Dos Leitores

H. Correia deixou um novo comentário na sua mensagem "Timor-Leste: Prisão para responsáveis ataque de Ma...":

É curioso que vários cidadãos vão sendo sucessivamente condenados a prisão, mas Reinado e Rai Los continuam estranhamente à solta sem que ninguém os submeta à Justiça.

Claro que nada disso tem relação com o facto de o PGR ter sido reconduzido pelo ex-Presidente e actual 1º Ministro...

Planned challenge to E Timor Govt dropped

ABC News
15.08.07
Posted 2 hours 39 minutes ago

East Timor's former ruling party has abandoned plans for a court challenge to the legality of the Government sworn in last week, an official said.

But the party, Fretilin, still should be part of a unity government, its deputy president Arsenio Bano said amid continuing uncertainty following an inconclusive parliamentary election in June.

"We just need a political solution. We still need a 'grand inclusion' government involving all parties with a seat in parliament," he said.

"We will not use a court trial. A trial through the courts is not on our minds."

President Jose Ramos-Horta used his constitutional authority to install a coalition government led by Xanana Gusmao, the former president and one-time guerrilla fighter.

Fretilin won 21 seats in the polls, the highest number among all the parties, but Mr Gusmao's party, which won 18, cobbled together a coalition with control of 37 seats.

The former ruling party had threatened to challenge the legality of Mr Gusmao's government.

Fretilin supporters have protested violently against the administration, including during this week.

Dr Ramos-Horta had pushed for a unity government, but the major parties failed to reach an agreement on how to govern jointly.

Mr Gusmao has condemned Fretilin leaders for failing to halt the violence while in a separate statement released late on Tuesday, Mr Bano was critical of Mr Gusmao, saying many viewed him as "partly responsible for last year's crisis".

Unrest rocked the streets of Dili in April and May last year when security factions and youth gangs waged battle, leaving at least 37 dead.

International peacekeepers were deployed to restore calm and have been bolstered by some 1,600 UN police.

- AFP

UNMIT - Security Situation - Wednesday 15 August 2007

This is a broadcast of the UN Police in Timor-Leste to provide you with information about the security situation around the country.

The security situation in Timor-Leste during the last 24 hours has remained tense, particularly in Viqueque, Baucau and Lautem districts, although there are no reports of major security incidents.


United Nations police officers (UNPol) in conjunction with the national police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) and the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) remain fully deployed.

Today in Dili, UNPol attended two incidents. Neither was serious.

Early yesterday morning in Viqueque, the ISF evacuated the PNTL officer who had been stabbed a few hours earlier in Matahoi village. He is now being treated at the ISF compound in Dili. Police have identified and are searching for the suspects in the stabbing.

No security incidents were reported in Baucau yesterday. The body of deceased male was discovered in Bagia sub-district, but there is no evidence to suggest that he was murdered.

Also in Baucau, seven people have been arrested in connection with the attack on a UN convoy that took place near Fatumaka last Friday, and Police and ISF remain on alert in case of any disturbances.

Yesterday in Covalima, the body of a deceased male was found in an isolated village called Lepo. UNPol and PNTL have been dispatched to the scene to search for evidence.

The United Nations family in Timor-Leste has been providing security and logistical support to the Government to expedite the delivery of urgently needed food and resources to the areas affected by the recent disturbances. Yesterday in Naiboruk village, Watolari and Watocarbo subdistricts, Government humanitarian assistance was distributed to schools and orphanages.

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.

YouTube shows Aussie Ku Klux Klan 'soldiers'

By David Murray

August 05, 2007 12:13am

THE army is investigating an online video that shows binge drinking and a person parading in a Ku Klux Klan outfit on what appears to be Australian Defence Force property.

The footage, titled "My experience in the Australian Army", shows young men, some in uniform, in a contest to drink alcohol through a long plastic hose they call the "super tube of death".


Several drinkers, whose faces are clearly seen, stagger off and vomit over the railing of a demountable-style building called "Block 651".

The image of a person in a KKK-like outfit is flashed up repeatedly during the video to the amusement of the party.

Defence condemnation

Defence chiefs condemned the video as "abhorrent" and have ordered Provost Marshal investigators to go through the footage frame-by-frame.

"The Australian Defence Force does not tolerate or condone the actions of the people in this video," said Defence spokesman Brigadier Andrew Nikolic.

Serving soldiers could be sacked if found to have been involved in the video, Brigadier Nikolic said.

"The Provost Marshal is currently inquiring into the video to confirm the extent of its linkage to Defence," he said.

"If it is found serving Defence members were responsible for its production and posting on the Internet, they may be subject to disciplinary and or administrative action."

The investigation was launched after The Sunday Mail alerted Defence to the video's presence on the Internet video site YouTube.

The demountable buildings and surrounding geography suggests the video was shot at Robertson Barracks at Palmerston near Darwin, where soldiers have previously faced investigations for drug use and gun running.

'Who is protecting us?'

The army would not confirm where its investigation was focused, but did not deny there were similarities in the video to army property.

