Army chief for Timor president

The Australian
January 04, 2007

EAST Timor Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta wants the country's defence chief, a former Falintil guerilla commander, appointed as the next president after Xanana Gusmao, who is expected to step down later this year.

Mr Ramos Horta said East Timor Defence Force commander Brigadier-General Taur Matan Ruak would make a good president if Mr Gusmao declined to run in May elections.
"Taur Matan Ruak has good leadership from the 24 years during the resistance period," Mr Ramos Horta said.

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Howard warns of Pacific unrest

Fiji Times Online

1100 FJT
Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Update: 11am Australia's Prime Minister has accused China and Taiwan of "evil" meddling in Australia's Pacific backyard.

John Howard says Australia needs to work harder to stop South Pacific island nations falling into the hands of hostile groups.

He was quoted by Pacific News Agency Service PACNEWS, as saying that Australia would be engaged in the region for up to 20 years struggling to restore order to nations such as Fiji, East Timor, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

"I can understand Australians saying, 'Well, look, let's forget about it and leave them to their own devices. Don't waste any money'," he said.

"But that is the wrong approach because they will fall into the hands of the evil from other countries."

"Certainly there's a bit of a battle between China and Taiwan."

Mr Howards Pacific warning came as Fiji's military strongman, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, threatened to ask China for help if Australia opposed his regime.

He said Australia was increasing the size of its army to "deal with things in the region".

Mr Howard said Australia would need to play a major role in the region for the next 10 to 20 years to prevent instability in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, East Timor and the Solomon Islands.

The Australian Government recently sent forces to East Timor and Solomon Islands to help restore law and order.

He said Australia was in a difficult position because of allegations of interference.

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Noticias - 3 de Dezembro

The Age - January 3, 2007 - 4:39PM

Soldier hurt in Timor training accident

An Australian soldier serving in East Timor has been injured after a stun grenade apparently exploded in his hand during a training exercise. A spokesman for the Defence department said the man was flown to Royal Darwin Hospital on Saturday for treatment.

The soldier has since been shifted to a medical facility at the Robertson Army Barracks in Darwin. He was said to be in a stable condition, with unspecified injuries to his hand.

The grenade, known as a flashbang, is designed to seriously disorientate its victim by producing a blinding flash and deafening bang. The department said the incident was being investigated.

There are about 800 Australian Defence Force personnel serving in East Timor who are providing security in the aftermath of last year's political unrest.

NOTÍCIAS UNMIT

National Media Reports:

TP - Timor PostDN - Diario Nacional STL - Suara Timor LorosaeRTTL - Radio e Televisao de Timor-Leste

UNMIT Daily Media Review - Friday, 29 December 2006 – Tuesday, 2 January 2007
National Media Reports

PM Ramos Horta will candidate TMR to be the next President

Speaking to journalists after attending a Christmas party at the Ministry of Education, PM Ramos-Horta reportedly said that he would support the candidature of the commander of F-FDTL, Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak (TMR), to be the next President if the current President of the Republic, Xanana Gusmão, refuses to run for re-election in 2007. Questioning the reasons for the candidacy of TMR, PM Ramos Horta said that TMR was the proper leader to be in the president’s post. He said “TMR has good leadership from the 24 years during the resistance period, and also since 1999, until we faced the East Timor ongoing crisis. TMR has shown a lot of courage during these three periods. Nobody has such courage as he does”, stressed PM Ramos Horta. However, questioning on whether or not PM Ramos Horta would declare himself as a candidate, he said that he would not even though the people want him. (DN, TP, STL)

The forthcoming elections will be held prior to the end of the NP mandate: Lu’Olo

President of the National Parliament, Francisco Guterres Lu’Olo, was quoted recently in Diario Nacional as saying that the 2007 General Elections will be held before the end of the mandate of the National Parliament - 20 May 2007. He added that some political parties tried to hold the NP regiment [which said the mandate of NP ends on 15 September] to interpret the constitution which obviously stated that 20 May 2007 is the end of the NP mandate. (DN)

Police Members who are now with Fugitive Major Alfredo Reinaldo have not given any response to return to PNTL HQ

Speaking to journalists after visiting the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) HQ in Fatu-hada, the Vice Minister of Interior, Agustinho ‘Somoco’ Sequeira reportedly said that he had issued a called-letter for the second time to the members of PNTL who are now still with the fugitive Major Alfredo, but, as yet, there has been no response. The letter was sent twice to request those police members to present themselves to the Ministry of Interior and follow up on the process to re-activate.

RTTL news headlines

Horta: 2007 the year for Development

Before entering the New Year 2007, Prime Minister Horta conveyed his message to the people that 2007 will be a year of Development. At the same time, Mr. Horta also admitted that security will still be problem for the country; it needs a least one more year to recover. On the same occasion, Mr. Horta bowed to work for economic recovery and improved security in order to restore peace, stability and tranquility and to ensure a safe and secure atmosphere for the coming national elections.

Solving crisis through National Unity

In the occasion of dialogue between the people in the area of Santa Cruz, Gama the organizer of the Dialogue said that National Unity is one way to solve the present political and security situation of the country. Therefore the people of Timor-Leste must be united and put behind the false propaganda of Loromonu and Lorosae. On the same occasion, the chefee Suku of Santa Cruz said that the present crisis will be solved if discrimination issues and the cases of the petitioners are addressed first. One of the youth members also said that the actors of the crime should be persecuted and that the youth should not be blamed for their sins.

IDPs support the plan of the Government

The coordinator of IDPs at Airport Niculao Lobato said that the IDPs are all supporting the plans of the Government and they are willing to cooperate in the best interest of the country. They also expressed their doubts of the effort of the government to address the problems of the IDPs. He said that the Government is demanding that the IDPs return to their homes but the security problem is still very fragile and the murderers and the actors of violence are still free. We came to these camps because we were afraid to die, so we will not return to our places if security is still a problem, added one of the IDPs.


UNMIT Daily Media Review - Wednesday, 3 January 2007

National Media Reports

The Money that we Have Does Not Have Any Value if we are Not United: PM Ramos-Horta

Speaking to journalists, PM Ramos-Horta reportedly said that the revenue earned from investment in the petroleum sector has increased significantly compared with previous years. This year Timor-Leste will gain almost US$100 million every month. However, the Prime Minister added, “this money does not make any sense if we are not united. Both the First and Second Constitutional Governments completed some good jobs, although some have not been achieved as yet. However, we believe that with the assistance and cooperation from all East Timorese people, we can finish the uncompleted jobs”, stressed Horta. (DN)

2006 Annual Report from the Ministry of Labour and Community Reinsertion, Many tasks of 2006 have not been completed yet: Bano

Speaking to journalists, the Minister of Labour and Community Reinsertion, Arsenio Paixão Bano reportedly said that many tasks have not been completed in his ministry because a lot of time has been devoted to helping the victims of the ongoing crisis. He added that four main areas were prioritised in 2006 including Professional and Capacity Building, employment, Social and Veterans issues. But on top of that, the ministry also focused on provision of humanitarian assistance to IDPs in the country. In the area of employment for example, the ministry planned to employ more people both inside and outside the country, but because of the crisis, they had to put this programme off. However, many tasks were reported to be successfully completed by the ministry. This includes providing scholarships for 2,900 primary and secondary students, providing employment through the US$2 Employment Programme (Cash for Work programme) for more than 10,000 people, establishing youth centres, and creating more employment opportunities for the youth in the future. Mr. Bano emphasised that with 104 permanent and 150 temporary staff only, the ministry will try its best to continue serving the IDPs and to provide humanitarian assistance for the country in the future. On the other hand, capacity building was still very important for all staff of the ministry, stressed Mr. Bano.

Expectation for Development

Speaking to journalists after chairing the New Year Mass at the Cathedral on 1 January, Bishop of the Dili Dioceses, Mgr. Arlberto Ricardo da Silva reportedly delivered his message to the people saying this New Year would bring hope for development and added that sometimes good plans could be damaged by other unexpected things. “This could be learned from the experience of last year where we had good plans, but we could not realise them due to various reasons including the ongoing crisis. But with the arrival of 2007, we pray to God to help our leaders, authorities, and all East Timorese people to extend our hands to each other and show our good will, courage and bravery to create a good atmosphere for the future development of Timor-Leste”, he said.

RTTL news headlines

IDPs return home

Ministry of Labour and Solidarity has identified 142 families from different IDP camps who want to return home this week. Among them, 9 families are not welcome by their neighbours in Kakaulidun, while the others would be welcomed by their neighbours. One of the community members said that they are happy to accept their friends in IDP camps because they feel that all of them are victims of this crisis and blame the leaders as the actors of this present political and security crisis. They also appealed to their friends in the IDP camps to return to their homes.Sr. Guilarmina who is the responsible for the IDPs in the Canossian Sister compound in Balide Raihun has expressed her discontent towards the office of the Minister of Labour and Community Reinsertion yesterday for evacuating IDPs without proper coordination with the Sisters. She said that the number of IDPs in their compound from April until October 2006 has dropped from 28,000 to around 13,000 people because people have returned to their homes. They came by themselves and returned to their homes by themselves too. They were looking for a safe place to stay and we offered them what we could. So, they should inform us before going back home, added Sr. Guilarmina. She also appealed to the offices of the Minister of Public Works and Labour and Community Reinsertion to coordinate with the Sisters before removing IDPs from the compound.

Justice

The National Front for Justice and Peace has lamented on the Judiciary System of Timor-Leste. They said that the Government of Timor-Leste does not pay any attention anymore to justice in the Country. It seems the effort of the Government to bring justice to the people is going backward and becoming more and more silenced by the leaders. This was the main concern for the one day workshop of NFJP on Saturday, 30 December 2006. The participants of the workshop came from 13 districts, leaders of Political Parties and some members of NGOs. The aim of the workshop was to evaluate the justice system in Timor-Leste, and the office of the Prosecutor-General.

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De um leitor

Nesta quadra natalícia recebi como presente de um casal amigo um pequeno livro (apenas pouco mais do de quatro dezenas de páginas) de poesia escrita por um Timorense, aquando da sua diáspora em Portugal… porquanto, pelas notícias que entretanto li ele se encontra actualmente na sua terra natal Timor-Leste…

Não quero deixar de partilhar convosco algum do imenso prazer que tive ao ler o livro, enviando um dos poemas de AFONSO BUSA METAN, poema que escreveu em Lisboa em 19.abril.1999….

“””””””””””
Sangue e hipocrisia

É vermelha a dor,
vermelho o horror,
e é violenta,
lenta,
valente,
impotente,
sofrente…
E há gente que mente
no cinismo prepotente,
decorrente deste mundo
que vê Timor ir ao fundo
e diz coisas piedosas,
maneiras ardilosas
de nada fazer afinal
nesta omissão fatal
que deixa assassinos à solta
e impunes os mandantes.
Tudo como dantes.
Tudo ainda mal.”””””””””””


PS: peço desculpas (e respectiva compreensão) para esta reprodução sem a devida autorização prévia do Autor e da Editora (SUL – é uma ONG com sede em Aveiro, tendo editado em 2001 um outro livro do João Paulo Esperança), tendo assumido esta ousadia pelo prazer e gosto de partilhar convosco esta obra, com o título “Cartas da terra dos malais”, editada em Dezembro.2005.

que 2007 represente e consolide a PAZ em Timor-Leste e traga o DESENVOLVIMENTO que as suas gentes necessitam… um abraço amigo do

ST.
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Four Corners and the Coup in Timor Leste

New Mathilda - 6 December 2006


By Tim Anderson

On the above; if I were Jackson, Buckfield and Cronau, not to mention the ABC I would be preparing for the Alkatiri legal onslought which would be coming now that the investigation has been shelved, or dismissed for want of a better word for want of any evidence to support a prima facie case against the former PM of East Timor. Lawyers I speak to think Alkatiri would have no trouble in proving that there was malice and disregard to his reputation when the story was put together on the slenderest of facts and on based on the allegations of a highly discredited accuser.

