Notícias de 29 a 31 de Dezembro de 2006

Timor-Leste: 13 agentes da PSP partem sábado para reforçar missão de paz em Díli

Lisboa, 28 Dez (Lusa) - A Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) vai reforçar o contingente integrado na Missão de Paz das Nações Unidas em Timor-Leste (UNMIT) com a partida de mais 13 agentes no sábado, divulgou hoje aquela força em comunicado.

O grupo, que vai juntar-se aos 37 elementos que a PSP tem em Timor-Leste desde Outubro e aos outros cinco que permaneciam no território desde 2003, tem previsto chegar a Díli no primeiro dia de 2007, acrescenta o comunicado.

De acordo com a PSP, os 55 polícias - dez oficiais, 16 chefes e 29 agentes - irão "monitorizar acções de comando e planeamento" e encarregar-se das tarefas de informação policial, "apoio à vítima, ordem pública, segurança pessoal, investigação criminal, trânsito e prevenção rodoviária" e do "policiamento de proximidade".

Os homens da PSP também irão ensinar "ética e deontologia profissional" aos seus congéneres timorenses, refere o comunicado.

Além deste contingente, comandado pelo intendente Carlos Simões de Almeida, a PSP mantém em Timor-Leste desde Maio uma equipa do Grupo de Operações Especiais (GOE) que está encarregue da segurança da Embaixada de Portugal, dos agentes diplomáticos e de outros cidadãos portugueses.

As condições de segurança em Díli melhoraram significativamente nas últimas semanas, com os casos de perturbação da ordem pública a tornarem-se mais esporádicos, principalmente confrontos entre grupos de artes marciais rivais, mas sem atingirem o grau de violência anterior.

Timor-Leste viveu em 2006 um ano de retrocesso, com uma crise que levantou dúvidas sobre a sua viabilidade como Estado e lhe ofuscou a imagem de "jóia da coroa" das Nações Unidas no processo de construção de nações.

Apenas quatro anos depois de ver a independência reconhecida pela comunidade internacional (20 de Maio de 2002), Timor-Leste voltou a viver um cenário de violência e destruição, com um saldo de cerca de 60 mortos, incluindo um cidadão brasileiro.

A crise desencadeada em Abril com a demissão de cerca de 600 dos 1.400 efectivos das forças armadas timorenses, por alegada discriminação étnica, também provocou 180 mil deslocados, muitos dos quais continuam em campos de acolhimento por receio de violência ou simplesmente porque as suas casas foram destruídas.

Ao nível das forças de segurança, a crise resultou na desintegração da polícia e na deserção de vários militares, o mais mediático dos quais, o major Alfredo Reinado, continua a monte depois de ter fugido da prisão de Díli, onde chegou a estar detido por posse ilegal de armas.

AR/PAN - Lusa/Fim

Iraque: Nobel da Paz Ramos-Horta contra execução de Saddam Hussein

Díli, 30 Dez (Lusa) - O primeiro-ministro timorense José Ramos-Horta manifestou hoje a sua oposição à aplicação da pena capital ao ex-ditador iraquiano Saddam Hussein, reafirmando, em declarações à Lusa, a posição do governo que chefia como sendo contra a pena de morte.

"Em primeiro lugar quero reafirmar que o governo de Timor-Leste ratificou a Convenção contra a Pena Capital e a posição oficial, constante da nossa Constituição, é de total oposição contra a aplicação da pena de morte", salientou.

"Relativamente a Saddam Hussein, só posso dizer que Deus, o Todo Misericordioso, lhe perdoe, a ele que nunca perdoou a ninguém em vida", frisou.

José Ramos-Horta foi em 1996 laureado com o Nobel da Paz, conjuntamente com o então bispo de Díli, D. Carlos Ximenes Belo.

O ex-ditador iraquiano Saddam Hussein foi executado esta madrugada por enforcamento em Bagdad, cumprindo a pena capital que lhe foi aplicada pelo massacre de 148 aldeões xiitas de Douja´l, a norte de Bagdad, assassinados em represália contra um atentado falhado contra uma coluna presidencial em 1982.

EL-Lusa/Fim


AAP - Friday December 29, 05:53 AM
Al-Qaeda targeted East Timor mission: UN

Al-Qaeda targeted UN officials in East Timor for attack between 2000 and 2002 because of the world body's role in the nation's separation from mostly Muslim Indonesia, the top UN official in the country said. Atul Khare gave no details of the alleged plots in the Christian nation.

"It is indeed true that in 2000, 2001 and also 2002 there were some reports which were attributed to Osama bin Laden or to his group which indicated that he will take action against UNTAET and later on UNMISET for having contributed to the separation of East Timor from Indonesia," said Khare.

UNTAET was the acronym for the United Nation's transitional mission in East Timor. The mission ended in 2002 and was replaced by UNMISET, which was tasked with supporting the country's first independent government.

