UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING

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Wednesday, 6 February 2008

National Media Reports

TVTL news coverage

Horta supports National Language Institute:

President Jose Ramos-Horta has come out in support of the National Linguistic Institute (INL) as it deals with one of the official languages of Timor-Leste, Tetun. The Chancellor of the National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL), Benjamin Cortereal, said that the INL has met the President to promote the language of Tetun. "Tetum could be promoted as the medium of instruction, through seminars and conferences," said Mr Benjamin. "The government should have a policy towards Tetun and the mechanisms to promote Tetum."

Students demand response to scholarships proposals: Thousands of high school and university students have come to the Ministry of Social Solidarity to protest the lack of response from the Ministry regarding scholarship proposals submitted by the students. The students handed the proposals to the Ministry based on promises made by President Jose Ramos-Horta last year to provide assistance to students.

RTL news coverage

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IDPs against Government food reduction policy:

IDPs in the Obrigado Barracks and Airport camps are taking a stand against the Government’s food reduction policy. The IDPs are arguing that the allocation of funds in the approved national budget was meant to provide assistance to the IDPs, and not for victims of natural disasters. “We reject the decision of the Government to reduce food,” said the Obrigado Barrack IDP camp Spokesperson, Julio da Costa Gaio, in a press conference held last Monday (4/2).

“We will continue to defend our rights as IDPs. We will mobilizes and take our issues to the National Parliament…. The Government must work together with NGOs to continue the food distributions as before.” The Spokesperson also warned that if the Government did not find a way to resolve this, the IDPs would go on strike. (TP and STL)

PNTL arrests boy with ammunition: PNTL officers arrested a 15-year-old boy in Balide last Sunday (3/2) on charges of possessing ammunition. The Commander of PNTL Dili District, Pedro Bello, said that this was a joint operation between PNTL, UNPol and F-FDTL. (TP)

National Youth Group asks Government to solve petitioners case:

The National Movement of Youth Unity (MJUN) have asked the Government to solve the petitioner’s case in a transparent manner. The Coordinator of MJUN said that it’s important that people are aware of, and are involved in, the process to solve the petitioner’s case. (TP)

Petitioners to gather in Kampung Alor:

President Jose Ramos-Horta, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and the President of the National Parliament Fernando Lasama, held a special meeting to determine a gathering place where the petitioners can convene to hold talks with the Government. Kampung Alor was chosen as the general area and a specific location will be identified this week. (DN)

Court of Appeals President agrees with plans for military tribunal:

The President of the Court of Appeals, Claudio Ximenes, has come out in support of President Jose Ramos-Horta’s plan to establish a military tribunal with assistance from the Brazilian Government. Mr Ximenes also said that Timor-Leste still requires technical assistance from the international community to bolster the judicial system. (DN)

NP Vice President: Food reduction must not be for all IDPs:

The Vice President of the National Parliament, Vicente da Silva Guterres, has said that the Government’s food reduction policy should be implemented according to the status of IDPs. He said that while the Government should reduce or stop food assistance for IDPs who are public servants, food assistance could be slowly reduced for other IDPs. “We must consider the consequences of our decision,” said Mr Guterres. (DN)

Hospital IDPs: We did not become IDPs to receive rice:

IDPs camped at the National Hospital have said that they did not become IDPs to receive rice. They became IDPs because of the crisis. They are reluctant to leave the hospital as they are still fear for their safety. Many of the IDPs also do not have homes to move back to. “The Government is reducing food rations as part of a plan to move the IDPs out of the Hospital,” said one IDP named Aderito Pinto. “Because of this, I am asking the Government to rebuild my house.” The IDPs also argue that 4kg or rice is not enough for one month. (DN)

Floods threaten Dili:

The State Secretary for Environment, Abilio Lima, has appealed to people living in Dili and around Dili town to be aware of potential floods. “There may be floods in Dili as the sewerage systems are not working properly,” said Mr Lima. “Because of this, we are expecting heavy rains to cause flooding in Dili.” Mr Lima has also asked people to be careful when throwing away rubbish and to not throw rubbish onto the streets as this also blocks sewerage systems. Mr Lima cautioned that floods also threaten Ermera, Suai, and Manufahi. Heavy rains could also cause landslides in Viqueque.

