UNMIT Daily Media Review - Wednesday, 26 September 2007

National Media Reports:

TP - Timor Post; DN - Diario Nacional; STL - Suara Timor Lorosae; RTTL - Radio e Televisao de Timor-Leste

UN rejects amnesty for criminals, says Jose Luis Guterres

Vice Prime Minister José Luis Guterres said that the UN does not disagree with the Truth and Friendship Commission (CTF); the UN just disagrees with some articles of the CTF that talk about amnesty, because criminals have to submit themselves to justice.

"I saw their statements which said that they do not agree with the article concerning amnesty, but it is the position of the UN that the CTF is a bilateral thing between Timor-Leste and Indonesia, and that seeking the truth is part of justice," said Mr. Guterres. (DN)

UN medal award for the members of the Chinese police

Ten UNPol contingents from China who joined the UN mission in Timor-Leste were awarded medals from UN.

The medal ceremony held in the Embassy of China in Farol, Dili, was attended by the Acting SRSG, Eric Tan, and the UNPol Commissary Rodolfo Tor.

In his speech, Ambassador Su Jian said that from 1999 until now China has deployed 300 police across the country.

"The UN recognizes and awards medals to these ten police officers for their good work in the area of security in 13 districts," said Rodolfo Tor, the UNPol Commissioner.
"During hard times, China has never closed its eyes to the people of Timor-Leste since 1999 - the medals for the ten police are recognition of this hard work," said the Acting SRSG Eric Tan. (DN)

Nelson Correia: Fretilin's position not destructive

Nelson Correia, MP from Social Democratic Party (PSD), said that the position of Fretilin insisting that the Alliance government is unconstitutional and illegitimate is not a destructive statement, but constructive.

According to Mr. Correia, the statement of Fretilin is a warning for the Alliance government that they should work better than the previous government.

Furthermore, Mr. Correia said that is not so important who governs this country; the important thing is to normalize the situation and see that the East Timor does not belong to the Alliance or Fretilin. (DN)

Julio Thomas Pinto: it's the decision of the parliament to send back ISF or not

The State Secretary for Defence, Julio Thomas Pinto said that the decision to send back the International Stabilization Forces (ISF) should be the decision of the national parliament following approval by MPs.

'I think any withdrawal of the ISF from Timor-Leste is for national parliament or for other sovereignty organs of the state to decide," said Mr. Pinto.

The secretary of state also said that at the present the ISF is working on good relations with F-FDTL by providing training to help professionalise the Timorese Defence Force. (DN)

David Dias: Alfredo has the right to choose place of his cantonment

David Dias Ximenes, MP from Fretilin, said that Alfredo has the right to choose the place for his cantonment, such as Ossu sub-district of Viqueque district.

"I only need to say that as a citizen of the country he has the right to choose a place of cantonment for the dialogue. But given his status now, he has no freedom to choose a place of cantonment; his status for the present is that he should responsible to the law," said Mr. Dias Ximenes.

According to Mr. Dias, as a prisoner used to finding his way out of prison, Alfredo should take accept the place of cantonment as that determined by the government, whether Ermera or Suai. (STL)

***

UNMIT - Security Situation - Wednesday 26 September 2007

The security situation in Timor-Leste has been generally calm, but disturbances continue in the Bebonuk neighbourhood of Dili.

Earlier today in Dili, UNPol attended five incidents, including two incidents of rock throwing: one in Comoro, and one in Matadoro. Police, including Formed Police Units (FPUs), brought both situations under control. One UN vehicle sustained minor damage in the process.

Separately, at around 08:30hrs, approximately 35 people armed with sling shots and arrows attacked the community living near Bebonuk primary school. A Formed Police Unit responded swiftly and dispersed the attackers, and there were no reports of any injuries.

On Tuesday in Dili, police used four cans of teargas whilst attempting to control a group of approximately 50 people who were fighting in Bebonuk. A 12-year-old boy sustained minor injuries in the fight and was taken to Dili Hospital.

Also on Tuesday in Dili, police received a report of a critically ill newborn baby in Atauro. The international security forces (ISF) were contacted, and they sent a helicopter to the island to bring the baby and its mother back to Dili hospital. The baby is reported to be in a stable condition.

On Tuesday in Bobonaro, police arrested three suspects in a case of assault and attempted robbery that took place on Sunday, 23 September.

On Tuesday in Ermera, a house was set on fire in the sub-village of Riheu. All eleven occupants of the house managed to escape unharmed. Police have identified a suspect in the case, who is thought to be mentally ill.

The Police advise to avoid travelling 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.

Trial commences in case relating to the shooting of PNTL members that occurred in 2006.

JSMP - 26 September 2007
09/18/2007

On 18 September 2007, the Dili District Court opened the trial in the case relating to the shooting of members of the National Police Force (PNTL) which occurred in front of the Ministry of Justice on 25 May 2006, at a time when Timor Leste was in crisis.

This case was one of the cases recommended by the International Commission of Inquiry, so it was given serious attention by the international community as well as the wider community in Timor Leste, as it was one of a series of incidents that occurred during the crisis that have been classified as serious crimes.

The trial was attended by a huge number of people, and consequently the Dili District Court (operating out of the Court of Appeal) organized additional measures such as stringent security during the hearing. However we are quite concerned about the presence of F-FDTL’s members in military uniform who were on full alert and fully armed.

Before the hearing commenced the translator announced that during the hearing all people present should turn off their mobile phones and the court clerks conducted a check to make sure that no witnesses were present in the court room. However closer examination revealed that a witness from the F-FDTL named Major Maukalu was actually present. After being informed by the prosecution unit that he was one of the witnesses who would be summoned by the court to provide testimony about the shooting incident, Major Maukalu and his colleagues refused to accept this information and he protested because he believed that the court had not provided any notification that he would be summoned as a witness. Major Maukalu was adamant that he would remain in the court room. However, the lawyer Arlindo Dias Sanches approached him and explained the relevant procedure. Thereafter Major Laukalu was willing to remove himself from the court room.

After these matters had been cleared up, Judge Ivo Nelson Rosa Batista de Caires (International Judge), Judge Hugo Perdal (International Judge) and Judge Antoninho Goncalves (National Judge) entered the court room to start the hearing, however after the presiding judge conducted a check to see if all of the defendants were present in the hearing, it became evident that one of the F-FDTL members was absent. There should have been 12 defendants, namely 11 F-FDTL members and one Police Inspector.

Considering that one of the F-FDTL members who was a defendant in this matter had failed to attend the hearing, the presiding judge decided to discontinue the hearing in accordance with Article 253.1 of the Timor Leste Code of Criminal Procedure which states that “the defendant’s presence at the hearing is compulsory, except as otherwise stated in the law” and decided to continue the trial at 9:30am on 20 September 2007 at the Dili District Court (operating out of the Court of Appeal).

JSMP accepts that this decision was made in accordance with Article 253.1 of the Criminal Procedure Code, and the decision issued by the presiding judge should be respected and observed because the aforementioned article gives full authority to the presiding judge to adjourn the hearing in this matter.

JSMP fully respects the members of the F-FDTL who appeared at the court to give support to their colleagues who are defendants in this case, however JSMP regrets that some members of F-FDTL were unwilling to be searched by the police who were providing security for this trial, and some members of the F-FDTL where fully armed and providing security in a manner that was far too excessive. Things like this should not occur because everyone is same in the eyes of the court, and members of the community could see that they were trying to place pressure on the judicial actors, especially recalling that the hearing was being attended by the families of the victims who have been severely traumatized.

