UNMIT MEDIA MONITORING - Tuesday, 05 June 2007

National Media Reports

The UN strengthens electoral security after two fatal shootings in Viqueque
The acting chief of the UN Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) Eric Tan, said today that security in Viqueque is being revised following the death of two people in the district on Sunday (3/6).

The first incident occurred one hour after the completion of a National Congress for Reconstruction of Timor-Leste (CNRT) campaign rally in Viqueque town when a man from the nearby town of Ossu was fatally shot in a marketplace at 15.45, following an altercation between CNRT supporters and opponents. UNPol responded quickly and brought the situation under control with the use of tear gas and warning shots to disperse the crowd.

The man was believed to have been shot by an off-duty PNTL officer and a search is underway to apprehend the suspect.

The second incident occurred when a group of CNRT supporters, accompanied by Mr Gusmao, returned the body of the deceased man to Ossu. Initial reports indicate that PNTL fired shots to control a crowd at a roadblock near Ossu. A 24-year old man was fatally shot and a second 16-year old youth was injured.

The CNRT political party is headed by the former President of Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmao.

"We are treating both shootings seriously," said Eric Tan, the acting head of UNMIT.

"Initial investigations show that the first shooting happened an hour after the rally had concluded. Security was provided for the rally itself. The motivation of the killing is at this stage unknown," he said.

"Neither incident suggests an attempt on Mr Gusmão's life," Mr Tan said.

UNMIT's senior leadership attended a meeting convened by President José Ramos-Horta, with Prime Minister Estanislau da Silva, Minister of the Interior Alcino Barris, the International Stabilization Forces and the F-FDTL in Dili this morning.

The ISF has also deployed a platoon to the region. The United Nations will reinforce its security plan ahead of the June 30 election.

Timor-Leste's most senior leadership also insisted in today's meeting that retaliation for yesterday's event will not be tolerated and have again urged political supporters to remain calm and abide by democratic principles to ensure a free and fair election process, said Mr Tan. (STL)

The law of amnesty approved
At a plenary section of national parliament on Monday (04/6) presided over by vice president of national parliament, Jacob Fernandes and the permanent secretary, Francisco Carlos, approved law No. 30/I/5a regarding truth and measurement of clemency for diverse infractions.

A DN journalist observed that the members of national parliament from PD, PNT and PST who participated left the plenary before national parliament approved the law.

In response to the approved law, the member of national parliament from the Democratic Party (PD), Jose Nominando said that PD's principle has been clear that PD disagrees with a law of clemency or amnesty. (STL)

PNTL action considered barbarian after the Viqueque incidents
The president of PST, Nelson Tomas stated on Monday (4/6) at a press conference held in PST office Balide Dili related to the two fatal shooting in Viqueque, that four political parties namely, National Congress of Reconstruction Timor (CNRT), Democratic Party (PD), East Timor Socialist party (PST) and Coalition of PSD/ASDT considered that the action of the PNTL in Viqueque district as barbarian. (STL)

East Timor President accuses police over shootings
East Timor President José Ramos-Horta said it was police personnel who shot dead two activists during the campaign rallies for a new party headed by former East Timor President Xanana Gusmao.

A group of five armed men opened fire on Alfonso "Kuda Lay" Guterres at the rally by the National Congress of Reconstruction of Timor (CNRT) party in the eastern town of Viqueque on Sunday, he said.

Later in the evening, gunmen also killed another CNRT activist identified as Domingos in Ossu, also in Viqueque district. Another man was wounded in the attack, Mr Ramos-Horta said.

"They were CNRT elements who were shot dead by members of the PNTL (the national police)," Mr Ramos-Horta told journalists at the presidential palace.

He said the shooting incidents were "saddening" but were also "major crimes which should receive severe punishment."

"There is no impunity in this country," Mr Ramos-Horta said.

He said the incident had embarrassed the nation and the country since the police, who should be trusted by the people and able to safeguard the elections, had failed in their duty.

