Friday, 02 March 2007 - UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING

National Media Reports

Labadain Accused of Defamation

Marcus Piedade, also known as Labadain has been summoned by the Prosecutor General’s office to give information about a letter allegedly signed by him accusing Minister of Justice Domingos Sarmento of illegal possession of two guns during the crisis. Labadain said he is not aware of such a letter. He said that he did see the Minister in Railako during the crisis with his armed close protection guards but he did not say anything due to the Minister’s high level post. In the meantime, the Minister Domingos Sarmento said the truth will be dealt with when they meet in court. (TP)

Candidates Cannot Use State Facilities

The spokesperson of National Electoral Commission/Conselho Nacional Eleitoral (CNE), Fr. Martinho Gusmão asks the people contesting the presidential elections not to use State facilities or their campaign and not to insult each to avoid anarchism sentiment and unexpected crisis. He said the election campaign process is still a learning process for the population in terms of political aspects and that the candidates at a point would be required to suspend their duties to be able to be involved in their campaign. He said that candidates should avoid using the State facilities for their private campaign and should not use UNPOL police officers. The CNE spokesperson said if security is allocated, it should be for all the candidates. (STL)

Lu-Olo and Ramos-Horta Continue to Work

The President of the Court of Appeal, Claudio Ximenes, reportedly said he has made the decision for presidential candidates such as Prime Minister Ramos-Horta and President of the Parliament, Francisco Guterres, to continue function in their current capacities during the election process.

Ximenes said the decision was based on the decree law noting that work cannot be stopped. (STL)

RTTL News Headlines

Thursday, 01 March 2007

High Ranking F-FDTL Officials Meets President Gusmão

High-ranking F-FDTL commander met with President Gusmão today [Thursday] to discuss the sincere dialogue with the petitioners following the release of Notables Commission investigation report. President Gusmão said it was also decided during the meeting that two dialogues should take place. One would be between F-FDTL and the petitioners and the second would be within F-FDTL.

Prosecutor General to Meet Alfredo on State Request

Prosecutor General Longuinhos Monteiro said he is awaiting the response from Alfredo to meet him as the State negotiator and not as Prosecutor General. Following a meeting with ISF commander Brigadier Malcolm Rerden, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta and President Xanana Gusmão at the Palácio das Cinzas, Monteiro said the negotiation would be on the surrender of Alfredo or the hand over of guns.

No Negotiations with Alfredo

ISF Commander Rerden said there is no longer negotiation with Alfredo and if he cares about the population he should give himself up and the weapons.
Rerden said a deadline has not been determined for Alfredo’s surrender adding that it is at the government’s request to limit the movement of the citizens in Same.

Court of Appeal Announces Placing of Names

The placing of names on the voters’ bulletin of the presidential candidates was drawn on Thursday afternoon at the Court of Appeal and the candidates’ names should appear as follows:

1st - Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo
2nd - Avelino Coelho
3rd - Francisco Xavier do Amaral
4th - Manuel Tilman
5th - Lucia Lobato
6th - Jose Ramos-Horta
7th - João Carrascalão
8th - Fernando de Araújo Lasama

The President of the Court of Appeal, Claudio Ximenes, said the court has 10 days to verify the details of the candidates.

Extraordinary Plenary Cancelled

Extraordinary plenary of the Parliament on a resolution to support President Gusmão statement on Alfredo Reinado did not proceed today due to power failure all day.