JSMP also recommends that members of the F-FDTL who attend the trial should respect all court procedures, such as allowing themselves to be searched before entering the court room, just like everyone else, in order to avoid setting a bad example, because the community know that this institution is in the process of positive reform after the 2006 crisis. JSMP also hopes that F-FDTL will demonstrate to every one else that the negative perceptions held by the wider community towards them are not accurate.

For further information, please contact: Roberto da Costa Pacheco; Email: bebeto@jsmp.minihub.org; Coordinator of Legal Research, JSMP

Alternative Public Hearing to respond to TFC Hearing

ETAN - 25 September 2007
This invitation and program, as well as photographs from the civil society demonstration outside the Truth and Friendship Commission hearing in Dili on September 25, 2007, are at http://www.laohamutuk.org/Justice/TFC/07PhotosCVADemo.html

Audensia publika alternativa hasoru CVA nia audensia

Organized by FONGTIL Secretariat with Members: HAK ASSOCIATION, FOKUPERS, FTM, ESPADA, HCTL, KATILOSA, KSUTL, GFFTL, MBC-TL, HAPOTI, JSMP, CARITAS AUSTRALIA, LAO HAMUTUK, LUTA HAMUTUK, INCLUDES ICTJ, ETCRN, ANTI and FRONT MAHASISWA TIMOR LESTE
Timor Leste - Indonesia

Verdade e justica mak dalan ba amizade
Truth and justice is the road to friendship
Dates: 28-29 September 2007
Hours: 8:30 am to 17:00
Place: Canossian Sisters Meeting Room, Becora, Dili

[Tetum follows after English below, schedule of alternative hearing follows after that.]

With Respect,
We all know that despite Timor-Leste falling into a long crisis in 2006 and 2007, the Truth and Friendship Commission (TFC) held Public Hearings in Denpasar and Jakarta, Indonesia. Some Timorese victims and witnesses were invited to give testimony at these hearings. In attendance were former pro-Autonomy supporters and Indonesian generals, who also gave testimony.

According to Timor-Leste civil society’s observations, “Indonesia said that the TFC public hearings are an event. They claim to look for the truth, but they give space for the Indonesian generals who to defend themselves and deny their responsibility for human rights violations in Timor-Leste in 1999. Even worse, they allege that the human rights violations in Timor-Leste are the responsibility of the pro-independence side and the United Nations. This shows that the TFC Public Hearings have become a place to promote and nurture impunity. Timor-Leste civil society thinks that TFC has become a threat to future Justice and Friendship between Timor-Leste and Indonesia.

TFC is a bilateral institution which the Presidents of Timor-Leste and Indonesia created in 2005. TFC’s presence brings debates for and against within the Timor-Leste and Indonesia communities, in the face of the international community. Until today, the UN itself does not give support to the TFC. And civil society in Timor-Leste and Indonesia also do not support the presence of TFC.
TFC plans to organize a Public Hearing in Dili, on 25-27 September 2007.
In order to create balanced information about human rights violations in Timor-Leste in 1999, we from Timor-Leste civil society are organizing an Alternative Public Hearing to respond to the TFC hearing. For these reasons, we would like to invite you to participate in this alternative hearing.
This hearing is open to the public; please bring friends and members of your family.
Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Dili, 24 September 2007,
Organizers:
-----
Loron : 28 ­ 29 Setembru 2007
Fatin : Aula Susteran Canosiana Becora/Dili
Horas : 08.30 ­ 17.30

Organizador:
Edio Saldanha Borges, Alliance for International Tribunal ANTI; Ph:7284602 Email: kadiuk@yahoo.com
Jose Caetano Guterres, East Timor Crisis Reflection Network (ETCRN): Ph: 7253877 mailto:infoetcrn2006@yahoo.com

Program for the Alternative Public Hearing
First Day (Friday, 28 September)
08.00 - 09.00 Registu Bainaka / Participants Registration
09.00 - 09.15 Bemvindo ho Organizadora / Welcome by organizers
09.15 - 09.35 Diskursu Abertura Hosi Bispo Diocese Dili/Opening Remarks by the Bishop of Dili
Sasin/Testimony
09.35 - 10.00 Panelista sira hola fatin iha oin/Panel in the front
10.00 - 10.30 Sasin hosi Jose Nunes, Sobreviventes iha Masakre Liquica 1999/Testimony by Jose Nunes, Survivor of Liquica Massacre 1999
10.30 - 10.45 Snack
10.45 - 11.15 Sasin hosi Atina, Sobreviventes iha asaun oho iha Polres Maliana 1999/Testimony by Atina, Survivor of killings in Maliana Police Station 1999
11.15 - 11.45 Sasin hosi ILIGIO, Sobreviventes iha Masakre Igreija Suai 1999/Testimony by Iligio, Survivor of Massacre in Suai Church 1999
11.45 - 12. 25 Sasin hosi Flaviano, Sobreviventes iha asaun oho iha Ermera 1999/Testimony by Flaviano, Survivor of killings in Ermera 1999
12.25 - 13.00 Sasin hosi Malewe Guera, Sobreviventes iha Asaun Oho iha Lospalos 1999/
Testimony by Malewe Guera, Survivor of killings in Lospalos 1999
13.00 -14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 14.30 Sasin hosi Ilidia da Silva, Kaben Saudoso Mahudo, 1999/Testimony Ilidia da Silva, widow of Patriotic Mauhudo, 1999
14.30 - 15.00 Sasin hosi Agung Putri, ELSAM / Testimony from Agung Putri, Elsam, Indonesia
15.00 -15.15 Snack
15.15 - 15.45 Sasin hosi Annan no Haris, Kontras/ Indonesia Testimony from Kontras/ Indonesia
15.45 - 14.30 Konferensia ba imprensa / Press conference
Second Day (Saturday, 29 September)
08.00 - 09.00 Regista Bainaka / Partisipantes / Registration
09.00 - 09.30 Panel hola Fatin iha Oin / Panel took place in the front
09.30 - 10.00 Sasin hosi Sr. Riak Leman / Testimony from Riak Leman
10.00 -10.15 Snack
10.15 - 10.45 Sasin hosi Charles Scheiner, IFET / Testimony from Charles Scheiner, IFET
10.45 - 11.30 Sasin hosi Ego Lemos / Testimony from Ego Lemos
11.30 - 12.30 Diskusaun Panel Kona ba Verdade no Justisa mak dalan ba Amizade entre Timor Leste ho Indonesia / Panel discussion on Truth and Justice the road to friendship between Timor Leste and Indonesia
12.30 - 14.00 Lunch no Preparasaun ba enceramento / Lunch and preparation for closing
14.00 - 15.00 Diskursu Enceramento hosi Presidente Parlamento Nacional / Closing Remarks by the President of National Parliament
15.00 - 15.30 Konferensia ba Imprensa / Press Conference
TOR (ENGLISH)

Preface
As we know, although victims and society in Timor-Leste, Indonesian and the international community and the UN do not support the existence of the Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF), but the leaders of the two nations continue with the CTF process. Also we don’t know exactly about what CTF has been doing, but we hear that large amounts of public money have been spent on the CTF’s work.

Despite this, we hear that the CTF held four public hearings in Jakarta and Denpasar in Indonesia. Our observations during these have been that the CTF’s public hearings do not function well to reveal the truth and promote general principles and values of human rights, but function mainly as an opportunity for people to defend themselves and manipulate facts about violations of human rights in Timor-Leste. The CTF has especially used the public hearings to promote impunity. Finally, we also have heard that the CTF will also hold a public hearing in Dili from 25 to 27 September 2007.

