Europe Solidaire Sans Frontières
TABLE OF CONTENTS
POLITICAL/SOCIAL CRISIS
* Troops on the streets after riots in East Timor
* Army deployed after Dili riots leave at least
two dead
* Two killed, 21 injured in Timor protest
* East Timorese protesters damage houses, market
in Dili
* East Timor soldiers vow to continue protests
* Soldiers attack traders in Dili protest
* Sacked soldiers demonstrate, set deadline over
grievances
* Timor ex-soldiers threaten guerrilla war
JUSTICE & RECONCILIATION
* Anger and accolades for Timor expose
* National Mandate Party won’t dismiss Guterres
* Compromising justice in East Timor
TRANSITION & DEVELOPMENT
* Four years after independence, Timor on right
track: FM
HUMAN RIGHTS/LAW
* ’East Timor police brutality as bad as
occupation days’
* East Timor ’must rein in torture police’
* East Timor police accused of human rights abuse
DAILY MEDIA REVIEWS
East Timor daily media review - April 1-28, 2006
POLITICAL/SOCIAL CRISIS
Troops on the streets after riots in East Timor
Agence France Presse - April 29, 2006
Dili — Troops have fanned out across the East
Timorese capital Dili, a day after a violent
protest left two dead, as the president called for
calm and urged thousands who fled their homes to
return.
Police commissioner Paulo Martins told reporters
that 34 people had also been injured in the
unrest, which saw rioters wielding planks and
steel pipes smash windows outside Prime Minister
Mari Alkatiri’s office building.
The rioters, who were originally marching in
support of some 591 soldiers who were sacked last
month after deserting their barracks, also burned
at least five cars. Martins said about 100 homes
were vandalised in Dili’s Tacitolu area while a
market was also badly damaged.
"Police have arrested seven rioters and they have
been taken for questioning, while the rest of them
are still hiding in the surrounding hills of
Dili," he told reporters after meeting President
Xanana Gusmao.
Hundreds of soldiers meanwhile were deployed
across the capital at strategic locations, an AFP
correspondent witnessed.
The streets of Dili were largely deserted with
most public transport not operating though a few
taxis still sought fares. Shops and markets mostly
remained shuttered but the airport was operating
under tight security.
Gusmao toured the city with local media and saw
about 50 houses torched in Tacitolu.
The AFP correspondent said one corpse was seen at
Tacitolu but no further information about the
circumstances of the death was immediately
available.
"With sadness, I apologize to the people because
they had to flee their homes because the situation
ran out of control yesterday (Friday)," the
popular president told several thousand refugees
sheltering at Dom Bosco seminary.
"But now, I ask that all be prepared to return
home calmly because I have already talked with
Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and the situation has
returned to normal,“he said.”I also call on the
youth to remain calm and rebuild peace in this
country."
Gusmao, a former guerrilla leader who fought
against the Indonesians during their 24-year
occupation of the tiny nation, also said that the
incident was a lesson for the nation’s political
leaders.
"If there is an internal problem, it should be
immediately settled, and not allowed to drag on,"
he said. Gusmao also encouraged several hundred
refugees outside the US embassy to return home.
A US embassy official told AFP on condition of
anonymity that only some staff members and their
immediate families were being sheltered inside.
Several thousand protestors took to the streets
Friday for the third rally in a week supporting
the sacked soldiers.
East Timor’s Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta
blamed the unrest on "groups that wanted to take
advantage of the situation, some them linked to
the opposition" and said the soldiers themselves
were not involved.
Gastao Salsinha, the most senior of the dismissed
soldiers, has said that the troops, mainly from
East Timor’s 10 western districts, deserted
because they were being passed over for promotion
in favour of those from the east.
Ramos-Horta said earlier this month the government
was setting up a panel to review the complaints of
the soldiers, who had made up about a third of
East Timor’s fledgling army. He said the men may
be reinstated but only on a case-by-case basis.
East Timor became the world’s youngest nation in
May 2002, after a UN-backed referendum that handed
the former Portuguese colony independence from
Indonesia. It is Asia’s poorest nation.
Army deployed after Dili riots leave at least two
dead
Lusa - April 28, 2006
Dili — The government ordered the army to help
restore order in East Timor’s capital Friday,
after two people were killed and 34 wounded,
including three officers, in clashes between
police and soldiers protesting their dismissal
from the tiny Defense Force.
Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato, who participated
in crisis talks with Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri
and Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta, told Lusa
the government was adopting "more muscular
measures“to deal with the unrest.”They will all be arrested if necessary", Lobato
said of the hundreds of sacked soldiers and
supporters who rioted across Dili for hours
earlier Friday, assaulting government
headquarters, stoning buildings, and burning cars
and market stalls.
“This is a matter of the Timorese State”, the
minister said after visiting the three injured
officers, one seriously wounded by machete blows.
"It is necessary to guarantee stability, to
guarantee this country as a nation, united an
indivisible".
A government communique released late Friday
evening in Dili blamed the bloody clashes on
“young opportunists linked to Ososio Leki”, leader
of the shadowy Colimau 2000 group of ex-guerrillas
and disgruntled villagers. Leki wants to turn his
group, legal under Timorese law, into a political
party, the government statement added.
Police Superintendent Paulo Martins told Lusa that
army units had been deployed between the city
center and the outlying western suburb of Taci
Tolo, where many of the rioters gathered late
Friday afternoon after the downtown rampage and
clashes with police.
The violence erupted on the fifth day of
round-the-clock protests by hundreds of sacked
soldiers and supporters when a group of
demonstrators tried to storm the government’s
headquarters, stoning the building and setting
cars afire, witnesses told Lusa.
Police fired live rounds and tear gas to disperse
the demonstrators from around the government
headquarters and at other flashpoints in the city,
including the Taibesse market, the scene of
earlier violence.
President Xanana Gusmao was following events from
Cinzas Palace and Alkatiri met with key cabinet
ministers at his residence to discuss the crisis,
officials said.
Shops and offices closed after the violence
erupted during the late morning, leaving downtown
Dili largely deserted for the remainder of the
day. The Portuguese and Australian diplomatic
missions cautioned their resident nationals to
remain indoors. There were no reports of injuries
among the large Portuguese expatriate community,
composed mostly of aid workers.
The clashes broke out the day after nearly 600
soldiers dismissed from the 1,600-strong army two
months ago over labor disputes rejected the
government’s offer Thursday to set up a top- level
commission to investigate their allegations of
regional discrimination in the military.
The prime minister’s office announced Friday
morning that it now considered the demonstrations
by the disgruntled soldiers, underway in Dili
since Monday, “illegal” and that authorities would
re-impose order.
During the demonstrations earlier in the week,
some of the sacked soldiers threatened to make
“war” against the government if their demands were
not met.
The director of the national hospital, Antonio
Caleres, told Lusa at least two people had been
killed and 34 wounded by gunfire and stabbings.
A tour of downtown Dili by Lusa found three
burnt-out cars and many shattered windows at the
main government building. Smoke was seen rising
from burning street market stalls. A building
housing Portuguese and Australian diplomatic
offices and Portugal’s RDP radio bureau was also
stoned.
Two killed, 21 injured in Timor protest
Associated Press - April 28, 2006
One East Timorese police officer was killed by
mobs during a protest in support of nearly 600
dismissed soldiers in the capital Dili, police
said.
The commander of East Timor’s police rapid
reaction unit, Soares Hale, told reporters that a
police sub-inspector had "died because he was
beaten in the neck“.”The situation is serious but
we have things under control," he added.
Earlier, witnesses were reported as saying that
two bodies had been lying down at the Intensive
Care Unit of Dili’s National Hospital, where four
policemen and 17 civilians were also admitted to
for various injuries, some in serious condition.
