Transcript of UNMIT Press Conference

8 February 2007
Obrigado Barracks
Dili, Timor-Leste

Allison Cooper OIC and UNMIT Spokesperson:

Good morning everybody and thank for coming today. Today we will be talking
about the protest currently underway in Dili, but before we go on to that I
would just like to give an update on the SRSG’s activities. SRSG Atul Khare
is currently in New York and he’s there to participate in Security Council
(SC) discussions on UN Mission in Timor-Leste. During his time in New York,
the SRSG will be meeting with key Ambassadors and Senior UN officials, and
on Monday he will introduce the Secretary-General’s report to the SC.

The Prime Minister, His Excellency Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta is also expected to
speak. In addition to this the Secretary General has asked the SC for a
twelve month extension of UNMIT’s mandate and for an additional formed
police unit. We will have more on the outcome for you on that particular
subject at a special press briefing in Dili next Friday. That would be an
additional press conference in addition to our regular one next Thursday,
which will still be happening. We are now going to move to Acting SRSG Tan
and he is going to give an update on the protest in Dili. So thank you.

Acting SRSG Tan:

Thank you Allison and thank you everyone for being here this morning. Good
morning.
We will spend some time talking about some of the events happening in Dili
especially relating to a group of demonstrators that came in about the
close of the evening yesterday.

Yesterday evening close to 6pm we were aware that there was a group coming
from the vicinity of Liquiça into Dili. There were a large number of trucks
with people. We understand that they were intending to come to Dili to
stage a demonstration on the matter of justice. The information we received
is that there were many trucks something numbering to 50. The vehicles were
stopped at the police check points just on the outskirts of Dili and
searched for weapons. There were a small number of knives and other sharp
objects that were recovered and I would like to emphasize that they were
very small number and secondly, there were no firearms found in the group.

Because the law requires that all demonstrations must end by 6:30 pm and at
the time it was already very close if not already past that time we had to
decide what to do with this group. So I met with the Commissioner and the
organizer of the group and we convinced them that the best thing to do for
the evening would be to go to the Democracy soccer field. This choice of
Democracy Soccer Field was made in consultation with the government to
locate a place where they could rest and also if they wished to demonstrate
it would not interfere with public activities.

UNPOL then escorted this group to the location and stayed with them through
the night. They are presently there and there have been no incidents
whatsoever related to that group. In the morning we were able to have a
better estimate as to the size and we think there are no more than about
400 of them there. But because it is an open area the figures may go up and
down as people may join them and leave. So what is the aim of the group? It
is in line with freedom of all citizens as mentioned in the law, they may
exercise the right to assemble peacefully and unarmed. They have identified
themselves as MUNJ. Their purpose is to ask for justice. So we met with
them again this morning with the representatives and they made three
requests for the delivery of a document or letter. One is to the President
of the Republic, the second is to UNMIT and the third is to the
Prosecutor-General’s Office. We are now in the process of deciding and
discussing with them how this letter can be delivered. Let me take this
opportunity also to share with you some of the requirements of the law in
relation to the demonstrations and gatherings. I already mentioned that the
demonstrators must be peaceful and unarmed. There are also restrictions
where they can assemble such as not within 100 meters from officers of
organs of sovereignty, residents of office holders and organs of
sovereignty, military and militarized installations, prison buildings,
officers of diplomatic missions, officers of political parties and the list
goes on to include places like telecommunications, power stations and so
on…So there are certain constraints including the timing which is no more
than from 8am to 6:30pm. And lastly before I invite questions, so as to
have some order in the whole process, any demonstrations must have an
initial purpose. If in the process the purpose changes, the police will
have to take actions. In other words, IF it started peacefully but in the
end did not [remain peaceful], we will have to take action. Or, if the
purpose changes such as the objective of the demonstrators is illegal we
also have the right to disperse them. So I will stop here and we can invite
some questions.

Q: The demonstrators need permission or notification?

