UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING - Monday, 09 July 2007

National Media Reports

The coalition government should be better than Fretilin
The President of Social Democratic Party (PSD), Mario Viegas Carrascalão, has said that the future government led by an alliance should be better than one led by [the ruling party] Fretilin in response to the crucial programme faced by Timorese people.

“Alliance government has to be better than Fretilin’s, however if this is not to happen, let Fretilin form the government and we all have to recognize it,” said Mr. Viegas.

On the other hand, the President of the Democratic Social Association Timor-Leste (ASDT), Francisco Xavier do Amaral, said that they propose Mr. Mario Viegas Carrascalão to become Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister. (STL)

Political parties should respect the sovereignty of the people
At a press conference held by the World Forum for Democratization in Asia (WFDA) on Friday (6/7) in SOMET’s office in Dili, the WFDA representative said the election has finished and it is now time for all political parties to respect peoples’ sovereignty and focus on development.

Mr. Miclat also congratulated all Timorese who contributed to the democracy of this new country in a peaceful manner. (STL)

People in Oecusse support the coalition of government
The CNRT Coordinator of Oecusse District, Jeferino da Cruz Sau, on Friday (6/7) in Ambeno said that the population of Oecusse supports former President Xanana Gusmão to form a coalition of government to resolve last year’s crisis.

“I am very happy with the decision made at the national level to form the coalition government,” he said. (STL)

Alliance of four political parties: ambition to have power
The Secretary-General of UNDERTIM, Mr. Cristiano da Costa, on Saturday (7/7) at UNDERTIM’s office in Dili, declared that UNDERTIM considers the alliance formed by four political parties, such as, CNRT, ASDT, PSD, and PD, as an ambitious concept for power sharing.

He said that such a coalition could not serve the Timorese people and even if the four parties have decided upon the coalition they could not lead the government without confirming that Fretilin is the winner of the election. (TP)

Fretilin should move forward
At a press conference held on Friday (6/7) in CCF Comoro Dili, the President of [the ruling party] Fretilin, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, said that Fretilin’s main responsibility now is to work with the other parties to solve the problems that the people are facing. (TP)

UNMIT: it is important to contribute to the stabilization of Timor-Leste
At the meeting with all political parties on Friday (6/7) at the UNMIT Headquarters in Dili, the Special Representative of Secretary-General in Timor-Leste, Mr. Atul Khare, said that it was important for political parties to move forward in way that was legally correct and contributed to the continuing political stabilisation of Timor-Leste.

During the meeting, the parties thanked the United Nations and its agencies for the ongoing assistance provided during the campaigning, voting and post-election phase. They all agreed that the most important role for all of them now was to form a parliament and opposition that would represent the citizens of Timor-Leste. (TP)

New government should eliminate corruption
The Director of Lalenok ba Ema Hotu (LABEH), Christopher Henry Samson, reportedly called upon the new government to eliminate corruption.

“The new government should organize itself and eliminate the corruption that existed during the Fretilin era,” said Mr. Samson. (TP)

Maria Angelina: “Fretilin cannot form a government by itself”
In response to the preliminary results of the Parliamentary Elections, which gave Fretilin the lead, the CNE Spokesperson, Maria Angelina Sarmento, said that although [the ruling party] Fretilin had the majority of the votes, it could not form a government as it only had 33 seats. (DN)

Lu-Olo and Alkatiri: “Fretilin respects the people”
At a press conference held on Friday (6/7) in CCF Comoro Dili, the President of [the ruling party] Fretilin, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, and the Secretary-General of Fretilin, Mari Alkatiri, said that Fretilin wants to respect the wishes of the people who cast their votes for Fretilin in the Parliamentary Elections.

They said that the Timorese people want peace, stability and development for the future of this new nation. (DN)

Manuel Tilman: Alliance of four political parties is an assault on power
In response to the alliance of government, the president of KOTA, Manuel Tilman, said that the action of the four political parties who formed a coalition for the government is an assault on power.

He said that based on the law (article 106), the winning party can select a Prime Minister who is then nominated by the President of the Republic; in Timor-Leste, Fretilin is the party who won the parliamentary election, so it has the right to choose its Prime Minister. (DN)

People questioning security matters
Despite the presence of the International Stabilization Forces (ISF) in Timor-Leste, some people are still questioning the security matters in the country, particularly with regards to the feeling to the incidents of rock throwing in the capital.

The journalists observed that people are questioning the security situation in the country since they are concerned that people unhappy with the new Government might cause disturbances. (DN)

Rodolfo TOR: “there will be a penalty for members of the PNTL”
At a press conference held by the Human Rights and Justice Provedor (PDHJ) on Friday (6/7) in Caicoli, Dili, the UNPol Commissioner, Rodolfo TOR stated that they will investigate the members of PNTL who have abused their power.

“Firstly we will investigate and evaluate, and this will include penalties for the guilty members of PNTL, so that the Timorese people can be confident in us,” said Mr. Tor. (DN)

Political parties agree to build national unity
After meeting with the representatives of the political parties on Friday (6/7) in UNMIT headquarters, Obrigado Barracks, Caicoli, Dili, the UNMIT spokesperson Ms. Allison Cooper said that the 14 political parties and two coalitions had agreed to build national unity in peaceful manner – guaranteeing to serve and develop Timor-Leste.

Furthermore Ms. Cooper explained that the objective of the meeting was discussion talking about the strategy for this country, and how UNMIT will give its support to the East Timor government for the next five years, especially in the areas of security, education, health and any other essential matters. (DN)