The video opens with a distasteful scene shot in a toilet that carries the caption: "When the s..t goes down, who is protecting us?"

Another scene shows a message in fridge magnets which says: "Block 651. Maggot by midday."

Soldiers are permitted to drink in moderation on Defence bases while off duty, but face alcohol and drug testing while on duty.

Brigadier Nikolic said new education campaigns about excessive drinking had ensured there was "not a culture of binge drinking in the military".

"The sort of behaviour we saw in the video is irresponsible consumption of alcohol and is not something condoned in the Australian Defence Force," he said.

Ku Klux Klan revisited

The filming of a person in a white-hooded klan outfit in the "Block 651" video recalls the notorious 2004 photograph of Australian soldiers in KKK regalia standing in front of black recruits at Townsville's Lavarack Barracks.

Black soldiers at Lavarack told investigators that their equipment had been defaced with graffiti and they had been given racist nicknames.

The Klan was a racist body notorious for lynching blacks in the US South.

If confirmed as an army party, the "Block 651" video - which has since been taken off by YouTube, possibly at the Army's request - will be the latest embarrassing glimpse of the Australian military to reach the Internet.

Footage of skylarking Australian soldiers recklessly pointing guns at each appeared on YouTube in September and sparked an investigation and threats of sackings.

Another online video showed a soldier pointing a pistol at a fellow Digger dressed in Arab headdress.

Thousands Driven From Their Homes In Post-Electoral Violence In Timor-Leste - UN

UN News Centre – Wednesday, 15 August 2007, 2:19 pm

Post-electoral violence in Timor-Leste, including arson and rock-throwing, has reportedly driven at least 4,000 people from their homes in two eastern districts in the small South-East Asian country, forcing them to stay in the mountains or in convents, schools and compounds considered safe, according to United Nations humanitarian officials.

In Viqueque and Baucau districts, 323 houses have been reported burnt and 52 damaged since unrest erupted last week after the announcement of a new government following the June elections, which failed to produce a single outright winner, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

Several villages have been severely damaged in Watulari sub-district, while villages around Viqueque town have also been affected. The functioning of public transport and schools has been disrupted and food, water and medical supplies are becoming short on the market, OCHA added.

Road travel within and between the districts of Baucau and Viqueque remains restricted due to security concerns especially after a UN convoy was ambushed on 10 August.

UN Police (UNPol) reported today that the situation over the last 24 hours remained tense, particularly in Viqueque and Baucau districts, but that Dili, the capital, was calm.

UNPol, together with the national police and the International Stabilization Force, remains fully deployed to stop any violence in the country, which the UN helped shepherd to independence from Indonesia in 2002.

In Dili today, UNPol attended to six incidents, none of which was major. Yesterday in Dili district, there were isolated incidents of rock throwing, concentrating around the airport and Metinaro. Three people were arrested and there were no reports of injuries.

Political leaders have been travelling to the east of the country to condemn the recent violence.
Two days ago in Baucau, leaders of the former ruling party FRETILIN told supporters that local village and sub-village chiefs will be held responsible for any violence that occurs in their area. In Viqueque a high-ranking FRETILIN official met with supporters and urged them not to commit any violent acts.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative Atul Khare has said the violence was “regrettably” being committed by people claiming allegiance to FRETILIN.

The UN enhanced its peacekeeping and policing roles in Timor-Leste after violence attributed to differences between eastern and western regions broke out in April and May last year, killing at least 37 people and forcing 155,000 others, 15 per cent of the population, to flee their homes.

Fretilin failing to halt ETimor violence: PM

Radio Australia - 15/08/2007, 08:03

East Timor's newly-appointed prime minister, Xanana Gusmao, says the former ruling party of Fretilin is failing to halt ongoing outbreaks of violence.

He told a gathering of district heads the politicians do not want to transmit their views to the bottom to curb the violence that arose because of their own defeat.

Mr Gusmao says he is aware several Fretilin leaders have travelled to their rural bases, but says they are not there to appease people.

Former Fretilin prime minister, Mari Alkatiri, says its leaders intend to tell their supporters to be calm. Mr Gusmao's party formed a coalition after the recent elections, holding 37 of the parliament's 65 seats. The announcement that it would form government last week triggered protests from Fretilin and sporadic violence eruped in Dili and several eastern districts where the party is strongest.

Timor: Situação continua «volátil e com violência esporádica»

Diário Digital / Lusa
15-08-2007 8:54:00

A Missão das Nações Unidas em Timor-Leste (UNMIT) informou hoje que a situação no país continua «volátil e com actos de violência esporádicos», após vários dias de tumultos públicos em vários pontos da região.

O sub-director do UNMIT, Eric Huck Gim, declarou em conferência de imprensa em Díli que a atmosfera local está tensa em Baucau e Viqueque, as principais cidades da região oriental do país, e que na capital as coisas tendem a acalmar.

«Em Díli, a situação está relativamente calma, embora subsistam incidentes esporádicos de pessoas atirando pedras em zonas como o Bairro Pite, o porto, Santa Cruz e Comoro», declarou o oficial, um general de brigada de Singapura.