The now famous "Theophanous Defence" in Australian defamation law based on the fact that politicians should "have broad backs" and therefor be fairer game, will only hold where there is an absence of malice. These guys from the ABC joined the pack of hounds, with blood in their nostrils and armed with trumped up charges, which were denied at every turn by the hunted person as well as other reputable people, as well as the unfair weighting given to the rebel Railos, (who was a proven thief of East Timor defence forces funds) and whose credibility was extremely suspect, all points to malice. Alkatiri was set up and God only knows where this is going to all end when all witnesses and their notes and their email records and etc etc are subpoened and trawled through. Watch out people, because its important that Alkatiri pursues these people....it is also for the good for the Australian body politic's well being.

These people have shown total disregard for decency and fair play, people including not only the journalists in question who went after him with malice aforethought, but also the Canberra bureaucrats from DFAT and political figures both in Australia and East Timor who went after him with equal malicious intent.

Lets not forget there is still in Australia the offence of criminal defamation in most states. In the lead up to Australian elections next year....this is going to be so much fun for some people.

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East Timor leader to receive honorary degree

Wednesday, January 03, 2007
By GARY McELROY
Staff Reporter
The leader of the 21st Century's newest nation is coming to Baldwin County in January.

His name is Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao. His country, which became a brand new democratic republic on May 20, 2002, is East Timor.

It takes up the eastern half of a large island in the Indonesian archipelago a few hundred miles north of Australia.

Thomas Rosandich, president and founder of the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, will serve as Gusmao's host. Rosandich said Tuesday that the occasion will be to bestow on his friend the academy's International Honorary Doctorate on Jan. 19.

Rosandich founded the Sports Academy more than 30 years ago. A few years later, he said, he delivered the institution to "sports friendly" Mobile, after visiting other potential U.S. sites from San Diego to Miami and a half-dozen points in between.

The academy offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, and is associated with nations around the world, Rosandich said.

So is Rosandich. Through a military career and as a coach and educator, he was an early proponent of the Peace Corps and helped get it

established in Southeast Asia. Over the years, he served as an American sports ambassador for the U.S. State Department in more than 40 countries, even more as head of his sports institution.

Rosandich described Gusmao as an "unusual, very charming, very interesting man" whose 30-year political struggle was very much like that of Nelson Mandela in South Africa -- public service, imprisonment by authorities for his campaigns of freedom and independence and, ultimately, the exercise of state craft as East Timor's elected leader.

The sports academy, described as the largest free-standing institution of its kind in the world, is in the process of helping Gusmao and his nation build a sports program there, Rosandich said, in part through private foundations.

"It's the newest nation in the world and probably the poorest nation in the world," Rosandich said of East Timor, and Gusmao's visit is in part intended to help Rosandich help him "deliver the (sports) program in his country."

Tempered by his own international sports ties going back more than 50 years and his academy's position as "a nexus to the world," Rosandich said, it was in a position to give the kind of help East Timor needed.

Gusmao will be the fourth recipient of the academy's honorary doctorate, Rosandich said. It is a list that also includes the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Mandela, as president of South Africa.

The school has delivered athletic programs to more than 60 nations, Rosandich said. It is independent, academically accredited and nonprofit. It trains men and women who aspire to careers in sports, he said.

He said he got the idea for a United States sports academy during the Cold War, via his travels through various nations during athletic and Olympic competitions.

Rosandich said he was struck by certain eastern European countries' uses of, and applications to, the "science" of sports.

"They used sports science far better than we did in America," Rosandich said.

It was not long afterward, Rosandich said, that he began doing everything he could to make sure that would no longer be true.

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Governo aumenta a ajuda a deslocados que querem voltar para casa - MTRC

REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE
MINISTÉRIO DO TRABALHO E DA REINSERÇÃO COMUNITÁRIA
MINISTÉRIO DAS OBRAS PÚBLICAS
GABINETE DE INFORMAÇÃO

Dili, 03 de Janeiro 2007

Comunicado de Imprensa

Governo aumenta a ajuda a deslocados que querem voltar para casa

O Governo, através do Ministério do Trabalho e da Reinserção Comunitária (MTRC) em
parceria com o Ministério das Obras Públicas (MOP) e as Forcas Armadas (F-FDTL),
aumenta o apoio aos deslocados que residem nos campos de Dili e querem voltar para os
Distritos, Sub-Distritos, aldeias ou sucos de origem.

O apoio humanitário cedido pelo Governo para ajudar no regresso a casa tem sido
aproveitado pelos deslocados que têm voltado aos seus Distritos ao longo dos últimos
meses.

O Governo facilita no transporte, disponiliza material de construção e apoio humanitário.
No mês de Dezembro que agora termina a deslocação dividiu-se em várias fases.
A primeira fase data do dia 19 de Dezembro, no dia 28 de Dezembro também foram
transportadas inúmeras famílias e no dia 29 saíram dos campos de deslocados de Díli
mais 6 familias, numa missão que contou com o apoio das Madres Dominicanas.
De acordo com o Plano Operacional em curso, um total de 15 famílias saíram no dia 30
de Dezembro de 2006 dos campos: Canosiana Balide, Canosiana Lecidere, Dominicana
Bidau e Aeroporto em direcção aos sub-distritos: Cristo Rei, Nain Feto, Vera Cruz e Dom
Aleixo, numa operacao conjunta de apoio do MTRC, MOP, Programa Alimentar
Mundial (WFP) .

Quanto a implementação do programa “Simu Malu” e sua evolução, o Ministro do
Trabalho, Arsénio Paixão Bano mostrou-se satisfeito pelo desenvolvimento deste
programa que tutela directamente: “ Já chegou o momento de recebermos de volta os
parentes que estavam afastados das suas famílias, distritos, sucos e aldeias. O Governo
apoia todos os deslocados que mostrarem vontade de voltar a casa e esse apoio tem a
duração de três meses”.

Anibal Guterres, deslocado que vivia no Campo do Aeroporto e já regressou a casa, para
o Sub-Distrito Dom Aleixo mostra a felicidade que sentiu na altura do regresso : “Eu
agradeço muito ao Governo porque nos dá comida e material de construcão para
reconstruirmos as nossas casas”.

O Governo espera que os deslocados aproveitem e utilizem os apoios dados pelo Estado
para os ajudar no regresso às actividades do dia-a-dia e para que todos, unidos,
contribuam para o estabelecimento da normalidade o mais depressa possível em Timor-
Leste.

***

Mensagem de Natal do Ministro do Trabalho e da Reinserção Comunitária Arsénio
Paixão Bano.

Queridos Irmãos.

Dirijo-me a vós com uma mensagem de alegria neste momento difícil com votos de :
"Santo Natal e próspero Ano Novo de 2007.

Olhamos para trás e vemos um ano difícil no nosso querido pais. Desde a crise de Abril e
Maio o nosso povo viveu o sofrimento e a tristeza nalguns casos de perder tudo. Com
eles todos nos sofremos também.

Este Governo, como representante do Povo timorense, tem o dever de fazer tudo para
acabar com as dificuldades com que muitos dos nossos irmãos se têm debatido nos
últimos meses.

Esta é por isso também uma mensagem de esperança.

Unidos, agora mais do que nunca, todos devemos dar as mãos, no mais profundo espírito
do Natal, para devolver a dignidade humana e as condições mínimas de bem-estar a uma
população ja tão habituada a sofrer.

Estamos, passo a passo, a aprender a caminhar. Como mais jovem Nação independente
do mundo temos que mostrar a comunidade internacional que conseguimos ultrapassar os
obstáculos que nos aparecem pela frente...

Já o fizemos no passado, durante os 24 anos de luta até alcançarmos a libertação. Fomos
exemplo de resistência, de luta, de dedicação rumo a um futuro livre dependente apenas
do nosso trabalho.

Todos juntos, podemos e devemos construir uma nova vida com alegria numa pátria que
é a nossa virada para o desenvolvimento.

Eu peço a todos os irmãos, de Este a Oeste do nosso território, para celebrarem com
alegria este Natal e desejo um novo ano, passado já em casa.

Aos que não têm essa possibilidade que o novo ano seja de regresso. De regresso a um
passado que já foi glorioso.

Eu peço a todos os queridos irmãos para nos ajudarmos uns aos outros, para ajudarmos
este Governo a resolver esta crise que enfrentamos, pois só unidos podemos alcançar a
vitória.

Aproveito esta oportunidade para apelar aos deslocados que querem voltar para as suas
casas, para os seus locais de origem para se registarem no Levantamento de Dados no
Ministério do Trabalho e da Reinserção Comunitária para poderem receber a ajuda do
Governo para regressarem então a casa.

O Ano de 2007 já está perto, um ano muito importante para a nosso Historia.

Ano de eleições Presidenciais e Legislativas, para que juntos possamos mostrar a quem
nos olha de fora que mesmo a mais jovem nação do mundo sabe viver numa próspera
democracia, a nossa democracia é e deve ser nossa e para todos nós.

Queridos Irmãos, acabo como comecei. Com um grande abraço de Natal cheio de alegria
e Ano Novo com paz para todos vós.

De
Arsénio Bano
Ministro do Trabalho e da Reinserção Comunitária
.

Before celebrating his birthday, the PM hit a child in the street.

Timor Post article
27 December 2006


Dili, TP
Event though for his 57th birthday, Tuesday (26-12), Prime Minister Dr. Jose Ramos Horta invited young children to dine together at his residence in Areia Branca, Meti Aut, in order to show that he always places great importance on children’s well being today and their future, at another time in reality he showed a different side.

On the Friday before the Prime Minister celebrated his birthday (15-12) a 13 year old child was a victim of violence when he was hit by the head of government and Nobel Laureate for Peace together with Bishop Belo in Norway in 1996.

The young boy with the pseudonym Ajoy, was hit only because he had lit a firecracker that went in the direction of the PM’s car, accompanied by one security car. Soon after the assault occurred, a Portuguese security officer put the victim Ajoy in the car and took him to the Fatuhada police station.

Because he was scared and knowing he was just a child, after he was released within an hour, Ajoy chose to remain silent about the incident and continued to live at the IDP camp by the airport. His family has lived there since the political and military crisis. However TP was successful at meeting Ajoy under his tarpaulin tent at the airport on Saturday 23-12. Although scared, Ajoy was able to calmly describe the violent incident involving the PM. Ajoy stated that on that Friday afternoon, Ajoy, like other children, were playing with small fireworks along the street around Lafatik with some friends.

It was there, Ajoy stated, that when PM Horta’s car with a security car passed close by, he lit a firecracker. But he did not do it to hit the car. Ajoy says the firecracker did not hit either car. “The firecracker I lit did not hit the PM’s car. Nor did I light the firecracker because the PM was going by. But before the incident, we had already been playing there.” said Ajoy.

Perhaps because it surprised them, Ajoy (a first year secondary student) said the two cars stopped suddenly. The Portuguese security officer, armed with a pistol, got out of the car and grabbed and held Ajoy while PM Horta hit his face twice.

As to what he felt about such conduct on the part of the PM, Ajoy lowered his head and said: “I was surprised when he (Horta) came up to me and straight away slapped my face. He hit me twice on the face. But I couldn’t do anything because perhaps I had done wrong and that’s why he hit me.”

After he was hit, Ajoy said, the Portuguese security officer put him in the car with Horta’s concurrence to take him to the Fatuhada police station. After they left Ajoy at the police station, Horta and his security officer continued on their way to the center of the city.

Because Ajoy was a child and was not culpable, the police there took him back to the IDP camp where he resides.

Meanwhile on the other hand when speaking with TP at the President’s palace, PM Horta acknowledged what he had done to the child Ajoy. But he said that he did not hit the child twice in the face, he hit him once and pulled his ear.

The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate considers the method of hitting he used as an appropriate means to discipline an unruly child.

“A slap and pull on the ear is to teach him not to be naughty. The problem is with stone throwers and parents aren’t teaching their children. I appeal to fathers to ensure that their children don’t do these things, throwing stones at people’s cars randomly. Government and private citizens have spent thousands of dollars because of the bad behavior of children, because parents don’t teach their children.”

As to whether the child really stoned Horta’s car, Horta answered: “Yes, yes. He threw stones at my car and many other people’s cars. Using a firecracker, that I didn’t see.”

