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quarta-feira, novembro 15, 2006
UNMIT Announces Appointment of Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste
UNMIT - 15 November 2006
DILI - Eric Tan Huck Gim has been appointed as Deputy Special- Representative for the Secretary General (DSRSG) for Security Sector and Rule of Law for United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). Mr. Tan is a retired Brigadier General from the Singapore Armed Forces.
As a member of the senior management team of UNMIT, Mr. Tan is responsible for the security sector support, human rights and transitional justice, the administration of justice support, the UN police and the UN military component. Mr. Tan will act as chief of mission in the absence of the Special Representative.
Mr. Finn Reske-Nielsen, currently Acting SRSG, welcomed the appointment of Mr. Tan. “As we are advancing upon the work of the mission’s mandate I welcome the arrival of Mr. Tan to UNMIT and I’m pleased to have someone of his calibre on board,” he said. “Mr. Tan will be overseeing the security sector support of the Mission which will provide advice on overall governance of the security sector including both police and defence reform. It’s a demanding job but I am confident that Mr. Tan, with his leadership qualities and his excellent professional qualifications, will do a splendid job.”
Before joining UNMIT, Mr. Tan held the position of Director of Administration at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. Mr. Tan served in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) for 32 years before his retirement in October 2005. His last assignment in the military was as Commandant of SAF’s Tri-Service Officer Training and Education Institute. This appointment began in November 2003. Prior to that, from 2002 until 2003, Mr. Tan served as Force Commander of the military component in the United Nations In Support of East Timor (UNMISET) leading a multinational force of over 3,000.
As an Artillery Officer, Mr. Tan has held several other command posts including Commander 9th Singapore Division from 2000 to 2002 and Chief Artillery Officer from 1997 to 2000.
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Exército do Timor reassume segurança de Díli (???)
EFE - 15 de novembro de 2006 - 01:26
Onda de violência entre abril e maio deixou 30 mortos na capital timorense
DÍLI - O Exército do Timor Leste, inativo desde Maio, voltará a ser operacional a partir desta quarta-feira, reassumindo a segurança de Díli, a capital do país, onde uma onda de violência exigiu a intervenção de tropas internacionais e depois de forças da ONU.
O comandante do Exército, o coronel Lere Anan Timor, disse a jornalistas que os soldados sairão dos quartéis e marcharão rumo ao Palácio do Governo. Lá, serão recebidos pelo presidente do Timor Leste, Xanana Gusmão, e pelo primeiro-ministro, José Ramos Horta.
Membros da polícia também participarão da cerimônia, assim como os grupos de jovens que, desde domingo, tem saído às ruas de Díli para pedir a paz e o fim da violência.
O comandante acrescentou que o papel do Exército é servir ao país como elemento integrador de seus habitantes, tanto os da região oriental (lorosae) quanto os da ocidental (loromono).
"Lutamos durante 24 anos na montanha e agora reafirmamos nossa posição de que estamos preparados para servir ao povo do Timor Leste", disse.
Gusmão convidou todos os timorenses a participarem do ato para "promover a união nacional e a harmonia entre as forças de Segurança".
As tensões entre o Exército e a polícia foram uma das causas da violência que tomou conta de Díli entre abril e maio, que deixou 30 mortos e 150 mil desabrigados.
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Parada das forças defesa e segurança sela... (ACTUALIZADA)
Díli, 15 Nov (Lusa) - Efectivos das forças de defesa e de segurança de Timor-Leste participaram hoje uma parada defronte do Palácio do Governo, em Díli , num acto que traduziu a selagem do compromisso com a paz, segundo o Presidente timorense, Xanana Gusmão.
A iniciativa, a que compareceram os quatro órgãos de soberania, deputad os, membros do governo e corpo diplomático, visou demonstrar o "espírito de unidade e solidariedade" entre as Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) e a Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL), de acordo com um comunicado da Presi dência da República.
Efectivos das F-FDTL e da PNTL envolveram-se em confrontos na crise político-militar desencadeada em Abril, que deixou um saldo de mais de 50 mortos, d ezenas de milhares de deslocados e avultados estragos materiais em bens públicos e privados.
Cerca de 600 efectivos das duas forças participaram na parada, que contou com discursos de Xanana Gusmão, do presidente do Parlamento Nacional, Francisco Guterres "Lu-Olo", do primeiro-ministro José Ramos-Horta, e do presidente do Tribunal de Recurso, Cláudio Ximenes, que discursaram em tétum.
