leader, Alfredo Reinado Alves, to participate in dialouge with the police command.

The state secretary was referring to the proposed dialouge as a solution to the problem of the police officers who were on the run with Reinado during the country's recent crisis. Guterres said he had discussed the issue with the police's top commander and had set a deadline to resolve this problem; September 15 would be the last day to be given to those police officers to participate in the dialogue.

Ausaid provides funds to improve Timorese youths- Radio Televisaun Timor Leste, 21 August

The Australian Government through Ausaid is to provide eight million to help improve the
technical skills of the Timorese youths. The Minister for Education has signed an agreement
with the Australian Government about providing the funds on Monday (18/8) at the Ministry of Education.

State Secretary for Professional Training and Employment Bendito do Santos Freitas said the
agreement was important to professionalize the youths in future. The Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Peter Heyword, said there was a possibility for his Government to continue
providing scholarships for the Timorese to continue their studies.

Horta calls on Timorese security forces to continue cooperating with ISF and UN police- Tevelizaun Timor Leste, 20 August

President Jose Ramos Horta has called on the Timorese Security Forces, Timorese Defense Force (F-FDTL), and National Police (PNTL) to continue cooperating with the International stabilization forces (ISF) and the UN police in restoring peace and stability in the country.

Horta made the calls today during a speech marking the ceremony for commemorating the day of Timorese Liberation Army (FALINTIL) at the Palace of the Government. Horta also thanked F-FDTL and PNTL that had been successful in the joint operation and were able to concentrate all the petitioners.

Horta stressed the F-FDTL and PNTL should keep \building good cooperation with the ISF and UN police in the country, because they had been good friends of the country's security forces.

President Horta calls for F-FDTL and PNTL to abide by mission- Radio Timor Leste, 20 August
President Jose Ramos Horta has called for the Timorese Defense Force (F-FDTL) and National
Police (PNTL) to abide by their mission to secure both internal and external threats.

The president said F-FDTL and PNTL should show good performance in conducting their duties within the community, so that people could respect them.

Horta made the calls today during a speech marking the ceremony for commemorating day of
Timorese National Liberation Army known as FALINTIL at the Palace of the Government.

Horta expressed appreciation to the F-FDTL's Command that stood firmly with the spirit of the constitution to defend their institution during the country's crises in 2006.

Horta also thanked the International Stabilization Forces (ISF) and the UN for their
security assistances during the country's recent crises.

Timorese intelligence service still weak, says PM Gusmao- Televisaun Timor Leste, 20 August

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao said the country's recent crises in 2006 had showed the country's intelligence service were still weak, therefore it needed to be improved.

The prime minister made the comments today after participating in the ceremony of the
commemoration day of Timorese National Liberation Army (FALINTIL) at the Palace of the Government.

Gusmao said if the country's intelligence service was good, he did trusted that President Horta was not shot by the rebels. Therefore, there should be training to be provided for the country's intelligence services, so that skills of its members could be improved.

Gusmao added Timor-Leste still needed presence of the United Nations in the country, because security situation of the country was still volatile.

Gusmao calls on Timorese Defense Force to guarantee security in the Country- Radio Timor Leste, 20 August

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao has called on the Timorese Defense Force (F-FDTL) to maintain and guarantee security in the country based on the compromises and efforts made in the past.

The prime minister made the calls this morning after participating ceremony for the commemoration day of Timorese National Liberation Army known as FALINTIL at the Palace of the Government. Gusmao said F-FDTL as the country's defense force should abide by the constitution and the law about security.

Gusmao added the Government and other state bodies were currently holding discussion on the defense and security policy making.

Boswell backs call for more East Timor guest workers- Stock and Land, 21 August

Allowing guest workers from East Timor to work in north Western Australia is a win-win situation, according to Senator Ron Boswell. It gets much needed workers in to help industry in the remote Kimberly region and helps neighbours with high unemployment.

“During a recent visit to East Timor, I saw at first hand how urgently many East Timorese needed jobs and training. Communist regimes such as China and Cuba are doing a lot in East Timor and it is in Australia’s interests to do what we can as well,” he says.

An agreement has been signed with the WA government.

“There is a specific proposal for 300 employees and trainees and 100 occupational trainees to help meet labour shortages in tourism, forestry and aquaculture," he says.