This conduct by the PM was witnessed by many people because it was a very public incident. When TP met with a witness who lives near the street at Lafatik, the witness said: “I certainly saw Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta hit the young child in the street over there (Lafatik).” As to the incident of the PM Horta hitting the child, the witness agreed with what the victim stated. “The white foreign security officer got out of the car and grabbed the victim. PM Horta got out of the car and slapped the victim’s face. I saw that Horta perhaps was surprised by the noise of the firecracker at the moment when his car passed by.”

The witness, who did not want to give his-her name for reasons of security also said, “As the most senior member of government, PM Horta must not display that attitude in public.”

As to whether there are a lot of stones thrown at cars in that area as Horta said, the witness indicated that after the PM hit the child Ajoy, he certainly saw cars being stoned but he only saw government cars going past Lafatik. He said, that the government cars were stoned because an unidentified group were upset with the PM’s conduct in hitting a young child.

On the other hand, the family of the victim said that they understood what the PM did because perhaps the child was already in the wrong. They ask only that as a national leader, PM Horta shouldn’t hit the child in public as that can dirty his name.

The victim’s family said that like a father, Jose Ramos Horta has the right to teach Ajoy and they also recognize that what Ajoy did was perhaps wrong. At the same location, the coordinator of the airport IDP camp, Jose da Conceição, said that he received a complaint about PM Horta slapping the child. Also he didn’t want to politicize the incident because the victim’s family had already informed him that the child was in the wrong.

But Jose said that PM Horta’s conduct was not right because Horta is a national leader and recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize. “Like a father, Horta can teach naughty children but also not in the public eye because it’s not appropriate. As Prime Minister, Horta must control himself to not do anything that can dirty his name.”

Meanwhile whilst answering about Horta’s attitude, the President of the Democratic Christian Party, Antonio Ximenes, feels sad and strongly criticizes PM Horta’s conduct as not on the right path because it just dirties the image.
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Alkatiri is still a suspect: Monteiro

27/12/2006

Unotil


In response to news and rumours that former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri’s case of allegations of illegal distribution of weapons had been dropped, the Prosecutor General, Longinhos Monteiro stated that there is no official announcement as yet from his office on the issue. Asked about the status of Alkatiri in this regard, Monteiro said that “so far, his status is still as a suspect and there have been no changes yet to this status.” Monteiro further stated that in case of any change, whether archiving or processing the case, the public would be notified of all the processes and arguments supporting it. (DN & STL)

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Notícias de 1 e 2 de Dezembro de 2006 - traduzidas pela Margarida

Tradução da Margarida.

The Sydney Morning Herald – Segunda-feira, Janeiro 1, 2007

Como a Austrália temerosa abandonou Timor-Leste
Por Tony Stephens

Somente três anos depois de da Indonésia ter invadido Timor-Leste há 30 anos atrás, o governo Australiano do primeiro-ministro, Malcolm Fraser, estava a apoiar encobertamente a total integração da pequena colónia no seu vizinho gigante, de acordo com documentos do gabinete de 1976, liberados.

Os documentos de 1976 do gabinete, liberados sob a lei que os mantém secretos durante 30 anos, mostra que ao mesmo tempo que o ministro dos estrangeiros, Andrew Peacock, dizia publicamente que as forças Indonésias se deviam retirar e que devia haver um acto genuíno de auto-determinação, os chefes de defesa da Austrália estavam a tomar uma visão de política real.

Um relatório do comité de defesa de 5 de Fevereiro anotava que apesar de ser improvável que a Indonésia desenvolvesse qualquer acção militar contra a Austrália ou a Papua Nova Guiné, "a Indonésia é um poder com potencial a longo prazo para um assalto significativo contra a Austrália".

O relatório continuava: "Tentativas para negar à Indonésia os seus objectivos e para garantir a sua co-operação numa retirada militar de Timor-Leste e num acto genuíno de auto–determinação vão por isso provavelmente encontrar dificuldades políticas e práticas intratáveis e no final vão provar que são fúteis."

Paradoxalmente, mais de duas décadas depois, em 1998, um membro desse ministério original de Coligação, o Primeiro-Ministro, John Howard, foi um autor chave em garantir que Timor-Leste ganhasse a independência num referendo.

O comité de 1976 compreendia Sir Arthur Tange, o responsável do Departamento da Defesa, General Sir Francis Hassett, o chefe de pessoal das forças de defesa, Alan Renouf, o responsável dos negócios estrangeiros, e Gordon Jockel, o director da Organização Conjunta dos Serviços de Informações. Disseram que a Austrália podia objectar o uso da força, mas que era do melhor interesse da nação manter um perfil baixo sobre o assunto. E avisaram contra o apoio à “liderança de centro duro” da Fretilin, que tinha ligações com "elementos radicais internacionais ".

Secretamente, o governo aceitou a integração de Timor-Leste na Indonésia como um facto consumado. Uma revisão da defesa estratégica em Setembro argumentava: "Dado que a alternativa é no essencial um Estado fraco, aberto à interferência do exterior, os interesses de defesa são servidos melhor pela incorporação de Timor-Leste na Indonésia."

Peacock tinha recomendado ao Gabinete, em Fevereiro, que o governo continuasse a criticar o uso da força, "peça a retirada das forças Indonésias " e "peça (com pouca esperança) um processo genuíno de auto -determinação". O seu documento de desistência dizia: "As forças Indonésias já se dirigem bem no caminho de integrar Timor-Leste na Indonésia. A tragédia é que a integração podia ter sido alcançada de modo mais pacífico mas isso já pertence à história”.

"Não há nenhum interesse nacional Australiano real, isto é de comércio ou de segurança, envolvido directamente em Timor-Leste. Se (não há) nenhum, a preferência estratégica será a integração … a capacidade da Austrália para alterar o rumo dos eventos em Timor era limitada e agora é na verdade muito limitada."

Os documentos da defesa não resolverão o debate sobre talvez o mais doloroso exercício Australiano em negócios estrangeiros desde a II Guerra Mundial, até ao envolvimento do país no Iraque. A maioria dos documentos relevantes foram liberados em 2000, no seguimento de pressão pública e com o apoio de Gough Whitlam.

Críticos afirmam que Whitlam deu ao presidente Soeharto da Indonésia uma "luz verde " para ocupar a antiga colónia Portuguesa pela força. As próprias anotações de Whitlam remontam à correspondência entre António Salazar, o ditador Português, e Robert Menzies, onde Menzies parece não reagir à contenção de Salazar de que Timor-Leste era inviável económica e politicamente.

Arquivos de encontros entre Whitlam e Soeharto mostram que os dois pontos básicos de Whitlam eram que Timor-Leste devia tornar-se parte da Indonésia mas que "isso devia acontecer de acordo com o desejo do seu povo de modo adequadamente expresso …"

Uma questão é se Whitlam fez força suficiente para um acto de auto -determinação. Os documentos de Peacock criticam a opção de Whitlam como sendo de política real. Contudo a linha Fraser-Peacock mostram poucas diferenças. Peacock rejeitou a opção de cortar a ajuda económica e militar e de retirar o embaixador, argumentando: "conquanto tais passos seriam aplaudidos publicamente por alguns sectores de opinião na Austrália, os prejuízos que podiam causar às relações com a Indonésia tornam-nos inviáveis."


The Age (Melbourne) – Segunda-feira, Janeiro 1, 2007

Receada a intervenção da China em Timor
Por Russell Skelton, Canberra

O gabinete de Fraser foi avisado por um comité poderoso de chefes de defesa que uma guerra de independência prolongada pelos rebeldes da Fretilin podia levar à intervenção pelo Vietname ou pela China em Timor-Leste.

Uma avaliação dos serviços de informação nacionais, apresentada ao Gabinete dois meses depois da brutal incorporação de Timor-Leste, urgia o Governo a tranquilizar os interesses Indonésios, dizendo que a auto-determinação Timorense era um objectivo irrealista.

O documento de 26-páginas, que delineia claramente a política em relação a Timor, não teve em consideração os abusos dos direitos ou o problema de 140,000 Timorenses deslocados.

Em vez disso a avaliação dizia: "Não será do interesse estratégico da Austrália que a Indonésia seja frustrada da absorção de Timor-Leste ou que o processo seja complicado ou atrasado. "Isso fortalecerá o estatuto político do grupo da Fretilin e encorajará e facilitará o desenvolvimento das suas ligações com países interessados em apoiá-lo contra a Indonésia."

Acautelava também o gabinete para não se associar a qualquer força de manutenção da paz da ONU ou a qualquer acto de auto-determinação.

A história mostra que a avaliação estava bem longe do alvo. Em 30 de Agosto de 2001, dois anos depois de ter votado pela independência num referendo patrocinado pela ONU, Timor-Leste realizou as primeiras eleições democráticas. Apesar da intervenção da Austrália no processo, as relações entre Canberra e Jacarta, apesar de tensas, não se romperam.

A avaliação de 1976 foi preparada pelo Comité de Defesa, que incluía as figuras mais influentes do campo da defesa e civis. Presidido por Sir Arthur Tange, os seus membros incluíam o director da Organização Conjunta dos Serviços de Informações Gordon Jockel.

Incluída na análise de alto-nível estava um aviso de que a China e o Vietname podiam vir em socorro da Fretilin. A avaliação dizia que "o centro duro da liderança da Fretilin " tinha-se alinhado com movimentos de "libertação nacional " e procurava ajuda de Pequim e Hanói para uma luta armada.

Expressava preocupação que a Indonésia pudesse ter um papel desestabilizador na Papua Nova Guiné se as relações entre Canberra e Jacarta se azedassem por causa de Timor.

A avaliação do comité incluía ainda um documento esboçado por Jockel, enquanto presidente do Comité Nacional dos Serviços de Informações, que revela que o público Australiano estava mantido no escuro sobre as actividades secretas da Indonésia em Timor que levou à invasão armada da antiga colónia Portuguesa. Os serviços de informações Australianos sabiam o seguinte:

* Um ano antes da invasão Indonésia de 1975, o Presidente Soeharto tinha aprovado a introdução de forças especiais em Timor e estava a planear opções secretas para a intervenção militar.

* A Indonésia já tinha 2500 tropas em Timor-Leste quase oito semanas antes da declaração unilateral de independência da Fretilin em 28 de Novembro de 1975, e que Jacarta usou para justificar a sua invasão.

* Em Fevereiro de 1976 cerca de 200 tropas Indonésias já tinham morrido ao lado de 600 lutadores de resistência da Fretilin. A luta tinha deslocado mais de 100,000 pessoas e criado mais de 40,000 refugiados.

Apesar destes factos, o governo de Fraser aceitou o conselho de que eventualmente Jacarta pacificaria Timor-Leste e que havia pouco que a Austrália pudesse fazer.

Na improvável eventualidade de que um governo da Fretilin emergisse, o comité dos serviços de informações acreditava que seria "pobre e fraco " e que promoveria instabilidade regional.

Em 9 de Fevereiro, o gabinete decidiu continuar a política do antigo primeiro-ministro Gough Whitlam de se dobrar aos interesses da Indonésia não pressionando pela auto-determinação Timorense. O gabinete, temendo que a Austrália se pudesse tornar uma base do governo da Fretilin no exílio, ordenou ainda posições contra as actividades e as visitas do grupo.

A decisão 200 do gabinete diz em parte: "em relação ao possível envolvimento em qualquer eventual processo de auto-determinação do povo de Timor-Leste, os (Comité dos Assuntos Estrangeiros e de Defesa do Gabinete) concordaram em não tomar qualquer decisão nesta altura …"

O impulso do conselho dos serviços de informações apresentado ao gabinete dizia respeito à necessidade de preservar os interesses Australianos, o que significava manter Soeharto no poder e as relações com a Indonésia numas base sólida. Havia preocupações que um grupo de generais de linha dura pudesse emergir para derrubar Soeharto, substituindo-o por um “líder mais combativo”.

O Comité de Defesa disse que de um ponto de vista estratégico partilhava as preocupações da Indonésia quanto ao futuro de Timor-Leste, mas não aceitou que as preocupações eram suficientemente urgentes para ter descartado a gestão política da situação ou assegurado a tomada do território pela força.