A tónica dos quatro discursos assentou na necessidade dos militares e polícias timorenses assegurarem à população que a crise estava a acabar e que importava demonstrar um clima de unidade.
Xanana Gusmão, que começou por saudar a iniciativa dos jovens da capital em prol da paz, que desde segunda-feira participaram em marchas que atravessar am Díli com apelos nesse sentido, pediu às forças em parada que seguissem aquele exemplo.
"Com a acção destes jovens, temos que aprender a parar com a violência" , disse. "Esta parada é para demonstrar ao povo que os seus filhos estão novamente unidos e assim vão continuar", acrescentou.
Xanana Gusmão salientou que os culpados pela crise no país são os quatr o órgãos de soberania e lançou três apelos.
Aos jovens para que "acabem com a violência e façam a paz", às forças de segurança para que contribuam para o clima de paz que todos desejam e à população para que colabore com as forças armadas e a polícia timorenses, "quando regressarem ao activo".
"Só assim poderemos dar garantias aos deslocados que podem regressar às suas casas", vincou.
Quando Francisco Guterres "Lu-OLo" interveio, ocorreu um episódio que provocou reacções diversas entre a assistência.
Dirigindo-se às entidades oficiais presentes, trocou o nome do primeiro -ministro José Ramos-Horta pelo de Mari Alkatiri, anterior chefe de governo e líder do partido maioritário, a FRETILIN.
Enquanto José Ramos-Horta procurava conter o riso, Xanana Gusmão, mais circunspecto, cofiou a barba, e do meio da assistência avolumaram-se as trocas de olhar e os murmúrios.
Depois dos discursos, jovens da comissão organizadora das marchas pela paz que segunda-feira e terça-feira percorreram as ruas de Díli, entregaram a cada militar e polícia uma flor, realizando-se no final o desfile dos 600 efectivos, acompanhado por palmas dos assistentes, cerca de 1.500 pessoas em redor do espaço fronteiro ao Palácio do Governo.
A parada seguiu-se aos encontros, realizados em privado, de Xanana Gusm ão com efectivos de cada uma das forças e a um encontro com representantes das forças armadas e polícia, a que se juntou o primeiro-ministro José Ramos-Horta, n uma confraternização em Balibar, a 20 quilómetros de Díli, na residência particu lar do chefe de Estado, há cerca de duas semanas.
EL-Lusa/Fim
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UNMIT Daily Media Review
Wednesday, 15 November 2006
National Media Reports
TP - Timor Post
DN - Diario Nacional
STL - Suara Timor Lorosae
RTTL - Radio e Televisao de Timor-Leste
IDPs Are Now Returning Home
Following a community meeting with youth representatives for Becora and Kulau, Joao da Silva “Choque” and Jacinto da Silva “Hadia Kulau”, some IDPs have started returning home. STL reports that the meeting, held in a familiar/friendly environment and moderated by Fr. Guilhermino of Becora Parish, discussed many issues of concern like guaranteeing security. Jacinto da Silva ‘Kulau’ said Kulau was one of the worst affected areas during the crisis and the youth must start to play a greater role in establishing a peaceful environment to assure security for the IDPs wishing to return to their homes, adding, many people from the east have now returned to their residences. He further said the youth of Kulau have welcomed the notion and are providing security for those who have decided to return home. Jacinto da Silva ‘Kulau’ said he is delighted with the peace actions achieved by the youth in relation to the 12 November massacre anniversary commemoration. He pointed out that a step has been achieved and has opened the way for dialogue and community re-integration, adding, the next phase would be to clear the camps opposite the seaport, the airport and other areas. Joao da Silva “Choque” said the two-day peace march was successful despite some incidents of rock throwing, which according to him is not important, as there are always provocateurs, and appealed to the organizers to continue to maintain their position and work for peace and stability of the nation. The Coordinator of Comoro airport camp, José da Silva Gusmão has stressed that the IDPs of that camp have expressed the desire to return to their homes if the youths assures them safety. (STL)
Major Tara Met With Brigadier General
Major Agusto de Araújo “Tara” met with F-FDTL Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak for the second time in relation to plans for the veterans to travel to Dili and stabilize the situation. MP Riak Leman organized the meeting. He said that many people, including the government, initially agreed to the plan but the government then decided not to support it because of lack of funds,. Apart from the plan, both Tara and Ruak discussed the subsidies for the petitioners as some of them from Ainaro District are currently facing extreme difficulties. They also discussed the construction of houses for the veterans and for the people who lost their homes as a result of the crisis. (STL)
Strict Access For Media
Journalists of Timor Post (TP) and Diario Nacional have reported that the media is facing difficulties in accessing information on the current Prime Minister’s activities which contrasts to that of the former Prime Minister’s office. According to TP, during Prime Minister Alkatiri’s period, his public relations staff allowed the media access to his daily activities. The journalists are reportedly unhappy with the system adopted by PM’s Ramos-Horta public relations office (TP)
Delegation From Britain Meets Barris
A delegation from Great Britain including the Jakarta based Ambassador visited Timor-Leste on Tuesday and met with the Minister of Interior Alcino Barris to discus security and justice assistance. According to Barris, it was also an opportunity to explain to the delegation the functions of the police before and after the crisis and the vision of the ministry’s development.
