Ministra ameaça despedir juízes estrangeiros

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Comunicado de Imprensa

Sexta-feira 5 Outubro 2007

O novo governo de Timor-Leste renovou os ataques contra a independência do sistema judicial, com a Ministra da Justiça Lúcia Lobato a ameaçar terminar os contratos dos juízes estrangeiros nomeados pelas Nações Unidas que 'não estejam a proceder bem.'

O deputado da FRETILIN Domingos Sarmento exigiu hoje que Lobato retire a ameaça e que peça desculpa ao sistema judicial. "Se ela recusar pedir desculpa então o Primeiro-Ministro Gusmão deve demiti-la do ministério," disse Sarmento, um antigo Ministro da Justiça e lutador da libertação.

Numa entrevista na televisão de Timor-Leste TVTL em 3 Outubro, a Ministra Lobato disse que o governo 'avaliará a actuação ' dos juízes estrangeiros e terminará os contractos dos que não estiverem a proceder bem.

Domingos Sarmento disse: "Não está nas funções do governo fazer juízos sobre o trabalho do sistema judicial. Essa é uma função do Conselho Superior do Sistema Judicial mandatado pela Constituição como sendo um órgão independente."

Sarmento disse que Lobato parece determinada a interferir com o processo judicial relativo a Alfredo Reinado, o desertor das forças armadas e foragido da prisão que liderou um bando armado numa tentativa de golpe violenta contra o governo da FRETILIN no ano passado.

O jornal de Dili Suara Timor Lorosae relatou em 3 de Outubro que Lobato dissera que o governo tinha 'formado um grupo de trabalho para encontrar uma solução aceitável para todas as partes, incluindo Alfredo Reinado.'

A Comissão Especial Independente de Inquérito da ONU recomendou em Outubro de 2006 que Reinado seja processado pelo seu papel na liderança de um ataque contra tropas do governo no qual cinco pessoas foram mortas e 10 seriamente feridos. Reinado permanece ao largo mas ele e os co-acusados foram indiciados e está agendado serem julgados em Dezembro deste ano.

Domingos Sarmento disse:" A Ministra Lúcia Lobato parece nada entender acerca da separação de poderes e não mostra nenhum respeito pela independência do sistema judicial.

"O caso de Reinado tem de ser julgado de acordo com a lei e pelos procedimentos judiciais adequados e não através de um processo de negociações entre o foragido e políticos que beneficiaram com o seu apoio."

Sarmento disse que a Ministra Lobato deu o primeiro golpe contra o sistema judicial no primeiro dia do novo governo, 8 de Agosto, quando bloqueou a ordem de um juiz a autorizar o detido ministro a viajar para o estrangeiro para tratamento médico.

"A Ministra Lúcia Lobato evitou que o avião do antigo ministro saísse de Dili e depois tentou insistir que os dois filhos ficassem em Timor-Leste como reféns virtuais até ao seu regresso do tratamento.

"O juiz que emitiu a ordem , Juiz Ivo Rosa teve de emitir uma nova directriz dizendo que a Ministra da Justiça podia estar a desobedecer ao tribunal se impedisse a viagem do antigo ministro.

"As acções do novo governo estão em agudo contraste com as do antigo governo da FRETILIN que escrupulosamente evitou interferir no sistema da justiça," disse Sarmento.

Para mais informações, por favor contacte:
José Teixeira (+670) 728 7080

Minister threatens to sack foreign judges

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Media release

Friday 5 October 2007

Timor Leste's new government has renewed its attack on the independence of the judiciary, with Minister of Justice Lucia Lobato threatening to terminate the contracts of United Nations-appointed foreign judges 'who are not performing well.'

FRETILIN Member of Parliament Domingos Sarmento today called on Lobato to withdraw her threat and apologise to the judiciary. "If she refuses to apologise then Prime Minister Gusmao must dismiss her from the ministry," said Sarmento, a former Justice Minister and liberation fighter.

In an interview with Timor Leste television TVTL on 3 October, Minister Lobato said her government would 'evaluate the performance' of foreign judges and terminate the contracts of those who were not performing well.

Domingos Sarmento said: "It is not the government's role to pass judgement on the work of the judiciary. That is the job of the Superior Council for the Judiciary mandated as an independent body under the constitution."

Sarmento said Lobato appeared determined to interfere with the judicial process relating to Alfredo Reinado, the army mutineer and prison escapee who led an armed band in a violent coup attempt against the FRETILIN government last year.

The Dili newspaper Suara Timor Lorosae on 3 October reported Lobato as saying the government had 'formed a task force to find a solution acceptable to all parties, including Alfredo Reinado.'