The Australian – Segunda-feira, Janeiro 1, 2007

Tomada de Timor-Leste inquietou Peacock
Patrick Walters, editor de segurança nacional

Há trinta anos atrás o governo de Fraser lutou com as consequências da tomada da Indonésia de Timor-Leste.

Documentos do gabinete de 1976 mostram que o novo governo teve de se reconciliar com o facto que nada podia fazer para alterar a integração de Timor-Leste na Indonésia. O governo tinha de determinar se tomaria uma forte atitude moral de condenação da invasão Indonésia – arriscando romper as relações com Jacarta – ou se adoptava uma posição mais pragmática.

"É uma escolha entre o que pode ser descrito entre idealismo Wilsoniano ou realismo Kissingerniano" escreveu o embaixador da Austrália na Indonésia, Richard Woolcott, num telegrama que enviou em Janeiro de 1976.

"O primeiro é mais adequado e com mais princípios mas os interesses nacionais a longo prazo pode ser bem servidos pelo último. Não pensamos que podemos avançar nos dois caminhos."

Em Fevereiro de 1976, o gabinete considerou um documento do ministro dos estrangeiros Andrew Peacock, que na sua essência aceitava a linha de Woolcott mas que tentava em vão salvar alguma rectidão moral.

"A capacidade da Austrália para alterar o rumo dos eventos em Timor era limitada e é agora muito limitada na verdade. Contudo, o governo não deve ser conivente com uma tomada pela força Indonésia," reconheceu o Sr Peacock'.

O Sr Peacock disse que o governo deve expressar a sua oposição ao uso da força para resolver um problema, "especialmente um tão perto das suas fronteiras ".

Anotou que em breve a Austrália seria chamada para emitir a sua opinião sobre Timor-Leste no Conselho de Segurança da ONU.

A posição do governo de Fraser tinha sido criticar publicamente e em privado o uso da força pela Indonésia, pedir a retirada das tropas de Jacarta, pedir um processo genuíno de auto-determinação, e "mostrar em privado a disponibilidade para considerar favoravelmente a participação da Austrália em qualquer presença internacional que possa substituir a presença Indonésia em Timor-Leste (a possibilidade de se vir a estabelecer tal presença é muito pequena)".

"Decidi esta política ao mesmo tempo que admitia que muito provavelmente a Indonésia não se desviaria do seu rumo presente e que é muito provável que aconteça a incorporação de Timor-Leste na Indonésia," admitiu Mr Peacock. O ministro dos estrangeiros disse que tinha tomado na devida consideração a "grande importância" da Indonésia para a Austrália e que tinha procurado limitar os estragos nas relações com Jacarta. A Austrália concordou calada com a tomada de Timor-Leste pela Indonésia e em breve mexeu-se para reconhecer de facto a incorporação.


The Australian – Segunda-feira, Janeiro 1, 2006

Recusados vistos à Fretilin
Patrick Walters

O governo de Fraser recusou vistos a proeminentes membros de esquerda Timoreses forçados ao exílio depois da invasão Indonésia da antiga colónia Portuguesa nos finais de 1975.

Os membros da Fretilin incluíam Mari Alkatiri, que no ano passado se demitiu do cargo de primeiro-ministro de Timor-Leste, e Rogério Lobato, que recentemente serviu como ministro do interior no governo de Alkatiri.

Há trinta anos atrás, o governo de Coligação de Malcolm Fraser estava preocupado com a possibilidade da Austrália ser usada pelo movimento de resistência Fretilin como a base para um governo no exílio.

O conselho dos Departamentos da Defesa e dos Negócios Estrangeiros foi de não dar nenhum oxigénio político à Fretilin, então engajada numa guerra de libertação contra as forças armadas da Indonésia.
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Processo contra Mari Alkatiri foi arquivado

Diário de Notícias, 21/12/06

O Ministério Público de Timor-Leste arquivou o processo contra o ex-primeiro-ministro Mari Alkatiri no caso da alegada distribuição de armas a civis, por falta de provas, disse fonte judicial à Lusa. A mesma agência indicou que nem a Presidência da República nem o actual chefe do Governo timorense, Ramos-Horta, quiseram comentar a decisão.

No entanto, na habitual revista de imprensa de imprensa timorense ontem distribuída em Dili pela Missão da ONU em Timor, Ramos-Horta é citado como tendo dito que nunca acreditou que Alkatiri estaria envolvido na distribuição de armas.

“Nunca acreditei e nunca acreditarei que o Dr. Alkatiri ordenou a distribuição de armas”, disse Ramos-Horta, que substituiu o líder da FRETILIN na chefia do Governo, na sequência da demissão deste no auge da crise político-militar iniciada em Abril.

Em causa estão as denúncias feitas por “Railós”, antigo comandante da guerrilha contra a ocupação da Indonésia, que acusou Alkatiri de ter ordenado ao então ministro do interior, Rogério Lobato, que distribuísse armas a civis para eliminar adversários políticos, dentro e fora da FRETILIN.
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Timor: Arquivado processo contra Alkatiri

Correio da Manhã, 2006-12-20 - 11:53:00

Por falta de provas


O Ministério Público de Timor-Leste decidiu arquivar esta quarta-feira o processo levantado contra o ex-primeiro-ministro Mari Alkatiri, acusado de ter alegadamente distribuído armas a civis, o que acabou por levar à sua demissão do cargo no passado mês de Junho.

Uma fonte judicial ligada ao processo revelou que o arquivamento se deveu a falta de provas contra o secretário-geral da FRETILIN, partido maioritário em Timor-Leste, a respeito da alegada distribuição de armas a civis aquando dos actos de violência ocorridos no território em Abril e Maio.

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Notícias de 1 e 2 de Dezembro de 2006

Equipa do INEM salvou vida a criança timorense

Díli, 31 Dez (Lusa) - A equipa do Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica (INEM) estacionada em Timor-Leste, integrada no contingente militar da GNR, foi decisiva para salvar no dia de Natal a vida de uma criança timorense, disse hoje à Lusa fonte médica.

Segundo Rodrigo Gorayeb, médico da equipa do INEM, o acto assistencial em que participou foi "o caso mais complexo" que enfrentou na sua vida profissional. Em causa estava a sobrevivência do pequeno Franco, uma criança de nove anos que ficou gravemente ferida em consequência de uma pedrada na cabeça, que lhe provocou afundamento do crânio.

O incidente ocorreu na manhã do dia 25 de Dezembro, quando elementos de dois grupos de artes marciais rivais se digladiavam nas proximidades da sua casa.

Transportada para o Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares (HNGV), a criança teve a sorte de pouco depois de ter dado entrada nas urgências ali ter chegado a equipa médica do INEM, que acompanhava um marginal igualmente ferido com gravidade, depois de ter sido apanhado e quase linchado por populares. "A gravidade do estado do pequeno Franco era evidente. O afundamento do crânio estava a pressionar o cérebro e era uma questão de tempo", recordou o médico à Lusa.

Não tendo sido possível efectuar a evacuação de emergência para a Austrália, o corpo clínico do HNGV aproveitou a presença no hospital do médico do INEM, neurocirurgião desde 1999, e optou-se pela operação, apesar da falta instrumentos básicos. A operação durou cerca de três horas. Foi primeiro necessário perfurar e remover a parte do osso fracturado e em seguida o hematoma que se formou, garantir a coagulação sanguínea, suturar a veia e fechar tudo de novo", salientou.

O sucesso da operação levou a que fosse dada alta hospitalar ao Franco no passado dia 29, e a ser marcada a retirada dos pontos para o próximo dia 02 de Janeiro.

"Deve ter sido um milagre de Natal, dada a gravidade do ferimento e o perigo que a criança corria. Estávamos num grande dilema. Se não se fizesse nada, e com um prognóstico tão reservado, era muito difícil que sobrevivesse", acrescentou. Nos próximos dois meses o calo ósseo que se vai formar vai ajudar a proteger a zona afectada e o Franco vai poder fazer uma vida normal como qualquer criança", garantiu.

À distância quase uma semana do sucedido, Rodrigo Gorayeb reconhece que houve uma "conjunção feliz" de acontecimentos que possibilitaram salvar a vida da criança.

O INEM mantém desde o dia 04 de Junho uma equipa em permanência em Timor-Leste, que tem como missão principal assegurar a assistência médica aos militares da GNR, e ainda apoio à comunidade portuguesa e aos timorenses. Com missões de cinco semanas, as equipas do INEM, revezam-se em Díli, sendo a actual formada além de Rodrigo Gorayeb, pela enfermeira Isabel Costa e o técnico de emergência Álvaro Monteiro.

No total, já foram prestados 1110 actos médicos, com as escoriações e diarreias a representarem a maior parte dos casos apresentados. A equipa do INEM, que dispõe de equipamento de emergência, desde material de reanimação, de desfibrilação, um ventilador, material de trauma, material cirúrgico e medicação variada para qualquer eventualidade, garante ainda assistência a três campos de deslocados, com uma média semanal de 100 casos.

EL-Lusa/Fim

Diário de Notícias – 31 Janeiro 2006

"Timor-Leste não deve depender apenas de mim"

O Presidente de Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmão, anunciou que não se vai candidatar à reeleição no escrutínio previsto para Abril. "Já estou velho e cansado. Timor-Leste não deve depender apenas de mim", disse o Chefe do Estado, na sexta-feira, em Díli. Xanana referiu ainda desejar fazer algo pelo país "fora do Governo", manifestando o seu desejo de ser "jornalista, fotógrafo e chefe de redacção".

Esta semana foi alcançado um consenso sobre as datas para a realização das eleições no próximo ano em Timor-Leste. As presidenciais deverão realizar-se em princípios de Abril e as legislativas em Agosto. As datas concretas serão divulgadas pelo Presidente em Janeiro. Em Abril de 2002, Xanana Gusmão tinha vencido o escrutínio com 82% dos votos expressos.

Depois da crise desencadeada em Abril com a demissão de 600 efectivos das forças armadas timorenses por alegada discriminação étnica - que acabaria com um saldo de 60 mortos -, as condições de segurança melhoraram significativamente nas últimas semanas, apenas com confrontos esporádicos de grupos rivais. A crise provocou também mais de 180 mil deslocados, que se refugiaram em campos de acolhimento por receio da violência.

Terminou ontem o prazo dado aos 28 mil timorenses que ainda viviam nestes campos em Díli para saírem, sendo que a partir de agora não contam mais com o apoio das agências da ONU nem de organizações não governamentais. Isto significa o fim da distribuição de ajuda alimentar nos campos, bem como do abastecimento de água e electricidade. O auxílio será garantido apenas aos que saírem dos campos e aceitarem o acolhimento temporário em locais preparados pelo Governo.

A urgência da saída dos refugiados, sobretudo dos campos do Hospital Nacional, em frente do Porto de Díli e da Missão da ONU, e do Aeroporto Internacional, deve-se a múltiplos incidentes que têm ocorrido nestes locais nas últimas semanas. A vida do interior destes campos piorou também com o início da época das chuvas no país.

Um responsável da ONU em Timor-Leste confirmou que a Al-Qaeda ameaçou atacar os interesses da organização no país, devido ao papel desempenhado no processo de independência. "Em 2000, 2001 e 2002 havia informações atribuídas a Ussama ben Laden ou ao seu grupo que indicavam que ele iria actuar contra a ONU por ter contribuído para a separação de Timor-Leste da Indonésia", afirmou Atul Khare, sem dar mais pormenores.


The Sydney Morning Herald - Monday, January 1, 2007

How Fearful Australia Deserted East Timor
by Tony Stephens

JUST three months after Indonesia invaded East Timor 30 years ago, the Australian government of the prime minister, Malcolm Fraser, was covertly supporting the tiny colony's complete integration into its giant neighbour, according to cabinet documents from 1976, released today.

The 1976 cabinet papers, released under the rule that keeps them secret for 30 years, show that while the foreign minister, Andrew Peacock, was saying publicly Indonesian forces should withdraw and there should be a genuine act of self-determination, Australia's defence chiefs were taking a realpolitik view.

A defence committee report of February 5 noted that although Indonesia was unlikely to take military action against Australia or Papua New Guinea, "Indonesia is a power with long-term potential for a significant assault against Australia".