President Determined To Withdraw Project
Francisco Guterres “Lu-Olo” is determined to withdraw the electoral project law from Commission A of the National Parliament if it continues to delay the presentation of the document to the plenary. Guterres said the document was presented to the Commission on October 25 and he personally does not know what is stopping it. But he insists that the report and the suggestions must be approved and presented to the plenary session for discussion and approval within this week, adding that it would enable STAE and the National Electoral Commission to proceed with preparations for the 2007 elections. (TP)
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SEAPA/Pacific Media Watch - Wednesday, 15 November 2006, 10:59 am
As Political Violence Rages, Journalist Stoned by Mob, Receives Death Threats
BANGKOK - A local Agence France-Presse (AFP) stringer, Nelson da Cruz, was struck in the face with a stone thrown by an unidentified youth while on his way to report a riot in Dili on 9 November 2006.
Da Cruz, who is also a journalist with Television of Timor-Leste (TVTL), was about to drive three friends to their house in Kampung Baru, Komoro, a Dili suburb, when he received a tip about a riot in the nearby Kolmera district.
Along the way, at the junction of Kolmera and Bebora, a group of youths armed with sickles and knives were stoning passing cars and trying to open the vehicles' doors. They managed to stop Da Cruz's car and asked whether he was from "Lorosae or Loromonu" (the eastern or western part of East Timor).
Da Cruz responded by identifying himself as a journalist. Dissatisfied, the youths repeated their question. As Da Cruz was about to reply again, one of them hurled a stone that struck his right cheekbone; another hit the car's window. When Da Cruz started to bleed profusely, the group let him go.
Da Cruz sought treatment at a hospital, where he received four stitches to his wound. He then reported the incident to the "Timor Post" office in Bebora, to the nearby "Suara Timor Lorosae" newspaper and to the AFP editor in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Since April, violence arising from differences between the eastern and western regions of East Timor has killed at least 37 people and driven 15 percent of the population from their homes. The United Nations police force is helping to restore order in this young nation with a traumatic past, which won independence from Indonesia only in 2002.
Da Cruz and his colleagues have been staying at their office since their houses were burnt down. They also fear for their lives, having received death threats.
Responding to the attack on Da Cruz, "Suara Timor Lorosae" Co-Deputy Editor-in-chief Domingos Saldanha appealed to the community to view journalists as their friends, saying that journalists would not engage in activities that harm the people.
"A journalist's task is to cover news stories from the community and transmit them to the public. As journalists, we do not distinguish [between races, or people of different ethnic origin] and religion . . . we always look at the people of Timor-Leste as one community," he said.
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The Age - November 15, 2006
Hugs, tears in Dili lift peace hopes
Lindsay Murdoch, Darwin
AFTER months of violence, hundreds of youths from rival gangs have gathered on the streets of Dili to embrace each other, shed tears and celebrate a fragile peace.
"It seems that peace, not war, is breaking out in East Timor," the country's Prime Minister, Jose Ramos Horta, said yesterday.
Despite more than 60,000 people still living in squalid refugee camps too afraid to return to their homes, and armed rebels remaining at large in East Timor's mountains, Mr Ramos Horta said recent meetings involving himself, President Xanana Gusmao and leaders of the country's army and police may mark the end of months of violence that left more than 30 dead and 2000 homes and buildings destroyed.
The Prime Minister said he had heard "honest and humble words" from the army and police leaders and they had pledged to work together for reconciliation, stability and peace.
