UNIMIT Daily Media Review

Thursday, 12 October 2006

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

Fretilin Rejects Delay Of Report

Fretilin Central Committee has demanded the hand over of the COI report to the National Parliament to avoid growing expected incomprehension and lessening the credibility of the Commission. Speaking during a press conference in Dili on Wednesday, José Reis, Deputy Secretary General of the party stressed that a letter had been sent to the Acting SRSG of the UN in Timor-Leste, Finn Reske-Nielsen asking the UN to present the English version of the report to the Parliament by 12 October. Reis said the translation of the document could be left for last, adding that delaying the report would not contribute to diminishing the current situation. He also appealed to all members of Fretilin to welcome the report regardless of the results, adding Fretilin rejects violence and wants to contribute to peace and stability of the nation. He said the result of the investigation on the recent crisis would be a lesson for Fretilin, for the nation and for the people, and if some leaders have been condemned, the people must accept it. José Reis further said those people involved in the crisis must be tried, as it would also be a lesson for the new generation.

In the meantime, Director of HAK Association, José Luis Oliveira said screening the SBS documentary film on ‘the downfall of a prime minister’ could be seen as exciting the people and as a way to make them accept the film as the truth rather than the results of the investigation of the COI. Oliveira said viewing one part of the documentary is not correct as it could confuse the population and he suggested showing the documentary by David O’Shea in order to balance the story and let each person make their own conclusion. José Reis responded that the showing of the documentary was to share information with the population, and to stop many rumours and not to cover up those involved in crimes.

In a separate article, Major Alfredo Reinado said he doubts those people involved in the crisis will abide by the results and recommendations of the COI, noting that what has been anticipated is to act on those still in government and those in possession of guns. (STL, TP, DN)

Results Of COI May Contradict PDHJ

Provedor Direitus Humanus e Justiça (Provedor for Human Rights and Justice), Sebastião Ximenes said his office is still investigating the incidents of April and May therefore it would be a while before the results of the investigation are released. Unlike the COI, Ximenes said, his office operates with very limited resources and needs time to speak to those involved including eyewitnesses noting that some have fled to the districts. He hopes the COI report would not contradict the report of PDHJ. (DN)

International Community Concern With TL’s Situation: Guterres

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, José Luis Guterres said the international community is concerned with the situation in Timor-Leste, therefore the nation must be responsible to them. Guterres said the presentation of the credential letter from the Swedish Ambassador shows that the international community continues to be interested in the country and to follow the situation. The Swedish Ambassador presented his letter of credential to President Gusmao on Wednesday. (STL, DN)

Youth Must Stop Violence And Focus On Independence: Dr. Murphy

Dr. Dan Murphy, Director of Lanud Clinic said the conflict between neighbourhoods has increased and he appeals to the Timorese to stop violence and hatred between each other and focus on peace and strengthening independence rather than face losing it. He said the number of people seeking medical assistance has increased with doctors treating people with knife, and rama ambon (slingshots) wounds. Dr. Murphy said two people are under medical treatment following rock throwing in Comoro, and one was shot through the throat by a rama ambon and needs to be treated at the national hospital but is refusing to go there due to the situation in the hospital. (DN)

PNTL Active

About 50 PNTL officers are now on the ground working with the International Police, UNPOL, said Vice-Minister of Interior, José Agostinho Sequeira. Sequeira said a total of 75 police were supposed to be active by now but 25 are still under training and will join UNPOL next week and be part of the operations and take up the permanent posts, once more UNPOLs arrive.

He said following allegations of a threat to the spouse of the Administrator of Maubara, Liquiça sub-district, investigations will be carried out regarding the Liquiça PNTL commander to ascertain the truth and to take measures. Sequeira said the two Administrators have presented their complaints and the Interior Ministry is waiting for the PNTL commander’s report. (DN)

RTTL News Monitoring Reporting
12 – 10 – 2006

PD Party met Bishop Dili:
RTTL reported that Fernando La Sama, the president of PD and his team, met Bishop of Dili, Alberto Ricardo to present the new structure of the party following the national congress last month. La Sama told RTTL that he asked the bishop to invite Pope Benedict’s XVI to visit Timor-Leste and bless the people and the country. Bishop Alberto Ricardo urged all organs and components, particularly those actors of crisis to be responsible for the crisis. Bishop also urged the justice sector to be strong.

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