The State Secretary of Security, Francisco Guterres, said after a meeting with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao that the PNTL are prepared to provide assistance in the wake of a natural disaster. (STL)

University students demand Horta’s promises to be kept:

University students have asked the Minister for Social Solidarity (MSS), Maria Domingas, to keep the promises made to them by President Jose Ramos-Horta. The President had previously promised the students that those experiencing financial difficulties could present a proposal to MSS to be considered for a scholarship. The students had submitted their proposals to MSS but had not as yet received any reply. The students warned that if their proposals were not responded to, there would be further protests. (STL)

Tuesday, 5 February 2008

National Media Reports

TVTL news coverage

SRSG comments on role of media:

The Special Representative of the Secretary General, Atul Khare, discussed the importance of media during the 15th anniversary of the daily national paper, Suara Timor Lorosae last Friday (1/2). “The role of media is not only to provide information,” said the SRSG. “The media should also teach the people.”

PM: F-FDTL must give hope to people:

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao has said that in order to face the future, people must have confidence in the F-FDTL. This institution must be the cornerstone for providing faith to the nation and the people in areas of security, stability and development.

Horta: Human resources must be strengthened ahead of tribunal:

President Jose Ramos-Horta has urged the Government to start building and strengthening the capacity of staff in anticipation of a military tribunal. “We must also prepare F-FDTL officers in the justice sector,” said the President upon his arrival from an official visit to Brazil. “It’s important and urgent to ensure that the military institution is fully functioning.” The President also said that the institutions of the government and the state are still fragile and require the assistance of the United Nations until 2012.

UNPol transfers 3 police stations to PNTL:

To establish peace and security in Dili, UNPol handed over three police stations in Bidau, Mercado Lama and Bairopite to PNTL yesterday. On the ceremony of handover of responsibility, PNTL officers said that they were willing and ready to provide security to the community. "We feel happy that our friends from UNPol are providing this opportunity. Thanks to UNPol and the government," said a PNTL officer.

RTL news coverage

MAFF begins to monitor farmers:

The Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Mariano Sabino Lopes, said his ministry has started monitoring farming activities in the districts as a way to encourage less dependence on the Government. The Minister called for the farmers to maintain agricultural equipment, such as tractors, provided by the Government and explained that it was not the Government’s intention to provide all equipment to the farmers. The Minister did assure the farmers that the Ministry would cooperate with other stakeholders to procure local products.

Horta: UN and ISF to stay until 2012:

President José Ramos-Horta said that the United Nations (UN) and the International Security Forces (ISF) will stay in Timor-Leste until 2012 with annual reviews of the mission. The President also said that the presence of UN and ISF has helped to strengthen the economy of Timor-Leste as the UN employs 1000 employees and ISF 300 employees.

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IDPs receive food aid from WFP:

IDPs in Motael Church have received food rations reduced by 50 per cent. A WFP Assistant Field Security Officer, Joao Francisco, said that although the Government and WFP have worked together to provide food assistance to the IDPs, the decision to reduce the food was made solely by the Government. Responding to a question by journalists regarding the reaction of IDPs to the food reduction, Mr Francisco said that: “In the beginning, there were a few protests at the food reduction, but since the policy has been explained, the IDPs have accepted the food reduction.”

One of the IDPs, Marcelina Soares, commented: “We are not IDPs by choice, and the decision to reduce the rice rations have made us very sad. However, the Government’s decision to reduce the food should be accepted and it is not a problem for me.” (TP)

Government concerned with Tsunami threat to TL: The Government of Timor-Leste has been preoccupied with the threat of natural disasters such as tsunamis, floods, heavy rains, high winds and the impact that these disasters have on people’s lives. “If there are high winds, tsunamis or any other natural disasters, the police and the F-FDTL will rescue people from these disasters,” said the State Secretary for Security, Francisco Guterres, and yesterday in the Government Palace. (TP)

IDPs upset at food reductions:

IDPs in Motael Church are upset at the Government’s policy to reduce food rations. One IDP, Duarte de Jesus, “We did not move to this IDP camp because we didn’t have food. We moved because of the crisis started by the Government,” said Mr de Jesus. “Because of this, the Government has a responsibility to look after us.”

Another IDP, Jacinta Arosa Ximenes, had also rejected the policy of food reduction, choosing not to accept the reduced rations in protest. “I don’t want to accept this policy,” said Mrs Ximenes. “There are more than 20 members of my family in this camp; six are still in school. I only one woman and don’t have the capacity to meet the all the needs of my family members.” (DN)

Taur Matan Ruak: “Cooperation needed to solve crisis”:

The Commander of F-FDTL, Taur Matan Ruak, has said that if Timorese people really want to resolve the crisis, then all people need to cooperate together in a peaceful way. These comments were made at the 5th anniversary of the F-FDTL navy held in Hera last Saturday. “I would like to say that there are no problems without solutions,” said the Commander. “Once upon a time we had a problem with Indonesia, and we solved it. It should be easier for us to solve our own internal problems. (DN)

SRSG: Laws form basis of democracy:

The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Mr Atul Khare, has said that he believes laws form the foundations of any functioning democratic state. Mr Khare made these statements last Friday during the 15th anniversary celebrations of the daily national paper, Suara Timor Lorosae.