Warnings by foreign governments of a possible terror threat led to the tiny nation tightening security for a short time in 2002.

In 2002, an audiotape with a voice purported to belong to Osama bin Laden condemned Australia for its "despicable effort to separate East Timor" from Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country.


UN News Centre - 28 December 2006

UN Police deployed in all 12 districts of Timor-Leste as poll preparations move ahead
United Nations police officers have now deployed in all 12 of Timor-Leste’s districts to help end the low-level gang violence in the country and provide security for the electoral experts who are helping prepare for next year’s polls, the UN envoy said today, as he stressed the world body’s commitment to the elections.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste, Atul Khare, speaking in the last press conference of the year, said the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) will work closely with the people and authorities to ensure free and credible polls.

“UNMIT has also deployed electoral experts in all the districts,” he said, noting that UN eight Police were also sent.

“UNMIT will assist the authorities of Timor-Leste and the people of Timor-Leste to provide the necessary conditions for free, fair and credible elections,” Mr. Khare added, while acknowledging that while the security situation has much improved, particularly since the deadly violence earlier this year, much still remains to be done.

“I agree that we have to undertake many more actions to ensure that not only are there no weapons in civilian hands but that people feel, people believe, that no such weapons remain in civilian hands.”

The Security Council created UNMIT in August to help restore order after fighting, attributed to differences between eastern and western regions, broke out in April and May and led to the deaths of at least 37 people and forced about 155,000 people – or 15 per cent of the population – to flee their homes.

As part of UNMIT, there are currently over 900 international police officers from 25 different countries implementing screening and mentoring programmes for the National Police force of Timor-Leste under the Police Supplemental Agreement, a deal signed at the start of this month under which the UN has full responsibility for policing.

Also speaking at today’s press conference was the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Security Sector Reform Rule of Law in Timor-Leste, Eric Tan, who stressed the importance of UNPOL being in all the 12 districts, while noting that security in the capital, Dili, continues to improve.

“The presence of UNPOL in the districts outside Dili… allows us to have a very good sense of the security situation there,” he said, calling this “especially crucial” in the light of the coming elections. “Security in Dili continues to improve,” Mr. Tan said, adding that adjustments to the UN Police concept of security operations have proven effective.

ABC - Friday, December 29, 2006. 4:34pm (AEDT)

E Timor may seek more help from Aust police

East Timorese Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta says he is being urged to seek more assistance from Australia to help stabilise the country.

More than 37 people were killed and about 150,000 fled their homes in the capital Dili amid violence earlier this year.

East Timor has also been shaken by a recent surge in gang violence.

Dr Ramos Horta says he is considering seeking additional assistance from Australian police.

"I have had a discussion with many political leaders, they are all very praising, full of praise of the Australian police and they told me, they urged me, to try to get more Australian police involved," he said.


New Mathilda - 6 December 2006

Four Corners and the Coup in Timor Leste
By Tim Anderson

The presentation of a Gold Walkley Award to journalists responsible for the ABC Four Corners program ‘Stoking the Fires’, demonstrates the shallowness of Australian public reflection over the Australian role in the coup in Timor Leste.

The Four Corners program became a central element of coup propaganda, helping force the resignation of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, after accusing him of ordering a ‘hit squad’ to assassinate his political rivals. Although a UN report dismissed these ‘hit squad’ allegations, they have been repeated many times since, helping poison the political climate in the lead up to Timor Leste’s May 2007 elections.

Walkley Award winners, Liz Jackson, Peter Cronau and Lin Buckfield, knew from the start their ‘evidence’ was tainted and lacking in credibility. They also hid important facts from their audience. Because the 19 June program played such an important role in the coup, it deserves some closer analysis. It will be useful to look at the program’s aim, identification of issues, use of sources, and choice (and omission) of events.

The ABC website identifies a “key question” for the program: “What – who – is causing the present turmoil?” This was indeed an important consideration. Pursuing this, however, would have required a broader view of events.

A more specific question was seized on by the program - could evidence be found to implicate Prime Minister Alkatiri in “stoking the fires” of the violence? The coup leaders (Alfredo Reinado, Rai Los), local opposition figures, and much of the Australian establishment (The Australian, Prime Minister Howard, CARE Director Tim Costello, ABC journalists), directly or indirectly, had been urging President Xanana Gusmao to sack Prime Minister Alkatiri.

Yet, as Liz Jackson observed, Alkatiri had the support of the Parliament and it seemed Xanana did not have the constitutional power to remove him. “The only provision that would force the Prime Minister to step aside is if he were charged with a serious criminal offence.” Here was a challenge.

For all the criticism, there was no evidence of criminality by Alkatiri. The Four Corners team set out to ‘fill the gap’. The principal source would be coup participant, Vicente ‘Rai Los’ Da Conceicao. The major political beneficiary of the coup, the then Foreign Minister, Jose Ramos Horta, would provide moral commentary.