For this reason victims and Timorese NGOs will stand to defend truth and promote general principles and values of human rights, especially about how to establish justice in Timor-Leste. This is part of the struggle for legal justice through mechanisms which are based in credible international legal standards, economic justice through efforts to give reparation to victims, and social justice through recognition and rehabilitation of the dignity of victims. Consequently, the victims and Timorese NGOs want to organize an Alternative Public Hearing to oppose the CTF public hearing in Dili.

General Topic

Truth And Justice The Way To Friendship For Timor Leste And Indonesia
General Principles

Establish justice for violations of human rights in Timor-Leste 1999

1. Respect for the dignity of victims
2. The public hearing’s objective is to seek the truth and promote human rights education
3. To stopped circle of impunity
4. Therefore the alternative public hearing must comply with the following criteria:
· Listen to the voices of victims of human rights violations from all parties in Timor-Leste
· Clarify factors which caused the occurrence of human rights violations in Timor-Leste
· Give an opportunity to the testimony of victims, the UN, 1975 partisans, resistance groups and Indonesian human rights activist to clarify policies and decisions from the past which impacted on the human rights violations which occurred.
· Learn from past violations of human rights to ensure that they will not occur again in our lives or in the future.
· Facilitate progress from conditions in which people are scared and traumatized to conditions which are open and in which past violations of human rights can be learnt from and discussed without fear.

Objectives

Aims of this Alternative Hearing against CTF was:

6. Create balance information about facts of Human Rights Violations in Timor Leste 1999.
7. Remind Timorese and Indonesia leaders that friendships is very important but don’t forget that Truth and Justice is the only road to achieve friendship.
8. Remind UN to maintain their responsibility to bring actors of crimes against humanity in Timor Leste 1999 to International Tribunal.
9. Remind Timorese sovereign institution to debate on Chega! (final report of CAVR) and to take efective space fo implementation of recommendations and important values of Chega!.
10. To reafirm that as an integral parts of society in Timor Leste we are not accept the presence of CTF which have spents big amount of budget but it has no benefits for survivers and Family of victimsin the country.

Activities - Public Hearing

The Alternative Public Hearing will be held 28-29 September 2007. The hearing will be held in the former UNAMET complex or in the STP-CAVR (tentative).
Alternative Public Hearing activities will composed of:
Exhibition of photographs and documents of human rights violations in Timor-Leste for the period 1975-1999

b. Hearing of testimony from:
· Representatives of victims of human rights violations in Timor-Leste
· Representatives of Pro-Independence Resistance Groups (Falintil)
· Representatives of Pro-Indonesia Partisans from 1975
· Representatives of KPP-HAM and Indonesian activists
· Representatives of the UN from the UNAMET mission to give accurate clarification information about violations of human rights which happened in Timor-Leste in 1999.
Criteria For Choosing Witnesses For Alternative Hearing
· People who indeed want to give their testimony
· Competent (not mentally impaired) and able to speak for themselves clearly in public
· Experience as a representative – there are many victims who also have this sort of experience but perhaps haven’t had an opportunity to give testimony
· Testimony or information which is presented is credible and has a basis in fact.
Panelists
In order to best facilitate the Alternative Hearing the organizers will choose five people who will act as Hearing Panelist.
Participants
Organisations which work with victims and families of victims
People who have given testimony in the public hearings in Indonesia
NGOs and victims from Indonesia
NGOs in Timor-Leste
Youth organisations and women’s organisations
Political parties
Religious organizations
Universities and schools
Government
Parliament

Presidente de Timor-Leste agradece apoio dos Açores

Acores.Net - 26 Setembro 2007

O Presidente da República Democrática de Timor-Leste considera que o apoio português, e em particular o dos Açores, tem sido “vital” para que “o Estado e o Povo Timorense possam desenvolver as suas actividades diárias, sarar as suas feridas, estabilizar as instituições e viver diferenças políticas de modo sustentável e equilibrado”.

Numa carta dirigida a Carlos César, presidente do Governo dos Açores, José Ramos Horta, sublinha, também, “os laços fraternais e a amizade” que unem açorianos e timorenses.
Na missiva, o recém-eleito Presidente de Timor-Leste expressa, igualmente, “votos de sucesso e prosperidade para o Povo Irmão da Região Autónoma dos Açores”, reafirmando a sua determinação em prosseguir numa “caminhada de liberdade e de construção da Nação Timorense”.

Os Açores, representados pelo Presidente do Governo, foram a única região do mundo presente nas cerimónias da Independência de Timor-Leste, realizadas em Maio de 2002.

Ex-chefe de milícia de Timor-Leste acusa a Indonésia pelas desordens de 1999

Tradução da Margarida:

26 Set 2007 09:46:27 GMT
Fonte: Reuters
Por Tito Belo

DILI, Set 26 (Reuters) – A Indonésia foi responsável pelo derramamento de sangue que rodeou a votação da independência de Timor-Leste em 1999, disse um antigo chefe de milícia pró-Jacarta à comissão criada para investigar a violência numa audição na Quarta-feira. Milícianos pró-Indonésios entraram numa fúria violenta antes e depois da votação patrocinada pela ONU que pôs fim a 24 anos de governação de Jacarta na antiga colónia Portuguesa.

A Comissão da Verdade e Amizade (CTF), que foi criada pela Indonésia e Timor-Leste para promover a reconciliação entre os dois vizinhos, está a realizar a volta final de audições esta semana em Timor-Leste para tentar estabelecer a verdade acerca do derramamento de sangue.

Jhony Marques, que foi condenado a 33 anos de prisão por um tribunal de Timor-Leste, disse que o presidente da Indonésia nessa altura, B.J. Habibie, e o seu ministro chefe da segurança General Feisal Tanjung deviam ser responsabilizados pela violência.

"Todas as políticas foram determinadas pelo governo central e pelo chefe militar em Jacarta," disse à comissão Marques, que liderou o grupo de milícia Alfa .

"Por isso as autoridades, especialmente o presidente da Indonésia e Menkopolkam (ministro chefe da segurança), devem ser responsabilizados pelos homicídios em Timor-Leste," disse. "Não é justo se nós enfrentamos a justiça mas pessoas chave que eu mencionei estão livres."

Marques disse que ordenou aos seus homens para atacarem uma caravana de freiras e um padre no distrito de Lospalos em 1999 e admitiu que estava drogado na altura.

Oito pessoas foram mortas e 300 mulheres foram assaltadas sexualmente em ataques separados pelos seus homens e outros milicianos, disse ele.

Na Terça-feira, um antigo chefe de distrito disse à comissão que antes da votação lhe tinha sido pedido por dois generais Indonésios que eram ministros do Gabinete em 1999 para montar uma milícia para defender a integração.

"Fomos convidados pelo Ministro da Informação Yunus Yosfiah e ele disse-nos que a Indonésia daria financiamento e armas aos que apoiassem a integração," disse Tomas Gonsalves.

Alegou também que o então ministro da transmigração, Abdullah Hendropriyono, que mais tarde se tornou chefe da agência nacional de informações, ofereceu dinheiro do seu ministério para financiar a criação de um grupo de milícia.

As Nações Unidas estimam que cerca de 1,000 Timorenses foram mortos quando milícias pró-Indonésias entraram numa fúria antes e depois do território ter votado a separação da governação de Jacarta.