Police earlier fired tear gas to disperse the
rally of several thousand protesters after some of
them smashed windows outside Prime Minister Mari
Alkatiri’s office building, a correspondent
witnessed. He said there were about 100 police
seeking to control the crowd before the tear gas
dispersed them.
The rally was the third held by the disgruntled
soldiers this week. They were dismissed after they
had deserted the tiny country’s armed forces.
The protesters, many armed with wooden planks and
steel pipes, also set fire to five cars before
police dispersed them. At least five protesters
were injured in the melee, the correspondent
reported.
The soldiers’ leader, Gastao Salsinha, has said
the troops, mainly from East Timor’s 10 western
districts, deserted because they were being passed
over for promotion in favour of those from eastern
districts.
East Timor’s Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta
said earlier this month the government was setting
up a panel to review the soldiers’ complaints. He
said the men may be reinstated but only on a
case-by-case basis.
East Timor became the world’s youngest nation in
May 2002, after a UN-backed referendum that handed
the former Portuguese colony independence from
Indonesia, which had occupied it for 24 years.
East Timorese protesters damage houses, market in
Dili
Agence France Presse - April 26, 2006
Dili — A protest rally by hundreds of former East
Timorese soldiers sacked after deserting last
month turned ugly Wednesday when at least five
houses and a market in Dili were vandalised,
witnesses said. About 2,000 protesters held a
demonstration in support of nearly 600 soldiers
who complained of poor working conditions and
discrimination before they deserted.
Their leader, Gastao Salsinha, has said the
soldiers, mainly from East Timor’s 10 western
districts, deserted because they were being passed
over for promotion in favour of those from eastern
districts.
Some of the demonstrators vandalised five houses
in the eastern districts of East Timor, including
the home of a policeman in downtown Dili,
witnesses said.
"I was with my sleeping child when the house was
suddenly attacked by people, some wearing
fatigues,“homeowner Lorenca Miranda said.”I also
saw three policemen in the area run away when the
attack was taking place," she said.
Petrolina Soares, 26, said she was taking a siesta
and her husband was eating when men stormed into
their house and damaged belongings.
East Timor Police Chief Paulo Martins went to the
site, police inspector Armando Soares said, and
nearly 400 police provided security for the
protest, which followed a peaceful rally through
the capital on Monday.
Meanwhile a market in the Taibessi area of Dili
was also attacked by youths who were not among the
protesters and did not discriminate between stalls
owned by those from the east or west, an AFP
correspondent said.
East Timor’s Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta
said earlier this month the government was setting
up a panel to review the soldiers’ complaints.
He said the men may be reinstated but only on a
case-by-case basis, and accused Salsinha of
becoming disgruntled after being demoted when he
was caught smuggling sandalwood more than a year
ago.
He said the soldier then sought to spread stories
about discrimination within the ranks but most of
the men had left simply because they did not like
life in the barracks.
East Timor became the world’s youngest nation in
May 2002, after a UN-backed referendum that handed
the former Portuguese colony independence from
Indonesia, which had occupied it for 24 years.
The deserters accounted for almost a third of the
tiny fledgling nation’s military forces.
East Timor soldiers vow to continue protests
Voice of America - April 25, 2006
Nancy-Amelia Collins, Jakarta — Some East
Timorese soldiers who were fired last month vow to
continue their protests in the world’s newest
nation unless the government takes action over
their complaints.
For weeks, nearly 600 soldiers in East Timor have
protested that they were fired unfairly. Their
protests are drawing support and on Monday, around
3,000 people joined a peaceful demonstration in
the capital of Dili.
The soldiers, most of whom fought against
Indonesian rule of East Timor, accuse the
country’s defense force of nepotism and creating
poor working conditions.
East Timor voted overwhelmingly for independence
from Indonesia in a UN sponsored vote in 1999.
Soldiers from the anti-Indonesian guerrilla
movement were incorporated into the East Timor
Defense Force formed in 2002.
Government spokesman Jose Guiterrez says officials
are working to address their grievances.
“The government is considering their demand,” he
said. "The government is going to talk with the
president and will hear the opinion of the
parliament and will try to find a solution for the
claims of the soldiers."
The fired soldiers have rejected a commission
formed by President Xanana Gusmao to investigate
their allegations. The troops complain the
commission is biased in favor of the East Timor
Defense Force.
The fired soldiers account for more than a third
of the 1,600 men who are in the fledgling army.
East Timorese human rights activist Joaquin
Fonseca says the government must solve the problem
because it appears the military cannot.
"In terms of institutional development, this means
that there is a need to review the whole strategy
which the defense forces have developed,“he said.”The military continues to say the (case) is
finished and the remaining problem is political
and it’s left for the government and the
politicians to solve it."
Among their complaints, the soldiers, who are
mostly from the country’s western area, say
commanders discriminated against them and favored
troops from the east.
Soldiers attack traders in Dili protest
Sydney Morning Herald - April 25, 2006
Jill Jolliffe, Dili — A march by dissident
soldiers through the East Timorese capital
yesterday turned ugly when demonstrators attacked
market traders from the eastern Lospalos region.
The soldiers, from the western regions, were fired
last month after a long dispute in which they
claimed commanders discriminated against them in
favour of easterners.
Led by former lieutenant Gastao Salsinha, the
demonstration of about 5000, including civilian
supporters, took over the city centre from early
morning.
They marched to Government headquarters in protest
against their sacking by army commander Taur Matan
Ruak. The protesters called on President Xanana
Gusmao to settle the dispute.
They then headed to Mr Gusmao’s office. As they
approached the marketplace, some broke ranks and
chased terrified eastern stallholders, attacking
them with rocks and pieces of wood.
One soldier was injured, but casualties from the
other side are not known. The attackers were
mainly civilian youths, who were reined in by the
military men.
Ethnic violence has been rare in East Timor, but
prejudice against easterners has been rising in
recent years.
Well-armed police accompanying the march kept a
low profile, allowing the soldiers to run the
show.
Relations between the two forces are bad after
previous physical clashes. Members of the new army
claim the police were recruited from collaborators
with the Indonesian army.
The soldiers represent about one-third of the
army. Mr Salsinha said they would continue
demonstration until Thursday evening.
The men went absent without leave in February
after accusing their commanders, many of them
former guerillas from eastern regions, of
overlooking them in promotions.
Mr Gusmao had agreed to mediate with commanders,
but they were fired by Defence Minister Roque
Rodrigues and army chief Taur Matan Ruak while he
was abroad last month, triggering an earlier round
of violence.
Sacked soldiers demonstrate, set deadline over
grievances
Lusa - April 24, 2006
Dili — About 2,000 demonstrators, backing
hundreds of soldiers dismissed from the East
Timorese army, marched through Dili Monday,
launching five-days of announced protests against
alleged regional discrimination in the military.
The demonstrators, including many soldiers, some
in uniform, stopped at four official buildings,
including the presidential and government
headquarters, where they delivered written
ultimatums giving authorities until Friday to
resolve their grievances or face an unspecified
“strike”.
There were no reports of violence or other
incidents on the first of five days of planned
protests that took place under the gaze of a re-
enforced police presence in the capital’s streets.
The Portuguese and Australian diplomatic missions
issued warnings to their nationals at the weekend
to take precautions and avoid public gatherings.
There were reports that some Dili residents,
fearing violence, had left the city ahead of the
protests.
The demonstrators condemned the sacking two months
ago of 591 soldiers, about 40% of the fledgling
army, who held protests and went AWOL in February
to demand action against alleged discrimination of
“loromonu” troops from the country’s western
districts.
They also denounced an inquiry commission set up
by the army as biased, with some saying they were
ready to “die for justice and transparency” if
their demands were not met.