Liz Jackson’s commentary thus begins: “Alkatiri is a terrorist, a communist, a Muslim, say the men at this rally” and again “People say of the Prime Minister that he has an arrogant and aloof style and is a Marxist”. The accusations were vague, but insistent.

She was backed up by Jose Ramos Horta, who constantly asserted that Alkatiri should step down because the repeated allegations were damaging: “Can we afford this increasing loss of credibility? … [and later] If I were to receive just 10 percent of the criticisms that the Prime Minister has received … I would have stepped down long ago.” He adds, modestly, that “many” people are saying he should be Prime Minister.

Four Corners then introduces some key sources, but it does so dishonestly. It does not explain these individuals or their roles in the violence. Alfredo Reinado is introduced as a Major in the Military Police, and leader of “a rebel army faction [which] took their cars and guns to the hills in solidarity with the petitioners”. Reinado calls for Alkatiri’s resignation, and for him to face trial for his supposed crimes.

By the time of this interview, however, Reinado has not just ‘gone to the hills’ (as Xanana also put it), but had initiated the 23 May attack on an army team at Fatu Ahi in which, the UN says, “five people were killed and ten injured”. The beginning of the attack and Reinado’s open fire orders were shown on SBS television.

The following day groups linked to Reinado made a concerted attack on army headquarters at Taci Tolu (in Dili), and on the home of army commander Taur Matan Ruak, killing “as many as nine people”, according to the UN. None of this is mentioned in a program supposedly finding out ‘who or what’ is causing the ‘present turmoil’. After the coup, Portuguese police will initiate the arrest of Reinado and have him charged with murder.

The major piece of incriminating evidence against Alkatiri, however, comes from an interview with Vicente ‘Rai Los’ Da Conceicao. Rai Los is introduced as leader of “a group of men who say they were given weapons on the orders of Alkatiri”. Rai Los and the others explain themselves as a ‘Fretilin Secret Security Team’, under the orders of Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato. There is indeed evidence that they have obtained government weapons.

They make the program’s dramatic accusation: they were under orders from Alkatiri and Lobato to “totally destroy petitioners .. to terminate opposition leaders .. to exterminate the military leaders like Major Alfredo [Reinado], Major Tara, Major Tilman” and others.

These claims formed the basis of Liz Jackson’s earlier radio report (‘E Timor Prime Minister denies new 'hit squad' claims’, 10 June) which said that Mari Alkatiri organised:

“a group of armed civilians … [who] shot or bashed four people who were organising a peaceful protest calling for his resignation … [and] that forces loyal to the Prime Minister carried out a massacre of 60 unarmed protesters in April, and dumped their bodies in a mass grave .. incidents [which] appear consistent with accusations this week that Mr Alkatiri had recruited a hit squad with specific orders to eliminate his political opponents.”

In relation to these claims, the UN report of October said that “no massacre occurred” and that it “does not accept that … the Prime Minister gave instructions to Rai Los to eliminate his political opponents”. The massacre rumour was started by coup plotters.

The story by Rai Los was tainted evidence, and the Four Corners team knew it. First, the interview took place on the farm of an opposition family, the Carascalao. Second, Rai Los had come to them fresh from the attack on the army at Taci Tolu.

Liz Jackson refers to, but does not properly explain, Rai Los’s involvement in this incident: “Rai Los says his team had used their weapons in a gun battle with the regular army .. he says four people were killed, and this is why he decided to abandon his loyalty to Mari Alkatiri.”

This is an obvious lie. The Rai Los group participated in the 24 May attack on government loyalists in the army at Taci Tolu. They were not supporting Alkatiri. The UN puts composition of the coalition responsible for the single biggest armed attack during the coup attempt, as “police officers from Liquica District, petitioners and armed civilians of the Rai Los group”.

The Four Corners program, claiming to get to the bottom of the turmoil in the country, has no explanation of the Fatu Ahi and Taci Tolu attacks. Instead, it selectively refers to the shooting of rioting army deserters (‘the petitioners’) and anti-government gang members on April 28, and to the 25 May revenge shooting of a number of police by soldiers.

Four Corners staff have privately argued that they did not call the Rai Los group a “hit squad”, or assert that Alkatiri had set it up. They say the story had pointed out that Rai Los had “no proof” of his claims. They argue, though, they had stronger evidence of Rogerio Lobato’s distribution of arms, a fact born out by the criminal charges and the UN findings.

However the paraphrase ‘hit squad’ has been taken up widely by the media, including the initial ABC report from Liz Jackson. To say the program made no allegations, and just reported the claims of their sources, is to hide behind these sources. Journalists always choose which sources to use, which to elevate and in which context to place them. In this story Four Corners gave great prominence to the ‘hit squad’ claims. That, of course, is what made the program influential.