"Employers would pay for transport, accommodation and meals.”

“If there is a need that is not being filled by locals, then why not look to East Timor? – which is actually handier geographically than Brisbane, Sydney or Perth.”

“The last thing we need on our doorstep is a nation where the young male population has
nothing to do, no jobs, no training and no money.

"That is a recipe for political instability and continuing demands on our peacekeeping resources.

“Practical aid in terms of a few hundred jobs that Australians don’t want, can make a big
difference to the families of the East Timorese workers.”

Senator Boswell said that he also supported in principle, the use of guest workers in the horticulture industries.

National rural news from Rural Press agricultural weekly newspapers, Fairfax Media,.

Stuart acquires $85 million Timor Sea oil field-Scandanavian Oil and Gas, 20 August

A major stake in a Timor Sea oil field discovered by BHP Petroleum has been acquired by
Adelaide-based oil and gas explorer and producer, Stuart Petroleum Limited.

In an $85 million venture, Stuart will sole fund the drilling of an appraisal well on the Oliver
oilfield, 700 kilometres west of Darwin and 30 kilometres north of the Jabiru production licences.

The Company will also undertake all engineering studies up to a Final Investment Decision (FID) authorising development, to earn its 50% interest in Oliver.

Drilling of the Oliver-2 appraisal well, and the associated engineering studies, is expected to
cost around $60 million. The sale agreement also commits Stuart to then additionally sole fund the first $25 million of development expenditure for the field.

Stuart will examine a range of funding options including debt and equity to fund these initial
project commitments, and is targeting maiden production from Oliver by the end of 2011.

The Oliver interest is being acquired from a proportional selldown by a range of companies
controlled by well known and respected Melbourne-based petroleum entrepreneur, Mr Geoff
Albers, whose Albers Group is one of the largest independent holders of offshore petroleum permits in Australia.

Stuart assumes Operatorship of the Oliver field in the Australian-administered section of AC/P33 in the Timor Sea Permit, from Auralandia NL.

BHPB discovered a 170-metre column of oil, gas and condensate from 2,927 metres depth in the Oliver-1 exploration well in 1988 - the field remaining undeveloped since due largely to then historic low oil prices.

Today’s announcement is the second offshore expansion by Stuart this year - with the Company to commence drilling next month, as Operator and 50% farminee, on the 100 million barrel five zone Bazzard-1 oil well in the Gippsland Basin, its first move offshore.

“What differentiates our new Timor Sea holding from our Gippsland activity is that Oliver is a
new field ready for immediate development, not an exploration play,” Stuart Petroleum’s Managing Director, Mr Tino Guglielmo, said today.

“The acquisition is a very deliberate strategy to evolve and expand our maiden offshore portfolio in a manner best able to deliver near-term production balanced with exposure to significant exploration upside,” Mr Guglielmo said.

“Our own interpretation of Oliver, validated by subsequent independent review, of recently
acquired 3D seismic over the Oliver acreage, has resulted in estimated recoverable liquids in the range of 9.9 million barrels to 33 million barrels of oil and condensate, with a mean volume of 19.3 million barrels. Stuart’s share totals 9.6 million barrels.

”On this basis and with this focus, Stuart should now be viewed as an exploration and production company transitioning to primarily an offshore Australia intent for future growth in our (The contents of this service do not reflect the views of TLMDC. News and opinion are summarized, and headlines edited in English to give the best possible sense of the original headline. For more detailed information about any story in this bulletin, or for tailored sector-specific monitoring contact: francisco@tlmdc.org; alberico@tlmdc.org) exploration and development activities.”

UNMIT

As advised, UNMIT is outsourcing its media monitoring to the Timor-Leste Media Development Centre (contact Francisco da Silva, TLMDC Director, +670 723 5163; francisco@tlmdc.org).

Below is the product they are providing us. All those external to the United Nations may contact the TLMDC directly to subscribe. We will not be sending this out beyond 22 August 2008 to those external to the United Nations.

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

Timor-Leste-Portugal sign agreement on developing justice sector – Timor Post, 22 August

The Timorese and Portuguese Government have signed agreements on developing justice sector in Timor-Leste.

The Portuguese Government through its Justice Minister, Alberto da Costa and Timorese Justice Minister, Lucia Lobato yesterday officially signed two kinds of agreement and was witnessed by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

Portugal has supported the country in the field of justice, such as providing legal advisors to
help Timorese legal practitioners.