The army crisis has divided the Timorese
leadership, with President Xanana Gusmco, who was
praised by the demonstrators Monday, having
strongly criticized the decision by the government
and military brass to sack the disgruntled
soldiers as of last March 1.
At the weekend, Interior Minister Rogirio Lobato
accused unnamed "political parties, embassies and
priests" in the predominantly Roman Catholic
country of helping fuel unrest among troops.
Vigilance would be tightened along borders, Lobato
said, to preempt the exit of anyone who attempted
to use the demonstrations to "create problems and
then try to flee the country".
Rumors of similar demonstrations last month
provoked the flight of many people from Dili and
vandalism of some properties belonging to
“lorosae” easterners.
Timor ex-soldiers threaten guerrilla war
Associated Press - April 24, 2006
Nearly 600 soldiers dismissed last month from East
Timor’s armed forces for striking over labour
conditions have threatened to wage a guerrilla war
if the government failed to resolve their dispute
with the military leadership.
About 3,000 people joined a protest rally on
Monday organised by the soldiers in the capital.
Protesters marched 10 kilometres into Dili, waving
banners and posters denouncing the dismissals.
"We urge the government, the president, Parliament
and Supreme Court to solve our problem... in five
days," said 2nd Lieutenant Gastao Salsinha, a
spokesman for the soldiers who coordinated the
February 8 strike.
"We the petitioners are ready to conduct a new
guerrilla war in East Timor if our formal leaders
in this country have no political will to solve
our problem," he said.
There was no immediate response from the
government or the military. The strikers were
protesting working conditions and promotion rules,
and they demanded the elimination of alleged
“nepotism and injustice” in the service.
The ex-soldiers also rejected a commission formed
by President Xanana Gusmao to investigate the
problem, accusing it of bias.
The dismissal of the soldiers was a serious blow
to the 1,600-strong East Timor Defence Force,
which was set up after East Timor voted for
independence from Indonesia in 1999.
Most of the soldiers came from the ranks of the
East Timorese resistance to Indonesian rule.
JUSTICE & RECONCILIATION
Anger and accolades for Timor expose
South China Morning Post - April 11, 2006
Minutes after James Leong and Lynn Lee arrived in
Jakarta to present their documentary on East
Timor, Passabe, at a film festival, they were told
it had been struck off the programme.
Given the subject, it is easy to understand why
the Indonesian authorities were concerned.
The documentary focuses on the hearings of East
Timor’s Commission for Reception, Truth and
Reconciliation concerning Passabe, a hamlet in the
Oecussi enclave where residents — many of whom
were members of the local pro-Indonesia militia —
killed 74 men from neighbouring pro-independence
villages after East Timor voted to become
independent in September 1999.
The hearings, sponsored by the United Nations to
heal the country’s wounds after the period of
instability at the end of the 1990s, were never
intended to punish the perpetratrors of the
serious crimes such as murder or rape, say the
filmmakers, who were invited by the UN to cover
the proceedings.
The hearings turned “quite explosive” when a
villager confessed to killing a man.
Passabe chronicles the horrors, featuring chilling
testimonies from both the perpetrators and the
victims. The filmmakers were taken to the killing
fields where the villagers were allegedly tortured
and massacred. But the film also attempts to
illustrate the uncertain future for the country.
Lee says its problems have dropped “off the radar”
as the world zeroes in on the strife in the Middle
East.
"Everybody [in the villages] is sick and tired of
fighting, but there is a simmering resentment
there,“says Lee.”There’s a lot of deep sadness
because there’s a sense that justice may never
happen." This was partly because of the difficulty
in getting hold of many of the militia leaders who
escaped to Indonesian-held West Timor and punish
them.
While the film was not allowed to be shown in
Indonesia, it has received glowing reviews at the
festivals where it did run. When shown in
Singapore, Indonesian students were among those
who praised it the most, Leong said. The Sundance
Institute Documentary Fund also backed the film
with a grant.
What excited Leong and Lee, however, was the
February screenings in East Timor. High water
levels however, prevented them from taking the
film back to its subject village, Passabe.
The acclaim the film received has been a relief
for the first-time filmmakers, who have worked in
television production. Lee studied law but went
into media work, while Leong harks from a film-
making family: his father, the British-born
director Leong Po-chih, was part of Hong Kong’s
new wave in the late 1970s with output such as
Jumping Ash.
Leong Snr — who was listed as post-production
consultant on the film’s credits — had been
“generous” in providing advice, said the son. His
father suggested injecting Passabe with
“cinematic” touches, which helped greatly.
Visuals aside, Passabe works because of Lee and
Leong’s success in getting close to the subject,
including spending almost a year living in the
villages.
National Mandate Party won’t dismiss Guterres
Tempo Interactive - April 17, 2006
Raden Rachmadi, Jakarta — The National Mandate
Party (PAN) promises not to dismiss PAN’s East
Nusa Tenggara Regional Executive Board (DPW)
Chairman, Eurico Guterres, depite the fact that
his appeal for a human rights violation in the
East Timor case was rejected by the Supreme Court.
"We appreciate Guterres’s struggle in maintaining
the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,"
said PAN’s Central Leadership Council (DPP)
Secretary General, Zulkifli Hasan, at PAN’s
National Working Meeting I in Jakarta yesterday.
By acclamation, Eurico was elected PAN’s East Nusa
Tenggara DPW. Some of his colleagues from other
DPW officials seemed to support Eurico.
Eurico told the press that he chose the party with
the sun logo because the party is consistent in
fighting for the people’s goals. "What PAN fights
for is in line with my conscience," he said.
He promises that in the General Election of 2009,
his area could send representatives to the House
of Representatives (DPR). "We target three chairs
from East Nusa Tenggara for the House in Election
2009," he said.
Compromising justice in East Timor
Far Eastern Economic Review - April 2006
Jill Jolliffe — In October 1999, Indonesian
troops filed silently through the smoldering
remains of East Timor’s capital, Dili, and on to
its port. Their sullen embarkation signified the
end of a bloody imperial adventure which began in
the former Portuguese colony 24 years before.
The Suharto dictatorship had fallen. United
Nations officials in New York were busy drafting
resolutions which would shape a new country about
to rise from the ashes. Recently arrived UN
peacekeepers observed the historic departure.
They had been sent to restore order after violence
accompanying an overwhelming pro-independence vote
in August.
Around 1,400 people had died and countless others
were injured or missing in the violence unleashed
by the departing Indonesians and their Timorese
militias. Another quarter million had been
forcibly deported to Indonesian (West) Timor.
As the peacekeepers continued to arrive, UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan commissioned five
international jurists, led by Costa Rican expert
Sonia Picado, to visit Timor, assess breaches of
international law and recommend UN action.
The team advised:
Victims... must not be forgotten in the rush of
events to redefine relations in the region, and
their basic human rights to justice, compensation
and the truth must be fully respected.
It stressed "the need to act against impunity in
order to discourage future violations of human
rights" and recommended that the UN establish an
international tribunal to judge "those accused ...
of serious violations of fundamental human rights
and international humanitarian law...."
The secretary-general’s response was to pass the
Picado report to the Security Council without
endorsing its recommendations. The Council voted
instead to establish a two-pronged system of
justice for East Timor. A special court in Jakarta
would try Indonesian perpetrators, while a UN-
funded Serious Crimes Unit (SCU) in Dili would
prepare cases to be tried before international
panels of judges.
It also approved a truth commission for Dili, the
Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation
(known by its Portuguese acronym, CAVR), to
collect testimony on human-rights violations
committed between Portugal’s botched April 1974
decolonization and Indonesia’s 1999 withdrawal.