«Quero reiterar que a ONU apoia o direito a manifestações, mas estas devem ser realizadas de maneira pacífica e através dos canais legais adequados», afirmou.

Segundo o responsável das Nações Unidas, «alterar a vida normal do país, como incendiar escolas e edifícios públicos e privados, fazer deslocar pessoas dos seus locais de residência e comprometer a segurança de pessoas não é o caminho para levar o país para a frente».

Os distúrbios em Timor-Leste foram desencadeados no dia 13 quando o Presidente timorense, José Ramos Horta, designou como primeiro-ministro Xanana Gusmão, do Conselho Nacional para a Reconstrução do Timor Leste (CNRT), e não o candidato da Fretilin, o partido vencedor das eleições de 30 de Junho passado.

Xanana Gusmão dirige uma coalição de quatro formações políticas que controla 37 dos 65 lugares do novo parlamento de câmara única, enquanto que a Fretilin, embora vencedora nas eleições, apenas obteve 21 deputados.

Timor-Leste atravessa uma crise política desde Abril de 2006.

In bid to halt post-election violence in Timor-Leste, UN convenes party leaders

UN News Centre

10 August 2007 – In an effort to end political violence in Timor-Leste, the top United Nations envoy in the small South-East Asian country today brought all political parties together at a meeting where he underscored their earlier agreement to ensure a meaningful role for the opposition and for the opposition to make constructive contributions to parliament.

The 16 party leaders strongly condemned the violence, which has included the burning of houses and government buildings, the vandalizing of schools and the stoning of cars. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative Atul Khare voiced satisfaction that the former governing party FRETILIN clearly reiterated that it would not abandon the parliament.

Mr. Khare has said the violence, which erupted after the announcement of a new Government on Monday, was “regrettably” being committed by people who claim an allegiance to FRETILIN.

He pledged UN support for government efforts to ensure that the security situation improves and that humanitarian aid is provided to mitigate the effects of the violence in the eastern districts of the country, which the world body helped shepherd to independence from Indonesia in 2002.

UN police officers and their international and national counterparts have been fully deployed to try to end the violence following the announcement of the new Government led by former president Xanana Gusmão.

Today’s meeting was the seventh convened by the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) with the aim of providing a space for frank and honest exchanges of information between all the parties that contested the 30 June parliamentary elections, which failed to produce a single outright winner. The party leaders stated that violence should not be used as a mechanism to voice discontent about the formation of the new Government, Mr. Khare noted.

UN police reported that the security situation remained volatile, particularly in Viqueque and Baucau districts to the east of Dili, the capital. They confirmed that 142 houses had been burnt in the two districts since the unrest began. Yesterday in Viqueque there were numerous cases of arson, fighting, stone throwing, and illegal road blocks. In Baucau, there were also several cases of arson and stone throwing. Police made four arrests.

In Dili yesterday, there were several reports of rock throwing and fighting, most of which occurred at night. Police arrested 17 people over the course of the day.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today voiced strong condemnation of the vandalization of schools, learning spaces, and play areas in recent days. “UNICEF is absolutely concerned that children are once again the ones who suffer,” the agency’s country representative Shui-Meng Ng said.

“We urge the adults to consider the future of all their children before they continue their destruction of public properties and create further unrest. Without a safe environment, and without proper classrooms or learning spaces, all your children will be adversely impacted.”

The UN enhanced its peacekeeping and policing roles in Timor-Leste after violence attributed to differences between eastern and western regions broke out in April and May last year, killing at least 37 people and forcing 155,000 others, 15 per cent of the population, to flee their homes.

Guiné-Bissau: Partidos do governo solidarizam-se com Fretilin

Diário Digital / Lusa 14-08-2007 18:22:00

Os três partidos que integram a coligação do governo da Guiné-Bissau manifestaram-se hoje solidários com o povo de Timor-Leste e a Fretilin, vencedora das eleições legislativas mas «preterida» da governação do país.

A posição vem expressa em comunicado divulgado no final de uma reunião de líderes do Partido Africano da Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde (PAIGC), Partido da Renovação Social (PRS) e Partido Unido Social Democrata (PUSD), as três forças políticas que integram o Pacto de Estabilidade, instrumento de sustentação do governo guineense.

No comunicado, os três partidos manifestam solidariedade para com «um país irmão», esperando que o posicionamento do governo da Guiné-Bissau possa ajudar o «martirizado povo» a encontrar uma solução «airosa e digna» para o problema criado com as eleições.
Em relação à decisão do Presidente da República de Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta, de entregar a governação à coligação parlamentar liderada por Xanana Gusmão, os partidos no poder em Bissau afirmam que tal constitui «deixar de lado a vontade» do povo maubere.

A votação verificada nas últimas eleições legislativas de Timor-Leste «reflecte a vontade suprema de uma maioria do povo irmão de Timor» onde o partido vendedor «foi preterido do poder», lê-se ainda no comunicado.

