The Police promovem projecto humanitário

SIC
03 de Setembro de 2007

Banda vai lançar um leilão na Internet a propósito do concerto em Portugal
Os Police vão lançar, em parceria com a rádio RFM um leilão na Internet para recolher fundos para o projecto WaterAid.

A WaterAid é uma Organização Não-Governamental (ONG) que tenta melhorar a qualidade de vida das populações de países pobres através de projectos hídricos que permitem levar água potável às populações carenciadas. Moçambique e Timor-Leste estão entre os países onde a organização actua.

Com o objectivo de recolher fundos para o projecto, os Police, que actuam no Estádio Nacional a 25 de Setembro, lançaram uma campanha de leilões online nos vários países por onde vai passar a sua digressão mundial.

Em Portugal, a rádio RFM, do grupo Renascença, foi escolhida para promover em exclusivo a iniciativa. A acção decorre no dia 14 deste mês, entre as 07h00 e as 19h00, e as licitações serão feitas através da caixa correio leilaopolice@rfm.pt.

A leilão vão estar bilhetes especiais para o concerto, encontros com os membros da banda e merchandising assinado pelos músicos.

A digressão mundial da banda, que volta a reunir no mesmo palco Sting, Andy Summers e Stewart Copeland depois de mais de duas décadas separados, tem uma agenda de mais de 60 concertos por grandes recintos e estádios nos Estados Unidos, Canadá e Europa.

Esta é a segunda vez que os Police actuam em Portugal. A primeira foi em 1980, no estádio do Restelo.

Com Lusa

Dos Leitores

H. Correia deixou um novo comentário na sua mensagem "Herald Sun Readers' Comments - Bracks to be Gusmao...":

Para que não digam que o Timor Online é um blog de "portugueses fanáticos", foi boa ideia publicar estes comentários daqueles que melhor conhecem o novo 1ºMinistr... desculpem, consultor do 1ºMinistro de Timor-Leste - os australianos.

Será que agora vão dizer que é um blog de australianos fanáticos?

Herald Sun Readers' Comments - Bracks to be Gusmao adviser

Herald Sun
Ellen Whinnett
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/comments/0,22023,22334034-2862,00.html
August 30, 2007 12:00am

FORMER premier Steve Bracks has been appointed as an adviser to East Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

Mr Bracks, who retired from Parliament on July 27, will take up the honorary role shortly, advising Mr Gusmao on setting up and running a democratic administration.

Independence hero Mr Gusmao was recently named Prime Minister after several years in the position of president.

Comments:

Poor East Timor! Bracks was advisor to Caine & Kirner and remember what they did to Victoria! Posted by: Daggy of Ballarat 4:08pm today
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First thing on the agenda, REVENUE RAISING! Posted by: Jess 7:32pm August 30, 2007
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Some people have been suggesting that or PM Mr John Howard is a liar, this is round one for Mr Steve Bracks. Posted by: Full Observer 7:27pm August 30, 2007
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I suggest Steve Bracks lives up to his INTEGRITY and CONSCIENCE and faces the inquiry on the Tatts Gaming investigation, and shows us his true colours, and noble character BEFORE he undertakes the position of advisor to East Timor's Prime Minister.
First things first - put your priorities in place, Mr Bracks. Posted by: Lucy of melb 7:10pm August 30, 2007
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East Timor will be smooth sailing in no time...all Bracks will do it, well he will look into it first, but then he will introduce gambling through with a nod and a wink and they will be on their way! Posted by: Gavin of Caulfield 4:54pm August 30, 2007
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What a laugh!! Bracks teaching governance and democracy. Ladies and gentleman; anything is possible.... Posted by: Adam I of Truth Alley 4:44pm August 30, 2007
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The Dean of Education, you said what I wanted to say, well done!!!! Posted by: Peter Sollars of Melb. 4:37pm August 30, 2007
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Hmmmmmmm. The guys gives up politics to give his family more quality time. He takes a job as an adviser in another country. I would say Watch This Space. A pokie tendering inquiry perhaps. God knows what will come out of the woodwork. Posted by: Peter of Ballarat 4:28pm August 30, 2007
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Isn't poor East Timor in enough strife now without Bracks advising their government. What's he going to advise them on anyway they already know how to do nothing. Posted by: Steve of Avondale Heights 4:27pm August 30, 2007
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Time will tell the real reason this bloke and his 2IC both quit at the same time but I smell a rat !!! Posted by: Dave of Melb 4:19pm August 30, 2007
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East Timor is doomed. Posted by: dan of Melbourne 4:04pm August 30, 2007
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!! a democratic administration !!! thats funny!!!! Posted by: Casper of Australia 3:52pm August 30, 2007
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And what is he going to advise on? Where to put speed cameras in downtown Dilli? Posted by: Mort Dexter of Melbourne 3:50pm August 30, 2007
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So Mr. Bracks... Running Victoria was too hard and taking a toll on your family, but advising the Prime Minister of a different country isnt? This is proof that he bailed out of a sinking ship to avoid blame and to hand the wheel to Brumby whom previously couldnt win it fair and square... Pathetic! Posted by: The Dean of Education 3:49pm August 30, 2007
Comment 1 of 14


