UNOTIL Daily Media Review

Wednesday, 13 September 2006

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


I Do Not Intend To Be Involved in TL Politics: Ramos-Horta

Prime Minister Ramos-Horta stated his intention of not participating in the country’s politics as of next year due to the insistence by some people that he is seeking power. Therefore, Ramos-Horta stressed, the population must start thinking of who they want to elect to be the next Prime Minister and President. He said his purpose of being in Timor-Leste is to assist the people and not to seek power. The Prime Minister stressed he did not do any political maneuvering during the crisis adding that he alone acted as a bridge between Mari Alkatiri, President Gusmão and Fretilin’s President to find a solution to the crisis. Ramos-Horta said if he wants power he would try his luck in 2007 but because he doesn’t want that. He said he opted to stay in Timor-Leste because of the crisis and as result he lost a bigger seat in the United Nations as the Secretary- General. He said he wanted to stay in Timor-Lest and not run away to New York. The Minister said that during the crisis no one pointed a finger at him for being involved in distributing guns or stones or wanted to bring down Alkatiri as he was part of the government and gave 100 percent over the last four years to the nation out of loyalty He said only a mad person would want to become Prime Minister during a crisis and for a short term.

In a separate article, in Suara Timor Lorosae, Ramos-Horta said his main concern is that Major Alfredo will opt for violence although he believes he will voluntarily surrender as he is intelligent and knows what is best for this nation. (STL)

Timor Post reported Prime Minister Ramos-Horta who is also in charge of the Defence Force as saying during an interview with RTTL that F-FDTL has not been engaged in joint operations with the international forces. He said some members of F-FDTL have been working with the International Forces in the districts to inform the population about the current situation. (TP)

Horta Should Not Interfere In Fretilin’s Affairs: Lu’Olo

President of the National Parliament Francisco Lu’Olo Guterres said Fretilin was the one supporting Ramos-Horta to become the Prime Minister for the II Constitutional Government and would continue to provide support until his mandate concludes. But, according to Guterres, Fretilin asked Ramos-Horta, as an independent person not to interfere in the affairs of Fretilin and other parties. (STL, DN, TP)

In a separate article, Francisco Guterres said as an immediate measure, Parliament would formally present the complaints of the IDPs about the Australian forces to the UN executive in Timor-Leste. A group of IDP presented their complaints to the Parliament on Tuesday.

According to Diario Nacional, MPs Feliciano de Fatima (ASDT) and Maria Paixão (PSD) said that Parliament must request Australian Commander Mick Slater to provide clarification on the complaints presented by IDPs in Comoro. (DN)

FNJP Gives Ultimatum To Government

Frente Nasional Justisa no Paz has given an ultimatum to the government to urgently resolve the crisis or face actions to dissolve the Parliament, Vital dos Santos, the groups’ coordinator told the media on Tuesday following a meeting with all interested parties that they want peace for the country. The government has been given one week (12/9-19/9) to resolve the problems. He did not reveal what type of actions the group is planning.

In the meantime, MP Madalena da Silva (Fretilin) demands the President of the Republic present the report on the implementation of emergency measures especially in the areas of defence and security to Parliament. According to Madalena, until now the Parliament has not received a report and does not know where the defence development stands since President Xanana declared a state of emergency. She would like the Parliament to present her request to President Xanana. (TP, STL)

Fretilin Reformer Prepared To Dialogue

A member of Fretilin’s Reformer Group, Vicentre Maubocy said his group is prepared to dialogue with Mari Alkatiri and Lu’Olo’s group in order to resolve Fretilin’s internal problems. Maubocy said the main theme of the dialogue would center on Mari Alkatiri’s image as he is the reason for the downfall of the Fretilin government. (DN)

STAE Violates Constitution

Cecilio Caminha Freitas, Chairperson of East Timor People Action (ETPA) said the census process launched by the Technical Services of the Electoral Administration (STAE) is against the constitution of RDTL. Freitas said according to the Constitution of RDTL , census can only be processed when an Independent Electoral Commission has been established in order to oversee the work of STAE. He said STAE must wait for the legislation on the electoral law and the Independent Electoral Commission, noting there would be some changes to STAE as per the new legislation. He recommends it would be better for STAE to wait until the legislation is approved by the Parliament and the President. (STL)

Band Tours For Peace

In order to promote peace and commemorate the International Day of Peace, the bank 5 do Orient is touring the enclave of Oecussi, Ego Lemos, the bank coordinator said in a communiqué. The band hopes to further encourage the communities in Oecussi to maintain and strengthening peace. The theme of the tour will be “Peace and Nature/Environment” and involves activities such as screening of films, music concert and festival gathering with the communities which kicks off in the sub-districts of Nitibe on Sunday 17 September, then Oesilo, Pasabe and conclude on Pante Makassar the International Peace Day, 21 September. The government of Ireland, Oxfam Australia, IOM-Timor-Leste, Caritas Australia, Concern Timor-Leste, civil society and the people of Oecussi have sponsored the tour. (TP)

RTTL Headlines, 13 September 2006

Patients Leave Dili National Hospital as the result of the ongoing attacks

The Director of Dili National Hospital, Antonio C. Junior told the media that in the last three days, stone-throwing is still occurring near the national hospital which has resulted in at least 28 patients leaving the hospital. He said that the fighting is initiated by people who are outside the IDP camp, but enter the hospital compound. At a result of the fighting some IDPs have tried to protect themselves by hiding in the patients’ rooms traumatizing the patients and forcing them leave.

National Parliament (NP) to send letters to Government and Head of UN in Timor-Leste

The president of NP told the media that based on the complaint from the members of NP in regard to the act of International Forces, two letters have been prepared and will be sent as soon as possible to the government and the head of the UN mission in East Timor. One will contain the result of the liberation plenary that has just completed and the other will set out the discontent of the members of NP regarding the acts of International Forces against the IDPs allegedly occurring during several incidents last week.

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