UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING - Wednesday, 13 February 2008

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National Media Reports

TVTL News Coverage
No coverage.


RTL News Coverage

Civil society expresses sadness: Civil society groups have expressed sadness over the assassination attempts on President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão. The Director of the National Forum of Non Government Organizations (FONGTIL), Maria Angelina Sarmento, said that the both the State and Alfredo Reinado’s group had no patience to peacefully resolve the problems. “It’s sad because we had been in a process to solve the problems, but the State and Alfredo Reinado had no patience to participate in this process,” said Ms. Sarmento on Tuesday (12/2). Ms. Sarmento also urged the government to further investigate the causes of the incident.

PDHJ to monitor ‘State of Emergency’: The General Provedor of Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ) has declared that he will monitor the implementation of the ‘State of Emergency.’ The PDHJ will accept any report or complaint from the community related to human rights violations.


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Print News converge


UN failure causes Horta shootings: The Commander of F-FDTL, Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, has said that the attack against President Jose Ramos-Horta, led by Alfredo Reinado, was caused by a failure of the United Nations to detect the movements of the armed group. The Brigadier General questioned why the United Nations did not provide adequate security for the President. He further claimed that according to the UN mandate, it was the responsibility of the UN Police and the PNTL to provide security for the President, not F-FDTL. “They (UNPol and PNTL) have limited capacity to prevent and take actions against threats to the nation,” said the Brigadier General. “F-FDTL is asking the UN to conduct an international investigation to determine the lines of responsibility for incidents occurring on Monday.” (DN)

TMR asks Salsinha to show himself: The Commander of F-FDTL, Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, has made an appeal to former F-FDTL member Gastao Salsinha to show himself and to contribute to the process of dialogue started by the government. “We are asking for support from the community and the media to help persuade Salsinha to come out from hiding,” said the Brigadier General. “I would also like to congratulate the 71 members of the petitioners’ group who have proved their bravery in coming to Dili to participate in the dialogue. We would encourage other petitioners to come and join these members.” (DN)

TMR asks UN to investigate ISF and UNPol: The Commander of F-FDTL, Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, has asked the United Nations to conduct an international investigation into the International Stabilization Forces (ISF) and the United Nations Police regarding their role in the recent attacks on the President and Prime Minster. “Even though F-FDTL was providing security at the President’s residence, ultimate responsibility for security goes to the UN Police and PNTL,” said the Brigadier General. He also said that ISF and UNPol had insufficient capacity to prevent the attacks. (DN)

Fretilin demands Security and Defence resignations: Two Fretilin Members of Parliament, Arsenio Bano and Estanislau Aleixo da Silva, have demanded the resignations of the State Secretary of Security, Francisco Guterres, and the State Secretary of Defence, Juilo Thomas Pinto, claiming that the offices of these men failed to detect or prevent the attacks on the President and the Prime Minister. “They both bear a great responsibility for these incidents that have shocked the nations,” said Mr Bano. “For the past two years, the international forces have accompanied these (Alfredo’s) armed groups. Why then did they allow the group to come down? And given that there was an hour difference between the initial attack on the President and on the later attack to the Prime Minster, why was there no extra security provided to the PM?” (DN)

Horta’s family criticizes UNPol: A family member of President Jose Ramos-Horta, Joao Carrascalao, has strongly criticized the work of the United Nations Police claiming that because they failed to provide maximum security to the President, an opportunity was provided for the armed group to attack the President. Mr Carrascalao also said that if the President died as a result of the attacks, the responsibility for his death would fall upon the UN Police. (DN)

Explanation demanded from MPs who met with Alfredo: A Fretilin Member of Parliament, Domingos Sarmento, has demanded an explanation from the three MPs who met with Alfredo Reinado in Ermera on 6 February. “I want to know who told them to meet Alfredo. The President of the National Parliament? Or any other Political leaders? Or anyone else? And what was the objective and agenda of the meeting?” asked Mr Sarmento. (DN)

UN Secretary-General condemns attack on Horta: The Untied Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the assassination attempts on President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao. The Secretary-Gernal has appealed to the public to remain calm and to not engage in violent activities. (DN and STL)