Entidades oficiais Indonésias têm dito à comissão que apenas cerca de 100 pessoas foram mortas. As milícias, apoiadas por membros das forças armadas Indonésias, destruíram também a maioria das infraestruturas de Timor-Leste.

Críticos dizem que a comissão não tem dentes porque lhe falta o poder para punir os que concluírem ser responsáveis por abusos.

Predominantemente católico, Timor-Leste tornou-se totalmente independente em Maio 2002 depois de 2-½ anos de administração da ONU que se seguiu aos 24 anos da ocupação Indonésia.

E.Timor ex-militia chief blames Indonesia for 1999 mayhem

26 Sep 2007 09:46:27 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Tito Belo

DILI, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Indonesia was responsible for the bloodshed surrounding East Timor's independence vote in 1999, a former pro-Jakarta militia chief told a commission set up to investigate the violence at a hearing on Wednesday. Pro-Indonesian militiamen went on a violent rampage before and after the U.N.-sponsored vote that ended 24 years of Jakarta rule in the former Portuguese colony.

The Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF), which was set up by Indonesia and East Timor to promote reconciliation between the two neighbours, is holding a final round of hearings this week in East Timor to try to establish the truth about the bloodshed.

Jhony Marques, who was sentenced to 33 years in prison by an East Timor court, said that Indonesia's president at the time, B.J. Habibie, and his chief security minister General Feisal Tanjung should be held responsible for the violence.

"All policies were made by the central government and the military chief in Jakarta," Marques, who led the Alfa militia group, told the commission.

"So the authorities, especially the Indonesian president and Menkopolkam (chief security minister), must be responsible for the murder in East Timor," he said. "It is not fair if we face justice but the key persons that I mentioned are free."

Marques said he ordered his men to attack a convoy of nuns and a priest in Lospalos district in 1999 and admitted that he was on drugs at the time.

Eight people were killed and 300 women were sexually assaulted in separate attacks by his men and other militiamen, he said.

On Tuesday, a former district chief told the commission that before the vote he had been asked by two retired Indonesian generals who were cabinet ministers in 1999 to set up a militia to defend integration.

"We were invited by Minister of Information Yunus Yosfiah and he told us that Indonesia would give funds and weapons to those who supported integration," Tomas Gonsalves said.

He also alleged that then-transmigration minister, Abdullah Hendropriyono, who later became the chief of the national intelligence agency, offered money from his ministry to fund the creation of a militia group.

The United Nations estimates about 1,000 East Timorese were killed when pro-Indonesia militias went on a rampage before and after the territory voted to break away from Jakarta rule.

Indonesian officials have told the commission that only about 100 people were killed. The militias, backed by members of the Indonesian army, also destroyed most of East Timor's infrastructure.

Critics say the commission is toothless because it lacks the power to punish those found responsible for abuses.

Predominantly Catholic East Timor became fully independent in May 2002 after 2-½ years of U.N. administration that followed 24 years of Indonesian occupation.

Funding Indonesia’s Abusive Military

In These Times
September 26, 2007

Despite numerous human rights abuses, the United States continues to pump money into the Indonesian military under the guise of the war on terror

By Ben Terrall

Share Digg del.icio.us Reddit Newsvine Counterterrorism” has become Indonesia’s latest slogan for avoiding military reform while simultaneously strengthening its apparatus of repression. In return for its loyalty in the war on terror, the Bush administration has side-stepped congressional concerns of military abuses in Indonesia.

Amnesty International observed in its 2007 country report: “The majority of human rights violations by the security forces were not investigated, and impunity for past violations persisted.” These included two cases in which the National Human Rights Commission submitted evidence in 2004 that security forces had committed crimes against humanity.

A May report from the Center for Public Integrity’s International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) concluded that the Indonesia military (TNI) is one of the largest recipients of post-9/11 military assistance. In fact, from 2002 to 2005, Indonesia was the largest recipient of the Pentagon’s Regional Defense Counterterrorism Fellowship Program (CTFP). The ICIJ also noted that under CTFP the TNI was receiving tutelage on “Intelligence in Combating Terrorism” and “Student Military Police Prep.”

Ed McWilliams, political counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta from 1996 to 1999, and now an independent human rights advocate, says, “While TNI impunity for abuses and corruption remain a problem throughout the archipelago, it is particularly acute in West Papua. In a real sense, the post-Suharto democratic transition never transpired in West Papua, where the military and police continue to employ terror, torture and extrajudicial killing to enforce Jakarta’s rule.”

In 1969, West Papua was incorporated into Indonesia through the threat of force. Not much has changed. On July 5, Human Rights Watch reported, “Both army troops and police units … continue to engage in indiscriminate village ‘sweeping’ operations in pursuit of suspected militants, using excessive, often brutal, and at times lethal force against civilians.”

On August 16, the Indonesian paper Cenderawasih Pos, reporting on anticipated demonstrations in West Papua calling for self-determination, quoted Col. Burhanuddin Siagian as saying that the TNI “will not hesitate to shoot on sight” pro-independence activists. In 2003, the U.N.-backed Serious Crimes Unit in East Timor issued two indictments which stated that Siagian made similar speeches threatening to kill independence supporters and was responsible for the deaths of seven Timorese men in April 1999. The group Human Rights First noted that human rights activists from Papua were threatened after meetings in early June with a visiting U.N. human rights official.

“[T]he TNI in West Papua is fueling sectarian strife by recruiting largely Muslim migrants to form paramilitaries loyal to Jakarta’s rule,” says McWilliams. “It is also creating Papuan militias along the lines of those it created to devastating effect in East Timor. As in the past throughout the archipelago, the TNI aims to generate communal tensions in West Papua as a justification for maintaining its presence and for continuing to exploit the region’s vast natural resources.”

The East Timor and Indonesia Human Rights Network (ETAN) and its allies in Congress, such as Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), have pushed several provisions in the new Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2764). The measures require that the administration report that Indonesia has made progress in human rights and military reform before $2 million in military assistance to Jakarta is released. Though not as tough as legislation passed following a 1991 massacre in East Timor, the new language puts on record a dissent from the Bush administration’s policy of blanket support for the TNI. Still, McWilliams argues, more is needed.

“The fate of real military reform and possibly the success of the democratic transition in Indonesia depends very much on the U.S. Congress’ willingness to insist on real reform, especially to push for genuine civilian control of the military and an end to TNI impunity,” he says. “Democrats must understand that an unreformed TNI, one that— supports and has helped create fundamentalist Islamic militias inside Indonesia, cannot be a credible partner in the so-called ‘war on terror.’ The U.S. Congress should heed the voices of human rights defenders in Indonesia and refuse to bankroll TNI criminality, abuses and impunity.”

Comissão da Verdade indonésia «promove a impunidade» acusam manifestantes

Notícias Lusófonas
26.09.2007

Uma coligação de organizações e cidadãos timorenses manifestou-se hoje contra a primeira audiência pública em Timor-Leste da Comissão da Verdade e Amizade (KKP) indonésia, considerando que o actual processo "promove a impunidade".

"Só estão a promover a impunidade e a promover generais indonésios que cometeram crimes contra a humanidade", declarou o responsável do Centro de Documentação da antiga Comissão de Acolhimento, Verdade e Reconciliação timorense (CAVR), José Caetano.

A KKP foi criada entre a Indonésia e Timor-Leste para analisar os acontecimentos violentos no território em 1999.