The report went on: "Attempts to deny Indonesia its objective and to secure its co-operation in a military withdrawal fromEast Timor and in a genuine act of self-determination are therefore likely to meet intractable political and practical difficulties and ultimately to prove futile."

Paradoxically, more than two decades years later, in 1998, a member of that original Coalition ministry, the Prime Minister, John Howard, was a key player in ensuring East Timor gained independence in a referendum.

The 1976 committee comprised Sir Arthur Tange, the head of the Defence Department, General Sir Francis Hassett, the chief of staff of the defence forces, Alan Renouf, the head of foreign affairs, and Gordon Jockel, the director of the Joint Intelligence Organisation. They said Australia could object to the use of force, but it was in the nation's best interests to keep a low profile over the issue. And they warned against supporting Fretilin's "hard-core leadership", who had links with "radical international elements".

Privately, the government accepted East Timor's integration with Indonesia as a fait accompli. A strategic defence review in September argued: "As the alternative is an essentially weak state, open to outside interference, the defence interest is served by East Timor's incorporation in Indonesia."

Peacock had recommended to cabinet in February that the government continue to criticise the use of force, "ask for the withdrawal of Indonesian forces" and "ask (with little hope) for a genuine process of self-determination". His submissions paper said: "Indonesian forces are already well on their way to integrating East Timor into Indonesia. The tragedy is that integration might have been achieved in more peaceful ways but that is now history.

"There is no tangible Australian national interest, e.g. trade or security, directly involved in East Timor. If anything, the strategic preference would be for integration … Australia's capacity to alter the course of events in Timor was limited and is now very limited indeed."

The defence papers will not resolve debate over perhaps the most painful Australian exercise in foreign affairs since World War II, until the country's involvement in Iraq. Most of the relevant records were released in 2000, following public pressure and with the support of Gough Whitlam.

Critics claim Whitlam gave Indonesia's president Soeharto a "green light" to take over the former Portuguese colony by force. Whitlam's own records go back to correspondence between Antonio Salazar, the Portuguese dictator, and Robert Menzies, where Menzies does not appear to counter Salazar's contention that East Timor was economically and politically non-viable.

Files from meetings between Whitlam and Soeharto show Whitlam's two basic points were that Timor should become part of Indonesia but that "this should happen in accordance with the properly expressed wishes of the people …"

One question is whether Whitlam pushed hard enough for an act of self-determination. Peacock's paper criticises the Whitlam option as realpolitik. Yet the Fraser-Peacock line appears little different. Peacock rejected the option of cutting off economic and military aid and withdrawing the ambassador, arguing: "While such steps would be publicly applauded by some sections of opinion in Australia, the damage which would be caused to the relationship with Indonesia rules them out."


The Age (Melbourne) - Monday, January 1, 2007

China Intervention in Timor Feared
by Russell Skelton, Canberra

THE Fraser cabinet was warned by a powerful committee of defence chiefs that a prolonged war of independence by Fretilin rebels could lead to intervention by Vietnam or China in East Timor.

A national intelligence assessment, presented to cabinet two months after Indonesia's brutal incorporation of East Timor, urged the Government to mollify Indonesian interests, saying Timorese self-determination was an unrealistic goal.

The 26-page document, which clearly shaped Timor policy, took no account of rights abuses or the problem of 140,000 displaced Timorese.

Instead the assessment said: "It would not be in Australia's strategic interests that Indonesia be frustrated in the absorption of East Timor or that the process be complicated or delayed. "This would enhance the Fretilin group's political status and both encourage and facilitate its development of connections with countries interested in supporting it against Indonesia."

It also cautioned cabinet against becoming too closely associated with any United Nations peacekeeping force or token act of self-determination.

History shows that the assessment was well wide of the mark. On August 30, 2001, two years after voting for independence in a UN-sponsored referendum, East Timor held its first democratic elections. Despite Australia's intervention in the process, relations between Canberra and Jakarta, although strained, did not break down.

The 1976 assessment was prepared by the Defence Committee, which included the most influential figures in the defence and civilian establishment. Chaired by Sir Arthur Tange, its members included Joint Intelligence Organisation director Gordon Jockel.

Contained in the top-level analysis was a warning that China and Vietnam might come to the aid of Fretilin. The assessment said "Fretilin's hardcore leadership" had aligned itself with "national liberation" movements and was seeking aid from Beijing and Hanoi to support an armed struggle.

Concern was expressed that Indonesia could play a destabilising role in Papua New Guinea if the relationship between Canberra and Jakarta were allowed to sour over Timor.

The committee's assessment also included a document drafted by Jockel, as chairman of the National Intelligence Committee, which reveals the Australian public was kept in the dark about Indonesia's secret activities in Timor in the lead-up to the armed takeover of the former Portuguese colony. Australian intelligence knew the following:

* A year before Indonesia's 1975 invasion of East Timor, President Soeharto had approved the introduction of special forces into Timor and was planning covert options for military intervention.

* Indonesia already had 2500 troops in East Timor almost eight weeks before Fretilin's unilateral declaration of independence on November 28, 1975, which Jakarta used to justify its invasion.

* By February 1976 some 200 Indonesian troops had been killed along with 600 Fretilin resistance fighters. The fighting had displaced more than 100,000 people and created more than 40,000 refugees.

Despite these facts, the Fraser government accepted the advice that Jakarta would eventually pacify East Timor and there was little Australia could do.

In the unlikely event that a Fretilin government did emerge, the intelligence committee believed it would be "poor and weak" and would promote regional instability.

On February 9, cabinet decided to continue former prime minister Gough Whitlam's policy of bowing to Indonesian interests by not pressing for Timorese self-determination. Cabinet, fearful that Australia could become a base for a Fretilin government in exile, also ordered a crackdown on the group's activities and visits.

Cabinet decision 200 said in part: "In respect of the possible involvement in any eventual process of self-determination for the people in East Timor, the (Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee of Cabinet) agreed not to take any decisions at this stage …"

The thrust of the intelligence advice presented to cabinet concerned the need to preserve Australian interests, which meant keeping Soeharto in power and the relationship with Indonesia on a sound footing. There was concern that a hard-line group of generals could emerge to topple Soeharto, replacing him with a more "combative leader".

The Defence Committee said that from a strategic point of view it shared Indonesia's concerns about East Timor's future, but it did not accept the concerns were urgent enough to have ruled out political handling of the situation or warranted seizure of territory by force.


The Australian - Monday, January 1, 2006

E Timor takeover troubled Peacock
Patrick Walters, National security editor

THIRTY years ago the Fraser government grappled with the consequences of the Indonesian takeover of East Timor.

The 1976 cabinet papers show the new government having to reconcile itself to the fact that it could do nothing to alter the integration of East Timor into Indonesia. The government had to determine whether it would take a strong moral stance in condemning the Indonesian invasion - risking a rupture in relations with Jakarta - or adopt a more pragmatic position.

"It's a choice between what might be described as Wilsonian idealism or Kissingerian realism," Australia's ambassador to Indonesia, Richard Woolcott, cabled home in January 1976.

"The former is more proper and principled but the longer-term national interest may well be served by the latter. We do not think we can have it both ways."

In February 1976, cabinet considered a paper from foreign affairs minister Andrew Peacock, which essentially accepted the Woolcott line but tried vainly to salvage some moral rectitude.

"Australia's capacity to alter the course of events in Timor was limited and is now very limited indeed. However, the government should not connive in a forceful Indonesian takeover," Mr Peacock's submission said.

Mr Peacock said the government should voice its opposition to the use of force to resolve a problem, "especially one so close to its borders".

He noted that Australia would shortly be called upon to express a view about East Timor to the UN Security Council.

The Fraser government's position had been to criticise publicly and privately the use of force by Indonesia, call for the withdrawal of Jakarta's troops, ask for a genuine process of self-determination, and "show willingness in private to consider favourably Australia's participation in any international presence which might replace the Indonesian presence in East Timor (the possibility of any such presence being established is very slight)".

"I have applied this policy while admitting to myself that Indonesia is most unlikely to be deterred from her present course and that incorporation of East Timor into Indonesia is very likely to happen," Mr Peacock submitted. The foreign minister said he had taken due account of the "great importance" of Indonesia to Australia and had sought to limit the damage to the relationship with Jakarta. Australia quietly acquiesced in the Indonesian takeover of East Timor and soon moved to recognise de facto the incorporation.


The Australian - Monday, January 1, 2006

Visas refused for Fretilin
Patrick Walters

THE Fraser government refused visas to prominent East Timorese left-wingers forced into exile after the Indonesian invasion of the former Portuguese colony in late 1975.

The Fretilin members included Mari Alkatiri, who last year stepped down as East Timor's first prime minister, and Rogiero Lobato, who recently served as interior minister in the Alkatiri government.

Thirty years ago, the Coalition government of Malcolm Fraser was concerned about the possibility of Australia being used by the Fretilin resistance movement as the base for a government in exile.

Defence and Foreign Affairs Departments advice was not to give Fretilin, then engaged in a liberation struggle against Indonesia's armed forces, any political oxygen.


ONU: Ban Ki-moon nomeia indiano chefe de gabinete e haitiana para porta-voz

Nações Unidas, Nova Iorque, 31 Dez (Lusa) - O novo secretário-geral das Nações Unidas, o sul-coreano Ban Ki-moon, anunciou hoje ter nomeado o veterano diplomata indiano Vijay Nambiar seu chefe de gabinete e a jornalista haitiana Michelle Montas sua porta-voz.

Ki-moon, que assumirá o cargo na terça-feira, garantiu à imprensa que e stas nomeações servem como a "base sólida" da sua equipa que lhe permitirá "prosseguir o programa de reformas do secretariado para proporcionar continuidade e mudança".

Antigo embaixador indiano na ONU e vice-conselheiro da defesa nacional, Nambiar tem sido, desde Março, conselheiro especial do secretário-geral cessante, Kofi Annan, numa série de assuntos, além de servir de elo de ligação com os 1 92 embaixadores junto das Nações Unidas.

"Conheço Nambiar há muito tempo e partilhamos uma profunda confiança e respeito mútuo", sublinhou Ki-moon.

Quanto a Michelle Montas, começou a carreira de jornalista nos anos 70, denunciando, com o marido, as violações de direitos humanos, a corrupção política e a violência patrocinada pelo Estado na rádio Haiti-Inter.

Obrigada ao exílio duas vezes nos anos 80 e em 1994, Montas viu o marido ser assassinado em 2000 e o seu guarda-costas no Natal de 2002 e, perante uma série de ameaças, acabou por encerrar a rádio e fugir para Nova Iorque em Fevereiro de 2003.

Foi porta-voz da Assembleia-geral da ONU e é actualmente chefe do serviço francês da rádio das Nações Unidas.

AR-Lusa/Fim

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Notícias de 29 a 31 de Dezembro de 2006

Timor-Leste: 13 agentes da PSP partem sábado para reforçar missão de paz em Díli

Lisboa, 28 Dez (Lusa) - A Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) vai reforçar o contingente integrado na Missão de Paz das Nações Unidas em Timor-Leste (UNMIT) com a partida de mais 13 agentes no sábado, divulgou hoje aquela força em comunicado.

O grupo, que vai juntar-se aos 37 elementos que a PSP tem em Timor-Leste desde Outubro e aos outros cinco que permaneciam no território desde 2003, tem previsto chegar a Díli no primeiro dia de 2007, acrescenta o comunicado.

De acordo com a PSP, os 55 polícias - dez oficiais, 16 chefes e 29 agentes - irão "monitorizar acções de comando e planeamento" e encarregar-se das tarefas de informação policial, "apoio à vítima, ordem pública, segurança pessoal, investigação criminal, trânsito e prevenção rodoviária" e do "policiamento de proximidade".

Os homens da PSP também irão ensinar "ética e deontologia profissional" aos seus congéneres timorenses, refere o comunicado.

Além deste contingente, comandado pelo intendente Carlos Simões de Almeida, a PSP mantém em Timor-Leste desde Maio uma equipa do Grupo de Operações Especiais (GOE) que está encarregue da segurança da Embaixada de Portugal, dos agentes diplomáticos e de outros cidadãos portugueses.

