UNMIT Daily Media Review

Thursday, 21 September 2006

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


Ruak Welcomes Tara

Major Agosto de Araujo, also known as Tara, met with Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak on Wednesday after five months of incommunicado due to differences of ideas between the two. Tara said he is happy Ruak extended his hand and is open to discussions about the future of F-FDTL and the return of the petitioners. He suggested F-FDTL Brigadier General Ruak accept the return of the petitioners as a means to resolve the crisis within the institution. Major Tara said the meeting with the head of the Defence Force is a first step to try and resolve the problems of the petitioners as well as the problem of fighting in Dili. He said there are also plans for Brigadier General Taur to meet with the spokespersons of the petitioners, Gastão Salsinha and Major Alfredo Reinado. In the meantime, Ruak said the return of the group would give a bad image to the Armed Forces and might create a precedent for other soldiers to stage a military coup against the command. (STL)

Ramos-Horta Support Decision of Kofi Annan

Prime Minister Ramos-Horta said although he has not officially received information on the new SRSG for Timor-Leste, if it is former President of Cape Verde Mascarinhas Monteiro, it would be good because of his past experience in dealing with troubling democratic, economic and security issues of a small, poor nation. The Minister said Cape Verde is the poorest nation in Africa but its economy is progressing and if he is the new SRSG it would help not only the UN but the people of Timor-Leste. But, he said, the government welcomes whoever Kofi Annan nominates. (STL, TP)

Actual Judges Should Replaced

MP Lucia Lobato (PSD), is of the opinion that to better the judicial system in Timor-Leste, the international judges, including the President of the Court of Appeal, Claudio Ximenes, must be replaced. Lobato said Claudio Ximenes’ decision has left many people discontent and there has been injustices because he interprets the laws according to his wishes and he has not been impartial. She points out that the tribunal should not be fully under the responsibility of expatriates because justice must be decided by the Timorese themselves. The MP said people have been critical of the court procedures and this reflects the court’s failings. (STL)

Salsinha Questions Work Of Commission

Gastão Salsinha said that although he had met with members of the Notables Commission he has little confidence in the work of the commission, as the team was not complete when they traveled to Gleno, Ermera on Tuesday (19/9) to meet the petitioners. Salsinha said the head of the commission and the spokesperson did not take part in the meeting leaving him to question their work as did the lapse in time the commission took to meet with the petitioners since it was established. He has also appealed to all the petitioners to gather together in the areas designated. According to Salsinha, during the meeting they discussed discrimination within F-FDTL and not the incident of April28 as it is under the international independent commission. He also said the petitioners are concerned with the crisis situation as the people are paying the consequences. He said the group would like to see an end to it.

Government Reshuffle Must Start With PM: Ramos-Horta

In response to some demands that there be changes to the government cabinet, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta said the reshuffling of the Government he is heading must start with him. In relation to the position of premiership, Ramos-Horta said he is happy to hand it over to anyone who wishes to exchange with him and who might be able to resolve the crisis the country is currently facing. He said his door is open to anyone that wishes to help put an end to the crisis the government is facing. (TP)


RTTL News Monitoring Report
21 Sept 2006

Prime Minister arrive from his trip to USA:
PM said he attended a Peace Conference entitled “Youth Mobilization against Poverty” in the USA. There were about 3000 youths from the all over the world including six participants from East Timor (from the Peace and Democratic Foundation under the leadership of Dr. Ramos Horta). The Peace-Conference was attended by Nobel Peace Prize Winners. He said that he did not visit New York or U.S. President Bush in Washington as the situation of East Timor would not allow him to prolong his visit. He said this had been the first time he was absent from the General Assembly held in New York in 30 years.

Preliminary meeting between FNJP and government:
RTTL reportedly stated that National Front for Justice and Peace (FNJP) and government will hold a meeting to look for a solution to the crisis in Timor-Leste. Vital dos Santos, Gen Sec of FNJP stated that they would not come to Dili to dissolve Parliament but to talk to the government and PN to work together to solve the current situation.

World Peace Day
Gil Alves, Gen Sec of ASDT stated in acknowledgement of World Peace Day that Timor-Leste needs to cooperate to maintain peace in Timor Leste. President ASDT, Francisco Xavier Amaral stated that ASDT would hold the ASDT national congress coming days. He said that the purpose of the national congress is to elect the new leaders of ASDT and to prepare for election in 2007.

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