As audiências em Díli prolongam-se por três dias, nas antigas instalações da CAVR, na Comarca de Balide, uma antiga prisão colonial associada à repressão e à tortura.

José Caetano, funcionário do secretariado técnico pós-CAVR, e outros activistas timorenses ouvidos pela Lusa criticaram o facto de o primeiro-ministro, Xanana Gusmão, ter testemunhado perante a KKP à porta fechada, na segunda-feira.

José Caetano recordou que Xanana Gusmão testemunhou em público perante a CAVR, cujo mandato se estendeu de 2002 a 2005.

"Desta vez, se chamaram audiência ao seu testemunho, devia ter sido pública também. Em segundo lugar, não acredito que houvesse informação sensível que explicasse o segredo", acrescentou José Caetano.

"Deve ter sido um testemunho político", disse.

José Caetano salientou que, como membro da CAVR, ouviu "milhares de vozes das vítimas", ao longo de mais de oito mil entrevistas feitas pela Comissão timorense sobre os 24 anos de ocupação indonésia.

"Muita gente chorou neste local, que foi um sítio de tortura e sofrimento" e, por isso, José Caetano e outros activistas recusaram-se hoje a entrar na Comarca de Balide.

"Os líderes falharam com a Justiça e estão a brincar com as vítimas e com o passado", acusou também o documentarista da CAVR.

"Estão a mentir ao povo. Não reflectem sobre o passado nem sobre a História de Timor-Leste", denunciou.

"O povo contribuiu para a verdade. Os líderes não. Apenas vão para onde sopra o vento", declarou ainda José Caetano.

"Parece-me que é uma discriminação contra as vítimas" da violência, considerou Charles Scheiner, um dos responsáveis da organização timorense La'o Hamutuk.

"Xanana Gusmão escolheu testemunhar à porta fechada enquanto que as vítimas, que são as mais vulneráveis, falam sempre em público", comentou Charles Scheiner.

O responsável da La'o Hamutuk afirmou que "as audiências da KKP são completamente irrelevantes".

"A KKP não está a fazer nenhuma investigação nova, está só a usar investigações anteriores. Os testemunhos de Habibie (ex-Presidente indonésio) e Wiranto (ex-comandante das Forças Armadas Indonésias) e os outros, são mentiras. Como podem surgir revelações?", interroga Charles Scheiner.

José Caetano recordou que o relatório final da CAVR, "Chega!", entregue ao Parlamento em 2005, não teve seguimento na Justiça.

"Depois da independência, os timorenses esperavam ter Justiça. Não concordo com os líderes quando dizem que a independência é uma espécie de Justiça", disse.

"Nós precisamos de justiça, não de amnistia para os culpados na Indonésia ou em Timor-Leste", declarou José Caetano.

"Sem verdade e Justiça, não há amizade" entre os dois países, concluiu.

"É óbvio pelo seu mandato e pelo seu desempenho que a KKP não é um mecanismo credível para a procura de justiça nem sequer da verdade sobre os acontecimentos em Timor-Leste em 1999, muito menos entre 1975 e 1999", acusou, em Maio, uma coligação de mais de 30 organizações timorenses e internacionais.

"Desde a sua criação, a KKP tem muitos problemas, incluindo falta de legitimidade, ausência de qualquer método claro para análise de provas existentes sobre a violência de 1999, sérias deficiências nas audiências públicas, falta de transparência e clareza", acusou a carta aberta, assinada por várias das organizações que hoje se manifestaram na Comarca de Balide.

Sócrates leva Timor às Nações Unidas

TVI
2007-09-25 19:34
Assembleia-Geral da ONU

O presidente da UE diz ainda que a Europa está preparada para assumir responsabilidades no Kosovo.

José Sócrates, presidente em exercício da União Europeia (UE) frisou, esta terça-feira, que a União Europeia está preparada para assumir responsabilidades no Kosovo e pediu mais meios para as missões das Nações Unidas. Bruxelas quer ainda a erradicação da pobreza e a consolidação de Timor-Leste.

Discursando perante a 62ª Assembleia-Geral das Nações Unidas, na qualidade de presidente em exercício da UE, Sócrates abordou as principais questões da agenda da política externa europeia.

De acordo com a Agência Lusa, o Primeiro-ministro português referiu-se a prioridades da presidência, como a cimeira UE/África e o processo de autonomia do Kosovo.

Ao longo de 13 páginas, o chefe do Governo português defendeu o primado do Direito internacional, do multilateralismo e das Nações Unidas para a resolução das grandes questões globais, de carácter ambiental ou político.

Em relação à erradicação da pobreza, Sócrates manifestou apoio a missões das Nações Unidas e da União Africana em palcos como o Dafur, no Chade Oriental e no norte da República Centro Africana. Em relação ao diferendo no Kosovo, o presidente em exercício da UE preconizou uma solução «política abrangente, democrática e multi-étnica».

Sócrates deixou ainda mensagens em defesa de um tratado internacional contra a proliferação de armas e de uma convenção global contra o terrorismo.

O Primeiro-ministro pediu o apoio da comunidade internacional à consolidação de Timor-Leste enquanto Nação, «para que a paz não se confunda com o período entre duas guerras».

Dos Leitores

Comentário na sua mensagem "Dos Leitores":

Este comentário acima é profundamente violador da verdade dos factos. Rogério Lobato nunca em tempo algum tentou sair do país durante o processo judicial.

Quem escreveu só pode estar toldado pela impotência desumana de quem reflecte estar ressabiado.

Rogério Lobato só pecou por ser aquilo que sempre foi: impulsivo e ingénuo o quanto baste.

Rogério Lobato está doente, muito doente. Só quem tem mau fundo poderá acusar este cidadão timorense de pretender fugir à justiça. Aliás, Rogério Lobato poderia ter feito simplesmente aquilo que os protegidos de XG e RH fizeram: fugir da prisão. Hoje estaria em posição negocial? Não não estaria pois nunca serviu os interesses do seu compadre RH e jamais se ofereceu ao australianos.

Rogério poderia ter simplesmente ter feito o mesmo de Reinado e não o fez!

Poderia, Rogério Lobato, ter agido como Railós e Paulo Fátima Martins. Não o fez!

Rogério Lobato poderia tudo, mas não o quis! Hoje, depois de um golpe de Estado mal disfarçado, é dos poucos cidadãos exemplares de Timor-Leste. Já RH e XG não poderão dizer o mesmo.

Já agora, a actual ministra da Justiça, aquela que no estrangeiro se intitulava de presidente da Associação dos Advogados Timoresenses e da Ordem dos Advogados, foi uma das principais finaciadoras das bastas tentativas de criar instabilidade no país ao tenpo do primeiro governo constitucional.

Macau, através de célebres UDT's ali ainda residentes, e de outros bem abastados, tem a prova de como essa senhora, hoje ministra, ali pedia dinheiro para financiar manifestações em troca de "uma Nova Ordem" que traria benefícios a quem desse uma ajudinha financeira.

Em suma, ou em resumo: não há verdade que se esconda quando tem como capa a mentira!

A nobel-arte de fazer política

Blog Timor Lorosae Nação - Terça-feira, 25 de Setembro de 2007
Malae Belu

Timor-Leste estava entregue antes de ser "independente"

Quando Henry Kissinger foi galardoado com o prémio Nobel da Paz o mundo esfregou os olhos de pasmo e dúvidas sobre se não estaria a dormir e somente a ter um pesadelo. Mas não, nada disso, era mesmo verdade. Alfredo Nobel, na tumba, dava voltas e reviravoltas, incrédulo, por saber que aquele seria um dos últimos indivíduos do planeta a merecer tal honraria.