Its brief was to reconcile perpetrators of minor
crimes with their communities, while referring
serious crimes to the SCU for prosecution.
Two important points to note are that, firstly,
the resolution assumed that democracy was complete
in Indonesia, that the reformasi process begun
before Suharto’s fall in May 1998 had succeeded.
This is still not the case. Some enlightened
reforms, including decentralization of power and
direct election of all political representatives,
have been instituted, but military figures still
exercise inordinate influence. Secondly, the
resolution concerned only war crimes committed in
1999, despite a clamor by the East Timorese public
for redress in cases stretching back throughout
the 24-year Indonesian occupation.
As a result, many Timorese distrusted the UN’s
justice arrangements, not believing Jakarta
capable of trying its own military officers who
had ordered and directed the bloodshed. The SCU
prosecutions in Dili were viewed more positively,
even if their power was limited.
Seven years on and millions of dollars later,
these various strands of the justice process have
been tested and found wanting. There is discontent
with the UN’s performance and a tendency by UN,
Timorese and Indonesian leaders to meet criticism
by patching together inferior solutions without
consulting victims, or civil society in general.
By the time the UN was due to pull out of East
Timor on May 20, 2005, the Jakarta court known as
the Ad Hoc Tribunal had tried a mere 18 men
accused of orchestrating the violence, mostly
senior Indonesian officers. All were acquitted
except Timorese militia leader Eurico Guterres,
whose five-year sentence was increased to 10 years
on appeal.
The SCU prosecutions in Dili had more to show, but
also disappointed. International judges tried
perpetrators by due legal process, but although
317 people had been indicted by May 2005, only 74
had been convicted. East Timorese militiamen were
behind bars, but not their Indonesian commanders.
The reason was that although the UN transitional
administration in Dili had signed an April 2000
extradition agreement with Jakarta, President
Megawati Sukarnoputri reneged on the deal. Most of
those indicted still enjoy sanctuary in Indonesia.
In a bid to raise the psychological stakes,
Timorese SCU chief Longuinhos Monteiro negotiated
local police membership of Interpol. “Wanted”
notices of indicted Indonesians now appear on the
organization’s Web sites, and when they travel
abroad they risk arrest by Interpol agents and
handover to Dili police.
In early 2005 the UN secretary-general ordered a
new report to determine why the 1999 Security
Council resolution had failed. But even before the
three-person commission began work, a new scheme
was being hatched by politicians to satisfy the
clamor for justice without actually delivering it.
The CAVR had not handed in the report of its
investigation into the violations of 1974-99, yet
a new truth and reconciliation commission was
underway, undermining CAVR’s credibility.
The idea of a bilateral Indonesian-East Timorese
commission as an alternative to prosecuting war
criminals had been raised earlier by Timorese
Foreign Minister Josi Ramos Horta. By year’s end a
deal was in place between President Yudhoyono and
East Timor’s President Xanana Gusmao. This second
Truth and Friendship Commission consisted of five
Indonesian and five Timorese commissioners.
Presented as a project to facilitate truth-telling
by Indonesian officials, it offered an amnesty to
those who testified. Former Indonesian Defense
Minister Gen. Wiranto, indicted for war crimes in
Dili but untouchable in Indonesia, was a desired
witness.
Its Timorese supporters argue that its truth-
telling functions, facilitated by the amnesty,
will assist President Yudhoyono to effect reforms
within the military. They contend that by
advancing Indonesian democracy it will serve
Timorese interests (failing to consider that the
commission could equally be a tool for Mr.
Yudhoyono to vanquish political rivals).
The commissioners sought access to sensitive
testimony in SCU and CAVR archives, triggering
fears this material might end up in Jakarta’s
secret police files. The Timorese commissioners
were mainly recruited from the CAVR under pressure
from President Gusmao’s office. The Indonesian
commisioners include West Timorese archbishop
Petrus Turang and retired general Agus Widjojo,
billed as a “respected reformist general.” In 2001
Mr. Widjojo told a Jakarta conference that human-
rights training was unsuitable for Indonesian
soldiers because it interfered with their
performance.
In Dili, critics underlined that the commission
had not been debated publicly, and the influential
Roman Catholic Church, which advocates war-crimes
trials, expressed its dissent in a letter to Mr.
Annan.
Meanwhile, the UN experts presented their findings
on May 26, 2005, six days after the bulk of UN
personnel had withdrawn from Dili. Their findings
echoed those of the Picado report. They said the
ad hoc trials in Jakarta showed "scant respect for
relevant international standards" and recommended
retrials, or, if Indonesia did not comply within
six months, a war-crimes tribunal.
The report called on the Security Council to
extend the SCU’s work for two years.
On the bilateral Truth and Friendship Commission,
UN experts urged the international community to
withhold financial support "unless the two
governments reconsider the terms of reference,"
saying the impunity offer violates international
law. The experts also found "an absence of
political will and government support in [East
Timor] for the continuation of the serious crimes
process, which impedes... bringing to justice
those responsible for crimes against humanity..."
Josi Andrade is an energetic parliamentarian for
the governing Fretilin party. Officially he
supports its impunity policy, but as a torture
survivor his personal feelings tend to be at odds
with the party line. He was arrested in 1999 in
the border town of Maliana by Lieut.-Col. Siagian
Burhanuddin, whose face now features on Interpol
posters. Beaten insensible on Mr. Burhanuddin’s
orders during interrogation, Mr. Andrade was
blinded in his right eye by blows from rifle
butts. The SCU indictment brought him a sense of
relief, but it could be dropped, leaving Mr.
Andrade’s torturer permanently at large.
There are an estimated 10,000 former political
prisoners from the Indonesian period in East
Timor. A sample of 45 recent in-depth interviews
by the archival project Living Memory showed that
more than 90% had also been tortured. Of these, a
substantial proportion had suffered severe
torture, defined by practices such as the
application of electric shocks and the extraction
of fingernails or toenails with pliers. The ex-
prisoners are a forgotten group who struggle with
personal demons, untreated injuries and anger over
the injustice of impunity.
The capacity of the justice issue to generate
tension was demonstrated when the 2,500-page CAVR
report was finally tabled in late 2005. Based on
8,000 witness interviews, it was a damning litany
of Indonesian abuses, blaming Jakarta for more
than 100,000 deaths from killings, starvation and
disease during the occupation.
President Gusmao delivered a copy to the UN
secretary-general in January. The president told
reporters that East Timor would not be seeking
reparations from Jakarta. Nevertheless, Mr.
Yudhoyono canceled a scheduled meeting with the
Timorese president and relations chilled.
Mr. Annan has not responded to a September request
from the Security Council for guidance on the
latest experts’ report. He is bound to speak
before the UN’s current Timor mandate expires in
May, but insiders predict he will once again
ignore anti-impunity resolutions and the very
advisors he commissioned, allowing the justice
issue to fester. At the end of his term, it would
not be costly for the secretary-general to take a
principled, if unpopular, stand. Such a stand
might even secure his reputation in history, but
his legacy looks like being otherwise.
East Timor’s vain quest for justice is a casualty
of the new world order in which Indonesia’s value
as a moderate Muslim power supporting the war
against terrorism outweighs its undemocratic
shortcomings. It is, however, also a victim of
international cynicism, which could see East Timor
revert to its former status as a forgotten
territory that lacks the international leverage
necessary to redress decades of violence and abuse
that still haunt those who live there.
[Ms. Jolliffe is a free-lance journalist working
on The Living Memory Project, a video archive of
testimony by East Timor’s former political
prisoners. She recently shared the award of
Journalist of the Year 2006 from Yale University’s
Globalist magazine.]
