UNMIT Daily Media Review

Só hoje é que a UNMIT retomou as sinteses noticiosas colocando online as sinteses dos dias 6 e 7 de Novembro.
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Monday, 06 November 2006

National Media Reports
TP - Timor Post
DN - Diario Nacional
STL - Suara Timor Lorosae
RTTL - Radio e Televisao de Timor-Leste


I Resigned For The Sake Of The Country: Alkatiri

In a lengthy interview with STL, published today, former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri speaks about his activities since his resignation as head of the government, the allegations on guns distribution and the COI report.

He said during the interview that if he had not resigned the country would have been torn in pieces and many people would have died.

He stressed that he did not want to continue governing at the cost of the death. Alkatiri also said he resigned because he did not want a sudden vacuum in the state institutions like the resignation of the President of the Republic or the dissolution of Parliament which would have further contributed to the deterioration of the country.

Following his resignation, Alkatiri said together with Fretilin leaders and President Francisco Guterres ‘Lu-Olo’, they appealed to the members of Fretilin to continue to be tolerant and patient which stopped Timor-Leste from a civil war.

The former Prime Minister insists that since the beginning, he considered the crisis a constitutional coup d’etat.

Alkatiri said the accusation that the F-FDTL massacred 60 people has been proven false by the Commission of Inquiry report as has the allegation of the distribution of guns by Fretilin to its members. He says there was a conspiracy of a coup d’etat against the government, which did not involve the use of guns. He is also not accusing either President Xanana Gusmão or other leaders for the attempted coup, which resulted in the leadership falling into the trap.

Mari Alkatiri said the attempts to bring down his government started in 2002. He said he never distributed any guns nor did Fretilin use or distribute any guns. On the issue of controlling the situation, the former Prime Minister said he and the President of the National Parliament requested the assistance of the international forces. He thanked them and appealed to them to work effectively for the people to live in peace. Alkatiri says he continues to work to contribute to peace for the country and welcomes anyone who wishes his seek his advice as many ministers, including Ramos-Horta, very often ask for his advice on government related matters. He is now writing a book and drafting strategies to strengthen his party, Fretilin. (STL)

UN Peace Keepers Needed in More Troubled Areas of the World

Prime Minister Ramos-Horta has said that the UN Security Council may not have the determination to send peacekeepers to Timor-Leste due to the many bigger problems around the world that require blue beret troops.

Ramos-Horta said the UN is facing difficulties to mobilize troops to Lebanon and other parts of the world that are in a worse situation than Timor-Leste, even though many countries in the region have shown their interest in helping the country. He said members of the Security Council opposing the peacekeepers in Timor-Leste are Japan, the UK and USA. In the report to the SC, the Secretary General proposed 350 peacekeepers with 150 to provide security for the UN staff at Obrigado Barracks and the 200 to provide security for the population. (STL)

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Tuesday, 07 November 2006

National Media Reports
TP - Timor Post
DN - Diario Nacional
STL - Suara Timor Lorosae
RTTL - Radio e Televisao de Timor-Leste

Cooperation Between Martial Arts Groups Would Stabilize Situation

Prime Minister Ramos-Horta is optimistic that soon the situation in Dili will be stabilized since the martial arts group leaders have agreed to cooperate to resolve the problems. Ramos-Horta said President Xanana Gusmão met with many youths as a step towards helping the government develop plans to resolve the problem of the IDPs since the rainy season has begun.

He said that starting this week he would visit the camps to explain the program already established by the government and the priorities set out for the IDP camps opposite the seaport, the airport, the national hospital and Obrigado Barracks. (STL, TP)

Taur Ready To Help Resolve The Problem

Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta who is also the Minister for Defence and Security said members of the national defence force would become active this week, carrying out their duties and address how to help resolve the IDP problems.

He further said that F-FDTL Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak expressed willingness to help the government and the State resolve the issue but further discussion is required on what role the national armed forces will play.

Before resuming their work next week, Ramos-Horta said, a dialogue would be held between F-FDTL, PNTL and youth groups still requiring strong support from the President and the government.

In the meantime, the President of PSD, Mario Carrascalão said that it might be too early for F-FDTL to resume their work as the situation in Dili is still unstable and there could be provocations to further damage the name of the institution.

Carrascalão cited as an example the 28 April when the army was called to help restore law and order and lost their credibility after allegations spread that F-FDTL carried out a massacre of about 60 people. The COI report determined that F-FDTL did not carry out a massacre in April. (STL, TP)

‘Lu-Olo’ Asks for Urgent Set Up Of Police Posts

President of the National Parliament, Francisco Guterres ‘Lu-Olo’ hopes that the government can speed up better conditions and improved security in the communities to allow the IDPs to return to their homes.

Lu-Olu said the displaced people must be moved from the camps, as the rains will begin soon, adding that he is aware that the government already has programs in place but it also needs to speed up the establishment of permanent police posts. The President of the Parliament said the Parliament has agreed to call on either the Minister of Defence or Interior to clarify the security situation of the nation. (STL)

Establish Better Conditions For IDPs: Alkatiri

Former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri asked the government to create favourable conditions for the people still living in refugee camps. He said the conditions must be better to prevent the children from becoming sick and for people to feel at peace. (STL, TP).

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