UNMIT Daily Media Review

Tuesday, 19 September 2006

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

Protest Re-Scheduled

The planned organized protest by FNJP for September 20 has been postponed and will take place at another time if the demands of the group are not met, said the Secretary General of FNJP Vital dos Santos. According to Vital dos Santos, the group’s priority will be to speak to the government and the National Parliament and present the four main demands, which he refused to reveal, saying it is related to the concerns of the current situation. Dos Santos said if there is a solution following the meetings, the protest will be cancelled, adding, some members of the government, concerned with the current situation, called the meeting with his group.

In the meantime the coordinator of Unidade Joventude, Transparensia e Justisa (UJTJ), João “Choque” da Silva said his group totally rejects the planned protest by FNJP with its aim of dissolving the National Parliament. According to Da Silva, the protest would not be conducive with the actual situation or help to resolve the problems that have emerged. He agrees that the protest would be more appropriate to push for improvements in the judiciary system but not to dissolve the Parliament or change the government, adding time is of the essence to resolve the problem and it cannot be accomplished overnight. The Coordinator of UJTJ said protests should not be used with the intention to disintegrate the nation. He appealed to all the youth not to become victims of political interests.

In relation to talks of protest for September 20, Minister of Interior, Alcino Barris said his ministry had not received a request, noting that without an authorization a protest will not take place. (STL, TP, DN)

Dissolution of Parliament Would Not Resolve Problems: Lu’Olo

President of the National Parliament, Francisco Lu’Olo Guterres said the dissolution of Parliament will not resolve any of the current problems; on the contrary, it would aggravate the crisis. Lu’Olo said the protest in the month of June following burnings, looting and killing of some people was to pressure Mari Alkatiri to step down in order to stop the crisis but it still continues. He said the best solution would be for everybody to reflect, sit together and find a solution to safeguard the nation rather than dissolve the Parliament. The President of the Parliament said as per the Constitution of RDTL anyone is entitled to protest provided they obey the rule of law. (STL)

Elections Preparations

Political parties are gearing up for the 2007 elections. According to the media, Partido Democratica Cristão (PDC) is holding preparations at the grass root level in the districts. Antonio Ximenes, President of PDC said part of his party program is to provide political education to its members.

President of ASDT, Xavier do Amaral said his party is holding a national congress in its headquarters in Lecidere, Dili on September 23. Pending the security situation, each district is scheduled to send 34 delegates, totaling about 400, the numbers of members expected for the congress. But Xavier Amaral said some districts might send only 10 members due to financial and logistical problems. (STL, DN)

National Dialogue

Around 150 participants from 13 Districts left Dili on Monday to participate in the National Dialogue in Oecussi. Aurelio Ribeiro, the National Dialogue Organizing Committee said the participants are from various organizations from the districts as well as organizations that used to be part of the resistance like Ojetil, religious organizations, student movements and about 10 friends from Indonesia. Ribeiro said one of the objectives of the dialogue is to cultivate trust between the students and the youth from the 13 Districts, to clear the issue of Loro Monu, LoroSae and to provide a solution to help resolve the crisis of the nation ultimately strengthening peace and national unity in the country. STL reported that Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta would participate in the dialogue, which will conclude on September 25. (STL)

Population Should Not Listen To False Information: Hasegawa

During his official visit to Ainaro on Monday (18/9) SRSG Sukehiro Hasegawa appealed to the population of that district not to listen to false information as it would be harder to overcome the crisis. He appealed to the population to continue working to put an end to the crisis that emerged a few months ago. SRSG Hasegawa stressed that the population must work together to strengthen peace and unity. In return, the population of Ainaro asked Hasegawa to help find ways to resolve the political crisis. They expressed concerned with the PNTL institution and want it to be reorganized and stronger in future. On the same occasion, UN Acting Police Commissioner, Antero Lopes also showed photos of Becora Prison escapees and asked them to contact police if any of the escaped inmates are sighted in the area or if anyone has any information on the whereabouts of the escapees, including Major Aflredo. (STL)

China Donates 500 Tonne oF Rice (DN)

Popular Republic of China donated around 500 tonnes of rice to the government of Timor-Leste to help the vulnerable people and victims of natural disasters. The donation was officially presented to the Minister of Labor and Community Reinsertion Arsenio Bano on Monday(18/9). According to China’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Su Jian, his government has been providing food assistance once a year to Timor-Leste to help the Timorese people. (TP, DN, STL)

RTTL news headlines
19 September 2006

In order to consolidate the Fretilin Party in the village and Sub-district level, we have to organize ourselves: Fernandes

Speaking to the Fretilin militants of the Fretilin Party and RDTL at a Flags Raising ceremony on Monday, 18 September 2006, held in Venilale-Baucau, the Deputy of Secretary-General of Fretilin, Jose Manuel Fernandes reportedly said that in order to gain victory in the 2007 General Election, Fretilin members should be well-organized, mobilized, and consolidated to secure the party to win in the coming election. In addition, Mr. Fernandes reportedly called for the East Timorese Youths Association, known as Joventude Loriku Asu-Ain, to stand firmly for National Unity and to defend RDTL including the Fretilin Party.

Democratic Party (Partido Democrata) held its first district Congress in Ermera on Saturday, 16 September 2006

Speaking to the journalists post congress of PD in Ermera, the Secretary-General of the party, Mariano Sabino, reportedly said that PD is one of the best alternatives for the people of East Timor. He emphasized that PD is the alternative party that fully supports peace, justice, and unity of East Timor. He said that there is only one East Timor, no Lorosa’e & Loromonu. In a separated interview, the president of PD, Fernando de Araujo La-sama reportedly told the media that if PD gains the victory in the 2007 General Election, they will change the government system from a semi-presidential to a presidential system. The reasons stated are to shorten the bureaucracy and reduce the state expenses.

In addition, at the same occasion, PD also hosted the first congress for the organization of the democratic women (OMD). The Secretary General of OMD, Teresa Maria de Carvalho reportedly told the media that the main objective of the first congress is to overview the equality and gender issues on the party leadership and prepare themselves to the coming election.

The Minister of the Interior, Alcino Barris denied rumors of a plan to hold a demonstration

In relation to the plan to have a large demonstration on 18-20 September 2006, the Minister of Interior, Alcino Barris reportedly told the media that the rumour is not true. He then emphasized that any demonstration can only take place if the demonstrator’s representatives send a formal request and obtain authorization.

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