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http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/comments/0,22023,22334034-2862,00.html

O preço do golpe de estado já foi pago em vidas mas agora falta pagar em géneros

In Blog Timor Lorosae Nação – Sábado, 1 de Setembro de 2007
Líderes históricos dividem para "fantochar"
Malae Belu

O dia 30 de Agosto devia ter sido um dia grande para Timor-Leste, um dia de comemoração absolutamente alegre, sem sombras de tristezas, mas, em vez disso, mais que isso, foi um dia que nos recordou, uma vez mais, a força e determinação de um povo que há oito anos estava unido por um objectivo de interesse nacional e comum mas que presentemente está divido por objectivos politico-partidários e pessoais.

Quem nos divide são os líderes que há pouco mais de um ano assaltaram o Poder em nome da democracia, da liberdade, do desenvolvimento, do progresso e contra a alegada ditadura de um partido que estava no Poder com toda a legitimidade democrática.

Evidentemente que esses líderes oponentes ao Governo de então, da Fretilin, poderiam ter escolhido a via da contestação e oposição democráticas em vez de partirem para o golpe de estado.

Preferiram não optarem por essa acção porque não colheria os frutos desejados devido à maioria da população considerar que a unidade nacional era o que importava, que o governo da Fretilin devia cumprir o seu mandato e que nas eleições logo se pronunciariam.

Intuitivamente, os timorenses sabiam que deveriam agir assim.

Provavelmente a Fretilin voltaria a ter um bom resultado por votos expressos e tradutores da vontade eleitoral...

Era exactamente isso que importava evitar. Mas também é provável que não acontecesse e então a oposição, se fosse realmente democrática, teria a sua oportunidade.

Para a Igreja, Xanana Gusmão, Ramos Horta, Austrália e para os detentores do controle energético-financeiro, essa alternativa era inconveniente por lhes retirar a margem de manobra que lhes permite controlar o país e, principalmente, os seus bens energéticos no Mar de Timor e em terra.

Com um governo Fretilin eles sabiam que a defesa dos interesses timorenses seriam defendidos o mais possível, como sempre aconteceu.

A Igreja sabia que a Constituição ia acabar por se fazer cumprir e que perderia os cem por cento de privilégios de que beneficia.

Sabia que a separação entre Estado e Igreja, exigida constitucionalmente iria sendo progressivamente cumprida - como deve ser num país que ruma para a democracia.

Xanana Gusmão teria um lugar de reservista da Nação timorense se não voltasse a recandidatar-se à Presidência da República advinhando-se que teria muitas probabilidades de perder as eleições - basta olhar para a magra votação que colheu nas recentes eleições legislativas.

Ramos Horta não concorreria à Presidência da República como o fez para não obstaculizar Xanana e restar-lhe-ia continuar num governo Fretilin ou então fazer a travessia do deserto, formar um partido ou aderir a algum já formado - o que não seria provável.

Ramos Horta teria mesmo de esperar ou ser ministro Fretilin.

No caso de Xanana não ser reeleito - o que seria provável - restava-lhe formar algo parecido com o CNRT ou aceitar ser a "reserva heróico-histórica da Pátria".

Então sim, as coisas seriam claras e democráticas.