TRANSITION & DEVELOPMENT
Four years after independence, Timor on right
track: FM
Agence France Presse - April 26, 2006
Dili — Four years ago as East Timor became the
world’s youngest nation, hundreds of cars driven
by UN personnel criss-crossed the streets of Dili
as the nation’s strife-torn people faced an
uncertain future.
Today, the man who was the international face of
East Timor’s fight for independence during
Indonesia’s 24-year occupation, Foreign Minister
Jose Ramos-Horta, relishes the changes that have
occurred.
"Today you see thousands of cars, 99 percent of
which are driven by East Timorese," said the Nobel
peace laureate, reflecting in his airy office
under a map of the tiny oil and gas-rich nation
that turns four years old next month.
"And you would have seen that today, in spite of
the departure of the UN, we have many more
restaurants — and quality restaurants — and
shops and street vendors than in 2001-2002," he
said of the improved economic situation.
Ramos-Horta, sporting his signature five o’clock
shadow and elegant spectacles, is keen to tout the
achievements of East Timor which, he said,
inherited nothing more than the “skeleton” of a
nation from the United Nations.
The UN held East Timor in stewardship for more
than two years after the East Timorese voted
overwhelmingly for independence in 1999.
The vote by the former Portuguese colony
infuriated the Indonesian military and the
militias they backed, who murdered at least 1,400
East Timorese and destroyed almost three-quarters
of all buildings before leaving.
Even today, some buildings in the scenic seaside
capital of Dili remain nothing more than burned-
out shells where shiny-coated goats roam and wild
pigs forage for scraps of food.
’Statistics not matched by reality’
"We have been able to largely build the
foundations of a democratic state by creating a
civil administration that is largely quite
functional, adopting the laws that were lacking in
every area,“Ramos-Horta told AFP in an interview.”And particularly important, in spite of the
departure of the UN from Timor... we have been
able to stop the downhill trend of the economy,"
he said. East Timor clocked modest growth of 2.3
percent last year and the government is shooting
for growth of at least seven percent next year.
The nation’s economic progress, Ramos-Horta
insisted, is far brighter than indicated by a
recent UN Development Program report, which
painted a bleak picture of life in the half-island
nation of one million people.
The report put per capita income at just 370
dollars per year, making East Timor the poorest
nation in the region, and said that its economy
had eroded as UN personnel and aid workers
departed.
"The statistics about the collapse of the economy
with the departure of the UN are not matched by
reality," the minister insisted, estimating that
some 20,000 East Timorese are now regular salary
earners, while many small business owners and
subsistence farmers are also doing well.
"If you travel from Dili to Los Palos, you see
thousands of heads of buffalo, cows, goats, pigs,
chickens — this is wealth," he said.
Another success, Ramos-Horta said, has been the
maintenance of peace and stability in the wake of
the deadly militia violence stoked by pro-
integration East Timorese that scarred the nation.
"This in my view is one of our greatests
strengths: our ability to forgive and embrace
everybody else," he said.
But consolidating this stability and improving
democratic rights, including strengthening the
weak judiciary, remained East Timor’s challenge,
he conceded.
Another is job creation for the fast-expanding
population — the mainly-Catholic nation has a
fertility rate of seven births per women — with
the government focusing on spending up big on
infrastructure.
Projects are largely to be funded by money flowing
from East Timor’s oil and gas projects, with about
500 million dollars already in government coffers.
But international assistance is still needed, the
minister pointed out, in particular calling for
the UN to provide assistance for elections due in
May next year.
’The government is rethinking its defence
doctrine’
One of the most dramatic incidents in East Timor’s
young history has been the dismissal last month of
nearly 600 soldiers — about one-third of its
armed forces — who deserted their barracks
complaining of discrimination and poor working
conditions. Ramos-Horta played down the
significance of the incident — pointing out that
the men "have been reasonably quiet and respectful
of law" — and said the government was setting up
a panel to review their complaints.
He said the loss of the men, who may be reinstated
on a case-by-case basis, had however hastened
along a rethink of East Timor’s defence force
structure, currently based on the idea that its
army should be able to defend an invasion until
allies arrive to assist.
"The government is rethinking its defence doctrine
and the force structure to deal with the
realities, the threats that the country faces," he
said, referring to non-conventional threats such
as people smuggling and piracy.
The idea being floated is for East Timor to have a
two-battalion strength force of around 500 men
each, with one battalion trained primarily to
serve on UN peace-keeping missions and another
trained for civic duty, he explained. "That way
you have two battalions that are always
productive, highly educated and trained," he said.
As for the future of Ramos-Horta himself, the
minister’s name has been whispered as a potential
candidate to replace Kofi Annan as UN secretary-
general, but he is non-committal for now.
"I remain a non-candidate. I am not excluding this
possibility, but it is not something that has
preoccupied me too much,“he said.”I have to
meditate and reflect before I make a decision."
HUMAN RIGHTS/LAW
’East Timor police brutality as bad as occupation
days’
Sydney Morning Herald - April 22, 2006
Mark Dodd — East Timor’s Government is under
pressure to eradicate torture and ill-treatment of
detainees by its police force amid fears of a
return to Indonesian-era human rights abuses.
Human Rights Watch said in a report this week that
use of torture in the world’s newest country was
becoming routine. "We were shocked to find so many
credible accounts of torture and severe ill-
treatment by police officers," said Asia director
Brad Adams. The grim findings follow a raft of
security problems affecting the impoverished
half-island state.
More than a third of the country’s armed forces
have been discharged over a mutiny linked to
claims of poor service conditions and biased
promotion.
Several people interviewed had gone to hospital
because of the severity of their injuries, the
50-page report said.
The report is a serious blow to the Australian
Federal Police. It continues to provide urgently
needed training for Timorese police officers, many
of whom served in the Indonesian police force held
responsible for widespread human rights abuses
during the country’s brutal occupation of the
impoverished state. "East Timor won independence
in part because of Indonesia’s horrific record
here,“Mr Adams said.”Some people are saying that
the new police force is no better than the old
one, and this should worry the Government."
One young man told the group about his arrest near
the western border town of Maliana, scene of some
of the worst pro-Jakarta militia atrocities in
1999.
"I was arrested by the PNTL (police) and put in a
cell for two days and two nights,“he said.”I was
continuously tortured, sprayed with pepper spray,
beaten and drenched with water.
"They constantly threatened me, saying if you
oppose the police then you will know the
consequence. Both nights were different people,
but both times they were beating me."
HRW called on the Government to ensure through
public measures and statements that there was a
"clear, unambiguous and consistent signal from the
top that police use of torture, arbitrary
detention and excessive force will not be
tolerated".
In response, East Timor Prime Minister Mari
Alkatiri said the organisation’s report was "too
negative".
East Timor ’must rein in torture police’
Agence France-Presse - April 20, 2006
From correspondents in Dili — East Timor’s
government must urgently act to stop police
torture and other ill-treatment of detainees
before the practice becomes widespread, a Human
Rights Watch report said today.
Dozens of witnesses and victims of police abuse in
the world’s youngest nation interviewed by HRW
said that beatings and torture were routine, with
several detainees having to be hospitalised.
"We were shocked to find so many credible accounts
of torture and severe ill-treatment by police
officers," Brad Adams, the HRW Asia director, said
in a statement announcing the report’s release.
One man arrested in Maliana told the rights
watchdog that he was repeatedly beaten during a
two-day incarceration. "I was continuously
tortured, sprayed with pepper spray, beaten and
drenched with water. They constantly threatened
me, saying: ’If you oppose the police, then you
will know the consequence’," he said according to
the statement.
"On the first night they beat me at around 1am, on
the second night they beat me around 3am. Both
nights were different people, but both times they
were beating me," he said.
