UNMIT Daily Media Review - Monday, 3 September 2007

National Media Reports:
TP - Timor Post; DN - Diario Nacional; STL - Suara Timor Lorosae; RTTL - Radio e Televisao de Timor-Leste

UN to be in Timor-Leste until 2012, ISF 2008 President José Ramos-Horta has asked the United Nations to stay in Timor-Leste until 2012.

The president is also asking the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard to maintain ISF to provide security for the Timorese people until 2008.

The head of state said that UN Police and UN civilians could be reduced when the conditions and situation in Timor-Leste permits it.

“I have spoken about this with the Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer,” said the president. (TP)

Alfredo needs protection The dialogue between Alfredo and the government will commence soon according to the Fretilin Member of Parliament Aresenio Bano.

“During the dialogue the state and government will be responsible for providing protection so as to decrease anyone feeling threatened. This means that the state will need to sincerely look forwards to solve the problem of Reinado and the petitioners,” said Mr Bano in the national parliament on Tuesday (28/8). (STL)

Fernando Dias: ISF invited by the state The leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Fernando Dias said that the presence of International Stabilization Forces (ISF) is legal and invited by the state.

“There was an accord signed by President Xanana (now prime Minister), president of the National Parliament and the then- Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri,” said Mr. Dias.

However, Mr. Fernando also said that as the MPs of the first national parliament, they know nothing about the terms of reference on the presence of the ISF mandate and time duration in Timor-Leste. (DN)

Cornelio/L-7: disagree with some member of the new government

The president of UNDERTIM, Cornelio Gama/L-7 said he is concerned that some members of the new government have committed crimes.

Speaking to journalists, Mr Gama said that the members of government who were involved in committing crimes should be brought to the tribunal. (DN)

Arsenio Bano: president has no coherence solving Alfredo’s problem

The Fretilin MP Arsenio Bano said that President José Ramos-Horta is not capable of solving the Alfredo Reinado issue because he has no coherence on initiatives.

“Having dialogue with Alfredo was initiated when he was still the prime minister but with no continuity. Sometimes he wants to talk with him, sometimes he wants to arrest him and sometimes he wants to set him free.

“Some F-FDTL members and others have already been jailed, but Alfredo’s case is used by politicians for their interests,” said Mr. Florindo. (DN)

UNMIT - Security Situation - Monday 3 September 2007

The security situation in Timor-Leste has been relatively calm, but the situation in Viqueque remains tense.

Today in Dili, UNPol attended five incidents, none of which were major. They included a traffic accident and two minor incidents of domestic violence.

Yesterday in Venilale, Baucau, two PNTL officers were surrounded by approximately 50 villagers armed with machetes and other bladed weapons in Ariana sub-village. The PNTL officers fired two warning shots into the air to allow them to escape. There were no injuries.
Two days ago in Lautem, a 50-year-old man was murdered and two other men seriously wounded after a dispute over bamboo. The incident involved six people from the neighbouring villages of Burukai and Buruwali. The UNPol national investigation department attended the scene and have identified the suspects.

Two days ago in Viqueque, a house was destroyed by fire in Olabai village. The house was abandonded and there were no injuries. Police have obtained two witness statements and are investigating further.

United Nations police officers in conjunction with the PNTL and the International Security Force remain fully deployed to respond to any disturbances that may emerge.

The Police advise to avoid traveling during the night to the most affected areas. Please report any suspicious activities. You can call 112 or 7230365 to contact the police 24 hours a day, seven days a week.