O tempo seria o bom conselheiro e obreiro dos que queriam realmente construir um país livre e aberto ao desenvolvimento progressista.

Nem Horta nem Xanana quiseram correr o risco de marcar passo. Não quiseram ver-se na contingência de ter de aguardar quatro anos e trabalhar para conquistarem o direito transparente e legítimo de governarem. Formarem um partido, com tempo, e submeterem-se ao eleitorado.

O que queriam era apoderar-se do Poder e distribui-lo entre eles se possível aniquilando a Fretilin ou qualquer outro partido que se lhes atravessasse no caminho.

O golpe de estado não aconteceu por acaso e a situação que para muitos parecia "embrulhada", confusa, tinha por objectivo possibilitar que a situação seguisse os trâmites que seguiu e apressar a tomada do Poder por uma via aparentemente democrática mas que foi estudada, planificada e executada de acordo com o planeado.

Evidentemente que os procedimentos que conduziram ao sucesso da operação "golpe de estado democrático" não foram da autoria de timorense nenhum porque esses foram simplesmente o executantes.

Este foi um golpe de mestre, do género de tantos outros por esse mundo fora, que resultou e terá elevado preço. Tão elevado que os seus mentores já demonstraram não confiar nos seus executantes timorenses querendo vigiá-los de perto, governando nos bastidores enquanto timorenses se prestam a fazer que governam.

Soube-se que Steve Bracks vai passar a ser o "consultor" de Xanana Gusmão mas outras figuras australianas serão impostas - aparentemente contratadas pelo governo timorense - e manipularão os cordelinhos que possibilitará uma governação australiana com um fantoche timorense julgando-se primeiro-ministro.

Se os timorenses aquiescerem a esta situação terão a sua desejada paz, mas será uma paz podre.

Obviamente que serão registadas algumas melhorias na vida dos timorenses a curto e a médio prazo... mas independente e governado por timorense é que Timor-Leste não será e isso só daqui por uns bons anos será constatado ou até talvez denunciado por algum dos fantoches de agora que se veja preterido pelos novos colonizadores.

People of East Timor deserve a future

The Age – September 2, 2007
Paul Cleary

Four years ago, then premier (of Victoria State) Steve Bracks led a solemn procession through the main street of Balibo, East Timor, wearing the headdress and rainbow-coloured skirt of a Timorese king. At his side, and in the same garb, was the hero of East Timor's long struggle for independence, Xanana Gusmao.

Bracks opened the "flag house" in Balibo, which had been the base of the five Melbourne newsmen before they were slain by the Indonesian military in October 1975. With funding from the Victorian Government, the house, which still retains a faint impression of the Australian flag painted by Greg Shackleton, was turned into a community centre. It became a living memorial to the newsmen.

The modest project was a poignant example of a state government stepping in and playing a role on an issue in which successive federal governments had woefully failed.

Gusmao at the time held the largely ceremonial role of president of newly independent East Timor. But now, as Prime Minister, and with a formidable challenge ahead, he has asked Bracks to step in again to address the real threat of East Timor becoming a failed state. In recent years, Bracks has followed events closely through regular meetings with Gusmao and his wife, Kirsty Sword Gusmao.

East Timor's current difficulties can be traced back to the Howard Government's failure to properly support the new democracy in its formative years.
Australia's greedy grab for Timor oil meant that East Timor was hugely distracted from the task of nation building because it had to fight for its resources. Australia's opening offer in negotiations in 2000-01, and the treaty signed in 2002, did not fully recognise East Timor's rights under international law.
And, according to World Bank representative Elisabeth Huybens, East Timor did not have the resources it needed to exist as an independent state. Australia was also a mean neighbour when it came to foreign aid. East Timor was a devastated country in need of a Marshall Plan, and instead it got $40 million a year from 2002. Aid has been increased to almost double that amount in the latest budget.

Now that East Timor has become a "Xanana republic", the big challenge is to run a functional administration that can deliver basic services and generate jobs, jobs and more jobs. The hordes of rock-throwing youths in Dili are the result of an economy that went backwards in per capita terms for five successive years. In part, this came about because the government was unable to spend all of the money it had available.