"To consolidate peace, much more needs to be done in the coming days and weeks, but no matter what obstacles are placed in front of us we will not give up on seeking peace, harmony and democracy," he said in a statement released in Dili.
Mr Ramos Horta said that over the past few days more than 1000 youths had shed tears and embraced each other in peace rallies on the main road between Dili and the airport, the scene of some of the worst recent violence. A formal meeting of all of East Timor's political actors would be held in Dili on November 21.
Mr Ramos Horta, who took office in June at the height of political upheaval, said that as Defence Minister it was his responsibility to ensure East Timor's 800-strong military was armed, but he said he would not buy more weapons for the police or army.
"There are too many weapons in our country as it is," he said. "All of us have seen too much killing, too much violence and too much mourning. "I see my role as looking after the minds and souls of our military and police. Enough of guns!"
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Parada das forças defesa e segurança sela compromisso para a paz
Díli, 15 Nov (Lusa) - Efectivos das forças de defesa e de segurança de Timor-Leste participaram hoje uma parada defronte do Palácio do Governo, em Díli , num acto que traduziu a selagem do compromisso com a paz, segundo o Presidente timorense, Xanana Gusmão.
A iniciativa, a que compareceram os quatro órgãos de soberania, deputados, membros do governo e corpo diplomático, visou demonstrar o "espírito de unidade e solidariedade" entre as Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) e a Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL), de acordo com um comunicado da Presidência da República.
Efectivos das F-FDTL e da PNTL envolveram-se em confrontos na crise político-militar desencadeada em Abril, que deixou um saldo de mais de 50 mortos, dezenas de milhares de deslocados e avultados estragos materiais em bens públicos e privados.
EL-Lusa/Fim
ARMY OFFICIAL, MILITIA LEADER MUST HAND IN WEAPONS SAYS PM
Dili, 15 Nov. (AKI) - East Timor Prime Minister, Jose Ramos-Horta accused renegade soldier, Major Alfredo Reinado Alves and civilian militia group leader, Vicente "Railos" da Conceicao, of still holding weapons and urged them to surrender them. "I have credible information that Major Reinado and Railos groups are still holding automatic weapons and I do not know what for. To stop the bloodshed in East Timor, I urge them to hand the rest of the weapons to the international troops or UNPOL (United Nation police)," Ramos-Horta told Adnkronos International (AKI).
Australian-trained Major Reinado deserted on 4 May 2006 to join approximately 600 former soldiers who had been sacked after complaining of discrimination in promotions. Their dismissal started the East Timor crisis. Arrested for his role in the violence, Major Reinado is still at large after having escaped from prison on 30 August.
Vicente “Railos” da Conceicao is the leader of a civilian militia allegedly set up by former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri to get rid of his political adversaries.
Both Major Reinado and Vicente “Railos” da Conceicao have allegedly handed in their weapons in the past few months.
Horta underlined that a failure to comply with his ultimatum will lead to dire consequences.
“It is the international troops’ duty to hunt down people who have no right to hold weapons like Major Alfredo and the Railos group. There will be no mercy for them if they are still holding weapons,” Ramos-Horta told AKI adding that the two rebels were hiding in the forests.
The premier's words angered militia leader “Railos” da Conceicao, met by Adnkronos International in his house in Liquica town.
Railos, who said that he never left his town, defined Ramos-Horta as “a not very intelligent man,” and said that the prime minister has no evidence and does not really want to solve the problem.
“I never left Liquica town and run to the forest as Horta said. My group and I handed over our weapons to the international troops in front of Horta himself and other dignitaries in July. How can he still accuse me of holding weapons? This is a serious accusation,” he told AKI.
“Horta is not very cleaver and lacks the political will to solve the problem,” Railos added.
Railos militia’s weapons were distributed from a branch of the security apparatus arsenal. In the meantime, UNMIT acting Administrator, Finn Reske-Nielsen in Dili confirmed that 96 percent of the weapons have now been collected and are accounted for.
“Well over 3,000 weapons have been collected already, including the vast majority of the long-barrel weapons,” Reske-Nielsen told AKI.
However, UNPOL commissioner in East Timor, Antero Lopes, said that there are some 200 weapons that belong to national police still unaccounted for.
“About 200 of the PNTL [East Timor police]’s weapons that have been distributed have not been recovered yet and we are tracing them,” Lopes added.