Verdade já era que os galardões nobeis sempre contiveram critérios muito dúbios e que só por ignorância ou interesses seria possível dispensar-se grande importância aos galardões.

O caso de Kissinger foi só mais um, mas como ele sempre foi um homem de guerras, de absoluta sintonia com a negra mortandade das ditaduras da América Latina, dos massacres do Médio Oriente, dos cadáveres da Ásia, de África e do apartheid… aconteceu definitivamente caírem as paredes na lama do prémio criado pela vontade de Nobel.

Mas, se quiséssemos, não tínhamos de nos admirar de as coisas serem assim: um pouco antes o mundo tinha chegado à conclusão que um Secretário-Geral da ONU, Kurt Waldheim, tinha pertencido à Gestapo de Hitler e tinha sido um pró-activo nazi!

Face á constatação destes casos, recordados ao acaso, de entre tantos outros, facilmente devemos chegar à conclusão de que a política é muito porca e conspurca tudo e todos que a ela se entregam, que dela não se saibam distanciar vendo-a como um elemento nocivo e prejudicial à humanidade enquanto a sua prática for de rendição incondicional aos interesses económicos dos mais fortes.

Desconhece-se se Xanana Gusmão alguma vez conteve inteligência para equacionar e saber distanciar-se da esponja política em que se transformou – uma esponja vulnerável a partir do cansaço da luta de muitos anos de sofrimento no mato, que acabou por preferir o sossego e conforto de uma cela em Cipinang.

As honras já lhe foram proficuamente feitas e os prejuízos estão mais que retribuídos pelos timorenses de então e de agora.

Mas se, no caso de Xanana, é possível admitir que a sua perversão política se deve à falta de espaço no seu contentor cerebral – até por inércia natural – o mesmo não acontece com José Ramos Horta.

Nada no passado de Horta ocultou a sua ambição para assumir lugar de líder e de animal político.

Testemunhas disso serão todos que o podiam ouvir durante horas, quotidianamente, desde a sua juventude.

Ramos Horta é um político consciente, auto formativo e, posteriormente, com a possibilidade de se introduzir, conviver e aprender, num emaranhado de personagens sonantes da política internacional que em Horta somente sempre viram futuros barris de petróleo.

Para ele isso não importou nada porque soube aproveitar muito bem as lições que ao longo de tantos anos teve oportunidade de usufruir.

Sem pretender ilibar Xanana Gusmão – até porque tem a culpa de não querer ter culpas – só não sabe quem não quer que Ramos Horta foi e continua a ser o contentor cerebral de Xanana Gusmão para as coisas da política, o que faz do actual Presidente da República de Timor-Leste a mente da eminência parda que passou incólume pela crise de 2006 mas que estava por dentro dela como esponja dentro de pote de leite e mel.

Ramos Horta é realmente um animal político que sabe para onde está a conduzir o seu país e Xanana só o está a secundar, muitas vezes a dar a cara e a fazer grandes borradas que com tempo são sabiamente corrigidas.

Outro elemento que tem vindo a ter influência no rumo que Timor-Leste está a ter é Kirsty Sword – em perfeita sintonia com Horta. Foi prova o seu protagonismo na crise de 2006, tendo partido a loiça que lhe competia e recatando-se posteriormente, sendo também prova disso a influência do seu feminismo na composição do governo AMP.

Ramos Horta foi laureado com o prémio criado por Alfredo Nobel por motivos político-económicos, porque pela paz ele pouco ou nada podia fazer. Foi laureado in extremis, quando já se adivinhava a queda do ditador Suharto e já se estava a fabricar o líder Xanana nas instalações de Cipinang. Na política, pelo menos na sabida política, tem de se andar sempre vários passos à frente.

E depois, a quem se entregaria Timor-Leste? Como seria possível ter a certeza de que o país ficaria em “mãos amigas”, que permitissem o controle das riquezas naturais assim como do rumo de conveniência a tomar?

Timor-Leste antes de ser “independente” já estava entregue. Horta e Xanana sabem-no, isso ficou implícito a partir do momento em que receberam as mordomias e se miscigenaram com os que devastaram as vidas de milhares de timorenses, com os que ficaram indiferentes aos massacres e no quintal das traseiras olhavam para o lado e extraiam petróleo e gás do Mar de Timor.

Neste momento eles só têm de cumprir o acordo que é implícito neste tipo de relações e esforçar-se um pouco por aparentarem viver em democracia.

Aliás, na política, estas práticas até são democráticas.

Traidores? Vendilhões?

O que é que é isso! Conceitos antigos, é o que é!

Somente Nobel-Arte de fazer política.

UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING - Monday, 25 September 2007

"UNMIT assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the articles or for the accuracy of their translations. The selection of the articles and their content do not indicate support or endorsement by UNMIT express or implied whatsoever. UNMIT shall not be responsible for any consequence resulting from the publication of, or from the reliance on, such articles and translations."

National Media Reports

Fretilin condemns ISF threats on Fretilin supporters

Fretilin’s MPs strongly condemned the actions of International Stabilization Forces (ISF) towards Fretilin’s supporters in the Lete-Foho sub-district of Ermera.

Mr. Antoninho Bianco, Fretilin MP, confirmed that the ISF – together with language assistance – conducted a door-to-door operation looking for Fretilin supporters.

“The ISF is acting the same way the Indonesian military did during the resistance. What is the ISF doing in Timor-Leste – guaranteeing security or pressuring Fretilin?” said Mr. Bianco.

The Secretary-General of Fretilin stated that the ISF is not impartial; it pressures Fretilin supporters while supporting other parties. (TP, DN and STL)

Xanana testifies before CTF

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao today (25/9) will testify before the Indonesia-East Timor Truth and Friendship Commission. The public hearings will take place during the next three days - Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday - in Dili.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao will testify behind closed doors on what he knows about the unrest that led to East Timor's vote to separate from Indonesian rule in 1999.

“As the commander of the guerrillas and CNRT at that time, I will give my testimony to the CTF on the 1999 incidents. I was in jailed in Indonesia and the statement I will give will be based on the information I had at that time.” said Mr. Xanana on Monday (24/9). (STL, DN and TP)

CTF discriminates against the families of perpetrators and victims

CTF which was established by Indonesia and Timor-Leste in 2005 to expose the truth on human rights violations in Timor-Leste during the incidents of 1999 is seen to be discriminatory towards the perpetrators and the victims in the manner in which the testimonies are given.

Unlike others, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, former President of Indonesia, BJ Habibie and President José Ramos Horta were allowed to give their testimonies behind closed doors.

A joint report dated 24 September by fourteen NGOs highlighted this discrimination by the CTF, saying that these ‘closed door’ hearings only benefit the government representatives and allow for impunity for the human rights violations.

“These procedures prove that the CTF does not follow the laws and international human rights principles, even though UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in his report of July 26, 2006 to Security Council called on the CTF to be credible and transparent,” remarked the report.

The report calls on the governments of Indonesia and Timor-Leste to stop these hearings and to just implement the recommendations made by the CAVR (The Commission of Truth, Friendship and Reconciliation). (STL and DN)

UNMIT - Security Situation - Tuesday 25 September 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 has been generally calm.