De acordo com os responsáveis dos três principais partidos guineenses, a decisão do Presidente Ramos-Horta está a criar já «alguma instabilidade e perturbação» em Timor-Leste, levando-os a tomar posição por um «sentimento de solidariedade».

Na nota, os três partidos guineenses lembram que têm o dever de manifestar a sua preocupação face à situação em Timor-Leste também pelo facto de a Guiné-Bissau estar a presidir à Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa (CPLP).

A CPLP integra oito países lusófonos: Angola, Brasil, Cabo Verde, Guiné-Bissau, Moçambique, São Tomé e Príncipe, Portugal e Timor-Leste.

FRETILIN apela por protestos pacíficos contra o governo inconstitucional

FRETILIN - Comunicado de Imprensa - 14 de Agosto de 2007

O maior partido de Timor-Leste e vencedor das eleições legislativas de 30 de Junho, FRETILIN, apelou aos seus apoiantes para que não usem violência e protestem de forma pacífica contra a decisão inconstitucional do Presidente Ramos-Horta em convidar o segundo partido mais votado, CNRT, a formar o governo.

No fim-de-semana passado, líderes seniores da FRETILIN visitaram diversos distritos de Timor-Leste para passar uma mensagem de paz.

Os líderes incluíram Estanislau da Silva, Ex-Primeiro Ministro e deputado parlamentar, nos distritos de Dili e Manatuto, José Reis, Primeiro Secretário-geral Adjunto da FRETILIN, nos distritos de Viqueque e Baucau, José Manuel Fernandes, Segundo Secretário-geral Adjunto da FRETILIN, no distrito de Covalima, Ana Pessoa, deputada parlamentar, no distrito de Bobonaro, e José Teixeira, deputado parlamentar, no distrito de Manufahi.

“Os líderes da FRETILIN passaram o fim-de-semana em diversos distritos, pedindo aos nossos apoiantes para que não usem violência e para fazerem protestos pacíficos contra o governo inconstitucional,” disse Arsénio Bano, Vice-Presidente da FRETILIN.

“A posição da FRETILIN, em relação à violência, tem sido sempre clara e não mudou. Qualquer pessoa que use a violência deve ser levado à justiça, independentemente da sua afiliação política,” afirmou Arsénio Bano.

“Iremos visitar os outros distritos que faltam, nos próximos dias, para passar a mesma mensagem aos nossos apoiantes.

“A decisão de José Ramos-Horta foi inconstitucional porque o primeiro partido mais votado, e não o segundo, é que deveria ter sido convidado a formar o governo e ter tido a oportunidade de negociar a passagem do seu programa para o desenvolvimento nacional no Parlamento.
“Se o programa da FRETILIN fosse rejeitado duas vezes, pelo Parlamento Nacional, aí sim o segundo partido mais votado poderia ser convidado a formar o governo.

“Nós explicamos aos nossos apoiantes que a FRETILIN propôs que se formasse um governo de grande inclusão, com um Primeiro-Ministro independente e dois Vice-Primeiro Ministros, um da FRETILIN e outro do CNRT.

“Nós propusemos a formação de um governo de grande inclusão porque a FRETILIN acredita que as eleições demonstraram que esse é o tipo de governo que o povo quer, com os líderes do país a trabalharem em conjunto para trazer a estabilidade à nação.

“Esta proposta obteve o apoio do Presidente Ramos-Horta mas foi completamente rejeitada pelo Sr. Gusmão, que insistiu que ele próprio deveria tornar-se o Primeiro-Ministro e teria a responsabilidade pela defesa e segurança interna, sabendo que o seu partido ficou em segundo lugar nas eleições.

“Muitos dos 75% das pessoas que não votaram pelo CNRT vêm o Sr Gusmão como uma figura divisiva, responsabilizam-no pela crise do ano passado, e estão agora a protestar contra a decisão de nomearem-no Primeiro-Ministro.

“Informamos também aos nossos militantes que não iremos apelar ao Tribunal de Recursos. A formação de um governo inclusivo para trazer a estabilidade à nação é essencialmente um problema político que necessita ser resolvido pelos líderes políticos de Timor-Leste, trabalhando em conjunto.

“Timor-Leste é uma democracia nova, e precisamos promover o sistema judicial como uma instituição independente, e não pô-lo sob extrema pressão política extrema.”

Para mais informações, contacte: Arsénio Bano (+670) 733 9416, José Teixeira (+670) 728 7080, FRETILIN Media (+670) 733 5060
fretilin.media@gmail.com; www.fretilin-rdtl.blogspot.com, www.timortruth.com

Bispo de Baucau condena assalto a colégio salesiano e estupro de estudantes

Rádio Vaticano – 13 de Agosto de 2007, 20.15

Díli – O bispo de Baucau, Timor-Leste, Dom Basílio do Nascimento, Condenou hoje, duramente, a violência em Timor, e exigiu uma investigação completa, e a detenção dos autores do assalto ao colégio salesiano, e do estupro de várias alunas.