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Email UNMIT - Aviso de segurança
Subject:* SECURITY ADVISORY - WEDNESDAY 15 NOVEMBER - PEACE PARADE
UNMIT Security Timor-Leste
All UN Staff Security Advisory 15 November, 2006
Dear Colleagues,
*SECURITY ADVISORY – WEDNESDAY 15 NOVEMBER *
* *
* Please be advised that a large gathering of F-FDTL and PNTL
personnel will take place in central Dili this afternoon
(Wednesday 15 November). A combined parade will take place at the
request of the President and the Prime Minister as part of the
process of national dialogue and reconciliation. Details known so
far are as follows:
* Around 300 members of F-FDTL (a small number of whom may be armed)
together with a similar number of PNTL personnel will travel to
Dili from the districts to take place in a parade in front of the
Government Buildings. The F-FDTL contingent will assemble at Taci
Tolu and march from there at around 3:30pm with PNTL departing
Police HQ at 1545.
* Proceedings will commence at 5:00pm with speeches by the President
and the Prime Minister. Other senior political figures will also
speak, the A/SRSG will be present and the final address will be
that of the Bishop of Dili, with proceedings planned to be
complete at 6:15pm.
* It is to be expected that the ‘Peace Marchers’ who have
demonstrated around Dili in recent days will attend together with
members of the public, thereby likely increasing the numbers of
persons present to well in excess of 1,000.
* It is expected that, in the spirit of national dialogue and
reconciliation, the assembly will be peaceful and without
incident, and UN staff members may expect to see movement of
F-FDTL and PNTL in numbers through Dili. Traffic will be
controlled by UNPol and traffic congestion is likely in the city
centre.
* Staff members are advised that from 3:00pm they should avoid any
unnecessary travel by vehicle in the area of the Government
Buildings and the routes by which the contingents will assemble.
* It is understood that F-FDTL members will return to their base
locations this evening but, as it is likely that groups of youths
will be assembled, staff members are advised to act with the usual
caution and to avoid crowds or movement by night.
...
Bush tem uma oportunidade para responsabilizar terroristas
Seattlepi.com
Quarta-feira, Novembro 15, 2006
Por AMY GOODMAN
Colunista convidada
As tropas marcharam devagar, com as suas M-16s fabricadas nos USA levantadas. Foi em 12 de Novembro de 1991, um dia que ficará para sempre gravado na minha memória e na história. Estava a fazer reportagem em Timor-Leste, uma pequena ilha nação a 300 milhas a norte da Austrália, brutalmente ocupada pela Indonésia desde 1975. Um terço da população -- 200,000 Timorenses -- tinham sido mortos num dos piores genocídios do 20º século.
Milhares marcharam essa manhã para o cemitério de Santa Cruz para lembrar Sebastião Gomes, ainda um outro jovem Timorense morto por soldados Indonésios. Estava a fazer um documentário para a Rádio Pacifica. O meu colega Allan Nairn estava a escrever para o The New Yorker magazine. Numa terra onde não havia liberdade de expressão, de imprensa ou de reunião, perguntámos às pessoas: "Porque é que estão a arriscar as vossas vidas, ao (estarem nesta) marcha?"
"Faço-o pela minha mãe," respondeu um. "Faço-o pelo meu pai," disse um outro. "Faço-o pela liberdade."
No cemitério, vimos centenas de tropas Indonésias a virem pela estrada, 12 a 15 por fila. Os militares indonésios tinham cometido muitos massacres no passado, mas nunca na presença de jornalistas Ocidentais. Caminhámos para a frente da multidão, com a esperança de a nossa presença poder parar o ataque. Crianças murmuravam por detrás de nós. Pus o meus auriculares, peguei no meu gravador e empunhei p meu microfone como uma bandeira. Queríamos alertar as tropas que desta vez estavam a ser vistos pelo mundo.
Os Timorenses não podiam escapar. Estavam numa ratoeira (formada) pelos muros do cemitério que ladeavam ambos os lados da estrada. Sem qualquer aviso, provocação ou hesitação, os soldados passaram por nós e abriram fogo.
As pessoas foram destroçadas. As tropas continuaram simplesmente a disparar, matando qualquer um que ainda estivesse de pé. Um grupo de soldados cercou-me. Começaram por me sacudir o meu microfone na minha cara. Então com os canos das suas espingardas deitaram-me ao chão e pontapearam-me com as suas botas. Eu tentava respirar. O Allan atirou-se para cima de mim para me proteger de mais agressões.