A United Nations Independent Special Commission of Inquiry in October 2006 recommended Reinado be prosecuted for his role in leading an attack on government troops in which five people were killed and 10 seriously injured. Reinado remains at large but he and his co-accused have been indicted and are scheduled to be tried in December this year.

Domingos Sarmento said:" Minister Lucia Lobato appears to understand nothing about the separation of powers and shows no respect for the independence of the judiciary.

"Reinado's case ought to be judged according to law and proper judicial procedure and not by a process of negotiation between the fugitive and politicians who have benefited from his support."

Sarmento said Minister Lobato took her first swipe at the judiciary on the first day of the new government, 8 August, when she blocked a judge's order allowing a jailed former minister to travel abroad for medical treatment.

"Minister Lucia Lobato prevented the former minister's aircraft from leaving Dili and then tried to insist that the former minister's two children remain in Timor Leste as virtual hostages pending his return from treatment.

"The judge who issued the order, Justice Ivo Rosa had to issue a new direction saying the Justice Minister could be in contempt of court if she prevented the former minister from travelling.

"The new government's actions are in sharp contrast to the former FRETILIN government which scrupulously avoided interfering with the justice system," Sarmento said.

For more information, please contact:
Jose Teixeira (+670) 728 7080

www.timortruth.com, www.fretilin-rdtl.blogspot.com

PRESIDENTE RAMOS-HORTA ORADOR CONVIDADO NA ENTREGA EM BERLIM DOS PRÉMIOS QUADRIGA

Palácio das Cinzas, 08 Outubro 2007

NO DIA DA UNIFICAÇÃO ALEMÃNHA

Comunicado da Imprensa

“DEVEMOS saber abrir o coração ao perdão

e o espírito ào contributo que todos os seres humanos

podem dar, em favor da paz nas nossas comunidades”


O Presidente José Ramos-Horta foi orador convidado na cerimónia de entrega dos prémios Quadriga, em Berlim, no Dia da Unificação Alemã.

O presidente Ramos-Horta entregou os prémios atribuídos a Aicha El-Wafi, uma muçulmana mãe de um terrorista condenado em tribunal, e a Phyllis Rodriguez, uma católica mãe de uma das vítimas daquele.

Aicha El-Wafi é mãe de Zacarias Moussaoui, um francês de origem marroquina condenado a prisão perpétua por ajudar a preparar o ataque terrorista que destruiu o edifício do World Trade Center em Nova Iorque.

Greg Rodriguez, filho de Phyllis, morreu quando se encontrava a trabalhar no 103.º andar de uma das Torres gémeas no 11 de Setembro de 2001.

Unidas pela tragédia do 11.9, as duas mulheres desenvolveram uma amizade construída em torno dos destinos cruzados dos filhos.

“É para mim uma honra ser o orador convidado para celebrar e constatar publicamente a impressionante reconciliação entre Aicha El-Wafi e Phyllis Rodriguez”, disse o Presidente Ramos-Horta.

“Os laços de amizade desenvolvidos a partir de uma tragédia como esta são uma inspiração para todos nós”, afirmou o Presidente da República e laureado Nobel da Paz.

“Honrar aqueles que promovem a unidade e a aproximação no mundo de hoje é, de facto, uma excelente escolha para comemorar o Dia da Unificação Alemã”, declarou.

“De certa maneira, ambos os acontecimentos nos recordam que devemos abrir o coração ao perdão e o espírito aos contributos que todos os seres humanos podem dar em prol da paz nas nossas comunidades”, acrescentou o Presidente Ramos-Horta.

Os Prémios Quadriga foram instituídos para promover o espírito de iniciativa e o diálogo e são entregues no Dia da Unificação Alemã, um poderoso símbolo de unidade e aproximação.

O antigo chanceler alemão Helmut Kohl, pai da Unificação Alemã, Shimon Perez, Presidente de Israel e laureado Nobel da Paz, e o Príncipe Aga Khan, líder espiritual dos Muçulmanos ismaelitas, contam-se entre os anteriormente laureados com o Prémio Quadriga.

O Príncipe Aga Khan foi galardoado em reconhecimento de uma vida dedicada à ajuda às regiões mais pobres do Mundo.

A organização que atribui os Prémios Quadriga desenvolve ela própria um trabalho importante no apoio ao desenvolvimento comunitário em países pobres, através do apoio a projectos que estimulam a autonomia das populações, e tem actualmente em preparação um projecto para desenvolver em Timor-Leste.

A cerimónia de entrega dos Quadriga teve este ano a participação de diversas personalidades, entre as quais a Rainha Sílvia da Suécia, ela própria galardoada, e o Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros da França, Bernard Kouchner, com quem o Presidente de Ramos-Horta teve um encontro de trabalho, aproveitando a estada de ambos em Berlim.