Earlier today in Dili, UNPol attended nine incidents, including a disturbance in Balide High School at around 08:30hrs. One teacher sustained minor injuries to his face, and will be lodging a complaint with the police against several students from the school. Police also attended a protest against the Commission of Truth and Friendship that took place outside of the CAVR office. About 50 people took part in the protest, which remained peaceful.

On Monday in Dili, police arrested five people, two for possession of a weapon, two for assault and one for rock throwing.

In Same on Monday evening, a group of approximately six people threw rocks at three UNPol vehicles after blocking the road to prevent them from passing. One UNPol officer fired a warning shot whilst attempting to disperse the group, who were reported as being drunk. Another UNPol officer also sustained a minor injury to his leg. Police are investigating.

The Police advise to avoid travelling 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.

Reunião do Conselho de Ministros de 24 de Setembro de 2007

REPUBLICA DEMOCRATICA DE TIMOR-LESTE
IV GOVERNO CONSTITUCIONAL
SECRETARIA DE ESTADO DO CONSELHO DE MINISTROS

COMUNICADO À IMPRENSA

O Conselho de Ministros reuniu-se extraordinariamente esta Segunda-feira, 24 de Setembro, na Sala de Reuniões do Conselho de Ministros, no Palácio do Governo, em Díli, e aprovou a Proposta de Lei do Orçamento Geral do Estado para o período transitório de 6 meses (Julho a Dezembro 2007).

O Governo elaborou uma Proposta de Orçamento Geral do Estado para dar resposta às necessidades operacionais, no período transitório compreendido entre Julho e Dezembro de 2007, bem como para dar resposta a necessidades urgentes que possam surgir neste período, relacionadas com o restabelecimento da segurança, o tratamento da questão dos deslocados internos e o estabelecimento dos gabinetes dos membros do Governo.

O total estimado de despesas do Orçamento Geral do Estado é de USD $ 108,303 milhões a ser afectado da seguinte forma:

• USD $ 19,485 milhões para Salários e Vencimentos;
• USD $ 71,201 milhões para Bens e Serviços;
• USD $ 2,964 milhões para Capital Menor;
• USD $ 4,739 milhões para Capital de Desenvolvimento;
• USD $ 9,914 milhões para Pagamentos de Transferências Públicas.

As receitas não petrolíferas estão estimadas em USD $ 22,50 milhões sendo o restante financiado directamente a partir da Conta do Tesouro do Estado.

Dili, Palácio do Governo, 24 de Setembro de 2007.

Protests mark Indonesia-ETimor vote hearing

AFP
25.09.2007
7 hours ago

DILI (AFP) — Protesters called Tuesday for the disbanding of an Indonesia-East Timor commission looking into violence surrounding East Timor's 1999 independence vote, demanding justice for what happened.

The Indonesia-East Timor Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF), which has no prosecution powers but is aimed at reconciliation, had just opened a hearing when about 70 protesters held a noisy rally outside.

"We want justice," chanted members of student and rights groups as about 100 security personnel stood on standby.

"There is no tolerance for anyone intending to eradicate justice," read one banner, while another said: "Justice should go through the courts, not through compromise."

The commission, modelled along the lines of South Africa's post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission, is aimed at determining what happened during the August 1999 UN-backed ballot.

The United Nations has strongly criticised the CTF and refused to send any of its officials to testify at several rounds of hearings, saying those guilty of rights violations should face justice.
"This hearing session is quite special, not only because it is the first time it is being held in Dili... but also because this will be the last public hearing held by the commission," said Benjamin Mangkudilaga, the Indonesian co-chairman of the commission.

The hearing will continue throughout this week.

East Timor and Indonesia, which ruled the former Portuguese colony for 24 years, set up the CTF in 2005.

In the 1999 vote the East Timorese voted in favour of breaking away from Indonesia, leading to serious violence blamed on militias backed by the Indonesian military. About 1,400 people were killed and much of the nation's infrastructure was deliberately destroyed.
East Timor's leaders have taken a largely conciliatory stance towards Indonesia since then, arguing that good relations with its giant and more powerful neighbour are crucial to its future.

Dos Leitores

H. Correia deixou um novo comentário na sua mensagem "US$18 Million Aid For Timor-Leste": Resposta à nota de rodapé:

"ADB will provide a US$3 million grant"

Acho que esta frase diz tudo. Preparem-se os timorenses para depois pagar a dívida... com juros.

Quanto aos milhões, até poderiam ser triliões. Se o dinheiro bastasse para resolver a miséria, os EUA não teriam pobres. Se o dinheiro bastasse para criar "thousands of jobs", não haveria desemprego nos países do 1º mundo, a começar pela Austrália.

Portanto, resta saber para onde vai tanto dinheiro, sabendo que não há memória de um único "infrastructure project" ter sido apresentado pelo actual Governo de TL.

É que, julgava eu, primeiro fazem-se e orçamentam-se os projectos. Depois é que vem o financiamento, e não o contrário.

A não ser que lá no estado de Victoria seja diferente...

Dos Leitores

H. Correia deixou um novo comentário na sua mensagem "East Timor fears Lobato may dodge jail":

Lúcia Lobato e "The Age" estão muito preocupados sobre se Rogério Lobato vai voltar a TL ou não.

É estranho tanta preocupação com um homem que não fugiu quando teve que enfrentar o tribunal e acatou a sua pena.

Em contrapartida, ainda é mais estranho que não haja idêntica preocupação com Reinado e outros foragidos à justiça há mais de ano, com o beneplácito do PGR, do PR, do PM, da ONU e das forças australianas.

Uns são filhos e outros são enteados. A bem da igualdade de todos os cidadãos perante a Lei, espero sinceramente que RL não volte a TL e peça asilo político na Malásia ou noutro país qualquer.

É que uma coisa é cumprir a Lei, mas outra coisa é alguém ser o bombo da festa devido à sua ingenuidade, enquanto outros - os espertos - se riem na sua cara.

FORMER premier Steve Bracks will not appear before the Parliamentary inquiry into the state's gaming licences.

Herald Sun
Ellen Whinnett
September 13, 2007 12:00am

Mr Bracks has written to Parliament advising that he was concerned about the precedent it would set.

The committee had asked Mr Bracks to appear before it to respond to claims from witnesses that he had discussed the future of the gaming industry with former Labor minister David White -- who was employed as a lobbyist by Tattersall's.

Mr White will appear before the Upper House committee on Monday.

He will be questioned on what he told Tattersall's board members about discussions that took place at a barbecue he had with Mr Bracks at his beach house at Lorne.

In a letter to the committee yesterday, Mr Bracks said he would not accept the invitation to appear.

His move sets off another round of legal bickering, with the Upper House committee, dominated by Opposition MPs, expected to meet to discuss whether to issue a summons to Mr Bracks to appear.

There is conflicting legal advice about whether he can be forced to appear.

The former premier, who resigned on July 27, said the same immunity that existed when he was premier still existed now that he had retired.

The Government and Mr Bracks are both relying on advice that says members of the Lower House cannot be forced to appear before Upper House committees.

"I was (and remain) accountable and responsible to that House of Parliament alone for the performance of my functions as premier," Mr Bracks said in his letter.

"The Select Committee has already acknowledged that the independence of the both houses of parliament means that a committee of one house cannot claim, much less exercise, any authority over a member of the other house.

"This immunity must continue after a person has ceased being a member, otherwise the purpose of the immunity -- to preserve the independence of the houses -- would be defeated."

Mr Bracks also said "executive privilege", as claimed by the Government, also meant be could not appear.