Finally, distinguishing between the ‘hit squad’ claims and the distribution of arms issue draws attention to another deceit of the program: it did not make this distinction. Rather, it sought to collapse the two issues. Yet they are indeed separate.

The legitimacy (or otherwise) of arming para-militaries to defend the government – when the police force had collapsed, and sections of the police were taking part in the coup – is presumably an issue that will be argued by Rogerio Lobato’s lawyers, as he faces his current charges. It is not an unreasonable argument. Yet the claim that Lobato apparently armed the Rai Los group, which turned against the government and attacked loyalists in the army, certainly raises questions about his judgement.

However the claim that there was a ‘hit squad’ to assassinate political opponents is a different matter to arming irregular forces to defend the government. Four Corners relies on that distinction now; but in June 2006 collapsing the two stories was central to its deception.

The award wining Four Corners program presented a partisan and dishonest picture of the crisis, but a picture consistent with the wish of the Australian Government and corporate leaders to remove the democratically elected head of government of a friendly neighbouring state. As Australians, we need greater reflection on our own role in this affair.


AFP - December 29, 2006

East Timor bids farewell to Kofi Annan
From correspondents in Dili

EAST Timor has bade a fond farewell to departing UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, hailing him as a friend who helped the troubled birth of the tiny nation.

“It is fitting and proper to publicly acknowledge and bid farewell not only to the secretary general, but to a friend. A friend of mine and a friend of the people of Timor-Leste,” Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta said yesterday.

He said a street in the capital Dili would be named in honour of Annan.

In a farewell letter to Annan, Ramos Horta thanked the UN chief for his decisive role in East Timor's emergence as an independent nation after decades of Indonesian rule.

“In your inaugural speech, you said that you wanted to see the East Timor problem of occupation resolved in five years. It was done.”

“In the crisis of 1999, post the popular consultation; amid chaos and a near descent into total carnage, you demonstrated leadership and compassion, to bring it to an end. Thank you,” mr Ramos Horta said.

Militia gangs, which the United Nations has said were recruited and directed by Indonesia's military, went on an arson and killing spree before and after the East Timorese voted for independence in a UN-sponsored ballot in 1999.

The Prime Minister also invited Mr Annan and his wife to visit East Timor and welcomed his successor, former South Korean foreign minister Ban Ki-Moon.

“I also warmly welcome Ban Ki-Moon, friend and regional neighbour. He has a tough road ahead of him, but he knows he can count on our support,” he said.

AAP – Sunday December 31, 06:09 AM

'Evil' meddling could trigger unrest: PM

Prime Minister John Howard says China and Taiwan's meddling in Australia's Pacific backyard could trigger up to 20 years of unrest in the region.

Australia would face the task of helping restore order to nations such as Fiji, East Timor, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, Mr Howard said.

"I can understand Australians saying, 'Well, look, let's forget about it and leave them to their own devices. Don't waste any money'," Mr Howard told News Limited newspapers. "But that is the wrong approach because they will fall into the hands of the evil from other countries. Certainly there's a bit of a battle between China and Taiwan."

Mr Howard said the 2007 federal poll would reflect which party would deal better with future issues, domestically and internationally.

In an end-of-year interview, the prime minister said key issues with long-term energy needs included nuclear power and climate change.

Mr Howard also said a CSIRO report concluded the drought was part of a long-term cycle, not global warming; Australia would probably not send more troops to Iraq; and women had "moved" on from feminism and were having more babies.

NZPA - Saturday December 30, 2006

New Year Honours: Modest Navy hero who saved soldiers

Navy officer Wayne Burtton was just doing his job when he saved two wounded government soldiers in the East Timor capital of Dili this year.

Lieutenant Commander Burtton says he is honoured his work as a peacekeeper, part of the New Zealand contribution there, is being recognised by his being made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

The Aucklander was serving in East Timor when he was caught unarmed in the middle of a firefight between rebels and soldiers. Rescuing two wounded soldiers, he drove them to a first-aid post as the firefight continued around them.

Admitting he had been in danger, he said he was no hero and that "circumstance" put him in that situation.

"Our training essentially takes over from there and you become situationally aware of what's going on around you."

Commander Burtton also dealt with the aftermath of a machete attack in which a mother and her five children were murdered in Dili, near the airport where some of the rampaging gangs were on the loose.

In Navy Today soon after, Commander Burtton wrote: "The saddest thing was the mother had attempted to lock herself with two children in the bathroom. When she was killed she was hugging one of the children."

Evidence and material on the massacre was handed over to the local police. Commander Burtton's award citation also mentions his work protecting the NZ Ambassador in Dili until a company of soldiers arrived, setting up accommodation and vehicles for the company of soldiers, and setting up a first aid post at a refugee site.

"I am very, very happy with it," he said.