The government and independent oversight bodies
have failed to take reports of police abuse
seriously or discipline officers, HRW said.
"East Timor’s leaders are ignoring police abuse
when they should be taking urgent steps to end
it,“Mr Adams said.”East Timor won independence in part because of
Indonesia’s horrific record here. Now some people
are saying that the new police force is no better
than the old one, and this should worry the
government."
The watchdog called for international donors to
express their concern to the government and
increase support for the independent monitoring of
police violence and for agencies providing
services for victims.
It also urged donors to fund and plan long-term
strategies on capacity-building, training, and
other support to the police force.
"This report should serve as a wake-up call to the
government and donors,“Mr Adams said.”This young
country can avoid emulating its former colonial
master, but only if concerted action is taken
now."
Indonesia occupied East Timor for 24 years, with
its rule ending after East Timorese voted for
independence in a 1999 UN-backed referendum.
Military-backed militias sacked the country in
response, killing an estimated 1400.
After three years of UN stewardship, East Timor
became the world’s youngest nation in 2002.
East Timor’s independent Commission for Reception,
Truth and Reconciliation has found that at least
102,800 Timorese died as a result of the
occupation through massacres, disease or
starvation.
United Nations civilian police trained East
Timor’s police force, which took full control of
policing operations in December 2003.
East Timor police accused of human rights abuse
ABC World Today - April 20, 2006
Reporter: Geoff Thompson
Eleanor Hall: As the United Nations prepares for
its final pull-out from East Timor next month, a
human rights report has leveled allegations of
torture and abuse against the local police.
Released just a few hours ago, the report by Human
Rights Watch documents dozens of cases of abuse by
prisoners in custody.
And the organisation’s Asia Director, Brad Adams,
has been telling our Indonesia Correspondent,
Geoff Thompson, that East Timor is in danger of
developing a culture of impunity for officials who
commit abuses.
Brad Adams: One of the saddest things we’ve heard
from a lot of East Timorese was that they’re now
comparing their police to the police under the
Indonesians and they’re comparing a colonial
police force which was very brutal — the
atrocities are well documented — with what
they’re facing now.
That may be because a lot of the people that used
to work for the Indonesian police and have stayed
on and learned very, you know, brutal methods of
policing from the Indonesians, but I think that we
expected that there would be greater political
leadership, greater moral leadership and the
effect of the international involvement would mean
that there wouldn’t be such wanton violence.
Geoff Thompson: What sort of abuses are we seeing
in East Timor at the hands of East Timorese
police?
Brad Adams: Well, one of the curious things is we
didn’t see a lot of torture to beat confessions
out of people. We saw a lot of torture just to
beat people. It seemed like it was punitive, that
they were trying to punish people for crimes or in
some cases they were just using their power to
settle local scores.
Essentially, the abuse was not very high tech. It
was physical, it was groups of police officers
beating up individuals, kicking them, hitting them
with sticks, punching them, you know, just meting
out lots of brutality and then sort of leaving
them, not providing medical care afterwards. And
it’s not clear why this is happening. This seems
to be violence for its own sake.
Geoff Thompson: Is it perhaps true that any force
which has the ability to inflict force on other
people tend to abuse it, unless there are some
checks and balances on the use of that force?
Brad Adams: Absolutely. There’s no major urban
police force in the world that doesn’t have
problems with police brutality. The reason that
it’s less in some places is a good culture of
policing, professionalism, but also the kind of
restraints that you are alluding to — internal
oversight process, professional ethics process, an
independent police review commission, the court
system and an independent judiciary. I mean, all
those things are very important and all those
things are largely lacking in East Timor.
There have been some efforts to build up a
professional ethics office in the police —
there’s an ombudsperson, there’s a human rights
officer in the Prime Minister’s office for
example, but none of these institutions are strong
and none of them really have the authority to take
direct disciplinary action.
It really comes down right now to the Ministry of
Interior, the national police chief, taking this
very seriously while those institutions are being
built up.
Geoff Thompson: The United Nations is in the
process of pulling out of East Timor for good.
This is not a strong indication that it is a
robust and fair-handed democracy going forward, is
it?
Brad Adams: Well, there’s a lot of worrying signs;
the military is in crisis; thousands of soldiers
have been on strike off and on and a lot of
institutions are still very weak.
And I think the United Nations and donors need to
stay engaged as long as possible, not to treat
East Timor as a protector of a colony, but to
really help it get on its feet.
It was a long period of degradation under the
Indonesians and it takes a long time to build a
society back up. You can knock it down much more
quickly that you can build it. And so we really
hope that the Australians for example, stick it
out, and other regional powers help them out.
It is not just a matter of having for instance, a
little classroom course on police ethics and then
ticking that box, it’s the question of providing
technical assistance, monitoring, pressure,
political engagement — all those things you have
say for these problems to be improved.
Eleanor Hall: And that’s the Asia Director of
Human Rights Watch Brad Adams speaking to the
ABC’s Indonesia Correspondent Geoff Thompson.
DAILY MEDIA REVIEWS
East Timor daily media review
UNOTIL - April 1-28, 2006
Four sovereign bodies form new commission
The government, through PM Mari Alkatiri,
reportedly explained that an idea has been
proposed to establish one State commission to
investigate the petitioners’ claims. In this
regard, two representatives will be chosen
directly from the office of the President, two
from the National Parliament, two from the
government such as State Minister Ana Pessoa and
Vice Minister of Interior, Alcino Barris and one
from the Tribunal with participation from the
Church and the civil society as a consultative
member. (DN, STL, TP)
Lobato: Some individuals provoked the petitioners
Interior Minister, Rogerio Tiago Lobato reportedly
stated that regarding the current situation, some
individuals are taking advantage of the situation
to provoke and push the petitioners to
demonstrate. Minister Lobato said "there is a
third party among the protesters, and some have
said that the government is incompetent". The
media further reported that Lobato also pointed
out that intelligence has taken photographs of
some foreigners supporting the petitioners and
that these photos are currently in police custody.
(DN, STL)
BPU and TNI jointly patrol boarder
STL reportedly quoted Commandant of Border Patrol
Unit (BPU), Guilhermino Ataido, in Tunubibi as
saying that in relation to the Malibaka incident
which occurred on 6 January 2006, BPU and
Indonesian Military (TNI) are working together to
provide increased security along the Frontier of
each respective country with the intention of
preventing illegal border crossings. Ataido said,
"BPU is cooperating with TNI, especially
contingent 744 which is based near the Indonesian
and Timor-Leste frontier. Therefore, we have
created a “joint patrol”. (STL)
Tilman: Lack of investment is no fault of the
petitioners
Timor Post quotes MP Manuel Tilman, spokesperson
for KOTA, as saying that the government, rather
than the petitioners, is at fault for the current
situation in the country which may impact
investment. Francisco da Costa Cabral Lay,
President of a small and medium business
enterprise (SME) told TP and STL that the current
situation should be resolved otherwise private
investment can be affected. (TP)
Fire at Taibessi Market sees kiosk burnt down
The Taibessi Market was a scene of destruction
again yesterday, with one kiosk being burnt down.
The fire did not spread to other kiosks, as it was
put out quickly by the surrounding community. The
situation in the market became increasingly tense,
and those traders who had returned to tidy up
their stalls and belongings from the previous
day’s destruction then fled again. The community
is concerned due to the threat from the leader of
the dismissed soldiers, Gastao Salsinha, that
there will be trouble if at the end of the week of
demonstrations there is still no solution
presented by the government.