Os soldados empunhavam as suas espingardas como se fossem tacos de baseball, batendo contra a sua cabeça até lhe facturarem o crânio. Ficou deitado na estrada com espasmos, coberto de sangue, incapaz de se mexer. De repente, cerca de uma dúzia de soldados alinharam-se como num pelotão de fuzilamento. Encostaram as suas armas contra as nossas cabeças e gritaram, "Política! Política!" Acusavam-nos de estarmos envolvidos na política, um crime claramente punido com a pena de morte. Perguntavam, "Austrália? Austrália?" Os Indonésios executaram seis jornalistas Australianos durante a invasão de 1975.
Gritávamos, "Não, somos da América!" Atirei-lhes o meu passaporte. Quando reganhei a respiração, disse outra vez: "Somos da América! América!" Finalmente, os soldados baixaram as suas armas. Pensamos que foi por sermos do mesmo país donde vieram as armas. Se nos matassem teriam que pagar por nós um preço que nunca tiveram de pagar por matarem Timorenses.
Pelo menos 271 Timorenses morreram nesse dia, no que ficou conhecido como o massacre de Santa Cruz. As tropas Indonésias continuaram a matar durante dias. Este nem sequer foi um dos maiores massacres em Timor-Leste, e não seria o último. Foi simplesmente o primeiro que foi testemunhado por estrangeiros.
Escrevo sobre o massacre esta semana não só para lembrar o 15º aniversário desse evento e todos os que morreram nesse dia. O Presidente Bush vai em direcção à Indonésia na Segunda-feira. Isto dará ao presidente e ao Congresso uma oportunidade para mostrar que são sérios quando falam em responsabilizar os terroristas. Se cortassem toda a ajuda militar à Indonésia até os responsáveis pelo massacre e pela política de genocídio serem responsabilizados, estariam a mostrar ao mundo que os USA estão ao lado da justiça. O Congresso dos USA tem de ouvir o pedido da Comissão de Timor-Leste para o Acolhimento, Verdade e Reconciliação para (haver) um tribunal internacional de direitos humanos e para reparações de países e corporações que apoiaram a ocupação brutal.
A definição de terrorismo é a mesma em todas as línguas, seja praticada por indivíduos ou por Estados, pela al-Qaida ou, em nosso nome, por governos apoiados pelos USA que abusam dos direitos humanos. É triste dizer, até agora, a administração Bush e o Congresso ignoraram o pedido de justiça. O que nós testemunhámos e sobrevivemos há 15 anos atrás foi a terrorismo, puro e simples -- o assassínio de civis inocentes.
Amy Goodman tem o programa noticioso de rádio "Democracy Now!" Distribuido King Features Syndicate.
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Austrália sob suspeita nas Salomão
Público, 15/11/06
O primeiro-ministro das Ilhas Salomão, Manasseh Sogavare, do Partido Popular Progressista, anunciou ontem que vai pedir o fim da imunidade legal da força pacificadora estrangeira no seu país, sob comando australiano, porque os seus elementos "estão a fomentar a prática da prostituição".
O responsável pela Missão Regional de Assistência às Ilhas Salomão, o australiano Tim George, desmentiu que os mais de 300 polícias e 200 soldados da (RAMSI, segundo o acrónimo em inglês) estejam a levar prostitutas locais para a sua base, nos arredores da capital do arquipélago, Honiara.
Uma força de 2300 militares e polícias foi enviada em 2003 para aquele país da Melanésia, para pôr fim a anos de actos de violência que mataram centenas de pessoas e forçaram pelo menos outras 20.000 a deixar as suas casas.
As Ilhas Salomão são uma monarquia constitucional, de pouco mais de meio milhão de habitantes. A rainha Isabel II da Inglaterra está representada pelo governador geral Sir Nathaniel Waena.
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Parada conjunta F-FDTL/PNTL em frente Palácio Governo 17:00
A cerimónia será presidida pelo Presidente da República, e contará com a presença do Presidente do Parlamento, Primeiro-Ministro, Presidente do Tribunal de Recurso, Membros do Governo, Deputados, Corpo Diplomático.
A população e a comunidade internacional foi convidada a assistir.
Curiosamente o PNUD enviou a seguinte mensagem:
A combined F-FDTL-PNTL peace march and parade will occur in front of the CPA at 5:00 pm today. F-FDTL will march from Taci Tolu at 3:30 pm. Avoid these areas.