Horta in coma, but stable: President Jose Ramos-Horta is in a stable condition, despite having slipped into a coma, said the Managing Director of the Royal Darwin Hospital, Len Notaras. Dr Notaras said that the bullets had been removed from Horta’s body. The doctor also said that Horta would remain in intensive care until tomorrow. “He is lucky to be alive,” said the doctor. (TP)

F-FDTL demands international investigation: The Commander of F-FDTL, Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, is demanding that the United Nations conduct an international investigation into the causes of the attacks on the President and Prime Minster. “We demand the UN to conduct an immediate international investigation to identity how these attacks could have happened. We make this demand because the security of Timor-Leste was under the responsibility of internationals,” said the Brigadier General. “UNPol and PNTL were the ones responsible for the personal security of Ramos-Horta.” (TP)

Australian forces arrive in TL; Japan to send bodyguards: The Brigadier General of the International Stabilization Forces, James Baker, has said that additional Australian forces have arrived in Timor-Leste to strengthen security during the nation’s State of Emergency. The State of Emergency was declared following attacks made on President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minster Xanana Gusmao. Approximately 340 troops have arrived. An additional contingent of 70 Australian police also arrived in Dili yesterday.

The Government of Japan is planning on sending bodyguards to Timor-Leste. The bodyguards will be sent upon request from the Government of Timor-Leste. (TP)

NP approves ‘State of Emergency’: The National Parliament approved on Monday a decree vesting Acting President Vicente Guterres with powers to declare a State of Emergency following attacks made on President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minster Xanana Gusmao. “A curfew will be imposed on the capital, Dili, from 8pm to 6am,” said Mr Guterres. “This State of Emergency will start from Monday 11 February, at 10am.” (TP)

Fernando: No plans to attack PR and PM: The National Parliament member Fernando Gusmao, has declared that the meeting between three MPs from PSD, PD and ASDT and Alfredo Reinado’s group had nothing to do with the attacks on President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minster Xanana Gusmao. Mr Gusmao said that the MPs were sent by their parties to meet with Alfredo in order to help find a solution to the problems of Alfredo and the petitioners. (TP)

Horta calls TMR for help: President Jose Ramos-Horta had called F-FDTL Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak asking for help after he had been shot Monday morning, said an unnamed source. The Brigadier General confirmed that the had a missed call from the President and that he had tried to call him back. (TP)

Bodies of Alfredo and Leopoldino taken for autopsies: The Dili National Hospital Director, Antonio Caleres Junior confirmed that the bodies of Alfredo Reinado and Leopoldino had been to the hospital to receive autopsies. (TP)

TMR: UNPol work is weak: The Commander of F-FDTL, Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, has said that attacks against President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minster Xanana Gusmao expose the weakness of the United Nations Police as they failed to provide adequate security. The Brigadier General is blaming UNPol for the attacks, claiming that as the security of the country was under their leadership, they should have been able to prevent the attacks. “As per the mandate, F-FDTL was responsible only for the security of the President’s residence. But UNPol and PNTL were responsible for the personal security of the President,” said the Brigadier General. (STL)

Youths urged to respect State of Emergency: The Acting President Vicente Guterres has appealed to all youths to remain calm, to stay in their homes, and to avoid rumors and other provocations that would contribute to de-stabilizing the security situation. “You are not allowed to hold meetings or demonstrations during the next two days,” said Mr Guterres to the youths. (STL)

USA condemns attack on PR and PM: The Untied States Government has strongly condemned yesterday’s violent attacks on the President and the Prime Minster. The US Ambassador to Timor-Leste Hans Klamm said: “We give our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of yesterday’s attack and wish the President a speedy recovery.” (STL)

Shootings disputed: The PD Member of Parliament Teresa de Carvalho said that President Jose Ramos-Horta was shot five minutes after Alfredo Reinado had been shot dead. “There is a big question mark over who was really doing the shootings,” said Ms Carvalho. Ms Carvalho also said it was the responsibility of UNPol and ISF to control the movements of the petitioners and Alfredo’s group. (STL)

General Prosecutor and UNMIT sign MOU: The General Prosecutor of Timor-Leste Longuinhos Monteiro and the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Finn Reske-Nielsen, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to re-open pending cases from the Serious Crimes unit. (STL)

Horta needs three days to stabilize: The Minister of Health Nelson Martins, confirmed that President Jose Ramos-Horta requires three days after his surgery to stabilize. (STL)