Acting SRSG Tan: In line with, again, the freedom to gather there is
requirement for notification. Notification has to be given in written form
four days in advance. The notification has to be given to the proper civil
or police authorities. And authorities will respond within two days. And
the law is again fair to general gatherings and if there is no response, it
is assumed it would be allowed to continue. Just one point, if I may add to
that, I mentioned the restrictions of 100 meters to public buildings, you
will recall that in the last few days there was a group in front of the Uma
Fukun building. We had been informed by the government that that building
has become a cultural center. Therefore the 100 meters will apply and
therefore their choice was the Democracy Field.

Q: You said that yesterday there were 50 trucks, so how many people were
there?

If there were 50 trucks we just multiply by a [reasonable] number and we
can get a certain number but we are not sure how many actually turned
around and went back and how many actually came into the city so what we
can be sure of is what we saw this morning which is about 400.

Q: Yesterday evening, around 7pm in the roundabout of the Comoro, near the
airport… you counted about 50 trucks?

UNPOL Commissioner Tor: Yes, yesterday evening there was an estimated
report of about 50 trucks because we had the police in the area but when
they went to the Democracy soccer field, some maybe went to their
relatives’ in Dili and some vehicles may have returned to Liquiça but what
is certain was that this morning, at around 7, very few trucks remained in
the democracy soccer field.

Q: So there was maybe around 40 people in each truck?

Commissioner Tor: Maybe, I’m not sure

Acting SRSG Tan: The trucks are not that big. So, a few hundred I would
say.

Q: Sir, could you be more precise about timing, about the incoming
demonstrators. When exactly yesterday, from the ground were UNPOL forces
alerted or did it come from the authorities that informed you on the ….the
request for the demonstration?

Acting SRSG Tan: If you are inquiring about the notification, there was no
notification for yesterday’s group. But there was a notification for the
first group that was meeting all the time in front of Uma Fukun. And we
know that the groups are similar in origin.

Q: Yesterday when the demonstrators arrived there was a stone fight in
Comoro. Is that true? Second how long are the groups demonstrating, when
are they going to end?

Commissioner Tor: The stone fighting in Comoro is different from the
arrival of the group who will demonstrate. The group of the rally
yesterday, when they finish with the motorcade procession they will go back
to their assembly point at the Democracy soccer field and than stay there
until this afternoon and we will continue to negotiate, talking to them
about their future activities for today, but Mr. Augusto said that today in
the Democracy soccer field they are planning to have some music, a musical
program and maybe invite some people to talk to them there.

Acting SRSG Tan: Can I emphasize just a couple of things? The law requires
them to state the time of the demonstration but there is no requirement to
stay until the end of the demonstration. Secondly, there is a difference
between the original intention of the demonstration. And, if the intention
changes then it changes the nature of the gathering therefore it must be
dealt with differently. So we have to manage that along the way. For
example, if they want to have a musical event that’s different from a
demonstration. The law allows for freedom of demonstration but we have to
also be careful of things like disturbing public order or disturbing public
safety. So along with the freedom to do whatever is allowed, also comes the
responsibility of behavior.

Q: The Commissioner said that the stone fighting in Comoro yesterday is
different from the demonstrators’. Can you explain how different?

UNPOL Commissioner Tor: Well, the reported stone throwing and fight
culminated from the main persons in that area. This group is different;
they just passed on Comoro road coming from Liquiça.

Q: Mr. Tan had mentioned that they had presented a letter. One to UNMIT,
one for Prosecutor’s General and one for the President. What response are
you going to give to them?

Acting SRSG Tan: Thank you. They intend to present the letter. We have not
received the letter and once we have the content we will know what they are
requesting.

Q: Considering that the demonstrators hadn’t, hadn’t given notice for this
particular one, I just want to ask why there weren’t correct numbers
counted upon their entry into Dili. You said you counted them the following
morning. So is there any chance that there is a small representation of who
actually entered Dili. And also not knowing the third demonstration not
even knowing [in audible] could potentially be violent other than
[inaudible] I find it particularly difficult to understand why the correct
numbers aren’t being shared here today.