O antigo presidente soviético Mikhail Gorbachev, o antigo chanceler alemão, Gerhard Schroeder, e o antigo líder sindicalista e presidente da Polóinia, Lech Walesa, foram convidados de honra dos Prémios Quadriga em anos anteriores - FIM.

Public accountability, private protection

The Age
October 8, 2007

STEVE Bracks stepped down as Premier of Victoria in July with a well-deserved reputation for public and private probity. His personal reputation and his commitment to public service was later enhanced by his decision to act, without pay, as an adviser to East Timor's Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao. Since his retirement from politics, Mr Bracks has taken other appointments with insurance company Jardine Lloyd Thompson, the AIMS Financial Group and the University of Melbourne.

But his decision to become a highly paid adviser to the major accountancy firm KPMG — he is rumoured to be being paid $100,00 a year for one day's work a week — raises questions about his judgement and, more broadly, about the kind of employment opportunities that are appropriate for politicians to pursue in the immediate aftermath of leaving office. While Mr Bracks has skills and experience that are highly sought after, and he is entitled to seek satisfying post-political employment, taking a job with a company that has been awarded more than $60 million worth of government contracts while he held the top job in Spring Street is injudicious.

While there may be, in reality, no conflict of interest, the public perception of a lucrative reward being given for past services or future influence is difficult to ignore. When premier, Mr Bracks' integrity had to be beyond reproach; as former premier, it must be seen to be so until he has put an acceptable distance between himself and the privileged information and access that came with his former job. The best way to ensure this, not only for Mr Bracks but for all other politicians who leave office and enter the private sector, is to legislate for the imposition of a cooling-off period during which ex-politicians would be barred from dealing with governments in areas of former responsibility. Variations of this measure — which benefit and protect the public and politicians — have been successfully introduced in Britain, the United States and Canada, and there is no reason why it cannot be done here.

Statement by FRETILIN parliamentary leader on budget by de facto government

Statement to parliament by the leader of FRETILIN parliamentary group on the occasion of the discussion of the General Budget of the State for the period July to December 2007.

Mr. President of the National Parliament

Excellencies, Illustrious Members of Parliament, the People of Timor-Leste,

The National Parliament, through its specialized commissions has heard explanations on this budget from the Members of this de facto Government principally the Minister for Finance.

During the debate in the generality, we have also already heard statements and responses from his Excellency Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao. Despite this, we of the FRETILIN group, the de facto opposition group, are not convinced with all of these explanations and arguments, and are still concerned with this general budget of the state for the period of 1 July to 31 of December 2007. As such, I want to reaffirm the concerns which I and my fellow members of parliament from the FRETILIN group have already expressed.


1. We know that prior to this budget, there was already in effect the one-twelfth system of continuing expenditure beyond the end of the fiscal/budget from the previous government, which is being combined with this budget for the transition period until the 31 st of December with a retroactive character (the one twelfth budget). There is no reporting whatsoever available regarding the expenditures pursuant to the one-twelfth budget, therefore we are unable to know how to measure the budget execution capacity of this government in relation to a very large amount of money for only two remaining months, until the 31 st of December 2007.

2. Article 115, line 1. d) of the Constitution of the Republic states that it is within the power of the government to prepare a "Plan and General Budget of the State" and to execute such upon approval by the National Parliament. This means that there is no "General Budget of the State" unless there is also a "Plan". But what we have now found is that we have only a budget before us. There is no program, there is no plan of action, and there are no projects before us. As such there is no transparency and we don't know what this de facto government will do with this very large amount of money, where the money is going, because there is no projection or strategic vision of any sort. It is instead more like we are preparing a budget for a "corner shop". This budget has not transparency because it does not include the combined sources of funding from bilateral or multilateral donors. For these reasons, we have no idea how the National Parliament will be able to monitor the budget execution in accordance with our constitutional obligations.

3. The amount for salaries and wages has risen dramatically compared with the previous government's budget. This is also the case with the amount for goods and services which is extremely large in comparison to proposed development capital and minor capital. Why? Because we now have by far many more members of government and civil servants and political appointees have increased much more than under the FRETILIN government for which it was always being criticized. But ultimately they are much worse. For example, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs there is a line item to pay for civil servants who are politically appointed in the amount of $490,000. Similarly the amount for goods and services for district prisons in the Ministry of Justice is very large. What does all this mean? How is this budget going to lift the economy and reduce poverty? This budget is simply to effect expenditures or just to make purchases, to help the machinery of the state to function, to give work to the friends and family of members of government, to widen the path for corruption and to fatten those who work with the government or are in partnership with the government, but will not have a significant impact for the livelihoods of the poor in our country. Is this what is called "reform"?