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Bush has chance to hold terrorists accountable
Seattlepi.com
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
By AMY GOODMAN
GUEST COLUMNIST
The troops marched slowly, their U.S.-made M-16s raised. It was Nov. 12, 1991, a day that would forever be seared into my memory, and into history. I was reporting in East Timor, a small island nation 300 miles north of Australia, brutally occupied by Indonesia since 1975. A third of the population -- 200,000 Timorese -- had been killed in one of the worst genocides of the 20th century.
Thousands marched that morning toward the Santa Cruz cemetery to remember Sebastião Gomes, yet another young Timorese killed by Indonesian soldiers. I was doing a documentary for Pacifica Radio. My colleague Allan Nairn was writing for The New Yorker magazine. In a land where there was no freedom of speech, press or assembly, we asked people: "Why are you risking your lives by marching?"
"I'm doing it for my mother," one replied. "I'm doing it for my father," said another. "I'm doing it for freedom."
At the cemetery, we saw hundreds of Indonesian troops coming up the road, 12 to 15 abreast. The Indonesian military had committed many massacres in the past, but never in front of Western journalists. We walked to the front of the crowd, hoping that our presence could stop the attack. Children whispered behind us. I put on my headphones, took out my tape recorder and held up my microphone like a flag. We wanted to alert the troops that this time they were being watched by the world.
The Timorese couldn't escape. They were trapped by the cemetery walls that lined both sides of the road. Without any warning, provocation or hesitation, the soldiers swept past us and opened fire.
People were ripped apart. The troops just kept shooting, killing anyone still standing. A group of soldiers surrounded me. They started to shake my microphone in my face. Then they slammed me to the ground with their rifle butts and kicked me with their boots. I gasped for breath. Allan threw himself on top of me to protect me from further injury.
The soldiers wielded their M-16s like baseball bats, slamming them against his head until they fractured his skull. He lay in the road in spasm, covered in blood, unable to move. Suddenly, about a dozen soldiers lined up like a firing squad. They put the guns to our heads and screamed, "Politik! Politik!" They were accusing us of being involved in politics, a crime clearly punishable by death. They demanded, "Australia? Australia?" The Indonesians executed six Australian journalists during the 1975 invasion.
We shouted, "No, we're from America!" I threw my passport at them. When I regained my breath, I said again: "We're from America! America!" Finally, the soldiers lowered their guns from our heads. We think it was because we were from the same country their weapons were from. They would have to pay a price for killing us that they never had to pay for killing Timorese.
At least 271 Timorese died that day, in what became known as the Santa Cruz massacre. Indonesian troops went on killing for days. It was not even one of the larger massacres in East Timor, and it wouldn't be the last. It was simply the first to be witnessed by outsiders.
I write about the massacre this week not just to remember the 15th anniversary of that event and those who died that day. President Bush is headed to Indonesia on Monday. This will give the president and Congress an opportunity to show they are serious about holding terrorists accountable. If they were to cut all military aid to Indonesia until those responsible for the massacre and for the policy of genocide are held accountable, they would be showing the world that the United States stands on the side of justice. The U.S. Congress must hear the East Timor Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation's call for an international human-rights tribunal and for reparations from the countries and corporations that supported the brutal occupation.
The definition of terrorism is the same in all languages, whether carried out by individuals or states, by al-Qaida or, in our name, by U.S.-supported governments abusing human rights. Sad to say, the Bush administration and Congress have so far ignored the call for justice. What we witnessed and survived 15 years ago was terrorism, pure and simple -- the killing of innocent civilians.
Amy Goodman hosts the radio news program "Democracy Now!" Distributed by King Features Syndicate.
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Comunicado - PM em inglês
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
MEDIA RELEASE
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
MEDIA RELEASE
Dili, November 15 2006
Soldiers and police rally to show solidarity, peace and trust
In an extraordinary display of solidarity, trust and friendship, hundreds of Timor-Leste’s soldiers and police will this afternoon march together to the Palacio do Governo where they will be received by the President of the Republic, the President of Parliament and the Prime Minister.
President Xanana Gusmão, the President of Parliament Francisco Guterres “Lu-Olo”, and the Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta will greet the marchers around 5 p.m. and each of the nation’s leaders will make a short speech.
“I invite all the people – Timorese and the international community – to come and join our soldiers and police at the Palacio,” President Gusmão said today.
“The wounds of recent events are healing and our forces are showing us the way towards a lasting peace.
