UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING - Wednesday, 14 February 2007

THE UN INTEGRATED MISSION IN TIMOR-LESTE DOES NOT VOUCH FOR THE ACCURACY OF THESE REPORTS

National Media Reports

Taur Does Not Believe Rogério Involved In Guns Distribution

F-FDTL Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak told the court Tuesday he does not believe Rogerio Lobato distributed guns to civilians to destabilize the nation.
During the testimony, the head of the national defence forces also said he learned of Railos group through the international media, and the issue of guns distribution was raised by Ramos-Horta in the former Prime Minister resident.
Following the meeting, he issued a document to the then Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, the Court of Appeal and the President of the Republic asking for the inspection and control of guns for both institutions, F-FDTL and PNTL, but Paulo de Fatima Martins, then PNTL Commander General said the weapons were no longer in the storehouse as it had been shifted to Aileu, Liquiça and elsewhere.
Taur said he was in shock to learn the storage was empty. He apologized to Rogério adding that he was emotional at the time as he had learned Rogério Lobato was taking over the post as Minister of Defence.
The Brigadier General continued that on April 29 they held a cabinet meeting in Alkatiri’s residence to analyse the situation because PNTL command had lost control of the situation and were facing many difficulties and, it was thought, required F-FDTL assistance to deal with the violence that erupted from the petitioners’ demonstration.
During another meeting, Taur Matan Ruak said he suggested to PNTL to be in charge of the security the capital while F-FDTL took over responsibility of the outskirts of Dili as the petitioners were moving out town. In relation to the attack in Tibar, Taur said he received information from the battleground that the people attacking F- FDTL headquarters were civilians, petitioners and PNTL, dressed in military and PNTL uniforms.
He said he learned of Railos and his group through the report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry and acknowledged the distribution of weapons to civilians namely the former veterans to reinforce against the systematic attack on F-FDTL by Major Alfredo, PNTL and civilian groups.
Taur told the court the situation was aggravated on May 24 when Major Alfredo and a group of 10 URP from Aileu attacked F-FDTL in Fatuahi, his residence in Dare, the Military Police Headquarters and F-FDTL Headquarters in Tasi-Tolu. He said the attack was well planned and organized, stating it was a political conspiracy to destabilize the nation through the armed forces in order to have an outside intervention.
The Brigadier said during the Council of Defence meeting it was decided to request international intervention to avoid further problems.

Rogerio Lobato’s defence lawyer, Paulo Remedios, told the court that early Tuesday, morning 13/2 a black car without plate numbers and with armed people threatened him at his residence. He asked the court to take measures but was told by the President of the Judges, Ivo Valente, to present his complaint to the Public Ministry.

José Edmundo Caetano, lawyer for the Justice and Peace of Dili Diocese, said the international authorities in the court needs to further learn the legislation of Timor-Leste rather than implement laws to confuse the people and contribute to the deterioration of the situation which can lead them not to believe in the laws of the country as a result of their irresponsibility. (DN, STL, TP)

UNMIT Ask Longuinhos To Re-Establish Contact With Alfredo

Acting SRSG, Eric Gim Tan and DSRSG Finn Reske-Nielsen met Timor-Leste Prosecutor General Longuinhos Monteiro Tuesday and requested him to re-establish contact with Major Alfredo to continue with the dialogue process. According to Longuinhos, he is still undecided whether or not to contact Alfredo due to the many arguments it instigate. Deputy SRSG Tan has stressed that UNMIT wants strongly to continue with the dialogue in order to pursue Alfredo to peacefully follow the justice procedures. (TP)

UN Ask Politicians Not To Use Children For Political Interest

The UN has requested political parties in Timor-Leste not to use children for their political interests, DSRSG Finn Reske-Nielsen said during his speech at the launch of the UN Global study on the violence against children at Hotel Timor in Dili. Reske-Nielsen also appealed to the
parents, the martial arts groups and other organisations not to use children for their political aim, reported Timor Post today. According to the study, violence against children exists in Timor-Leste within families, schools, institutions, working places, communities and on a daily basis, said the DSRSG Finn. (TP)

One House Damage Following Police Search

One house and some of its contents were damaged when UNPOL searched for illegal weapons. According to Timor Post, GNR police searched the house in Palapaso, Farol, suspecting of having weapons. Eight people were detained but seven were released later. Elda da Costa the owner of the house said she’s not happy with the way the police, especially GNR, conducted the operations as they entered the property without a search warrant and authorization from the people living in the house. Da Costa said the police in a convoy of four cars entered her house while the family was asleep early in the morning. The family had moved to the state-owned house after their house in Ailoklaran was set on fire.
In the meantime, UNPOL spokesperson, Monica Rodrigues, said UNPOL has captured one person who was involved with the large group of people on Monday in attacks against police patrolling in the area of Comoro, resulting in broken windows. The person is under investigation. Another person was detained when they tried to stone two police in vehicles in that area as well, Rodrigues said. She said police continue to investigate and detain those involved in the violence. (TP, DN)

7-7 Not Involved In Violence

The General Secretary of the martial art group 7-7, Sanamia, said his group has not been involved in the confrontation in Bairro Pité. Sanamia said according to information he received, the organization 0-0, claiming not to be part of any martial arts group, were the ones involved in the violence.
He further said the names of the two organizations are being used to put extra burden on the government’s work. He said that up to-date the leadership of 7-7 and PHST is going well and it continues to put efforts towards stopping violence that involves members of both organizations. He also asked for forgiveness to the people of Timor-Leste for the behaviour of some of his group’s members and appealed to other martial arts organisations to work together with the government, PNTL the international police and military to bring stability, freedom and peace to the country.
(STL)

RTTL News Headlines
Tuesday 13-02-2007

Parliament Must Be Responsible For Situation: Leman

MP Riak Leman (PSD) said the daily conflict is killing youths due to security absence and the Parliament must be responsible as it represents the people. He said that the government and the President of the Republic are pushing for reconciliation but the Parliament is not doing anything. He stressed that if the Parliament is inactive in responding to the security issues, then it is irrelevant.

Government Evaluation On Food Security

The government of Timor-Leste is holding an evaluation on the country’s food supplies. The Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Estanislau da Silva said food security is crucial as the government needs to take urgent measures to respond to people already facing food shortages in some areas.
In relation to the rising price of rice, Da Silva said the government has decided to sell the stock in storage at a lower price and would purchase more to keep in stock for emergencies.

MPs have requested Commission C of the Parliament to investigate traders selling rice at higher prices as it is affecting the population. According to MP Leandro Isac he received information from the business people that they were told not to sell rice. He also said the rice to be distributed to the population especially the vulnerable people have been used for some political parties activities.

Training for Notary Of Public

A two-month training has concluded for staff working for the Notary of Public. Lawyer Paulo Remedios provided the training which started in the month of November, for the staff of Dili and the districts.

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