NOTÍCIAS UNMIT

Transcript of UNMIT Press Conference

Date: 28th December 2006
Venue: UNMIT Conference Room
Time: 11:00hrs – 12:00 noon
Speakers: SRSG Atul Khare, DSRSG Eric Tan, Commander JTF631 Brigadier Malcolm Rerden
Topic: Elections and Security issues


Allison Cooper:
Good morning everyone. We will begin with SRSG Khare speaking, then DSRSG Tan. Police Commissioner Rodolfo Tor will be joining us – he has just been caught up for a little while; and also Brigadier Mal Rerden is here if you have got any questions about the International Security Forces. So, straight over to the SRSG.


SRSG Atul Khare:
Thank you very much all of you for coming here for what is the last press conference for 2006. Before I say anything else, I wanted to convey my best wishes to all of you, and through you to the people of Timor-Leste, in the hope that next year – 2007 – will be a year of peace, democracy, stability, reconciliation and prosperity for Timor-Leste and for its people.

In my first press conference and the press conference last week, I had insisted that the forth-coming elections which are to be held in Timor-Leste must be such as to promote national reconciliation and social cohesion. In order for these two objectives to be achieved, the elections must - and I underline that word must – be independent, free, fair, without any violence or fear of violence, and must be such that the results of those elections can be accepted by all.

In the last ten days that I have been here, I have met most of the leaders of this great country - Honourable President Gusmao, Prime Minister Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta, President of National Parliament Dr. Francisco “Lu Olo” Gutterres, first Deputy Prime Minister Engineer Estanislau da Silva, Minister of State Dra. Ana Pessoa, the Honourable Bishop of Dili, the former Prime Minister Secretary-General of Fretelin Dr. Mari Alkatiri – and I have found that all of them believe that the elections must be such as I have described.

We have noted that the Honourable President has promulgated the three laws approved by the National Parliament: the Law on the Autonomization of the Juridical Regime of the CNE and STAE, the Law on the Election of the National Parliament, and the Law on the Election of the President of the Republic. The promulgation of these three laws, I believe, is an essential first step on the path of enabling credible elections. I believe that further clarification of these laws in respect of process and procedures will contribute significantly to Timor-Leste’s growth as a democratic, viable and peaceful state.

Another important step in consolidating the path for free and fair elections is also the second report of the Independent Electoral Certification Team. This team, as you know, is separate from UNMIT; it is independent of UNMIT. It was appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations following the description in paragraph 125 of the Report to Security Council of 8th August 2006. The second report is presently in English; it is being translated into Tetum and Portuguese and will be made available to you soon. The team would also visit Timor-Leste on a regular basis and is likely to visit in the middle of January again. Separately, UNMIT - as it is an integrated mission along with the UN funds and programmes particularly UNDP - will continue to provide assistance for the conduct of free and fair elections. The most important aspect of course is assuring security and UNPol are making [are drawing up] an operational security plan to ensure security throughout the country in the campaigning period, during elections, during the counting of votes and of course in the immediate post-electoral period.

We will also be providing logistical support to the electoral and the voting process; and of course we would be discussing with the government and other international stakeholders whatever assistance would be required to ensure credible elections in 2007. UNMIT has also deployed electoral experts in all the districts. There will be three electoral experts who will be working closely with CNE, STAE and the people of those districts for all aspects of elections including voter education, assistance in preparation of registration lists and so on. Of course the deployment of these electoral experts required that we should also deploy the UNPol first, which is also important for ensuring security. I am very happy that eight UNPol have been deployed in all the 12 districts of Timor-Leste. This is, as I told my Deputy SRSG for Security Sector and Rule of Law Mr. Eric Tan, that this is the best Christmas present which he and his team have given to me. And on that point I would pass the microphone to Mr. Tan to speak a bit about UN Police, its deployment and what it has been doing.

DSRSG Eric Tan:
Thank you very much and good morning to everyone. As SRSG has mentioned, the presence of UNPol in the districts outside Dili is a very significant one. Their presence in the districts outside Dili allows us to have a very good sense of the security situation there. This is especially crucial, as the SRSG has mentioned, in the light of the coming elections. In those districts outside Dili, UNPol will be working together with PNTL officers and will assist in strengthening capacity wherever necessary. With the successful deployment of UNPol throughout the country, we are in the desired position to achieve our mandated task of restoring and maintaining public security throughout Timor-Leste. Nonetheless, Dili remains the location, the district, where we have most of the UNPol.