"É um momento muito triste, para mim e para a população de Baucau e de todo Timor-Leste, por causa da violência que impera. Ninguém tem respeito pelo próximo como ser humano; comportam-se como animais, por interesses políticos", disse o prelado à agência de notícias espanhola, EFE.

Dom Basílio condenou com dureza o fato ocorrido na última sexta-feira, dia 10, no orfanato e colégio dos salesianos, "São João Bosco", em Baguia, onde algumas estudantes foram violentadas. O bispo denunciou "a atitude irresponsável e imoral de certas pessoas, que destroem e queimam" edifícios públicos e centros religiosos. "As autoridades devem capturar os suspeitos e os autores intelectuais desses atos de vandalismo, levando-os perante a Justiça", acrescentou Dom Basílio.

Os distúrbios em Timor-Leste começaram há uma semana, depois que o presidente do país, o Prêmio Nobel da Paz José Ramos Horta, encarregou o primeiro-ministro, Xanana Gusmão, que representa a coalizão de quatro partidos, de formar um novo governo.

Inicialmente, as desordens foram atribuídos a seguidores da Frente Revolucionária de Timor-Leste Independente (FRETILIN), descontentes pela decisão de nomear Xanana Gusmão como primeiro-ministro. Todavia, o secretário-geral do FRETILIN, o ex-premier, Mari Alkatiri, voltou a reiterar hoje, em Díli, sua condenação à violência, embora reafirmando que "este governo carece de legitimidade para governar". (AF)

A anatomia de um boato. E a Idade Média.

UCAN: Convent girls raped, church property destroyed as new PM takes office
8/13/2007
UCANews (www.ucanews.com)

DILI, East Timor (UCAN) – The Baucau diocese has expressed dismay over the rape of convent girls there and the burning of Church property following the announcement of the appointment of the country's new prime minister.

Father Francisco Pinheiro da Silva, vicar general of Baucau diocese, says that around 2 a.m. on Aug. 10, unidentified men raped about nine girls, one of them only 8 years old and the others 15-17, at the Salesian-run convent school in Baguia subdistrict, 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) south of Baucau.

"Indications show that the brutality and immoral actions were done by Fretilin supporters," said Father da Silva, referring to supporters of the former ruling party.

The vicar general, who handles administrative affairs for the diocese, told UCA News Aug. 13 that apart from the attack on the convent there had been attacks on Church and public buildings. During the three days Aug. 7-9, the diocesan office, the Caritas office, the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) office and a Catholic-run kindergarten were burned down, he said, speaking by telephone from Baucau, 120 kilometers (about 75 miles) east of Dili.

After President Jose Ramos-Horta announced Aug. 5 that he would appoint former president and independence hero Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao as become prime minister, Fretilin party supporters demonstrated on the streets in Baucau and Dili. Baucau is considered a Fretilin stronghold.

Fretilin won the most votes in the June national election, but its 21 seats in the 65-member parliament are far short of the majority needed to form a government outright. Gusmao's party picked up 18 seats, but it later formed an alliance with three other parties to form a parliamentary majority.

Fretilin's leaders are still demanding the right to form the government and claim they will take the matter to court.

The vicar general regretted what he described as the "organized" violence that followed Ramos-Horta's announcement. He said he would urge United Nations peacekeeping forces to find and bring to justice those behind the incidents.

The sacking of 600 soldiers in 2006 by former Fretilin prime minister Mari Alkatiri led to clashes between "easterners" and "westerners" that resulted in more than 20 dead and well over 100,000 homeless in this troubled country of 1 million. Many of the displaced people had returned and relative peace had prevailed up to and through the presidential election on May 9 and the parliamentary election on June 30. The August violence shattered that.

Bishop Basilio do Nascimento of Baucau condemned the brutality of irresponsible people who have burned, raped and destroyed public facilities.

"I'm really sad about the immoral actions of irresponsible people," he told local media on Aug. 12. The bishop said he regretted the actions of "stupid people" who do not accept the political reality.

"I do not accuse anybody, but anyone who is behind those violations must bear responsibility," the bishop said.

According to Father da Silva, second-in-charge of the diocese after the bishop, more than 600 houses were burned down and more than 6,000 people have fled into the jungle. It is reported that three villages in Viqueque district, 185 kilometers (about 115 miles) east of Dili, were burned to the ground, he said.

Baucau district is calm now, he said, but many still live in fear and are traumatized because thousands of people have lost their homes and property.

One laywoman in Baucau told UCA News Aug. 13 that she was sad about the action of apparent Fretilin supporters. Veronica Xemenes, 40, said that these people do not respect the Church and do not have a moral conscience.

"This kind of action can only be considered immoral and communist," she told UCA News. One possible reason for it, she claimed, is the perception of some that the church is supporting Gusmao's party and its alliance in order to bring down Fretilin.

The Fretilin government under Alkatiri was at odds with the church leadership on several occasions, including the matter of religious education in schools, on which the government backed down from a proposal to make this optional.