“I am moved by the unity and friendship shown by our soldiers and police, and particularly by their leaders.
“They have faced a most severe ordeal and emerged even stronger. Their unselfish actions send a very clear message to all of Timor-Leste, and that message is one of peace, unity and harmony.”
Tomorrow’s rally at the Palacio follows meetings held recently between the President, the Prime Minister and leaders of Timor-Leste’s army and police.
“I have had many meetings with the leaders of the soldiers, F-FDTL senior officers, both formally and informally sharing conversations and meals with them,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.
“And in the last couple of weeks Brigadier Taur Mata Ruak, the army’s commander, has met President Xanana for frank and fraternal discussions on how, and where, this country should progress.
“These meetings were followed by larger gatherings involving the President, myself and all senior and middle-ranking army and police officers. The informal gathering at President Xanana’s private residence in Balibar last Thursday was a particularly moving one.”
President Xanana said he hoped as many people as possible would come to the rally.
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Apelos à paz não evitam a violência
TUTELA DA FRETILIN
Jornal de Notícias, 15/11/06
Por: Orlando Castro
Ao mesmo tempo que pelo menos duas pessoas ficavam feridas nos recontros registados em Bebonuk (Díli), entre jovens das partes leste e oeste do país, o presidente timorense, Xanana Gusmão, voltava a exigir que a FRETILIN revele a identidade dos que, segundo o partido maioritário, elaboraram "um plano bem traçado de contra-inteligência", tendo em vista a subversão da ordem constitucional.
A violência surgiu quando dezenas de jovens, armados com catanas, dardos e setas, e munidos de pedras, se envolveram em confrontos directos.
Apesar dos incidentes, noutros pontos da cidade continuam as marchas de jovens em prol da paz. Militares da GNR, que estavam a enquadrar uma das colunas, disseram que já tiveram que resolver dois pequenos incidentes, marcados por apedrejamentos entre grupos rivais, na rotunda de Caicoli, junto ao antigo mercado, e na zona do Matadouro, entre os bairros de Balide e Vila Verde.
"Indiquem-nos, por favor, essas maldosas pessoas! O povo unido até pode ajudar a apanhá-las e metê-las em Becora (principal prisão em Timor-Leste), para aprenderem a perceber que a nossa democracia não permite manifestações contra o Governo! Eu creio que o povo ficará contente e descansado por, finalmente, castigarmos esses 'profundamente anti-democráticos e golpistas'. Mas revelem-nos os nomes por favor", lê-se no texto em que Xanana desafia a FRETILIN.
O ex-primeiro-ministro Mari Alkatiri afirma que o actual Governo, chefiado por Ramos-Horta, é tutelado por si e pela FRETILIN e que "esse foi o acordo estabelecido". "Uma vez por semana, pelo menos, reúno-me com o primeiro-ministro. Esse foi o acordo estabelecido antes da formação do Governo, diz Alkatiri referindo que tudo está muito claro "O primeiro-ministro está a chefiar um Governo da FRETILIN e eu sou o secretário-geral da FRETILIN". Ou seja, "qualquer Governo tem tutela. É a política do partido vencedor" das eleições".
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Notícias - traduzidas pela Margarida
Associated Press - 14 Nov 2006
HONIARA, Ilhas Salomão (AP)
O Primeiro-Ministro das Ilhas Salomão Manasseh Sogavare disse na Terça-feira que removerá a imunidade legal da missão liderada pelos Australianos acusando o seu pessoal de estar a alimentar uma indústria ilegal de sexo.
O pessoal tem estado a introduzir prostitutas locais na base da Missão de Assistência Regional das Ilhas Salomão conhecida pelas iniciais RAMSI , fora da capital Honiara, disse Sogavare.
A prostituição, apesar de estar à vista, é ilegal na nação do Pacífico Sul corroída pela pobreza.
“Isto é contra a nossa lei mas o pessoal da RAMSI a cometer estes crimes não pode ser processado sob as nossas leis,” disse Sogavare numa declaração. Não explicou quem é que fez as alegações contra o pessoal da RAMSI.
Sogavare disse que o seu governo pode remover a imunidade criminal dado ao pessoal da RAMSI.
“Isto ... aponta para uma necessidade de rever essas imunidades,” disse Sogavare.
A missão de segurança é constituída por cerca de 300 polícias e 200 militares da Austrália e das nações vizinhas do Sul do Pacífico.
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