4. This government has changed or greatly diverged in this budget from its own program or "declaration of political intentions" for the short term, which has already been approved by the National Parliament in the past weeks. They themselves are already not complying with the promises that they made during their campaign and the priorities set out in their own program. They presented themselves as angels who could resolve all the problems, and only knew how to condemn the FRETILIN government. Now we can see they do not have a clear notion or a single budget line item on how to resolve the problem of the displaced persons and the victims of the 2006 crisis. All they propose is some little funding to provide for the humanitarian needs of the displaced persons. The same goes for the problem of Alfredo Reinado and the petitioners. How will they find solutions for these problems? Is it perhaps that they will not need one single cent to do this? They want to assist the development of the private sector and to create employment, but Mr. Joao Goncalves, de facto Minister for Development and Economy, has already publically stated that the government will not create any jobs because the funding to his ministry is only small. The government stated in its short term priorities that it wanted to accelerate the payment of pensions to veterans and liberation combatants, and to distribute money to the elderly but this budget does not have any line items where it can do this, but perhaps because they have already received the political advantage with their promises, they can now forget about this promise. When will they make these payments? They say that they want to consolidate the data on veterans and ex-combatants and to improve the law even though this law had already been prepared by the previous government. Instead they have promised to commence making these payments in 2008, but how are we supposed to believe them? We are going from promise to merely another promise.

5. This government also wants to transfer $40 million from the petroleum fund. To do what? We know that there are sufficient funds in the treasury account to effect expenditures until the 31st of December 2007. This is because there are at least $122 million which can be spent within the six month period of this budget. This is from also looking at carry-over line items from the previous year which will be appropriated into the treasury account. So there is still enough money and there is no need to transfer any more money from the petroleum fund. The government is determined to force the transfer of this money and it is because of this that they have now quickly submitted an amendment to buy four generators. We don't understand why because two or three days ago the Secretary of State for Electricity did not say anything in this regard when he met with the infrastructure committee, but suddenly started to say that the generators were in a bad condition but did not properly explain why the generators were in a bad condition, perhaps because he would have a problem with the President of the Republic who made public statements as the defender of the poor, when he was Prime Minister, that they could make electricity connections as they wanted. The use of electricity has overtaken the capacity of the machines. Because of this, we do not believe that buying new generators will resolve the electricity problems.

6. This budget will allocate funds to the Task Force to fight poverty in the office of the President of the Republic. It is supposed to be for monitoring, but monitoring what? Perhaps it is to merely distribute money in the next months? We want to clearly say that we believe this line item is unnecessary, above all because programs for the reduction of poverty are a function of the government or the executive.

7. The big surprise for us was seeing the line item in the budget for the office of the Secretary of State for the Autonomous Region of Oecussi. Is this also reform? This government is confusing an autonomous region with a region with special administrative and economic treatment, as these two things are not the same. To refer to an autonomous region is violating article 5 of the Constitution of the Republic. Because of this illegality, references to this secretariat of state and its line items in the budget also have to be removed.

Mr. President of the National parliament, Excellencies

Illustrious Members

People of Timor-Leste

With these few words, the FRETILIN group declares that this government does not have sensibility, does not have coherence, does not have seriousness, does not have honesty and is not ready to govern and develop the Timor-Leste nation. The government's program says one thing, the budget demonstrates something else. This is a budget without a plan, is ill-prepared and is of no worth. As Ms. Emilia Pires, the de facto Minister for Finance herself acknowledged, to properly prepare a budget a minimum of 4 months is required. So it is better that you go and prepare to make it better.

That's all. Thank you.

East Timor passes transitional budget of US$112 bln

10/07/07 10:17

Dili (ANTARA News) - East Timor's parliament on Saturday passed a transitional period budget proposal of 112 million dollars on a split decision.

The budget was passed with 36 votes for, 21 against and six abstaining, one day after Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao presented the parliament with a budget proposal for the transitional period before entering the next financial cycle.

It is proposed for six months, from July to December 2007.

Lawmaker Pedro da Costa from Gusmao's CNRT party was quoted by AFP as telling reporters "the budget is urgent and programmes should be implemented immediately. I am certain that the government will soon realise all their (proposed) programmes."

Gusmao said the budget's priorities would be refugees, reducing poverty and the tightening of security to "equip the police force to be able to work more professionally."

Meanwhile, Fretilin secretary general Mari Alkatiri said that they voted against because "we do not agree with the government's and the budget commission's answers in the debate."

Fretilin continued to view the current government as unconstitutional.

The government inherits 119 million dollars of unused funds carried over by the past administration.

East Timor's parliament in August last year passed the 2006-7 fiscal year budget, the young nation's largest ever at 315 million dollars, after a delay caused by violence and political upheaval in May. (*)

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