Notícias - em inglês

The Jakarta Post - Thursday, November 16, 2006

Security agreement will boost mutual aid, trust

Australia and Indonesia on Monday signed a historic bilateral agreement on a framework for security cooperation. Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda gave an interview to The Jakarta Post' s Abdul Khalik about the document's benefits and implications for Indonesia. The following are excerpts of the interview:

Question: Indonesian and Australian officials described the agreement as a historic step in bilateral relations between the two countries. How will the agreement benefit Indonesia?

Answer: We have experienced many difficult moments in our long historical relations with Australia. The problems range from refugees or illegal migrants from other countries who passed through Indonesia on their way to Australia and accusations that Indonesia is a training ground for terrorists, to the recent Papuan asylum seekers. Politicians in Australia exploited the issues during the election period to attack Indonesia. So, it is easy for such situational problems to ruin our relations with Australia.

Most of the difficulties also arise from public misperceptions in both countries. Our public has accused Australia of meddling in our domestic affairs, becoming a threat to our country or helping separatist movements. On the other hand, Australians also have a perception that Indonesia is a threat. The misperceptions can only be eliminated through cooperation, dialog and transparency between us.

Can you provide examples of more tangible benefits?

The agreement covers a wide range of cooperation. It includes 10 areas covering defense, counter-terrorism, intelligence, maritime, aviation safety and security, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, emergency cooperation and community understanding and people-to-people cooperation.

The agreement will open doors for Australia to help us with its expertise, capital and equipment, which we are lacking in many cases, in all these areas.

I think we have a good synergy with Australia, and they are eager to help us. While they have expertise and funds, we have a long and good reach in the region. We can say to Australia that if they really want to help then they can, for instance, assist with funding or build facilities or send equipment for concrete purposes, including fighting terrorism or bird flu, rather than just make political statements.

For instance, right after the 9/11 attacks, I extended an offer to Prime Minister John Howard to sign an agreement on anti-terror cooperation. Although at first he was hesitant, several days later we signed the agreement. And it turned out that the agreement was very helpful when the Bali bombings occurred. So, we could turn a potential bilateral conflict -- because of the issue of terrorism and the bombings -- into useful cooperation.

The Australian media has criticized the agreement, saying it is only to appease Indonesia, with no benefit for Australia. What's your opinion?

No, that is not true. Take, for instance, the illegal migrants problem. Without our cooperation, if we let them pass to Australia then they will have to deal with thousands more illegal migrants every period. Another is terrorism. With our capability -- of course with their help -- of cracking down on terrorists here, they can sleep soundly there. To raise more understanding and eliminate suspicions, we put in provisions to enhance community understanding and people-to-people cooperation.

Can the agreement be sidelined by objections from the Australian people?

If the agreement has been ratified then it will become part of Australian law that can't be sidelined just like that.

The commitment to solving disputes or conflicts in peaceful ways means Indonesia and Australia are moving toward a security community.

Will this agreement be used as an example for building a regional security community?

This agreement is the first of its kind. There are thoughts of using the agreement as a model for more countries in East Asia. South Korea has already proposed establishing a forum for security dialog in East Asia. So, many countries have seen the need for more security discussions in the region.

***

UNMIT Daily Media Review - Thursday, 16 November 2006

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


Parade of Unity

F-FDTL and PNTL held a joint parade yesterday afternoon in front of the Government Palace to kick-start the resumption of their services today, reported the media. Speaking during the event, Diario Nacional reported President Gusmão as saying that the crisis was the fault of the sovereign state, noting the parade was a compromise bestowed upon the two institutions by the constitution to defend and provide security to the population. Gusmao added that wrong decisions taken by the sovereign bodies led to the conflict between the two institutions, noting the sovereign bodies have also tried to amend their mistakes in order for F-FDTL and PNTL to reconcile and overcome the crisis. The President said both institutions will work with the government and the dialogue and community re-insertion commission to take IDPs back to their homes and appealed to the youth to maintain their commitment to re-establish peace and strengthen national unity. STL reported the President of the Republic calling on F-FDTL and PNTL to re-establish peace saying ‘if we the Timorese create the problem, then we are the ones to resolve it’. Xanana Gusmão said everything is possible from starting a war to stopping it and he appealed to the youth to collaborate with PNTL and F-FDTL.

Prime Minister Ramos-Horta appealed for both institutions to work together again despite the deep wounds, noting that the crisis that occurred in Timor-Leste also occurs in other countries and in some on a much greater scale. Therefore, he appealed to the people and the leaders not to lose faith in both institutions.

President of the National Parliament said the joint parade could re-establish peace for the nation, especially the people, adding that the action made him brought him pride, reminding him of the words of many expatriates - that peace can be restored.

Speaking to Timor Post following the parade, Acting SRSG, Finn Reske-Nielsen said he was truly happy to see F-FDTL and PNTL together again because it brings hope that reconciliation, stability and peace will prevail in Timor-Leste soon. (STL, TP, DN)

Taur Is Trying To Dialogue With Alfredo

Prime Minister Ramos-Horta has reportedly said that F-FDTL Brigadier General, Taur Matan Ruak is organizing a team to hold a dialogue with Major Alfredo Reinado and his group. The efforts of F-FDTL follow unsuccessful meetings held previously with Reinado including a meeting with Bishop Belo. Ramos-Horta said the problems between Major Tara, Marcos, the petitioners and Major Reinado are all different problems. He said Major Tara and Marcos are not a big problem and the petitioners problems have been handed to the notable’s commission. He said Major Reinado should not forget that he might have erred by killing and injuring some members of F-FDTL, adding that Reinado was the one who went looking for the conflict in Fatu Ahi. (TP)

***

Agence France-Presse - November 16, 2006 07:55pm

Four believed dead in more Timor violence

FOUR people are believed to have died in the latest East Timor violence which also saw 10 homes torched, Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta said today.

"There is as yet no confirmation on the number killed, but initial information said four (were killed) and 10 houses were set on fire," Mr Ramos Horta said.

Mr Ramos Horta, who travelled by helicopter to the scene of the latest unrest, said the incident happened "a couple of days ago" and involved two groups of youths who clashed in Estado village, near Ermera.

He said a group of youths belonging to Colimau 2000 - an organisation set up by former underground youth activists during Indonesia's occupation - from Ermera and several other outlying areas attacked a local chapter of a martial arts club.

"This incident has spread fear among the people and I have talked with the home minister so that a permanent security post can be set up there," Mr Ramos Horta said.

Members of the police rapid reaction unit and another special police unit would be sent to the area, he said.

As recently as Monday, hundreds of East Timorese youths, including members of rival gangs who fought each other in the streets of the capital earlier this year, held a rally to promote unity and peace.

Carlito de Jesus, 29, who was being treated at Dili's Guido Valadares general hospital for injuries sustained in the latest attack, said the violence occurred early yesterday.

He said some 600 youths from Colimau 2000 armed with samurais, machetes, spears, small arrows and rifles attacked the Ermera chapter of the Perguruan Setia Hati Terate (PSHT) martial arts club.

"This (attack) appears to be revenge, after a PSHT member beat up a member of Colimau 2000 on November 2," de Jesus, a PSHT member, said.

Members of Colimau 2000 were accused of involvement in attacks in Atsabe in 2003, which left seven dead. Mass arrests followed but the courts later freed those detained.

The incident came just after Mr Ramos Horta praised Monday's peace rally.

The tiny nation was rocked in April and May by violence in between security force factions, as well as street gangs, which left 37 people dead.

.