"Several members of the PNTL have engaged in crime ... We see that indiscipline is still very strong within the PNTL," the President said.

He said UN police had begun an investigation into the incident.

Campaigning kicked off last week for the crucial June 30 elections to choose a new prime minister and parliament.

The polls are expected to be a tough contest between the CNRT and Fretilin, which has dominated parliament since East Timor officially gained independence from Indonesia in 2002.

Several people were reportedly injured on Thursday when violence erupted between CNRT and Fretilin supporters at a campaign rally in the eastern city of Baucau, in the district of the same name.

Baucau, Viqueque and Lautem districts were strongholds of Fretilin, the former resistance movement. (STL)

CNE calls on public ministry investigating Viqueque case
The CNE spokesperson, Fr. Martinho Gusmão reportedly said that CNE considered the incident between Fretilin's supporters and CNRT's supporters in Viqueque district, Ossu on Sunday (3/6) as a crime.

CNE observes that a fatal crime occurred during the campaign and the public ministry should investigate this case because it has ruined the electoral campaign for the parliamentary election, said Fr. Gusmão. (STL)

Fatal shooting supporter of CNRT, police scape goat
The president of republic, José Ramos-Horta acknowledged that the PNTL will lose credibility as a result ofthe member of PNTL who shot the militant of CRNT to death in Viqueque district on Sunday (3/6).

I have had a discussion with the minister of interior, Alcino Barris, acting special representative of UN, Eric Tan, Commander of F-FDTL, Taur Matan Ruak, commander of the ISF, Brigadier Mal Rerden and the Prime Minister, Estanislau Aleixo da Silva on how to reinforce the security in electoral campaign since the police have lost the people's confidence," said Mr. Horta before departing to Indonesia on Monday (4/6) in Palacio da Cinzas Caicoli Dili. (TP)

Fatal shooting supporter of CNRT, Fretilin demands investigation
Ruling party Fretilin reportedly demanded that CNRT conduct an independent investigation into the fatal shooting of the CNRT supporter in Viqueque district on Sunday (3/6). (DN)

F-FDTL instructed, deploying in three eastern districts
In response to the conflict which happened on Sunday (3/6) after the rally of CNRT in Viqueque resulting in two fatal shootings, the president José Ramos Horta said on Monday (4/6) that he has ordered the commander of F-FDTL, Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak, to coordinate with International Stabilization Forces (ISF) to deploy F-FDTL in three districts namely Baucau, Lospalos and Viqueque in assuring security for such high risk places. (DN)


International Media Reports

Press Conference by Timor-Leste Special Representative
Source: United Nations

The two rounds of presidential elections in Timor-Leste on 9 April and 9 May had been "deeply satisfying" and proceeded much better than would have been expected six months ago, Atul Khare, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for that country, said at a Headquarters press conference this afternoon.

Briefing correspondents on the situation in the country, Mr. Khare, who also heads the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), said that, throughout the process, culminating in the graceful acceptance of the results by the political parties and the transfer of power between then-President Kayrala Xanana Gusm ã o and his successor, José Ramos-Horta, Timorese leaders had conducted themselves wisely, with dignity and respect for democratic principles.

The parliamentary elections, to be held on 30 June, would be more challenging, he cautioned, noting that they would involve 16 political parties represented by 14 lists, because four parties had decided to form two coalitions. However, UNMIT was working hard with the Timorese authorities to ensure they were as successful, peaceful and orderly as the presidential polls.

He said the latest developments gave some reason for hope as the parties were starting to interact more frequently and constructively. A code of conduct and a political party accord had been concluded on 25 May. The code was a continuation of a similar agreement signed ahead of the presidential elections dealing with conduct during the campaign. The political accord, on the other hand, was an innovation focusing on a post-electoral commitment to good governance whereby parties committed themselves to a meaningful role for the opposition should they form the future Government, and to making construction contributions to policy development and legislation should they find themselves in the opposition. That accord boded well for the development of a genuine multiparty, liberal democracy.