Let me now then concentrate a little bit on Dili itself. Security in Dili continues to improve. UNPol have made adjustments to their concept of security operations, and these changes have proved to be effective. Such effectiveness is very visible especially in two areas which I will elaborate: Firstly, with regards to how UNPol responds to reports made by the public regarding incidents such as fighting, unruly behaviour or other threats to public security. And secondly, by providing security during events that draw a large public attendance. Let me illustrate these two with some examples. In the case of the first visible area – responding to incidents – there were recently some incidents between groups within the Santa Cruz area. The public called the emergency line 112, and UNPol responded very quickly adding on with the response of formed police units. As a result, the situation was returned to normal very quickly without any incident of injury or other damage to property. We are very appreciative to the members of the public for keeping us informed of the areas where they feel threatened or they feel UNPol can assist them and we encourage them to continue. Another example is in the area of security for public events, and the example I will use is the recent horseracing event that took place. This event lasted almost an entire week, and attracted a very large crowd of people who were either there for the event or just to watch and enjoy themselves. UNPol was there and there was one small incident but other than that the whole event passed very smoothly and very peacefully. The smooth execution of such public events is very important because this is another step towards a very normal and very progressive society. So, this underlines the UNPol concept of operations, as we keep adjusting them, will continue to be stronger and stronger and continue to serve the people of Timor-Leste as well.

Thank you very much.

Question and Answer Session:

Question:
Guido from Associated Press:
I have three questions. I would like to address this question to Mr. Eric Tan. With regards to the recent arrest of the man who was involved in charges of sexual abuse, is it the man [Sergio] who was arrested in 2001 when he was charged with the rape of a Spanish woman? Is it him who was also part of fugitives; also an escapee from prison with Mr. Alfredo? This is my first question. The second question has to do with the provision of security in the area of Bebonuk where the government’s warehouse for rice is located. There have been some complaints by Ms. Carma Cruz from the Ministry of Labour and Community Reinsertion; she has reported this matter to UNPol but there has been no response from UNPol – what is your comment on this? Thirdly, in regard to Railos – there has been some information that he was shot at 02:00 a.m. this morning; what is the provision of security to Railos?

Answer:
DSRSG Eric Tan:
Thank you. There was one individual arrested and we have sent a press statement out. He is a suspect involved in some rape cases in certain parts of Dili. We do not know of any other connections to other previous cases, but of course, once the investigation runs its course the truth will come out and you can be assured that gradually there is a lot of attention being paid to examine the information behind this case. We have to remember that whenever there is any suspect arrested, the investigations must be thorough and establish the facts related to the current arrest but of course if there is any cause to examine further the previous incidents or other connections, this will be done.

To your second question about the Bebonuk warehouse, yes I am sure UNPol is aware and are taking certain measures, but I would like to announce here that we are actually taking a broader view over protection of certain important locations in Dili. This broader study will come up with a list of critical points for UNPol to be present or some permanent security to be present. This list cannot be too long otherwise we will tie down too many UNPols from other duties. So, we have to be very careful about making the list and at the same time adjust as the situation changes in case there are more places or some places that we are presently looking after become less of a security concern.

On your third question about Railos, we have received some reports regarding the very early morning shootings. Apparently it was directed at his house and there are already investigation teams there with people to collect evidence of bullets and forensics. Such activities cannot be tolerated especially as in this case it may, as the SRSG has mentioned before, stop justice from being done, so therefore we must take all necessary measures to protect not just the citizens of Timor-Leste but in particular some individuals who will be involved in seeing that justice is done. And in such cases, when either key witnesses or persons who have been indicted are under threat UNPol will definitely take measures to protect them and to make sure that they will appear in court when they are required to.

Question:
Eduardo from Lusa:
My question is about another issue – in 2000/2001, I am not sure; Osama Bin Laden put the United Nations Mission in East Timor in the front line of the threats. Another issue, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta conveyed a Christmas message to Osama Bin Laden. How do you look at it?

Answer:
SRSG Atul Khare:
Thank you. It is indeed true that in 2000, 2001 and also in 2002, there were some reports which were attributed to Osama Bin Laden or to his group which indicated that he wished to take action against UNTAET and later on UNMISET for having contributed to the separation of Timor-Leste from Indonesia. I have seen the message of His Excellency Prime Minister Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta that was made in his capacity as a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and therefore obviously as a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize he called for peace on the part of all. I see in his message he has also asked Osama Bin Laden to refrain from terrorism, and as you are aware, the United Nations and member states of the United Nations, particularly the United Nations counter-terrorism committee, are working very closely to deter terrorist activities and to try and ensure that terrorist acts globally can be addressed. So, like the Honourable Prime Minister Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta, we also hope that 2007 will see a vanquishing of terrorism all around the world and instead of terrorism we will have more reconciliation, dialogue and discussion. Of course, you would remember that I have always said that reconciliation requires justice and that point holds true in this case also.

Question:
Joni from Timor Post:
Mr. SRSG, you have mentioned that you have met with the leaders of the country in preparation for the upcoming elections and that they are all committed that these elections should be free and fair, but at the same time we have the case of Major Alfredo. At the same time, there is a need for justice. If this case is not settled in a proper manner, will this be a threat or a challenge for the free and fair elections to be held?