After breaking away from decades of Indonesian rule in 1999 and formally declaring statehood in 2002, Timor Leste, or East Timor, faces major security, humanitarian and economic challenges. Although it has significant offshore oil and gas reserves, its unemployment rate is about 50 percent.

- - -

Republished by Catholic Online with permission of the Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA News), the world's largest Asian church news agency (www.ucanews.com).

Dos Leitores

Comentário na sua mensagem "Timor-Leste: "Há informações desencontradas sobre ...":

Que estranho o Bispo de Baucau não conseguir falar com o Padre de Bagia (Baucau), quando este foi tão facilmente encontrado para dar entrevistas que correram o mundo com as acusações tão graves de que meninas de 8 anos teriam sido violadas num ataque por supostos membros da FRETILIN.

Não dá jeito desmentir taxativamente, não é Sr. Bispo?

Quanto a Agio Pereira, um especialista em lançar boatos, como os que levaram em plena crise de 2006 ao êxodo de milhares de pessoas de forma a criarem a queda das instituições, não se esperava outra coisa.

Enfim, os vigaristas do costume...

Dos Leitores

Comentário na sua mensagem "Timor-Leste: "Há informações desencontradas sobre ...":

Um padre lançou um boato que Agio Pereira, porta-voz do governo se apressou a espalhar.

Que tal um pedido de desculpas Sr. Agio?

Ou também esteve implicado na "fabricação" do boato?

Ramos-Horta desmente acusações da FRETILIN

Jornal de Notícias, 14/08/07

O presidente timorense, José Ramos-Horta, desmentiu, ontem, as alegações que lhe foram imputadas, anteontem, pela FRETILIN, partido maioritário, de que teria ameaçado de despedimento os funcionários públicos que participassem em manifestações antigovernamentais. Em comunicado enviado ontem à Comunicação Social, o gabinete do presidente da República desmente as acusações da FRETILIN e lamenta que aquele partido, vencedor das eleições legislativas de 30 de Junho, "tenha feito tais alegações (...) sem ter averiguado se teriam alguma veracidade".

As acusações da FRETILIN foram expressas num comunicado de Imprensa assinado pelo vice-presidente, Arsénio Bano, e pelo deputado José Teixeira. No texto, a FRETILIN manifesta ainda a sua disponibilidade para colaborar numa "investigação conjunta sobre a violência" registada nos últimos dias. A onda de violência avolumou-se com a escolha de Xanana Gusmão por Ramos-Horta para liderar o IV Governo Constitucional.

A FRETILIN, apesar de ter vencido as legislativas, elegeu apenas 21 dos 65 lugares do Parlamento, pelo que Ramos-Horta entendeu convidar Xanana Gusmão, indicado por uma coligação pós-eleitoral de quatro partidos, que garante a maioria absoluta no hemiciclo, com 37 assentos.

Depois de Díli, os confrontos estenderam-se ao Leste do país, tendo o incidente mais grave sido referenciado no sábado, em Baguia, junto ao orfanato dos Salesianos, em que uma menor terá sido violada.

A UNPOL, polícia das Nações Unidas, anunciou ontem que o suspeito do crime, um jovem de 16 anos, foi detido anteontem. Basílio Maria Ximenes, superior da ordem dos Salesianos, disse aos jornalistas que cerca de uma centena de timorenses participaram no ataque, afirmando que algumas alunas da escola foram violadas. "Estas pessoas, maioritariamente jovens, que consideram freiras e a Igreja Católica os seus inimigos, não só violaram as minhas alunas mas danificaram e destruíram a escola", disse. Atul Khare, chefe da missão da ONU em Timor-Leste, condenou o ataque, afirmando que qualquer pessoa considerada culpada deste tipo de crimes terá de responder perante a Justiça. O ataque foi um dos incidentes que marcaram os últimos dias no Leste do país onde já foram detidas dezenas de pessoas, destruídas cerca de centena e meia de casas e várias infra-estruturas públicas e privadas.

ONU detém suspeito de violação em Timor

Público, 14.08.2007
Jorge Heitor
Jovem de 16 anos teria violado uma rapariga de 11 num orfanato mantido pelo convento salesiano de Baguia, em Baucau

A polícia das Nações Unidas e a de Timor-Leste anunciaram ontem ter detido um rapaz de 16 anos que é suspeito de ter violado, sexta-feira, uma rapariga cinco anos mais nova, aluna de um orfanato anexo ao convento salesiano de Baguia, no distrito de Baucau, parte oriental do país.

O representante especial do secretário-geral das Nações Unidas na cidade de Díli, Atul Khare, anunciou
que o suspeito ficará ao cuidado das autoridades judiciais, tendo sublinhando que "tais casos necessitam ser fortemente condenados".

A falta de segurança tem sido nas últimas semanas uma constante em parte do território timorense, designadamente nos distritos de Viqueque e Baucau, mas ontem não houve notícia de grandes incidentes, tendo-se vivido ainda no rescaldo dos incidentes da semana passada junto ao convento de Baguia.