Authority denies rumors on the release of Salsinha and followers – Timor Poost, 22 August

Timorese authorities have denied rumors mongering that former rebel leader, Gastao Salsinha and his followers have been released from serving a provisional sentence in Dili's Becora jail on (20/8).

National Director for Prison, Helena Gomes said the rumors on the release of Salsinha and
followers were unknown to her and said they were still being locked up in the prison.

"The release of Salsinha and his followers are unknown to us, the fact shows they are still in the prison," Gomes said.

She added Salsinha and his men should serve their provisional sentence, as they had no right to be freed.

F-FDTL will use ships for watching over Timor Sea – Timor Post, 22 Augustt

Timorese Defense Force Naval Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Pedro Klamar Fuik, said they
would use two ships that would be purchased by the Government from China to watch over the Timor Sea from illegal fishing.

The commander said many times foreigners had illegally conducted illegal fishing in the
country's maritime zone, therefore the ships would help support them in doing their tasks.

Klamar Fuik said the defense force's Naval Unit were facing major problem, because they only had small ship and was incapable to control all the maritime zones.

Gun law important to be debated, says Lasama – Diario Nacional, 222 August

Parliamentary President Fernando "Lasama" Araujo, said the gun law was very important as other laws and was urgent to be debated soon.

"The gun law is being top priority of the Parliament to be debated after passing one month
of quiet period," Lasama said.

Lasama said it was a decree law produced by the Government which aimed at recalling all the illegal weapons and did not mean to distribute weapons to the civilians.

Lasama said only the country's security forces and intelligence service members were allowed to carry weapons.

F-FDTL reforms should go through educational investment, says Ruak – Diario Nacional, 22 August

Timorese Defense Force Commander, Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, said in reforming the county's defense force should strongly be invested in the field of education.

"Investment in the field of education is being responsibility of the Government. Education
should be strong, so that people could have good skills and have good conscience," the commander said.

Rua said the defense force would hold a new recruitment to the news soldiers this year and
they currently waiting for military law to be approved by the Parliament.

Agriculture minister meets with President Horta - Radio Televisaun Timor-Leste, 22 August

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mariano "Asanami" Sabino Lopes has met with
President Jose Ramos Horta, talking on plaque inaugurating of Nino Konis Santana National Park.

After meeting with the president, the minister said apart from talking about the plaque of the
national park, they were also discussing the agricultural ministry's activities on increasing
local products in the country.

Asanami said the president strongly supported his agricultural activities, as it would help reduce poverty in the country.

Minister Asanami added President Horta had stated his readiness to hold some official visits to directly look closer at the farming activities held by the farmers in the field.

JICA will send Timorese youths to Japan – Radio Televiisaun Timor-Leste, 22 August

Japanese International Cooperation (JICA) will send 14 of Timorese youths to Japan for participating in training.

The training will be focusing on agriculture and rural development and will help increase skills
of the Timorese in the field of agriculture.

Participants of the training comprised staffs of NGOs, media practitioners and staffs of other organizations.

Timor-Leste expressed appreciation to the Japanese Government that had many times helped the country, mainly in the rural development and agriculture.

Japan has introduced an agricultural system that would be useful for the country's farmers; the system was called "one village one product".

Need to amend constitution before setting up anti-corruption commission, says Ximenes – Suara Timor Lorosa'e, 222 August

Timorese Human Rights and Justice Ombudsmen, Sebastião Diaz Ximenes, said in setting up an anti-corruption in the country should firstly make amendment to the constitution, the Article 132, because the article stated only the Public Prosecution had the right to exercise process of penal.

Ximenes said if the country wanted to set up the proposed commission was similar to Indonesia's KKP, then it would exercise the role of the Public Prosecution, because the KKP was allowed to hold investigation into any case of corruption.

Ximenes proposed to the countries state bodies, such as Government and Parliament to look at laws for human rights ombudsmen and public prosecution, so that it could not be in conflict with each institution's role.

"We all want the anti-corruption commission to work well, therefore should avoid double roles," He added.

[Poster's note: Repeats of international articles already sent out to the east-timor list (info@etan.org) have been removed.]

[Poster's note: Repeats of international articles
already sent out to the east-timor list (info@etan.org) have been removed.]

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