Acting SRSG Tan: Any group gathering of any kind can have potential
security issues. So the approach we took was to ensure there is UNPOL there
in sufficient numbers supported by ISF security forces. Our priority was
to ensure that they are able to go to a location where we can ensure not
only the public safety but also their own well being during the night.
Then, in the morning we can speak to the leaders and talk about what is
their purpose and sort out the understanding of the legislation. We can be
very legally strict or formal about the requirement of the law but because
this is such a new country I think it is important to allow time to make
these regulations clear and make the requirements clear without
jeopardizing any public safety or security. But we have made it very clear
to the organizers of the group that if there is any illegal activity we
would take swift action.

Q: Sorry, in relation to my question to the number of demonstrators, you
said that security is a priority for UNPOL. I would imagine that the
numbers of demonstrators would have a direct impact on what security
measures apply. Why are the numbers of demonstrators not clear when they
entered Dili, when they have gone through UNPOL roadblock, one truck after
the next being searched? Why isn’t there a figure of the number of
demonstrators entering Dili?

UNPOL Commissioner Tor: The group arrived yesterday and at the check points
there was a counting of about 50 vehicles. So if you have about 25 persons
there, it would be about 1,400 plus some other cars, so the initial report
was about 1400 in fifty trucks. The job of the security police is just to
ensure their safety in one area there is no control of persons. So if these
persons went out of the Democracy field it is their freedom, their right.
If they went to their relatives’ or some other place the police cannot
control their movement. So this morning when I visited the football field
there were not that many, some may have not have returned. So when the
motorcade procession was going to the [government] palace or to visit the
Office of the President, they only had about 20 trucks, so it’s like going
in smaller number. It’s the control of the leaders of the demonstration not
the police.

Acting SRSG Tan: But you can be assured that when the security plan was
made last night it was for 1600 people.

Q: How is the situation? Is it going to violence? Is it going to be a
peaceful demonstration? Are there any measures taken by the UN to warn the
staff not to travel at night time

Acting SRSG Tan: We have been assured by the organizers that the gathering
is peaceful and we routinely send out messages to our staff especially with
regards to gatherings because there are also traffic concerns. So once
again it is our responsibility because UNPOL is the police here in the
country to ensure that there is law and order and security. I’ve been
making you aware of that for a long time.

Q: How much can you tell us about the situation in Dili and the
whereabouts of Major Reinado. This morning’s gossip is that Major Aflredo
is on the outskirts of Dili. Do you have any information regarding this?

DSRSG Tan: Thank you. We have no information that Major Reinado is anywhere
in the area that you mentioned. We are still aiming to, as you know, a
peaceful resolution of the situation and looking forward to the Prosecutor
General’s return from Australia and facilitating the progress of justice,
which may include a hearing to be conducted in Gleno. Can I have one last
question please?

Q: Yesterday in the demonstration, one group was insulting the other group.
If there’s a reaction from the other group who would be responsible.?

Acting SRSG Tan: Well the law clearly states that there is no counter
demonstration. If there is any, then the police would take action if they
know of anything to inform us.

Q: I heard that the east is coming to demonstrate against the
demonstrators…We don’t think that Alfredo is in Dili and he is not in Aifu.
Do you know where he is?

Acting SRSG Tan: We have no information of people coming in from the east
but again I want to emphasize that if a group wants to gather for a
demonstration there must be certain notification and certain actions taken
and as for Major Reinado he has not been seen in Aifu but that doesn’t mean
he is not there. So we still have to watch, we want to work to watch the
meeting that I mentioned with the Prosecutor General when he comes back
from Australia. So I think it is important to emphasize that as we look at
the security situation there must be a proper action taken for appropriate
situations.

Q: Does the mission know the whereabouts of the location of Major Reinado
or not?

Acting SRSG Tan: The whereabouts of Major Reinado is being assisted by the
International Security Force. We have not seen him in Aifu. That does not
mean he is not there and we are still aiming towards arranging for the
meeting.

So thank you very much for being here today. We will of course keep you
informed of any events and you can always our spokesperson at any time. We
are looking forward to the SG report being discussed at the Security
Council and we will update you after that also. Thank you very much.

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