Bracks told The Sunday Age that his focus would be addressing a growing culture of "corruption and cronyism" by introducing checks and balances into the awarding of government contracts and appointments.

A key reform challenge is to tackle the centralised administration introduced by the former government, which required ministers to approve even the smallest decisions. Bracks is right to make decentralisation an important focus of reform.

But he seems cautious when it comes to hitting the spending pump, saying this has to be done in a "sustainable way". East Timor already has a good system for saving its oil revenue, but it was unable to spend anywhere near the sustainable limit set by its Petroleum Fund law. As a result, the economy, and the country, imploded.

There is little that is sustainable about East Timor in its current state. As well as reforming public administration, Bracks needs to focus on how the Government can get the economy rolling by introducing job-generating public works programs and give the long-suffering people of East Timor a future.

- Paul Cleary is a former adviser to the East Timor Government and author of Shakedown: Australia's Grab for Timor Oil.

DFA: Dili has no authority over RP peacekeepers

The Daily Tribune - 09/01/2007
By Michaela P. del Callar

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yes-terday said the Philippines is answerable only to the United Nations, not to the East Timor government, after a Timorese parliamen-tarian criticized the credibility of the Philippine police force and demanded the removal of one of its police peace-keeping officer.
At the same time, the DFA stressed it has asked the Philippine Embassy in Dili to look into the state-ments made by Fretilin, one of East Timor’s major political groups.

“We are there as a member of the UN peace-keeping force. We are an-swerable to the UN, not to the East Timor government. We will see first the circums-tance (before taking any action). However, we don’t take it (Fretilin statement) as a view of the East Timor government,” DFA spokesman Claro Cristobal said.

Fretilin Parliamentarian Jose Teixeira branded the Philippine National Police (PNP) as “notoriously corrupt” with a reputation for brutality and asked for the recall of Joel Doria, head of the Comoro police post of the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste.

Fretilin was furious over the Aug. 6, 2007 Time Magazine article quoting Doria as saying the party was involved in organizing violence in East Timor following the announcement of former resistance fighter Xanana Gusmao as prime minister late July.

“Mr. Doria’s comments and behavior are irresponsible. We expect members of the UN police to exercise a duty of care when discharging their duties and act as an example to the National Police of Timor-Leste, which the UN is helping to rebuild,” Teixeira noted.

“The Philippines police force is notoriously corrupt and politically partisan with a reputation for brutality. Timorese do not want Philippines police’s practices imported to this country,” he added.

Cristobal, however, maintained the Fretilin statement will not erode the credibility of the 145 Filipino peacekeepers in East Timor.

“I can say our police there have had a pretty good performance. They were awarded the UN service medal precisely because of their contribution,” he said.

The DFA official added Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to Timor-Leste Atul Khare praised the professionalism and competence of the Filipino UN police in ensuring the peaceful and orderly conduct of Timor-Leste’s first three elections.

“Mr. Khare also thanked them for their invaluable contribution in helping democracy take root in the young nation,” Cristobal said.

The tour of duty of the Philippine contingent will end on Oct. 16.

Former journo dies in Timor

Herald Sun
September 03, 2007 12:00am

A FORMER Melbourne newspaper man who became a key adviser to East Timorese President Jose Ramos Horta has died of a sudden illness in Dili.

Chris Santos, a former senior journalist at The Sun, fell ill in the East Timorese capital on Friday morning and died a short time later. He was 59 years old.

Portuguese-born Mr Santos trained as a journalist and travelled to East Timor just before the Portuguese relinquished it as a colony in 1975.

He became a member of the Fretilin independence movement during that year's civil war, which preceded the Indonesian invasion months later.

Mr Santos, who had become Fretilin's information officer, was forced to flee to Australia just before the invasion.

He became a respected Melbourne journalist and held senior positions at The Sun before undertaking various political advisory roles in Victoria.

He became a close associate of Mr Ramos Horta during this time and returned to East Timor after the country voted for independence in 1999.

When Mr Ramos Horta became East Timor's Prime Minister in 2006, Mr Santos became his special adviser, and remained in that position when Mr Horta was elected President earlier this year.

Mr Santos' body is being flown back to his family in Melbourne for a funeral tomorrow.