UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING - Thursday, 05 July 2007

National Media Reports

Mari and Xanana should embrace one another
The president of Democratic Alliance (AD) from KOTA and PPT, Mr. Manuel Tilman reportedly declared that Mari Alkatiri and former President of Republic Xanana Gusmão should be embracing and tolerating each other to enable them to form National Unity government.

He added that, based on the preliminary results, it will probably be very difficult for a one party to run the government, so it needs the nation to adopt a mature approach. (DN)

Horta explains how the new government will be formed
The President of the Republic, Jose Ramos Horta met Bishop of Diocese Dili, Mgr. Alberto Ricardo da Silva on Wednesday (4/7) in Lecidere, Dili.

After the meeting, Mr. Horta told journalists that the objective of the meeting was to inform the Bishop about the counting developments across the country, and also about how to form the new government and parliament.

“I also informed the Bishop about my consultations with all political parties to get their ideas of how best to transition to the new government and national parliament,” said Mr. Horta. (DN)


Mario: “ASDT/PSD is not seeking a coalition with CNRT”
The president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Mario Viegas Carrascalão, reportedly stated that the coalition of ASDT/PSD does not see any possibility to make a coalition with CNRT, since they do not known the ideology of CNRT.

He also revealed that the door has closed on the possibility of making a coalition with Fretilin. (DN)

Deonisio: “impossible that CNRT could make people slaves”
In response to the statement from Feliciano Alves who said that CNRT will turn people into slaves if it wins the election, the Secretary General of the National Congress for the Reconstruction of Timor-Leste (CNRT), Deonisio Babo, revealed that such a statement is false and has no basis.

He said if CNRT were not led by Mr. Xanana, it could be true. However, since CNRT is led by Xanana Gusmão, it could not possibly turn people into slaves should they win the parliamentary election. (DN)



Democratic Alliance (AD) supports Fretilin
The president of Democratic Alliance (AD) composed of KOTA and PPT, Mr. Manuel Tilman, declared on Wednesday (4/7) in national parliament that AD totally supports for the victory of ruling party Fretilin and will make a coalition with them to form the new government.

He revealed that AD has signed an accord with the historic party to prepare for a coalition. (DN)

The timing of the new Govt is determined by President of Republic
At a press conference held by CNE on Wednesday (4/7) in Election Media Center Caicoli, Dili, the CNE spokesperson, Maria Angelina Sarmento stated the timing for the formation of a new government and national parliament is decided by the President of Republic.

She mentioned that it is not CNE’s responsibility if parties fail to form coalitions and the new government, it is the responsibility of sovereignty organs to solve the issue. (DN)

Major security for the vote-counting
PNTL and UNPol are providing major security to the vote counting process taking place in GMT, Dili. The supervisors, brigadas and journalists are checked twice by police before entering into GMT, and they are not allowed to smoke or bring in any items that could be a risk to the ballots. Their phones must also be switched off. (DN)

PDHJ calls on the president of the republic to take measures concerning clemency law
According the letter to the press from Human Rights and Justice Provedor (PDHJ) received by DN on Wednesday (4/7), PDHJ called on the president of republic Jose Ramos Horta to veto the clemency law.

“Based on constitutional article 151 and PDHJ’s statute articles 25 and 28, PDHJ has the right to call on the president of the republic to veto such a law. It is not the appropriate time to create the clemency law,” said acting coordinator of PDHJ Amandio de Sá Benevides. (DN)

Lu-Olo: Fretilin will form government or opposition
The ruling party Fretilin has not taken any decision as to whether it will form a government, even thought it leads the preliminary result of parliamentary election.

The president of the ruling party Fretilin, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, stated that if Fretilin gets a majority number of votes with the final results, it wants to form a solid, inclusive government to implement its programme.

“We want a solid, inclusive government. Fretilin will become the opposition or form a coalition with another party if t doesn’t get the majority it needs,” said Mr. Lu-Olo on Wednesday (4/7) in national parliament. (STL)

Politically PD will have coalition with Fretilin
There are two options for Democratic Party (PD) after the results of the parliamentary election: it can either become the strongest opposition in national parliament, or form a coalition with another party to form the government. And there is still a chance for coalitions with Fretilin or CNRT.

“Politically PD can have a coalition with ruling party Fretilin,” said Rui Menezes on Wednesday (4/7) in the PD office Colmera, Dili. (STL)

Coalition-post election: Xanana and CNRT has the right conditions to form the government
According the the preliminary results of the parliamentary election held on 30 June 2007 two parties, Fretilin and CNRT are leading, nevertheless, neither party has the majority required to form a government.

The National Congress Reconstruction of Timor-Leste (CNRT) led by former president of republic, Xanana Gusmão, is best positioned to form a government in coalition with opposition parties such as PSD, ASDT, PD and UNDERTIM. (STL)

Political party rejects the model of national unity government
The president of Democratic Party (PD), Fernando de Araujo Lasama, reportedly declared that PD rejects to the creation of a National Unity government.

According to Mr. Lasama, a national unity cabinet should be formed, not national unity government.

He revealed that a national unity cabinet could solve the problems faced by the nation right now. (TP)

UNMIT prediction: displaced people may suffer until 2008
At an UNMIT press conference held on Tuesday (3/7) in Dili, DSRSG Finn Reske-Nielsen stated that UNMIT and the East Timor government predict that IDPs will continue to face difficult conditions until 2008.

He said that it is very difficult for IDPs to return home, because many of them have lost their homes. (TP)

SOMET congratulates STAE and CNE
The International Solidarity Observer Mission for East Timor (SOMET) reportedly congratulated CNE, STAE and all Timorese people for the last Saturday's parliamentary election in Timor-Leste which was largely free, fair and peaceful.

”Despite some minor problems, our observers report that East Timorese voters went to the polls in large numbers to peacefully exercise their right to vote,- said Jill Sternberg, the Dili based co-coordinator of SOMET. (TP)