Answer:
SRSG Atul Khare:
Thank you. You will remember in my first conference when a question had been asked about this particular case, and in the second press conference also, I had said that I do not like to comment on individual cases because that is an issue of the justice sector - the court to pronounce - and not for UNMIT to pronounce. In my second press conference, I had also said that I hope that the efforts of the government supported by the International Security Forces – facilitated by the International Security Forces – for dialogue would actually lead ultimately to justice prevailing in this case. In fact, it is not only one case, I would suggest that the entire report of the Commission of Inquiry and its recommendations and also the fact that the ad-hoc committee of the National Parliament is currently considering them. These recommendations have to be implemented, and in my next press conference we will talk in detail about what UNMIT can do to support the efforts for the implementation of those recommendations. But I must also add that all the leaders of Timor-Leste whom I have met have told me that they are in favour of justice and that impunity will not be allowed in Timor-Leste. I would like to praise their commitment in this regard.

Question:
Mr. SRSG, you mentioned that the elections should be free and fair, but now because we have the concern with regards to the weapons that are still in civilian hands, how far has the collection of the weapons gone – the efforts made of the International Security Forces and UNPol – to collect the weapons from civilians? The second question, we have information that the electoral legislation has been put in place – that is good, but we also have information that the political parties have started approaching those who are not part of the F-FDTL petitioners like Salsina’s group to attract their attention to join their political party. So, what is the view of UNMIT in this regard?

Answer:
SRSG Atul Khare:
Let me take the second question first. UNMIT will assist the authorities of Timor-Leste and the people of Timor-Leste to provide the necessary conditions for free, fair and credible elections. So, in a way it is like somebody who prepares the soccer ground - football ground – before the players can play, but it is not a player. And therefore, while I am happy to talk about logistical support, about the need for security and what we are doing, I would refrain from commenting upon individual political parties.

On the first question, I agree that we have to undertake many more actions to ensure that not only are there no weapons in civilian hands but that people feel, people believe, that no such weapons remain in civilian hands. The Deputy SRSG Mr. Tan and the Police Commissioner Mr. Tor are working very closely with the Ministry of Interior to look into these issues and to find, to assist, in getting a proper inventory of the weapons. So once this process is completed, some time in January, we will of course devote one of our press conferences to this important issue. But I must also add that if the public has any information which can lead to recovery of any weapons from civilians, please let us know. This information will be treated with confidentially; it will not lead to any threats against the informant. So, together we will be able to then control this issue of weapons which are in civilian hands.

Question:
Cesar from Kyodo news:
This has been a question asked to me by the people, that how can you ensure that the UNPol in the districts will do their work properly, given the situation of Mr. Alfredo as a fugitive – he is a wanted man; he is against the law – so will there be any action to arrest him in the districts? Because as an agency of law and order, the police must do their job properly, so will there be any action taken to arrest Mr. Alfredo by UNPol in the districts? And another question, all the fugitives - all the escapees from the jail – [will be treated] the same way; but will there be any exception for Mr. Alfredo’s case?

Answer:
SRSG Atul Khare:
Again, as I said before, I do not comment on individual cases. That is the work of the sovereign government of Timor-Leste. But I do believe that justice has to prevail; I have said this again and again. And I trust that all actions by the government, supported by the international partners including UNMIT, would lead to such a result. As of now, my immediate priority is ensuring law and order and security of the people so that elections can be credible – that is the immediate priority. And therefore, most of our resources are being devoted to that priority.

Question:
Cesar from Kyodo news:
This is also about how to respond to incidents, to stop them. I talked to some local police officers, they told me that in order to stop the incident is not to respond to the incident on the spot but on how to have information on who did it; but so far the UNPol does not do this. What UNPOl does is just stops the incident on the spot, but UNPol does not have the knowledge about who creates the incident. So, this is the problem.

Answer:
SRSG Atul Khare:
Thank you. I believe that both are important. Immediate action like that taken in the last ten days is very important to ensure that the fight between these gangs does not escalate into injury or even sometimes death. In fact when I returned to your great country after two years on 17th of December, I was saddened that just a few hours before my plane landed here there had been a death in Comoro in one such fighting. At least with the plan of responding quickly, immediately, in reasonable force, it has ensured that there has been no such event over the last roughly twelve days that I have been here. And the credit for this goes to DSRSG Tan and Commissioner Tor who has joined us, because we have changed the operational concept to respond quickly.

On the second issue of information, I think Commissioner Tor does have a lot of information that is operational information, which obviously we would not want to share in this open meeting. But information can never be sufficient, and therefore, I again repeat my request through you to the people of Timor-Leste to consider UNPol as your friends, in fact to consider the police even the PNTL after it has been reformed as your friends, and let us know what is the information circulating in a particular part of the city so that the police can serve you better.