There were no deaths in yesterday’s market
violence, and the police were able to arrest the
perpetrator/s of the vandalism. (STL, DN, TP)
Salsinha meets Bishop Ricardo and PM Alkatiri
Spokesperson for the F-FDL petitioners Gastao
Salsinha yesterday met with Dili Diocese Bishop
Alberto Ricardo and Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri,
accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs
and Cooperation Jose Ramos Horta. During the
meeting, the four came to an agreement to
establish a commission to investigate the charge
of discrimination within the F-FDTL. Speaking to
journalists after the meeting, Salsinha said that
whether the petitioners agree with the proposed
commission or not will depend on what the
commission does and who will be involved. He said
that he himself is interested and concerned to see
who will be on the investigating team, and that he
has doubts as to its success if only one state
institution is involved. (TP)
’Church concerned with situation of the country’
Speaking to the media on Thursday after meeting
with the spokesperson of F-FDTL’s petitioners,
Gastao Salsinha, Dili Diocese Bishop Mgr. Alberto
Ricardo da Silva stated that the Church is also
concerned with the situation of Timor-Leste where
people destroy each other, adding that therefore
the Church, consisting not only of bishops,
priests and nuns but also of the majority of
Timorese, tries its best to create a condition
where people can live in peace in tranquillity.
"If people are concerned with the situation, the
Church is also the same, therefore we all hope
that everyone will be united," said Bishop Ricardo
da Silva.
In addition, Bishop Ricardo da Silva said that
Timor-Leste should show a good example to the
world on how to live in tranquillity, and that
there should not be any chaos, otherwise Timor-
Leste’s reputation will be tarnished in the eyes
of international community, and there will be
never a better chance to receive any support.
Bishop Ricardo da Silva hopes that for a new
commission to be set up [by the organs of State]
for investigating the allegations of
discrimination within F-FDTL institution] in which
the Church supports, there should be trust and
good will among the people to tackle the matter so
that a final solution can be found for the benefit
of the nation. (Diario Nacional)
April 27, 2006
US in not behind the petitioners
United States’ Envoy in Timor-Leste, Grover Joseph
Rees, responding to an allegation that the United
States is behind the 591 petitioners, said that
"this information is false. He also said that last
year some people said that the United States
supported the demonstration that was held by the
church, and pointing out the similarity of the two
rumours. Ambassador Rees emphasized the
falsification of these reports and stated that
there are liars and honest people in every
country." (STL, TP)
Lu-Olo: War has passed and there will not be
bloodshed
President of the National Parliament, Francisco
Guterres Lu-Olo, reportedly said that in the past,
people were at war because of their intention to
take over Timor-Leste and added that now it is the
Timorese who are at war with each other (referring
to the petitioners). He said "In my opinion, no
one can leave the place where he/she has been born
and come to occupy this nation".
The media also reported that on Wednesday, two
delegations of the petitioners re-presented their
demands to the national parliament. This
information was obtained from an urgent press
conference that was held in Parliament saying that
the letter submitted on the first day of the
demonstration did not address their demands but it
was related to Maubere Democratic Party (PDM).
STL reported that the 591 petitioners have given a
sovereign body a deadline of Friday to resolve the
matter with a positive outcome.
Diario National quotes one protester as saying
that they "also protest against the people who are
from Lorosae (East) who dominate the selling of
goods in the three markets of Becora, Taibessi and
Comoro". If a solution is not reached, then people
from the West will boycott all goods imported into
Timor-Leste. (STL, DN)
Horta meets informally with Salsinha
Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister, Jose Ramos Horta,
on Tuesday night met informally with the 591
petitioners’ spokesperson, Gastao Salsinha. It is
reported that during the meeting Horta stated that
the government will establish a new investigation
commission to address the concerns of the
petitioners. In response to this, it is reported
that Salsina did not accept this proposal and said
that such a decision should have been taken before
the demonstrations started, so that a solution is
proposed.
Diario National Reported that the president of the
National Parliament, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo,
clarified his declaration to journalists on
Wednesday in which he referred to the involvement
of embassies and some political parties being
behind the petitioners. Lu-Olo said he meant that
the problem of the 591 petitioners is an internal
one for the government and people of TL; therefore
the Timorese State should find a solution, and not
the United Nations (UN) or other countries. (TP,
DN)
Alkatiri, Lu-Olo convene meeting to find solution
to petitioners
President of the National Parliament Francisco
Guterres and Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri on
Wednesday convened an urgent meeting with the aim
of finding a solution to the current problem with
the petitioners. Speaking to journalists, Lu-Olo
said that the Prime Minister would then convey the
opinions that they formed together to the
President. He said that there are several steps
that can be taken to resolve the problem, and that
he is confident that a solution will be found.
(DN, STL) Destruction at Taibessi Market, one
wounded
The Taibessi Market became a scene of destruction
yesterday, with people running chaotically
resulting in one trader injured and one police
officer remanded for firing shots without a
command to do so. Trading areas and kiosks in the
market were pulled down, and in other areas of
Dili three houses were stoned. The destruction and
rioting are related to the current “594”
demonstrations. Minister of Interior Rogerio
Lobato confirmed that the police have arrested
some people involved in the violence, while Police
Commander Paulo Martins denied rumours that police
had shot a child in the Taibessi Market in the
midst of the rioting, and confirmed only that one
officer had fired a warning shot.
However, one young person was shot by an unknown
person in the market and is currently undergoing
treatment at the National Hospital for an injury
to his eye. (STL, DN)
Ximenes: Come to the tribunal, a decision must be
made
The president of the Democratic Republic of
Timor-Leste’s Court of Appeal, Claudio Ximenes
declared that with regards to the decision taken
by military authorities to expel some members of
the F-FDTL, he will not be making any opinion.
However, should the case be taken to the Court,
then a decision will be made accordingly. Claudio
Ximenes gave this remark to the journalist at the
Court of Appeal building in Caicoli on Tuesday
(25/4) when asked his opinion.
Claudio, who is also the President of the Superior
Council of the Magistrate, was quoted as saying
"first of all, I am not familiar with the
decision, and therefore I cannot give an opinion;
and secondly, even if I am aware of it, I am
unable to given an opinion over the decision."
When asked for further explanation, he clarified
that as a Judge, he cannot give his opinion (at
this stage). According to Claudio, the F-FDTL
problem is more of an administrative and military
problem, so only military authorities are
competent to resolve it.
Having said that, he added that it may also need a
political solution, but even so, the ability to do
so rests with those with whom the military
administration function rests, and those who have
the political function and authority in relation
to this matter. The President of the Court of
Appeal confirmed that he has received a copy of
the petition from the F-FDTL members but that he
is unable to publicize its contents as he does not
have the authority to disclose it. (STL)
Demonstrators assaulted houses and shops in
Lecidere
STL reported that some of the demonstrators
involved in the rally of F-FDTL’s petitioners
assaulted three houses and three kiosks in
Lecidere, Dili on Wednesday. From the assault, it
total losses were estimated worth US$ 3,500.
Aside from assaulting the houses, the
demonstrators also damaged one car, two tricycles
of street vendors and killed one pig in the area.
We do not know anything. But, all of the sudden
the demonstrators in military uniform came and
destroyed our house and the car," said Jenoveva
Soares, a Lecidere resident.
Soares appealed to Timorese authorities,
especially President of Republic, Prime Minister
and President of National Parliament to quickly
find the solution for the problem, adding that as
an ordinary citizen she was innocent of what went
on, and said that in the era of independence what
she very much wants is to live in peace and carry
out a normal life.
In response to the incident, the spokesperson for
the petitioners, Gastao Salsinha stated that he
did not have confirmation on all of the incidents
reported except that of the damaged tricycles,
adding that what had happened was considered to be
a technical mistake, therefore they would try
correct this wrong behaviour.