As condições de segurança em Díli melhoraram significativamente nas últimas semanas, com os casos de perturbação da ordem pública a tornarem-se mais esporádicos, principalmente confrontos entre grupos de artes marciais rivais, mas sem atingirem o grau de violência anterior.

Timor-Leste viveu em 2006 um ano de retrocesso, com uma crise que levantou dúvidas sobre a sua viabilidade como Estado e lhe ofuscou a imagem de "jóia da coroa" das Nações Unidas no processo de construção de nações.

Apenas quatro anos depois de ver a independência reconhecida pela comunidade internacional (20 de Maio de 2002), Timor-Leste voltou a viver um cenário de violência e destruição, com um saldo de cerca de 60 mortos, incluindo um cidadão brasileiro.

A crise desencadeada em Abril com a demissão de cerca de 600 dos 1.400 efectivos das forças armadas timorenses, por alegada discriminação étnica, também provocou 180 mil deslocados, muitos dos quais continuam em campos de acolhimento por receio de violência ou simplesmente porque as suas casas foram destruídas.

Ao nível das forças de segurança, a crise resultou na desintegração da polícia e na deserção de vários militares, o mais mediático dos quais, o major Alfredo Reinado, continua a monte depois de ter fugido da prisão de Díli, onde chegou a estar detido por posse ilegal de armas.

AR/PAN - Lusa/Fim

Iraque: Nobel da Paz Ramos-Horta contra execução de Saddam Hussein

Díli, 30 Dez (Lusa) - O primeiro-ministro timorense José Ramos-Horta manifestou hoje a sua oposição à aplicação da pena capital ao ex-ditador iraquiano Saddam Hussein, reafirmando, em declarações à Lusa, a posição do governo que chefia como sendo contra a pena de morte.

"Em primeiro lugar quero reafirmar que o governo de Timor-Leste ratificou a Convenção contra a Pena Capital e a posição oficial, constante da nossa Constituição, é de total oposição contra a aplicação da pena de morte", salientou.

"Relativamente a Saddam Hussein, só posso dizer que Deus, o Todo Misericordioso, lhe perdoe, a ele que nunca perdoou a ninguém em vida", frisou.

José Ramos-Horta foi em 1996 laureado com o Nobel da Paz, conjuntamente com o então bispo de Díli, D. Carlos Ximenes Belo.

O ex-ditador iraquiano Saddam Hussein foi executado esta madrugada por enforcamento em Bagdad, cumprindo a pena capital que lhe foi aplicada pelo massacre de 148 aldeões xiitas de Douja´l, a norte de Bagdad, assassinados em represália contra um atentado falhado contra uma coluna presidencial em 1982.

EL-Lusa/Fim


AAP - Friday December 29, 05:53 AM
Al-Qaeda targeted East Timor mission: UN

Al-Qaeda targeted UN officials in East Timor for attack between 2000 and 2002 because of the world body's role in the nation's separation from mostly Muslim Indonesia, the top UN official in the country said. Atul Khare gave no details of the alleged plots in the Christian nation.

"It is indeed true that in 2000, 2001 and also 2002 there were some reports which were attributed to Osama bin Laden or to his group which indicated that he will take action against UNTAET and later on UNMISET for having contributed to the separation of East Timor from Indonesia," said Khare.

UNTAET was the acronym for the United Nation's transitional mission in East Timor. The mission ended in 2002 and was replaced by UNMISET, which was tasked with supporting the country's first independent government.

Warnings by foreign governments of a possible terror threat led to the tiny nation tightening security for a short time in 2002.

In 2002, an audiotape with a voice purported to belong to Osama bin Laden condemned Australia for its "despicable effort to separate East Timor" from Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country.


UN News Centre - 28 December 2006

UN Police deployed in all 12 districts of Timor-Leste as poll preparations move ahead
United Nations police officers have now deployed in all 12 of Timor-Leste’s districts to help end the low-level gang violence in the country and provide security for the electoral experts who are helping prepare for next year’s polls, the UN envoy said today, as he stressed the world body’s commitment to the elections.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste, Atul Khare, speaking in the last press conference of the year, said the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) will work closely with the people and authorities to ensure free and credible polls.

“UNMIT has also deployed electoral experts in all the districts,” he said, noting that UN eight Police were also sent.

“UNMIT will assist the authorities of Timor-Leste and the people of Timor-Leste to provide the necessary conditions for free, fair and credible elections,” Mr. Khare added, while acknowledging that while the security situation has much improved, particularly since the deadly violence earlier this year, much still remains to be done.

“I agree that we have to undertake many more actions to ensure that not only are there no weapons in civilian hands but that people feel, people believe, that no such weapons remain in civilian hands.”

The Security Council created UNMIT in August to help restore order after fighting, attributed to differences between eastern and western regions, broke out in April and May and led to the deaths of at least 37 people and forced about 155,000 people – or 15 per cent of the population – to flee their homes.

As part of UNMIT, there are currently over 900 international police officers from 25 different countries implementing screening and mentoring programmes for the National Police force of Timor-Leste under the Police Supplemental Agreement, a deal signed at the start of this month under which the UN has full responsibility for policing.

Also speaking at today’s press conference was the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Security Sector Reform Rule of Law in Timor-Leste, Eric Tan, who stressed the importance of UNPOL being in all the 12 districts, while noting that security in the capital, Dili, continues to improve.

“The presence of UNPOL in the districts outside Dili… allows us to have a very good sense of the security situation there,” he said, calling this “especially crucial” in the light of the coming elections. “Security in Dili continues to improve,” Mr. Tan said, adding that adjustments to the UN Police concept of security operations have proven effective.

ABC - Friday, December 29, 2006. 4:34pm (AEDT)

E Timor may seek more help from Aust police

East Timorese Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta says he is being urged to seek more assistance from Australia to help stabilise the country.

More than 37 people were killed and about 150,000 fled their homes in the capital Dili amid violence earlier this year.

East Timor has also been shaken by a recent surge in gang violence.

Dr Ramos Horta says he is considering seeking additional assistance from Australian police.

"I have had a discussion with many political leaders, they are all very praising, full of praise of the Australian police and they told me, they urged me, to try to get more Australian police involved," he said.


New Mathilda - 6 December 2006

Four Corners and the Coup in Timor Leste
By Tim Anderson

The presentation of a Gold Walkley Award to journalists responsible for the ABC Four Corners program ‘Stoking the Fires’, demonstrates the shallowness of Australian public reflection over the Australian role in the coup in Timor Leste.

The Four Corners program became a central element of coup propaganda, helping force the resignation of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, after accusing him of ordering a ‘hit squad’ to assassinate his political rivals. Although a UN report dismissed these ‘hit squad’ allegations, they have been repeated many times since, helping poison the political climate in the lead up to Timor Leste’s May 2007 elections.

Walkley Award winners, Liz Jackson, Peter Cronau and Lin Buckfield, knew from the start their ‘evidence’ was tainted and lacking in credibility. They also hid important facts from their audience. Because the 19 June program played such an important role in the coup, it deserves some closer analysis. It will be useful to look at the program’s aim, identification of issues, use of sources, and choice (and omission) of events.

The ABC website identifies a “key question” for the program: “What – who – is causing the present turmoil?” This was indeed an important consideration. Pursuing this, however, would have required a broader view of events.

A more specific question was seized on by the program - could evidence be found to implicate Prime Minister Alkatiri in “stoking the fires” of the violence? The coup leaders (Alfredo Reinado, Rai Los), local opposition figures, and much of the Australian establishment (The Australian, Prime Minister Howard, CARE Director Tim Costello, ABC journalists), directly or indirectly, had been urging President Xanana Gusmao to sack Prime Minister Alkatiri.

Yet, as Liz Jackson observed, Alkatiri had the support of the Parliament and it seemed Xanana did not have the constitutional power to remove him. “The only provision that would force the Prime Minister to step aside is if he were charged with a serious criminal offence.” Here was a challenge.

For all the criticism, there was no evidence of criminality by Alkatiri. The Four Corners team set out to ‘fill the gap’. The principal source would be coup participant, Vicente ‘Rai Los’ Da Conceicao. The major political beneficiary of the coup, the then Foreign Minister, Jose Ramos Horta, would provide moral commentary.

Liz Jackson’s commentary thus begins: “Alkatiri is a terrorist, a communist, a Muslim, say the men at this rally” and again “People say of the Prime Minister that he has an arrogant and aloof style and is a Marxist”. The accusations were vague, but insistent.

She was backed up by Jose Ramos Horta, who constantly asserted that Alkatiri should step down because the repeated allegations were damaging: “Can we afford this increasing loss of credibility? … [and later] If I were to receive just 10 percent of the criticisms that the Prime Minister has received … I would have stepped down long ago.” He adds, modestly, that “many” people are saying he should be Prime Minister.

Four Corners then introduces some key sources, but it does so dishonestly. It does not explain these individuals or their roles in the violence. Alfredo Reinado is introduced as a Major in the Military Police, and leader of “a rebel army faction [which] took their cars and guns to the hills in solidarity with the petitioners”. Reinado calls for Alkatiri’s resignation, and for him to face trial for his supposed crimes.

By the time of this interview, however, Reinado has not just ‘gone to the hills’ (as Xanana also put it), but had initiated the 23 May attack on an army team at Fatu Ahi in which, the UN says, “five people were killed and ten injured”. The beginning of the attack and Reinado’s open fire orders were shown on SBS television.

The following day groups linked to Reinado made a concerted attack on army headquarters at Taci Tolu (in Dili), and on the home of army commander Taur Matan Ruak, killing “as many as nine people”, according to the UN. None of this is mentioned in a program supposedly finding out ‘who or what’ is causing the ‘present turmoil’. After the coup, Portuguese police will initiate the arrest of Reinado and have him charged with murder.

The major piece of incriminating evidence against Alkatiri, however, comes from an interview with Vicente ‘Rai Los’ Da Conceicao. Rai Los is introduced as leader of “a group of men who say they were given weapons on the orders of Alkatiri”. Rai Los and the others explain themselves as a ‘Fretilin Secret Security Team’, under the orders of Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato. There is indeed evidence that they have obtained government weapons.

They make the program’s dramatic accusation: they were under orders from Alkatiri and Lobato to “totally destroy petitioners .. to terminate opposition leaders .. to exterminate the military leaders like Major Alfredo [Reinado], Major Tara, Major Tilman” and others.

These claims formed the basis of Liz Jackson’s earlier radio report (‘E Timor Prime Minister denies new 'hit squad' claims’, 10 June) which said that Mari Alkatiri organised:

“a group of armed civilians … [who] shot or bashed four people who were organising a peaceful protest calling for his resignation … [and] that forces loyal to the Prime Minister carried out a massacre of 60 unarmed protesters in April, and dumped their bodies in a mass grave .. incidents [which] appear consistent with accusations this week that Mr Alkatiri had recruited a hit squad with specific orders to eliminate his political opponents.”

In relation to these claims, the UN report of October said that “no massacre occurred” and that it “does not accept that … the Prime Minister gave instructions to Rai Los to eliminate his political opponents”. The massacre rumour was started by coup plotters.

The story by Rai Los was tainted evidence, and the Four Corners team knew it. First, the interview took place on the farm of an opposition family, the Carascalao. Second, Rai Los had come to them fresh from the attack on the army at Taci Tolu.

Liz Jackson refers to, but does not properly explain, Rai Los’s involvement in this incident: “Rai Los says his team had used their weapons in a gun battle with the regular army .. he says four people were killed, and this is why he decided to abandon his loyalty to Mari Alkatiri.”

This is an obvious lie. The Rai Los group participated in the 24 May attack on government loyalists in the army at Taci Tolu. They were not supporting Alkatiri. The UN puts composition of the coalition responsible for the single biggest armed attack during the coup attempt, as “police officers from Liquica District, petitioners and armed civilians of the Rai Los group”.

The Four Corners program, claiming to get to the bottom of the turmoil in the country, has no explanation of the Fatu Ahi and Taci Tolu attacks. Instead, it selectively refers to the shooting of rioting army deserters (‘the petitioners’) and anti-government gang members on April 28, and to the 25 May revenge shooting of a number of police by soldiers.

