UNMIT – MEDIA MONITORING - Wednesday, 21 March 2007

National Media Reports

Three Presidential Candidates haven’t submitted their Campaign Schedules

In three days the candidates to be President of RDTL will start their
campaign. Until yesterday the CNE received only five campaign schedules of
five candidates. The other three candidates, Lucia Lobato, Manuel Tilman
and Avelino Coelho haven’t submitted or represented their campaign
schedules to CNE yet.

CNE had not announced the campaign schedule of the presidential candidates
because of the three candidates. The other five campaign schedules of
presidential candidates at CNE are therefore considered as temporary
schedules. (STL)

Horta: the situation benefits the election process

According to the meeting of High Level Committee, the security situation in
the country before the presidential election will enable all the Timorese
to give their votes on the Election Day.

The high level weekly meeting held at Palacio das Cinzas (20/3) was
participated in by SRSG Atul Khare and his Deputy Fin Rieske Nielson,
Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak, Brigadier General Mal Rerden, Prosecutor General
Longuinhos Monteiro, Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta and President Republic
Xanana Gusmão.

The spokesman of High Level committee, Jose Ramos Horta reportedly said
that the meeting was talking about logistical assistance which prepared for
the elections. The upcoming election is the great preoccupation of the
Electoral Commission. He said that each Ministry has to send an officer to
assist CNE to work on the process.

Answering to the additional security and situation, he added that the State
and government are evaluating the reinforcement of UNPol in Dili. To ensure
the upcoming election is well organized it needs collaboration among PNTL,
UNPol and F-FDTL. (STL)

PSHT and 77 in conflict again, 3 houses burnt, 1 destroyed

The members of PSHT and 77 (seti-seti) were in conflicts\ again yesterday
afternoon at 1:00 pm in Kampung Baru, Comoro. Three 3 houses of PSHT were
burnt and 1 house and 2 kiosks in front of the Comoro church were
destroyed. The initial conflict came from provocation between members of
two groups by throwing stones at each other. None of the suspects were
arrested. (STL)

Timorese Overseas have right to vote

The Chairperson of East Timor People Actions (ETPA) Cecílio Caminha Freitas
reportedly said that East Timorese who live overseas have the right to
vote. Furthermore, he said according to article 35 law of presidential
election, they have right to vote. In fact, the Government and STAE have to
give them a means to vote by creating polling stations via all embassies
abroad. (STL)

Horta: “The state decision in capturing Alfredo is not changed.”

In the 6th High Level meeting at Palacio das Cinzas, which also discussed
Reinado, Ramos Horta said that the decision has not changed. If Alfredo
does not submit himself and give up the weapons, the ISF will continue
searching for him. (DN)

Local Electoral Observers Getting Training

Officers of the Provedor de Direitos Humanos e Justisa (PDHJ), other civil
societies and university students took the training to be observers on the
presidential and parliamentary elections that was held in the PDHJ office,
Caicoli Dili from 15 to 21 March 2007. This information was gathered by DN
on Tuesday 20/03 through a press conference.

The training was aimed at improving the knowledge of the local observers
during their monitoring of the elections. (DN)

President Xanana’s Party going to have its National Conference on 28 March

The Congresso Nacional Reconstrução Timor (CNRT) is planning to hold its
national conference on 28 March 2007.

Duarte Nunes, Secretary of National Committee of CNRT (20/3), at his office
in Bairo dos Grilhos, said that on 26/3 the Committee will present a
proposal to Kayrala Xanana Gusmão to resign as president and become the
president of CNRT to compete in the parliamentary elections. They will ask
Xanana to run the party mutually. (TP)

Horta: will reinforce Security in Capital

UNPOL reported that the volume of violence from 17/03 has decreased
significantly.

Ramos Horta said that Timor Leste will reinforce security in the country,
especially in Dili for the upcoming presidential election on 09/04/2007 in
order to avoid provocations and disturbances. (TP)

President Candidates can utilize any symbols

The Vice President of NP, Jacob Fernandez said that all presidential
candidates can utilize any symbols in their campaigns for democratic
competition in the upcoming presidential election 09/04/2007.

TVTL- News Headlines
Monday, 20 March 2007

F-FDTL Likely to Support ISF

Support from the Unidade Intervenção Rapida (UIR) and F-FDTL during the
presidential elections was one of the topics discussed during the high
level weekly meeting today between the government of Timor-Leste, the UN,
the ISF, the Presidents of the Republic and the National Parliament. Prime
Minister Ramos-Horta said discussion is still in process about F-FDTL
assistance during the presidential elections as UNPOL and over 700 PNTL
officers are already active. (RTTL)

Electoral Law Revised

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the electoral law no. 7/2006 in relation to the
counting of votes, registration of votes and votes verification was
reviewed in the Parliament today and passed with 61 votes in favor. The
Commissão Nacional Eleitoral (CNE) requested the review. (RTTL and STL)

Baucau Diocese Celebrates 10th Anniversary

The Diocese of Baucau celebrated its 10th anniversary today with a mass
attended by the Bishop of Dili Diocese, Bishop Ricardo, Prime Minister
Ramos-Horta, some members of the Diplomatic Corps and the people from
different districts. Following the mass, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta, the
Bishop of Baucau Diocese Basilio do Nascimento and Bishop of Dili planted a
tree as a symbol of peace. Soils from various districts were brought by the
community representatives specifically to plant the tree. (RTTL)

Ramos-Horta Rejects Accusations

Presidential candidate, Ramos-Horta has rejected accusation by another
candidate, Lucia Lobato (PSD) that he has already started his campaign,
adding that the population is aware that the presidential campaign is only
starting on March 23, hence there is no point campaigning now. (RTTL)

Youth Support Amaral

Associação Social Democrata Timorense (ASDT) youth organization appealed to
all the youth to support presidential candidate Francisco Xavier do Amaral
as he can help resolve the situation of the country if he becomes the
president. (RTTL)

Report on Corruption in Some Government Ministries

The Provedor of Human Rights and Justice has a report ready to be presented
to some government ministries including the ministry of natural resources
and the ministry of finance. The report will be presented to the respective
ministries for further actions.
Jose Teixeira, Minister for Natural Resources and Energy, has welcome the
report saying his ministry will cooperate with the office of the Provedor,
carefully study the report and take appropriate measures. (RTTL)

Environment Protection

A National NGO, Fundasaun Haburas, together with youths from Lecidere,
Bidau and the Florets Department have planted over 100 trees along the
ocean front in as a way to educate the youth and protect the environment.
(RTTL)

Fretilin Launches Information Centre

Fretilin Central Committee today launched the party information center in
Comoro, Dili. The center has also established the party’s website which is
in three languages; Tetum, Portuguese and English. (RTTL)