Nas últimas 24 horas, duas viaturas da ONU foram apedrejadas perto do aeroporto de Díli, a capital, e um polícia ficou ligeiramente ferido, tendo sido detido um suspeito, a juntar a algumas dezenas de detenções efectuadas desde há uma semana.

Durante uma reunião que houve domingo em Baucau, a segunda cidade do país, a direcção da Fretilin, de Mari Alkatiri, avisou os seus militantes e simpatizantes de que os regedores das aldeias serão responsabilizados por qualquer acto de violência que se saiba ter ocorrido nas áreas sob a sua tradicional jurisdição.

No mesmo dia, em Viqueque, outros quadros do partido vencedor das legislativas de 30 de Junho pediram ao eleitorado descontente por não se ver representado no novo Governo que se comporte com civismo, acatando os conselhos que têm vindo a ser dados pelo Presidente, José Ramos-Horta, e pelo primeiro-ministro que este designou fez ontem uma semana, Xanana Gusmão.

A polícia da ONU, a sua congénere timorense e a Força Internacional de Estabilização, essencialmente constituída por australianos e neozelandeses, têm procurado controlar a situação, avisando toda a gente de que não deve viajar de noite para as zonas onde tem havido tumultos.

Devido à agitação com que em algumas zonas do país foi acolhida a tomada de posse do Governo de Xanana, milhares de pessoas das aldeias de Afaloicai, Babulo, Macadique, Matahoi e Uatamae, no distrito de Viqueque, fugiram para as montanhas, onde tanto existem florestas como grutas. Só na primeira daquelas povoações foram incendiadas 112 residências.

Também da área de Veninale, no mesmo distrito, fugiram mil pessoas, depois de meia centena de casas ter ficado destruída, segundo os dados fornecidos por organizações humanitárias.
O representante da ONU declarou que serão as autoridades judiciais de Timor a encarregar-se do adolescente.

Xanana's future

The Jakarta Post
Editorial August 14, 2007

There is little want to compare Indonesia's first President Sukarno with Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, because they are incomparable, but it is sometimes hard to resist examining the two legendary leaders side by side.

Xanana could follow Sukarno's despondent fate if the Timor Leste independence fighter ignores the wisdom which requires a leader, no matter how strong or popular, to know when to leave the stage.

After proclaiming Indonesia's independence in 1945, Sukarno served as the country's president until 1967, following an abortive coup blamed on the communists.

Sukarno's great contribution to his nation as an independence pioneer is unquestionable, but he humiliated himself by refusing to fade away while he was still at the height of his popularity.

No one wants Xanana to repeat Sukarno's failure. Although it may be too early to draw such a conclusion, it is not impossible Xanana will be imprisoned by the power he already holds.

Xanana is a legendary independence warrior. People chanted "Viva Xanana," when the 1999 referendum resulted in a landslide win for East Timor independence from Indonesia. His party, Fretilin, later dominated the legislative council of the newly born country.

When the United Nations declared Timor Leste a new independent state in 2002, the majority of voters chanted Xanana's name as they saw him become their first president.

At that time Xanana said boastfully he would prefer pursuing a new career as a professional photographer when his term expired in 2007.

Arguing he had no real power as a president, Xanana then announced his intention to take the position of prime minister when he completed his five-year term earlier this year. He believed as a prime minister, who controls the day-to-day government administration, he would have the opportunity to realize his dream and make Timor Leste a prosperous, peaceful and democratic nation.

Xanana abandoned Fretilin to lead the CNRT. Fretilin beat CNRT but failed to retain its majority in the parliament.

As soon as President Ramos Horta declared Xanana a new prime minister, riots erupted, and many youths demanded Xanana resign. There are clear indications Xanana has already lost the popularity he enjoyed in the past. Many often call his name using a disrespectful tone.

But Xanana's ambition to bring prosperity to his nation deserves international respect. He has five years to prove to his people he has taken the prime ministerial post not for the power but because of his want to rescue his young nation from the trap of poverty.

After forming his cabinet, Xanana is expected to run the government at high speed, because with its rich natural resources, there is a great chance for the young country to grow and get rid of poverty, its most dangerous enemy.

With Ramos Horta as the president and with the support of other political parties, Xanana's government is expected to remain strong and stable.

But his people are still trapped in abject poverty and they will not have the same patience and endurance they displayed five years ago.

The international community, including Indonesia, needs to provide much more assistance to this tiny nation -- at least until it is eventually able to make some gains from the oil and gas sector.

Hopefully, this time Xanana will stick to his ambitions. And if this happens, when he ends his term as prime minister in 2012, Timor Leste will have become a much better nation. Then Xanana can say, "Mission accomplished," before he lets the younger generation take the lead.

Timor-Leste Civil Unrest OCHA Situation Report No. 4

Timor-Leste Civil Unrest
OCHA Situation Report No. 4
13 August 2007

Summary Analysis
- 323 houses have been reported burnt so far and 53 damaged in Viqueque and Baucau districts.

- At least 4,000 persons are reportedly displaced at the moment in Viqueque and Baucau districts.

- Relief items from the Government of Timor-Leste are currently being delivered in the area.