Four Corners staff have privately argued that they did not call the Rai Los group a “hit squad”, or assert that Alkatiri had set it up. They say the story had pointed out that Rai Los had “no proof” of his claims. They argue, though, they had stronger evidence of Rogerio Lobato’s distribution of arms, a fact born out by the criminal charges and the UN findings.

However the paraphrase ‘hit squad’ has been taken up widely by the media, including the initial ABC report from Liz Jackson. To say the program made no allegations, and just reported the claims of their sources, is to hide behind these sources. Journalists always choose which sources to use, which to elevate and in which context to place them. In this story Four Corners gave great prominence to the ‘hit squad’ claims. That, of course, is what made the program influential.

Finally, distinguishing between the ‘hit squad’ claims and the distribution of arms issue draws attention to another deceit of the program: it did not make this distinction. Rather, it sought to collapse the two issues. Yet they are indeed separate.

The legitimacy (or otherwise) of arming para-militaries to defend the government – when the police force had collapsed, and sections of the police were taking part in the coup – is presumably an issue that will be argued by Rogerio Lobato’s lawyers, as he faces his current charges. It is not an unreasonable argument. Yet the claim that Lobato apparently armed the Rai Los group, which turned against the government and attacked loyalists in the army, certainly raises questions about his judgement.

However the claim that there was a ‘hit squad’ to assassinate political opponents is a different matter to arming irregular forces to defend the government. Four Corners relies on that distinction now; but in June 2006 collapsing the two stories was central to its deception.

The award wining Four Corners program presented a partisan and dishonest picture of the crisis, but a picture consistent with the wish of the Australian Government and corporate leaders to remove the democratically elected head of government of a friendly neighbouring state. As Australians, we need greater reflection on our own role in this affair.


AFP - December 29, 2006

East Timor bids farewell to Kofi Annan
From correspondents in Dili

EAST Timor has bade a fond farewell to departing UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, hailing him as a friend who helped the troubled birth of the tiny nation.

“It is fitting and proper to publicly acknowledge and bid farewell not only to the secretary general, but to a friend. A friend of mine and a friend of the people of Timor-Leste,” Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta said yesterday.

He said a street in the capital Dili would be named in honour of Annan.

In a farewell letter to Annan, Ramos Horta thanked the UN chief for his decisive role in East Timor's emergence as an independent nation after decades of Indonesian rule.

“In your inaugural speech, you said that you wanted to see the East Timor problem of occupation resolved in five years. It was done.”

“In the crisis of 1999, post the popular consultation; amid chaos and a near descent into total carnage, you demonstrated leadership and compassion, to bring it to an end. Thank you,” mr Ramos Horta said.

Militia gangs, which the United Nations has said were recruited and directed by Indonesia's military, went on an arson and killing spree before and after the East Timorese voted for independence in a UN-sponsored ballot in 1999.

The Prime Minister also invited Mr Annan and his wife to visit East Timor and welcomed his successor, former South Korean foreign minister Ban Ki-Moon.

“I also warmly welcome Ban Ki-Moon, friend and regional neighbour. He has a tough road ahead of him, but he knows he can count on our support,” he said.

AAP – Sunday December 31, 06:09 AM

'Evil' meddling could trigger unrest: PM

Prime Minister John Howard says China and Taiwan's meddling in Australia's Pacific backyard could trigger up to 20 years of unrest in the region.

Australia would face the task of helping restore order to nations such as Fiji, East Timor, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, Mr Howard said.

"I can understand Australians saying, 'Well, look, let's forget about it and leave them to their own devices. Don't waste any money'," Mr Howard told News Limited newspapers. "But that is the wrong approach because they will fall into the hands of the evil from other countries. Certainly there's a bit of a battle between China and Taiwan."

Mr Howard said the 2007 federal poll would reflect which party would deal better with future issues, domestically and internationally.

In an end-of-year interview, the prime minister said key issues with long-term energy needs included nuclear power and climate change.

Mr Howard also said a CSIRO report concluded the drought was part of a long-term cycle, not global warming; Australia would probably not send more troops to Iraq; and women had "moved" on from feminism and were having more babies.

NZPA - Saturday December 30, 2006

New Year Honours: Modest Navy hero who saved soldiers

Navy officer Wayne Burtton was just doing his job when he saved two wounded government soldiers in the East Timor capital of Dili this year.

Lieutenant Commander Burtton says he is honoured his work as a peacekeeper, part of the New Zealand contribution there, is being recognised by his being made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

The Aucklander was serving in East Timor when he was caught unarmed in the middle of a firefight between rebels and soldiers. Rescuing two wounded soldiers, he drove them to a first-aid post as the firefight continued around them.

Admitting he had been in danger, he said he was no hero and that "circumstance" put him in that situation.

"Our training essentially takes over from there and you become situationally aware of what's going on around you."

Commander Burtton also dealt with the aftermath of a machete attack in which a mother and her five children were murdered in Dili, near the airport where some of the rampaging gangs were on the loose.

In Navy Today soon after, Commander Burtton wrote: "The saddest thing was the mother had attempted to lock herself with two children in the bathroom. When she was killed she was hugging one of the children."

Evidence and material on the massacre was handed over to the local police. Commander Burtton's award citation also mentions his work protecting the NZ Ambassador in Dili until a company of soldiers arrived, setting up accommodation and vehicles for the company of soldiers, and setting up a first aid post at a refugee site.

"I am very, very happy with it," he said.


NOTÍCIAS UNMIT

Transcript of UNMIT Press Conference

Date: 28th December 2006
Venue: UNMIT Conference Room
Time: 11:00hrs – 12:00 noon
Speakers: SRSG Atul Khare, DSRSG Eric Tan, Commander JTF631 Brigadier Malcolm Rerden
Topic: Elections and Security issues


Allison Cooper:
Good morning everyone. We will begin with SRSG Khare speaking, then DSRSG Tan. Police Commissioner Rodolfo Tor will be joining us – he has just been caught up for a little while; and also Brigadier Mal Rerden is here if you have got any questions about the International Security Forces. So, straight over to the SRSG.


SRSG Atul Khare:
Thank you very much all of you for coming here for what is the last press conference for 2006. Before I say anything else, I wanted to convey my best wishes to all of you, and through you to the people of Timor-Leste, in the hope that next year – 2007 – will be a year of peace, democracy, stability, reconciliation and prosperity for Timor-Leste and for its people.

In my first press conference and the press conference last week, I had insisted that the forth-coming elections which are to be held in Timor-Leste must be such as to promote national reconciliation and social cohesion. In order for these two objectives to be achieved, the elections must - and I underline that word must – be independent, free, fair, without any violence or fear of violence, and must be such that the results of those elections can be accepted by all.

In the last ten days that I have been here, I have met most of the leaders of this great country - Honourable President Gusmao, Prime Minister Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta, President of National Parliament Dr. Francisco “Lu Olo” Gutterres, first Deputy Prime Minister Engineer Estanislau da Silva, Minister of State Dra. Ana Pessoa, the Honourable Bishop of Dili, the former Prime Minister Secretary-General of Fretelin Dr. Mari Alkatiri – and I have found that all of them believe that the elections must be such as I have described.

We have noted that the Honourable President has promulgated the three laws approved by the National Parliament: the Law on the Autonomization of the Juridical Regime of the CNE and STAE, the Law on the Election of the National Parliament, and the Law on the Election of the President of the Republic. The promulgation of these three laws, I believe, is an essential first step on the path of enabling credible elections. I believe that further clarification of these laws in respect of process and procedures will contribute significantly to Timor-Leste’s growth as a democratic, viable and peaceful state.

Another important step in consolidating the path for free and fair elections is also the second report of the Independent Electoral Certification Team. This team, as you know, is separate from UNMIT; it is independent of UNMIT. It was appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations following the description in paragraph 125 of the Report to Security Council of 8th August 2006. The second report is presently in English; it is being translated into Tetum and Portuguese and will be made available to you soon. The team would also visit Timor-Leste on a regular basis and is likely to visit in the middle of January again. Separately, UNMIT - as it is an integrated mission along with the UN funds and programmes particularly UNDP - will continue to provide assistance for the conduct of free and fair elections. The most important aspect of course is assuring security and UNPol are making [are drawing up] an operational security plan to ensure security throughout the country in the campaigning period, during elections, during the counting of votes and of course in the immediate post-electoral period.

We will also be providing logistical support to the electoral and the voting process; and of course we would be discussing with the government and other international stakeholders whatever assistance would be required to ensure credible elections in 2007. UNMIT has also deployed electoral experts in all the districts. There will be three electoral experts who will be working closely with CNE, STAE and the people of those districts for all aspects of elections including voter education, assistance in preparation of registration lists and so on. Of course the deployment of these electoral experts required that we should also deploy the UNPol first, which is also important for ensuring security. I am very happy that eight UNPol have been deployed in all the 12 districts of Timor-Leste. This is, as I told my Deputy SRSG for Security Sector and Rule of Law Mr. Eric Tan, that this is the best Christmas present which he and his team have given to me. And on that point I would pass the microphone to Mr. Tan to speak a bit about UN Police, its deployment and what it has been doing.

DSRSG Eric Tan:
Thank you very much and good morning to everyone. As SRSG has mentioned, the presence of UNPol in the districts outside Dili is a very significant one. Their presence in the districts outside Dili allows us to have a very good sense of the security situation there. This is especially crucial, as the SRSG has mentioned, in the light of the coming elections. In those districts outside Dili, UNPol will be working together with PNTL officers and will assist in strengthening capacity wherever necessary. With the successful deployment of UNPol throughout the country, we are in the desired position to achieve our mandated task of restoring and maintaining public security throughout Timor-Leste. Nonetheless, Dili remains the location, the district, where we have most of the UNPol.

Let me now then concentrate a little bit on Dili itself. Security in Dili continues to improve. UNPol have made adjustments to their concept of security operations, and these changes have proved to be effective. Such effectiveness is very visible especially in two areas which I will elaborate: Firstly, with regards to how UNPol responds to reports made by the public regarding incidents such as fighting, unruly behaviour or other threats to public security. And secondly, by providing security during events that draw a large public attendance. Let me illustrate these two with some examples. In the case of the first visible area – responding to incidents – there were recently some incidents between groups within the Santa Cruz area. The public called the emergency line 112, and UNPol responded very quickly adding on with the response of formed police units. As a result, the situation was returned to normal very quickly without any incident of injury or other damage to property. We are very appreciative to the members of the public for keeping us informed of the areas where they feel threatened or they feel UNPol can assist them and we encourage them to continue. Another example is in the area of security for public events, and the example I will use is the recent horseracing event that took place. This event lasted almost an entire week, and attracted a very large crowd of people who were either there for the event or just to watch and enjoy themselves. UNPol was there and there was one small incident but other than that the whole event passed very smoothly and very peacefully. The smooth execution of such public events is very important because this is another step towards a very normal and very progressive society. So, this underlines the UNPol concept of operations, as we keep adjusting them, will continue to be stronger and stronger and continue to serve the people of Timor-Leste as well.

Thank you very much.

Question and Answer Session:

Question:
Guido from Associated Press:
I have three questions. I would like to address this question to Mr. Eric Tan. With regards to the recent arrest of the man who was involved in charges of sexual abuse, is it the man [Sergio] who was arrested in 2001 when he was charged with the rape of a Spanish woman? Is it him who was also part of fugitives; also an escapee from prison with Mr. Alfredo? This is my first question. The second question has to do with the provision of security in the area of Bebonuk where the government’s warehouse for rice is located. There have been some complaints by Ms. Carma Cruz from the Ministry of Labour and Community Reinsertion; she has reported this matter to UNPol but there has been no response from UNPol – what is your comment on this? Thirdly, in regard to Railos – there has been some information that he was shot at 02:00 a.m. this morning; what is the provision of security to Railos?

Answer:
DSRSG Eric Tan:
Thank you. There was one individual arrested and we have sent a press statement out. He is a suspect involved in some rape cases in certain parts of Dili. We do not know of any other connections to other previous cases, but of course, once the investigation runs its course the truth will come out and you can be assured that gradually there is a lot of attention being paid to examine the information behind this case. We have to remember that whenever there is any suspect arrested, the investigations must be thorough and establish the facts related to the current arrest but of course if there is any cause to examine further the previous incidents or other connections, this will be done.