Question:
I would like to address this question to Mr. Eric Tan and Commander Rerden. Yesterday, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta went to the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) of PNTL headquarters. The UIR members lamented/complained that all their equipment has been confiscated by the Australian forces some time in July. They complained that soon in January they will be reactivated to duty and so they would need their equipment such as boots and other items, so what is your response?

Answer:
DSRSG Eric Tan:
As you know the screening of PNTL, which includes the special units is ongoing. To date we have more than 220 PNTL already screened, and these have returned to duty alongside with UNPol officers. We have received requests from the Prime Minister and the leaders of Timor-Leste to reprioritise the screening for UIR and we agree that there are many benefits to doing so. Once the screening of the UIR is done, there will of course be efforts to return certain equipment and more importantly, a clear mechanism for them to return to work together with UNPol so that they can contribute just like the other community police of PNTL who have been contributing to law and order. To make best use of the skills of the UIR they will probably be working alongside one of the formed police units of UNPol. When that happens of course, their equipment, whatever they need, will be returned. Similar, with the rest of PNTL, the weapons may not be returned until a later stage.

I would like to take this opportunity to stress that the screening process must be done very carefully and very thoroughly. There must never be any doubt in the minds of the public that PNTL, they return to duty, have been thoroughly looked at and they are considered to have no allegations against them and they are ready to return back to work. Therefore, we have opened up the entire process to any organisation or any member of the public who has any reason against any PNTL to provide us the information so that we will invest this time well and when they return to duty they will be able to do their work properly. This investment in time to be thorough therefore is very important at this stage.

Thank you.

Brigadier Mal Rerden:
Just to concur that the weapons and equipment of PNTL, including units like UIR, are being held by the International Security Forces. They were secured in June at the request of the Government of Timor-Leste, and that equipment will be available for members of PNTL that have gone through the screening process under UNPol. The screening process is a very important part of the methodology for confirming the suitability of individuals for a policing function and all members need to go through that. When we have confirmation from UNPol that individuals have gone through that process, we will issue them the necessary equipment from the store that we hold.

SRSG Atul Khare:
Thank you Brigadier General. Any other questions?

Question:
A complaint from Guido from Associated Press. We appreciate the press conferences of UNMIT and we also receive the press releases from UNMIT. But at the bottom of the press release there is a contact number to call for additional information, but whenever we call there is never an answer. The phone rings, but there is no response. So we then miss our deadlines for going to press with our stories.

Answer:
SRSG Atul Khare:
We will take action on this. Thank you for bringing it to our notice. In fact in the New Year you might have many innovative changes on the UNMIT website also. Apart from the press releases, we will try and provide you with some nice photographs, which you can download and use provided you credit the UNMIT press and information office. Apart from the phone number, we will also give an e-mail address because sometimes it is much faster to send an email than for a person to respond back within an hour or maximum two hours. And finally, I do not consider this a complaint; I consider all these as mechanisms of improving the relationship between UNMIT and the press. The UNMIT PIO will also make available to you an email – it is called suggestionunmit@un.org, but that email will be presented to you next week in our press conference. So, if you have any suggestions which can improve the efficiency, the productivity not only of the type which is related to the press, any suggestion which you have which can lead to betterment of UNMIT’s assistance to the people of Timor-Leste, just drop us an email and we will take action.

Thank you.

Question:
I would like to address this question to Brigadier Rerden. At the request of the government, you provided security to Major Alfredo when he came to meet with Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak. Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that Alfredo will soon be moved from Suai to another area. I would like to find out if you have any information, whether you have been informed by the government on this plan of the removal of Alfredo from the border areas to the central part of Timor-Leste?

Answer:
Brigadier Mal Rerden:
At this stage the dialogue that is occurring between the government of Timor–Leste and Major Reinado is one that is being controlled with Brigadier Ruak as the appointed representative of the government. Those negotiations are between the government and Major Reinado. At this stage, there has been no request of the International Security Forces for assistance in this regard, and until there is such a request then I do not expect to be included because I am not a part of the negotiations.

Repetition:
The negotiations between the government of Timor-Leste and Major Reinado are continuing. The details of those negotiations are not known to me because they are between the government and Major Reinado. At this stage there has been no request to the International Security Forces by the government in regards to the issue of containment. As I said last week, this dialogue is an important one that needs to be given time so that the situation can be properly explained and understood and so that the parameters for any possible containment are fully developed and explained by the government when appropriate.

[Does is it mean that the containment of Major Alfredo to be allocated to other places has to be made known to you?]

Brigadier Rerden:
No. What I am saying is that the negotiations at the moment are between the government and Major Reinado. The International Security Forces are not a part of those negotiations. We were asked to provide support for the meting at Tasi Tolu last week, and we provided that.


SRSG Atul Khare:
So, thank you very much and wish you a very happy new year, and see you next Thursday.

.