The SRSG also said that the current structure of Timor-Leste’s institutions are still fragile and have limited capacity in building peace and in resolving conflicts. “Because laws are the basis of democracy, they need to be strengthened in order to build confidence in the development process,” said Mr Khare. (STL)

Horta: Alfredo/petitioners’ problems won’t affect F-FDTL recruitment:

President Jose Ramos-Horta has stated that the unsolved problems of Alfredo and the petitioners will not affect the recruitment process for the F-FDTL. “The problems of Major Alfredo and the petitioners will not impact on the recruitment process as these are separate issues,” said President Horta. “The recruitment process of the F-FDTL will be based on the law.” (STL and DN)

PM: Defence and security main priorities:

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão articulated his priorities as Prime Minister during the 5th anniversary of the F-FDTL navy held in Hera last Saturday. “Since I became the Prime Minister, my main priorities have been to restructure the F-FDTL in line with the principals of the current government and to reform the security and defence sectors,” said the Prime Minister. (STL)

UNPol handover 3 police posts to PNTL:

The United Nations Police have symbolically handed-over three police posts to the PTNL during a ceremony held in Bidau. The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Mr Atul Khare, said during the ceremony that security in Timor-Leste was improving. (STL, DN and TP)

Monday, 4 February 2008

National Media Reports

TVTL news coverage
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RTL news coverage
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PM: Alfredo, Petitioners and IDPs challenge development:

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão has stated that the problems caused by the unresolved case of Alfredo, the petitioners and IDPs are challenging the development of the nation. “These three cases are very sensitive,” said the PM. “The Government along with civil society are working to find a solution to these problems.” (TP)

UN Mission extended to 2009:

President Jose Ramos Horta has stated that the UN Mission in Timor-Leste will be extended until 2009. The mandate of the current UN Mission will expire in February 2008. “We have learned from past mistakes and I personally would like the UN to stay 2012,” said the President. (TP)

UNMIT must support PNTL and F-FDTL:

Mario Viegas Carrascalao, MP from the Social Democratic Party (PSD), is asking UNMIT to continue supporting PNTL and F-FDTL if the UN mandate is extended. “PSD has no problem with UNMIT and will accept an extension of the current mandate,” said Mr Carrascalao. (TP)

F-FDTL to recruit 300 soldiers:

In 2008, F-FDTL will recruit 300 soldiers based upon a Government-approved budget. The recruitment process will commence shortly and will be done by the Commander of the F-FDTL in conjunction with the relevant Government ministers. (STL)

SRSG: STL theme supports UNMIT:

The Special Representative of the Secretary General, Atul Khare, stated on the 15th anniversary of the daily national paper, Suara Timor Lorosai (STL), that the theme of STL’s anniversary is in line with UNMIT’s mandate. STL’s theme for its anniversary had stated that “The role of UNMIT and the media is to consolidate democracy in Timor-Leste.” (STL)

HORTA: Brazil asked to establish military tribunal in TL:

President Jose Ramos-Horta stated during his visit to Brazil that he had asked the Government of Brazil to establish a military tribunal in Timor-Leste. “My visit to Brazil was to accomplish to missions. One, to enhance the public/media image of Timor-Leste, and two, to strengthen diplomatic relations,” said the President. “I have had previous discussions regarding Brazil’s help with establishing a militarily tribunal. Before the tribunal can be established, much work will need to be accomplished to prepare the human resources for the tribunal.” (STL)

PM: F-FDTL must give hope to people:

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao has said that in order to face the future, people must have confidence in the F-FDTL. This institution must be the cornerstone for providing faith to the nation and the people in areas of security, stability and development. (STL)

Horta: 2006 crisis blackens Timor-Leste’s name:

President Jose Ramos-Horta has claimed that the 2006 crisis has internationally blackened the name and reputation of Timor-Leste. The President made these comments upon his return from his trip to Brazil and Italy. During his visit to Brazil, the President had discussed with the Government the need to establish a military tribunal in Timor-Leste. In Italy, the President had asked the Pope to visit Timor-Leste. (DN)

Minister informs of food reduction to district IDPs:

The Minister for Social Solidarity, Maria Domingas Alves, visited Baucau, Viqueque and Lautem to explain to IDPs the Government’s food reduction policy. The Minister explained that the policy to reduce food aid was started under the previous government. (DN)