To your second question about the Bebonuk warehouse, yes I am sure UNPol is aware and are taking certain measures, but I would like to announce here that we are actually taking a broader view over protection of certain important locations in Dili. This broader study will come up with a list of critical points for UNPol to be present or some permanent security to be present. This list cannot be too long otherwise we will tie down too many UNPols from other duties. So, we have to be very careful about making the list and at the same time adjust as the situation changes in case there are more places or some places that we are presently looking after become less of a security concern.

On your third question about Railos, we have received some reports regarding the very early morning shootings. Apparently it was directed at his house and there are already investigation teams there with people to collect evidence of bullets and forensics. Such activities cannot be tolerated especially as in this case it may, as the SRSG has mentioned before, stop justice from being done, so therefore we must take all necessary measures to protect not just the citizens of Timor-Leste but in particular some individuals who will be involved in seeing that justice is done. And in such cases, when either key witnesses or persons who have been indicted are under threat UNPol will definitely take measures to protect them and to make sure that they will appear in court when they are required to.

Question:
Eduardo from Lusa:
My question is about another issue – in 2000/2001, I am not sure; Osama Bin Laden put the United Nations Mission in East Timor in the front line of the threats. Another issue, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta conveyed a Christmas message to Osama Bin Laden. How do you look at it?

Answer:
SRSG Atul Khare:
Thank you. It is indeed true that in 2000, 2001 and also in 2002, there were some reports which were attributed to Osama Bin Laden or to his group which indicated that he wished to take action against UNTAET and later on UNMISET for having contributed to the separation of Timor-Leste from Indonesia. I have seen the message of His Excellency Prime Minister Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta that was made in his capacity as a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and therefore obviously as a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize he called for peace on the part of all. I see in his message he has also asked Osama Bin Laden to refrain from terrorism, and as you are aware, the United Nations and member states of the United Nations, particularly the United Nations counter-terrorism committee, are working very closely to deter terrorist activities and to try and ensure that terrorist acts globally can be addressed. So, like the Honourable Prime Minister Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta, we also hope that 2007 will see a vanquishing of terrorism all around the world and instead of terrorism we will have more reconciliation, dialogue and discussion. Of course, you would remember that I have always said that reconciliation requires justice and that point holds true in this case also.

Question:
Joni from Timor Post:
Mr. SRSG, you have mentioned that you have met with the leaders of the country in preparation for the upcoming elections and that they are all committed that these elections should be free and fair, but at the same time we have the case of Major Alfredo. At the same time, there is a need for justice. If this case is not settled in a proper manner, will this be a threat or a challenge for the free and fair elections to be held?

Answer:
SRSG Atul Khare:
Thank you. You will remember in my first conference when a question had been asked about this particular case, and in the second press conference also, I had said that I do not like to comment on individual cases because that is an issue of the justice sector - the court to pronounce - and not for UNMIT to pronounce. In my second press conference, I had also said that I hope that the efforts of the government supported by the International Security Forces – facilitated by the International Security Forces – for dialogue would actually lead ultimately to justice prevailing in this case. In fact, it is not only one case, I would suggest that the entire report of the Commission of Inquiry and its recommendations and also the fact that the ad-hoc committee of the National Parliament is currently considering them. These recommendations have to be implemented, and in my next press conference we will talk in detail about what UNMIT can do to support the efforts for the implementation of those recommendations. But I must also add that all the leaders of Timor-Leste whom I have met have told me that they are in favour of justice and that impunity will not be allowed in Timor-Leste. I would like to praise their commitment in this regard.

Question:
Mr. SRSG, you mentioned that the elections should be free and fair, but now because we have the concern with regards to the weapons that are still in civilian hands, how far has the collection of the weapons gone – the efforts made of the International Security Forces and UNPol – to collect the weapons from civilians? The second question, we have information that the electoral legislation has been put in place – that is good, but we also have information that the political parties have started approaching those who are not part of the F-FDTL petitioners like Salsina’s group to attract their attention to join their political party. So, what is the view of UNMIT in this regard?

Answer:
SRSG Atul Khare:
Let me take the second question first. UNMIT will assist the authorities of Timor-Leste and the people of Timor-Leste to provide the necessary conditions for free, fair and credible elections. So, in a way it is like somebody who prepares the soccer ground - football ground – before the players can play, but it is not a player. And therefore, while I am happy to talk about logistical support, about the need for security and what we are doing, I would refrain from commenting upon individual political parties.

On the first question, I agree that we have to undertake many more actions to ensure that not only are there no weapons in civilian hands but that people feel, people believe, that no such weapons remain in civilian hands. The Deputy SRSG Mr. Tan and the Police Commissioner Mr. Tor are working very closely with the Ministry of Interior to look into these issues and to find, to assist, in getting a proper inventory of the weapons. So once this process is completed, some time in January, we will of course devote one of our press conferences to this important issue. But I must also add that if the public has any information which can lead to recovery of any weapons from civilians, please let us know. This information will be treated with confidentially; it will not lead to any threats against the informant. So, together we will be able to then control this issue of weapons which are in civilian hands.

Question:
Cesar from Kyodo news:
This has been a question asked to me by the people, that how can you ensure that the UNPol in the districts will do their work properly, given the situation of Mr. Alfredo as a fugitive – he is a wanted man; he is against the law – so will there be any action to arrest him in the districts? Because as an agency of law and order, the police must do their job properly, so will there be any action taken to arrest Mr. Alfredo by UNPol in the districts? And another question, all the fugitives - all the escapees from the jail – [will be treated] the same way; but will there be any exception for Mr. Alfredo’s case?

Answer:
SRSG Atul Khare:
Again, as I said before, I do not comment on individual cases. That is the work of the sovereign government of Timor-Leste. But I do believe that justice has to prevail; I have said this again and again. And I trust that all actions by the government, supported by the international partners including UNMIT, would lead to such a result. As of now, my immediate priority is ensuring law and order and security of the people so that elections can be credible – that is the immediate priority. And therefore, most of our resources are being devoted to that priority.

Question:
Cesar from Kyodo news:
This is also about how to respond to incidents, to stop them. I talked to some local police officers, they told me that in order to stop the incident is not to respond to the incident on the spot but on how to have information on who did it; but so far the UNPol does not do this. What UNPOl does is just stops the incident on the spot, but UNPol does not have the knowledge about who creates the incident. So, this is the problem.

Answer:
SRSG Atul Khare:
Thank you. I believe that both are important. Immediate action like that taken in the last ten days is very important to ensure that the fight between these gangs does not escalate into injury or even sometimes death. In fact when I returned to your great country after two years on 17th of December, I was saddened that just a few hours before my plane landed here there had been a death in Comoro in one such fighting. At least with the plan of responding quickly, immediately, in reasonable force, it has ensured that there has been no such event over the last roughly twelve days that I have been here. And the credit for this goes to DSRSG Tan and Commissioner Tor who has joined us, because we have changed the operational concept to respond quickly.

On the second issue of information, I think Commissioner Tor does have a lot of information that is operational information, which obviously we would not want to share in this open meeting. But information can never be sufficient, and therefore, I again repeat my request through you to the people of Timor-Leste to consider UNPol as your friends, in fact to consider the police even the PNTL after it has been reformed as your friends, and let us know what is the information circulating in a particular part of the city so that the police can serve you better.

Question:
I would like to address this question to Mr. Eric Tan and Commander Rerden. Yesterday, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta went to the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) of PNTL headquarters. The UIR members lamented/complained that all their equipment has been confiscated by the Australian forces some time in July. They complained that soon in January they will be reactivated to duty and so they would need their equipment such as boots and other items, so what is your response?

Answer:
DSRSG Eric Tan:
As you know the screening of PNTL, which includes the special units is ongoing. To date we have more than 220 PNTL already screened, and these have returned to duty alongside with UNPol officers. We have received requests from the Prime Minister and the leaders of Timor-Leste to reprioritise the screening for UIR and we agree that there are many benefits to doing so. Once the screening of the UIR is done, there will of course be efforts to return certain equipment and more importantly, a clear mechanism for them to return to work together with UNPol so that they can contribute just like the other community police of PNTL who have been contributing to law and order. To make best use of the skills of the UIR they will probably be working alongside one of the formed police units of UNPol. When that happens of course, their equipment, whatever they need, will be returned. Similar, with the rest of PNTL, the weapons may not be returned until a later stage.

I would like to take this opportunity to stress that the screening process must be done very carefully and very thoroughly. There must never be any doubt in the minds of the public that PNTL, they return to duty, have been thoroughly looked at and they are considered to have no allegations against them and they are ready to return back to work. Therefore, we have opened up the entire process to any organisation or any member of the public who has any reason against any PNTL to provide us the information so that we will invest this time well and when they return to duty they will be able to do their work properly. This investment in time to be thorough therefore is very important at this stage.

Thank you.

Brigadier Mal Rerden:
Just to concur that the weapons and equipment of PNTL, including units like UIR, are being held by the International Security Forces. They were secured in June at the request of the Government of Timor-Leste, and that equipment will be available for members of PNTL that have gone through the screening process under UNPol. The screening process is a very important part of the methodology for confirming the suitability of individuals for a policing function and all members need to go through that. When we have confirmation from UNPol that individuals have gone through that process, we will issue them the necessary equipment from the store that we hold.

SRSG Atul Khare:
Thank you Brigadier General. Any other questions?

Question:
A complaint from Guido from Associated Press. We appreciate the press conferences of UNMIT and we also receive the press releases from UNMIT. But at the bottom of the press release there is a contact number to call for additional information, but whenever we call there is never an answer. The phone rings, but there is no response. So we then miss our deadlines for going to press with our stories.

Answer:
SRSG Atul Khare:
We will take action on this. Thank you for bringing it to our notice. In fact in the New Year you might have many innovative changes on the UNMIT website also. Apart from the press releases, we will try and provide you with some nice photographs, which you can download and use provided you credit the UNMIT press and information office. Apart from the phone number, we will also give an e-mail address because sometimes it is much faster to send an email than for a person to respond back within an hour or maximum two hours. And finally, I do not consider this a complaint; I consider all these as mechanisms of improving the relationship between UNMIT and the press. The UNMIT PIO will also make available to you an email – it is called suggestionunmit@un.org, but that email will be presented to you next week in our press conference. So, if you have any suggestions which can improve the efficiency, the productivity not only of the type which is related to the press, any suggestion which you have which can lead to betterment of UNMIT’s assistance to the people of Timor-Leste, just drop us an email and we will take action.

Thank you.

Question:
I would like to address this question to Brigadier Rerden. At the request of the government, you provided security to Major Alfredo when he came to meet with Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak. Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that Alfredo will soon be moved from Suai to another area. I would like to find out if you have any information, whether you have been informed by the government on this plan of the removal of Alfredo from the border areas to the central part of Timor-Leste?

Answer:
Brigadier Mal Rerden:
At this stage the dialogue that is occurring between the government of Timor–Leste and Major Reinado is one that is being controlled with Brigadier Ruak as the appointed representative of the government. Those negotiations are between the government and Major Reinado. At this stage, there has been no request of the International Security Forces for assistance in this regard, and until there is such a request then I do not expect to be included because I am not a part of the negotiations.

Repetition:
The negotiations between the government of Timor-Leste and Major Reinado are continuing. The details of those negotiations are not known to me because they are between the government and Major Reinado. At this stage there has been no request to the International Security Forces by the government in regards to the issue of containment. As I said last week, this dialogue is an important one that needs to be given time so that the situation can be properly explained and understood and so that the parameters for any possible containment are fully developed and explained by the government when appropriate.

[Does is it mean that the containment of Major Alfredo to be allocated to other places has to be made known to you?]

Brigadier Rerden:
No. What I am saying is that the negotiations at the moment are between the government and Major Reinado. The International Security Forces are not a part of those negotiations. We were asked to provide support for the meting at Tasi Tolu last week, and we provided that.


SRSG Atul Khare:
So, thank you very much and wish you a very happy new year, and see you next Thursday.

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