UNMIT Daily Media Review

Thursday, 19 October 2006

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


COI Identified Fragility of Judicial System

Ralph Zacklin, one of the Commissioners involved in the investigation of the crisis in Timor-Leste, during a teleconference yesterday organised by UNMIT specifically for the national media, urged the people to thoroughly read the report. He said that the Commission found that the fragility of the judicial system is due to the lack of human resources and a lack of its independence due to political interference. He said according to data gathered, the Commission did not have evidence that highlighted the involvement of opposition parties during the crisis. Ralph Zacklin pointed out that one of the recommendations includes monitoring of the implementation of the recommendations and stressed that the Commission had completed its mandate. During the teleconference, he asked the cooperation of everybody to disseminate the report, available in English, Tetum, Portuguese and Indonesia languages, throughout the country.

The Secretary General of FNJP, Vital dos Santos said he agrees with the recommendation of the COI that a special panel must be established to process the authors of the crisis.

In the meantime, Prosecutor General Longuinhos Monteiro, said he does not need a deputy to work with him on the cases based on the COI report as per the recommendations, however, he said he does need assistance with administrative services in some areas within the Public Ministry. Monteiro further said that the Public Ministry would try to process all the cases by the end of the year as recommended in the report. (STL, TP)

Laureate Winners Meet Again

Soon after arriving in Dili, Bishop Filipe Ximenes Belo met with his Nobel Laureate co-winner, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta but the topic of the meeting has not been revealed. According to his itinerary, Belo is scheduled to meet with the National Parliament, the President of the Court of Appeal, President Gusmão, and F-FDTL Commander, Taur Matan Ruak. (TP)

RTTL News Headlines
18-10-2006

Bishop Belo Arrives in Dili

The former Bishop of Dili, Carlos Ximenes Belo arrived in Dili on Wednesday to take part in some activities. Delivering a message to the nation at the airport, Bishop Belo stated that he was not coming to offer political solution, neither to criticize, nor to judge or accuse any leader or ordinary citizen. Instead, his visit was to give hope to all Timorese to establish peace.

Lu Olo meets NPs head of Benches

The Speaker of the National Parliament, Francisco Guterres Lu Olo held a meeting with all heads of the Parliamentary Benches on Wednesday to discuss the report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Lu Olo said that the meeting was aimed at gathering views from all the benches about the important recommendations made by the UN Commission. In the meantime, the benches were allowed the time to discuss within their respective parties after which, the Parliament would gather on Wednesday next week to announce the body’s decision about what it could do about the current situation.

Prosecutor General forms a team to study COI report

The office of the Prosecutor General has set-up a team consisting of two international prosecutors to study the recommendations made in the report of the International Commission of Inquiry. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the Prosecutor General Longinhos Monteiro, said that his office needs time to process the cases and appealed for cooperation and support from all Timorese for the office to do its work. Monteiro also said that it was possible for the number of suspects and defendants involved in crimes during the crisis to increase.

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