Several challenges would remain after the elections, he said. They would include the strengthening and comprehensive review of the security sector, including the future role of the Army and police; review and strengthening of the justice sector; strengthening the rule of law; and ensuring good governance and development in a democratic climate. Hopefully, the new leadership would address those challenges, with the support of the United Nations.

A correspondent asked about the biggest obstacles to development in Timor-Leste.

Mr. Khare cited the process of Government formation, noting that the possibility of forming a governing coalition would have to be examined very carefully as it was statistically unlikely that any single party would gain a clear majority. As a post-conflict country, Timor-Leste had not yet dealt with the challenges of forming a coalition Government. "People are starting to talk about it, at least, and I hope that whatever the results, they will be both acceptable and indeed accepted by the population at large so that the country can move forward and avoid the experience which it had in April/May 2006," he added.

Asked about reports of violence, including one involving a person killed by a grenade, he attributed some such incidents to "criminal martial arts gangs". The police had two suspects and were seeking arrest warrants. A few other incidents could be attributed to political rivalries, but leaders across the political spectrum were condemning such incidents and the current Prime Minister had said they were unacceptable.

In response to a question about sexual abuse, the use of brothels and bad driving by United Nation peacekeepers, the Special Representative said he had implemented a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of misconduct. One person had already been repatriated for losing a weapon and another for driving while under the influence of "a very high intake of alcohol".

Regarding children born out of liaisons between Timorese women and United Nations personnel, he said most such cases related to had happened in the past, but they were being examined. Four allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse had been reported to UNMIT, two of which had been found not to be substantiated. Investigations into the other two were continuing.

He said two dedicated telephone lines had been established for people to report such incidents to the Mission, which was proactively seeking such cases in cooperation with non-governmental organizations and local communities. UNMIT had also established a mechanism by which local people and United Nations staff could report incidents directly to the Special Representative through electronic and physical suggestion boxes.

Asked what happened to women who gave birth in the absence of a child support system, Mr. Khare said that, in some cases, even where paternity had been accepted, "I try to move beyond the legal confines and insist on the father providing support."

A correspondent asked whether Timor-Leste's electoral system entailed proportional representation.

The Special Representative said Timor-Leste's unicameral parliament had 65 seats and a proportional representation system with a few "interesting" requirements, the first of which was that, on every party's list every fourth candidate must be a woman, to ensure at least a 25 per cent participation by women, both as candidates and subsequently in the national parliament.

Asked whether the presidency was merely a ceremonial position, he said it was more than ceremonial, but the premiership had more power. Mr. Gusm ã o was not seeking the premiership, but running for a parliamentary seat as the leader of the new National Council for the Reconstruction of Timor-Leste.

Mr. Khare drew attention to the establishment of a new Committee on High-Level Coordination, which had been formed on the basis of a recommendation by the Security Council. It brought together the President, Prime Minister, the first Deputy Prime Minister, the President of the National Parliament and top UNMIT representatives, including the Special Representative and his two deputies. It provided for collegial and consensual decision-making.


Foreign troops deployed after 2 killed in East Timor campaign violence
5 June 5, 2007
Jakarta Post

DILI, East Timor (AP): International troops were rushed Monday to a volatile region of East Timor where two men were fatally shot during campaigning for parliamentary elections later this month, authorities said.

One of the dead was a campaign worker for independence hero Xanana Gusmao, who is running for prime minister in the upcoming polls, seen as key to restoring stability in the tiny nation, police said.

An off-duty police officer was suspected in the killing in Viqueque district, the United Nations said, indicating bitter divisions in the country's security forces and ruling elite that exploded into violence and political turmoil last year remain a threat.

Later Sunday, Timorese police opened fire on a crowd confronting Gusmao and his supporters as they attempted to return the body to the man's family, the U.N. statement said, citing initial reports. (***)