SITUATION

1. Civil unrest has been occurring in connection with the announcement of the new government on the 6th of August 2007 following the 30th of June parliamentary elections.

2. Viqueque and Baucau districts are most affected, while some incidents have also occurred in Dili, Manufahi, and Oecussi districts. The overall security situation in Timor-Leste during the last 24 hours has remained tense, particularly in Viqueque and Baucau districts, although there were no reports of major security incidents. United Nations Police Officers (UNPol) in conjunction with the national police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) and the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) remain fully deployed.

3. In Viqueque, around 270 houses have been burnt by violent groups since 6 August. Several villages have been severly damaged in Watulari sub-district, while villages around Viqueque town have also been affected. The functioning of public transport and schools has been disrupted and food, water and medical supplies are becoming short on the market. Road travel within and between the districts of Baucau and Viqueque remains restricted at the moment due to security concerns especially after the ambush on a UN convoy on 10 August.

4. In Baucau district, 53 houses have been destroyed this week in Venilale and Quelicai subdistricts. On 6 and 7 August, government, church, UN, and NGO facilities in Baucau district had been burnt or attacked. The functioning of schools, public transport, and markets have been disrupted. On 10 August, an orphanage in Baguia was reportedly attacked, a girl raped, and the orphanage and a primary school building damaged. A 16-year-old boy was arrested. 34 arrests have been made during the last two days for public disturbances, arson, illegal road blocking, and possession of illegal weapons.

HUMANITARIAN CONSEQUENCES

5. At least 4,000 persons are reportedly displaced at the moment in Viqueque and Baucau districts. The displaced persons stay in the mountains around the affected areas, and in convents, schools and compounds that are considered safe. 323 houses have been reported burnt so far and 52 damaged in Viqueque and Baucau districts.

6. Schools and shops are closed, public transport is disrupted. Health services are functioning normally. Access to the facilities is believed to be hampered by security concerns.

7. Today, the Government of Timor-Leste sent a convoy of 15 trucks carrying Government food and non-food relief items to Baucau and Viqueque districts. The humanitarian assistance will be delivered to Watulari sub-district,Viqueque and Uatocarabau town in Viqueque district, and to Venilale in Baucau district. The convoy is escorted by 30 soldiers of the national army F-FDTL. 34 civil servants of the Ministry of Social Solidarity are accompanying the convoy and will further assess the humanitarian needs.

8. The Government is planning to brief the international humanitarian community on Thursday, 16 August, regarding the distribution of relief items and assessment. At the same time, the Government will consider a potential request for international assistance to its relief effort.

9. On 12 August, 4.7mt of rice, as well as noodles, and cooking sets from the Government of Timor-Leste were delivered by United Nations helicopter to Viqueque town and Uatucarbau for internally displaced persons gathering there.

10. OCHA is in close contact with the national and international humanitarian aid organizations, the Government, the UN Country Team and UNMIT in Dili and will revert with further information as it becomes available. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.

Dos Leitores

Comentário na sua mensagem "Vítimas do próprio sucesso":

I am an Australian and I am reading a book by an Australian, J. Gert Vondra, Timor Journey, 1968. He writes:

Only one thing saved the Portuguese from complete expulsion from the East Indies: their enlightened and practical theory of racial integration. Afonso de Albuquerque, a Portuguese Royal wrote in the decades after the 1500, at a time when Dutch and English and not to mention Spanish excesses were ravaging the new world, and not so new world of Africa and Asia, "Colonies are not mere possessions to be exploited, together with their native inhabitants for the advantage of the colonising power. They are to be regarded as extensions of Portugal and the object to be aimed at , is that those who live in them, whatever their colour, should feel and believe themselves to be Portuguese; enjoy the same liberties and inspired by the same ideals, upholding the same traditions and governed by the same constitution. In such a conception, colour is nothing more than an accident."

I wish those who had found my land, Australis, would have been sp enlightened....but alas....I am left instead to listen to the incessant qinging and moaning from the Ex Pat Australian community in Dili about the Portuguese. The same racism their forefathers showed is exactly the reason they do not like the Portuguse as well. The Australians really feel superior to all fo you foreigners who are here in Timor-Leste....only they have the right to rule this country.

Monthly UNDP Justice System Programme Newsletter. Highlights of this Edition:

Assistants to Public Defenders Graduate from Training CourseOn July 27, 12 assistants to public defenders graduated from the first training course that was held since April. The ceremony took place at the Public Defender’s Office, providing an opportunity for relevant authorities and donors to visit its facilities.

New CTA for the Justice ProgrammePlease join us in welcoming Mr. Claudio Santorum, the new Chief Technical Adviser for the Justice System Programme who has assumed his duties as of the end of July.

Court of Appeal releases Statistical DataThis month, the Court of Appeal published the compiled data from all district courts during the period of 2000-2006. The data comprises of criminal and civil cases.

Independent Mid-Term Evaluation MissionThe revised UNDP Justice System Programme was launched in January 2006 with an expected duration of 3 years, and has now reached its half-point.