Opposition gaming spokesman Michael O'Brien said Mr Bracks was "hiding behind the skirts of executive privilege".

"He is effectively saying the discussions he holds with David White over a barbecue and a bottle of red at Lorne are the subject of executive privilege," he said.

"I'm surprised Mr Bracks has not taken the opportunity to clear his reputation which is being damaged by evidence given, under oath, by independent witnesses."

Bracks refuses to front gaming inquiry

ABC Radio
PM - Monday, 17 September , 2007 18:42:00
Reporter: Samantha Donovan

MARK COLVIN: A parliamentary inquiry into the awarding of gaming licences in Victoria has been told that the former premier, Steve Bracks, did not break tender rules and intervene in the process.

Former Victorian minister turned lobbyist, David White, rejected the evidence of former Tattersalls trustee, Peter Kerr, that Mr Bracks had discussed the licences with him and his colleagues.

But the State Opposition says it's got the documents to prove impropriety. Steve Bracks is refusing to appear before the inquiry to answer questions.

Samantha Donovan reports.

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: Former Victorian premier, Steve Bracks, had a relatively scandal-free eight years in office. But one allegation continues to hang over him, that he intervened in the process for awarding a state gaming licence. An Upper House select committee inquiry into the probity of gaming licensing in Victoria is now underway.

And today the Hearing Room was packed with parliamentarians, staffers and journalists eager to hear what former Labor Minister and Tattersall's lobbyist, David White, had to say about Mr Bracks' conduct.

Earlier this month, former Tattersalls trustee, Peter Kerr, told the inquiry that Mr White helped to arrange a meeting between Steve Bracks and Tattersalls in 2003, and that Mr Bracks discussed licences at the meeting, which he has always denied.

Mr Kerr also gave evidence that Mr White boasted to the trustees that he discussed the licences at a dinner with Mr Bracks in 2003, and that Mr Bracks made it clear to Mr White that the company should list publicly if it wanted to win future gaming licences.

It's claimed Mr White then passed that view onto Tattersall's trustees. Mr Bracks has denied this in Parliament. Today, David White told the inquiry that there was no discussion of Tattersalls at his dinner with Mr Bracks in the coastal resort of Lorne in 2003. He says their conversation was limited to property prices, their families and architecture.

DAVID WHITE: The function I had with the Premier was an excellent social occasion and there was no discussion about any matter related to Tattersalls or any other client. During the lottery tendering process, we had no discussion with any Cabinet minister, advisor or public servant about any matter related, to do with Tattersall's and the lottery tendering process.

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: Mr White also denied Mr Kerr's earlier testimony that Steve Bracks had discussed gaming licences with the Tattersall's trustees in 2003. Mr White told the inquiry the trustees had been told if they raised the issue of gaming licences with the Premier, they'd never seen him again.

During the hearing this morning, Mr White consistently referred to Mr Bracks as a Labor Party colleague. But when questioned by the committee members and reporters afterwards, Mr White was unable or unwilling to divulge when he'd last spoken to Mr Bracks.

REPORTER: Mr White, when was the last time you spoke to Steve Bracks?

DAVID WHITE: He is a wonderful Labor colleague.

REPORTER: But Mr White, when is the last time you contacted Steve Bracks?

DAVID WHITE: He is an excellent Labor colleague.

REPORTER: So, you won't tell us when the last time you had contact with Steve Bracks?

DAVID WHITE: He is an excellent Labor colleague.

REPORTER: Why is that Mr White, why can't…

DAVID WHITE: It's ok. He is an excellent Labor colleague.

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: Opposition gaming spokesman, Michael O'Brien, was critical of Mr White's testimony.

MICHAEL O'BRIEN: We saw today, from Mr White, was a litany of denials in the face of documentary evidence, and a series of character assassinations against witnesses who dared to tell the truth that wasn't convenient to Mr White and this government's view of the world.

We have got minutes that have been confirmed by the trustees that David White was telling them they needed to float. David White was telling them the way to do business in Victoria is to tell the Premier what you want on a piece of paper.

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: Labor committee deputy chair member, Matt Viney, says the inquiry is a witch-hunt.

MATT VINEY: We've now heard from 17 witnesses before this select committee, and not one of them has presented any evidence that anything improper has occurred.
MARK COLVIN: The Victorian Labor MP, Matt Viney, ending Samantha Donovan's report.

Continuamos à deriva ou já fomos ao fundo?

Blog Timor Lorosae Nação - Segunda-feira, 24 de Setembro de 2007
Alfredo Ximenes

Quando acabar a esperança o que virá?

Os anúncios displicentes formulados pelo PR e pelo PM relacionados com as contratações de figuras que somente vêem em Timor-Leste mais uma oportunidade de enriquecerem depauperando-nos estão a causar uma compreensiva contestação por parte de imensos timorenses que se dizem estar a ficar bastante desiludidos com o presidente e com o primeiro-ministro.

A agravar a imagem destes dois mais altos responsáveis pela normalização e desafogo do quotidiano dos timorenses está a inoperância e o “nada fazem” de que já tanto se fala.

Na lentidão característica de Xanana Gusmão e de Ramos Horta – que é lesto em viajar – tudo está por resolver e nem sequer um esboço existe para a solução dos mais de cem mil desalojados existentes por todo o país.

Segundo consta, o Presidente Horta teve o cuidado de mandar limpar e reparar algumas ruas de Dili, afectadas pelos imensos distúrbios que tanto tempo duraram. Mas para além disso quase mais nada se viu.

Naturalmente que é caso para perguntar se compete a um Presidente da República tratar de assuntos que dizem respeito aos serviços urbanos. Será que um PR não tem outro tipo de afazeres, outras obrigações – como, por exemplo, apressar a que o governo implemente medidas de efectiva recuperação com vista ao melhoramento do estado da nação e bem-estar dos timorenses. Medidas de índole social que solucionem o caos em que as crianças de Dili vivem, assim como pelo resto do país? A subalimentação que vitima muitos timorenses? As más condições em muitos dos nossos velhos sobrevivem? E mais, muito mais?

Em vez disso, aquilo a que assistimos é conversa, mais conversa e só conversa.

Horta acorda e anuncia: hoje tomei uma medida, vou mandar limpar a capital, ou… “a captura de Reinado está congelada”, ou… vou ter um consultor de boa governação e democracia…

Xanana acorda e diz: “o português será a língua oficial de Timor” – para português ouvir e largar os cordões à bolsa - ou… vou ter um consultor com capacidades excepcionais que até é australiano, velho amigo, e está sem fazer nada…

Evidentemente que isto não passa de um exagero para caracterizar o pouco ou quase nada que Horta e Xanana têm feito e que está a justificar plenamente as críticas que os estão a visar.

Nem vale o tempo, ou as palavras, argumentarem que estão nos cargos há pouquíssimo tempo, porque essa não será válida e a decepção está a instalar-se justificadamente.

O sentimento existente nas ruas, casas e famílias é de que “eles apanharam-se no Poder e agora pouco farão ou nada”.

O sentimento é de que estamos à deriva num país que merecia muito melhor e que devia ser governado por verdadeiros patriotas, não por aqueles que procuram satisfazer os seus egos, as suas contas bancárias e de amigos, sentindo-se “o máximo” sobre as cabeças de centenas de milhares fartos de ter esperança mas mais nada.

Quando acabar a esperança e se desfizerem os desenganos, induzidos por Horta e Xanana, o que virá?

Provavelmente já fomos ao fundo e ainda não demos por isso.