Moreover, Salsinha said that once all of the
damages done by the demonstrators were confirmed,
he would be responsible for it. (STL, 27 April
2006)
April 25, 2006
Petitioners: ’If you want war, we are ready for
it’
The 591 F-FDTL petitioners yesterday staged a
protest and demanded sovereign bodies of this
nation to speed-up the resolution to their claim
of discrimination which they insist occurred
within the F-FDTL institution. According to
reports, at about 09:30 in the morning
approximately more than 1,000 protesters marched
from Tasi-Tolu to Dili, a distance of about 15
kilometers. The protesters carried various
banners, saying: "We want to seek justice and
truth,“”Brig. Gen Ruak should declare
’westerners’ were also involved in the
independence struggle,“and”Viva President".
When the demonstrators reached the presidential
palace, they presented their declarations to
leaders which consisted of 10 items, one of them
declaring that the soldiers dismissed by Brigadier
Taur Matan Ruak would be ready to die if no
solution is found. The Petitioners also demanded
an explanation of the Taur’s earlier remark to the
petitioners, "If you want war, we’re ready for
it."
Timor Post reported that Prime Minister Mari
Alkatiri asked the 591 F-FDTL petitioners via
their delegates after they had submitted their
demands, that while they carry out their protest,
they also maintain a secure atmosphere especially
in Dili.
Malaysia invited Timor-Leste authorities Defense
Minister, Roque Rodrigues, Commandant F-FDTL
Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak and
Superintendent PNTL, Paulo de Fatima Martins to
view an exhibition on Defense Services Asia (DSA).
Fatima said that he could not attend because he is
responsible for internal security in the nation,
particularly at this sensitive time.
As the demonstration carried on yesterday on the
way to the Court of Appeal, there was a minor
incident in which two people were wounded and a
vendor’s stand was destroyed. The Police and
petitioners managed to regain calm. (TP, STL, DN)
Government to provide free education for needy
The Special Secretary of Oe-cusse, Albino Salem,
told media that the district government would
start providing free education to those who have
finished their study in primary school and have
the capacity to continue but lack the financial
ability. Salem further stated that they have
already begun to identity youth that are not
enrolled in secondary school and are encouraging
them to return to finish their studies. (DN)
Lu-Olo: Parliament does not take any stand
The President of the National Parliament,
Francisco Lu “Olo” Guterres, has stated that the
National Parliament does not take a stand with
regards to the protest of the petitioners because
the letter that they had submitted to the
Parliament through their delegation does not
outline their demands but instead relates to
Maubere Democratic Party (PDM). The paper reports
that Lu “Olo” informed journalists of this issue
at an urgent press conference held yesterday,
after receiving the letter from the petitioners.
DN reports that UIR police commander and the
district police commander yesterday accompanied
the delegation to a meeting held behind closed
doors. Journalists received no comment in their
attempts to confirm reports of the said letter. On
the other hand, journalists confirmed with the
spokesperson for the petitioners, Salsinha, that
the letter had been submitted to the Parliament
but that it appears that the letter has been
manipulated with the intention to "destroy the
action“of the petitioners.”We do not have any
letters from PDM“, said Salsinha,”but the letter
that we have now was written by myself with one of
my colleagues, and we have signed it". (DN, STL)
Gusmao should suspend Taur Matan Ruak
The spokesperson of the 595 petitioners, Gastao
Salsinha, requested the Supreme Commander of the
Armed Forces, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao to use his
power as the President of the Republic as
stipulated in article 74 and 75 of the National
Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-
Leste to take immediate steps to suspend Brig.
Gen. Taru Matan Ruak for the bad decision he made
with regard to the dismissed soldiers.
Lt. Salsinha said if the problems are not
resolved, "we will form a commission which will be
composed of the four competent sovereign
institutions, including the civil society and the
intellectual and religious community. We the
petitioners, the people and the youths demand
justice and truth. We also ask the four sovereign
state institutions with the competency to resolve
the problems presented by the petitioners as soon
as possible, within the five days," Should there
be no solution to the problems presented by the
petitioners, then we ourselves would seek for
alternative solutions, such as, first of all " we
are ready to go on a strike and will remain here
until we receive a response. Secondly, we are
ready to die in order to defend justice. Thirdly,
we, the petitioners continue to pledge our
allegiance to the President of the Republic, Kay
Rala Xanana Gusmao as the Supreme Commander of the
Armed Forces of the DRTL“added Salsinha.”Our petition has been delivered to the four most
Sovereign State Institutions, the Government, the
Parliament, and the Court of Appeal and these
Institutions will talk with the President of the
Republic, and then we will hear a result," said
Salsinha.
Responding to the question from a journalist
regarding when they plan to hand in their
uniforms, Salsinha said that only on the last day
of their demonstration will they know whether or
not they will hand in their F-FDTL uniforms which
are still being worn by all of them. (DN)
Government will solve petitioners of F-FDTL’s
problems
Speaking to the media on Monday, Minister of State
and Presidency of Council of Ministers, Antoninho
Bianco was quoted as saying that the Government
would solve petitioners of F-FDTL’s problems, but
it should be based on the regulations currently in
place.
Bianco added that he indeed participated in
yesterday’s meeting which the Prime Minister held
with representatives of the petitioners, adding
that they did not say anything much but only
handed over a document [containing their demands
and aspirations].
In addition, Bianco said that it was the first
time for Prime Minister to receive the official
documents of petitioners, and so far he only
followed the issue through media. Moreover, he
said that Prime Minister would study the document
after which the President of Republic would talk
to other organs of State to look into it, and
solve the matter.
"Government is ready to accept their aspirations.
Presenting aspirations is a normal thing as it has
been enshrined in the Constitution that the
ordinary citizens have the rights to speak out and
present their petitions," Bianco further said.
(DN)
April 22-24, 2006
Petitioners protest
The ’petitioners group’ is scheduled to protest
today with the support of 5,000 sympathizers,
reported the media on Monday. Spokesperson for the
group, Salsinha Gastco, told the media on Saturday
that sympathizers from 10 Districts were expected
to join the protest. Gastco said the ’petitioners
group’ planned to hold the demonstration in F-FDTL
military uniform, following law and order,
assuring it would be a peaceful demonstration and
that security was under PNTL control. The venues
of the protest include the Government Palace, the
National Parliament, the Court of Appeal, and the
Palace of Ashes ending at the seashore, Gastco
said.
STL reported on Saturday that a meeting took place
between PNTL Commander Paulo Martins, Operational
Commander Ismael Babo and ’Petitioners Group’
spokesperson, Salsinha Gastco delineating plans of
the protesters. The trio also held a press
conference later.
In the meantime PNTL Commander Paulo Martins
reportedly said police are prepared to provide
security during the four day protest adding he has
asked the group to follow law, though if there are
major disturbances, the police have the competence
to stop the demonstration and to prevent victims
and damages that have occurred in similar past
events.
Bishop Basilio do Nascimento asks the leaders to
listen to the ’petitioners’ even if the solution
cannot be found straight away, reported Timor Post
today, adding that the group is holding the
demonstration for a reason that needs to be looked
into by both sides.
In a separate article, Diario Nacional reported
F-FDTL Chief-of-Staff, Lieutenant Colonel, Lere
Anan Timor as saying Minister of Defence, Roque
Rodrigues, Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak,
accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of Defence,
Filomeno Paixco and Major Coliati departed Sunday
to Malaysia for an official visit. The delegation
will participate in an exhibition regarding
military equipment scheduled for today and will
return on April 28. Anan Timor reportedly said
Taur Matan Ruak would spend three days in Bali
before continuing his trip to Timor-Leste where he
will rest for two days before proceeding on an
official trip to the USA.
MP Clementino do Amaral (KOTA) is of the opinion
that any citizen has the right to support any
group holding a demonstration and that includes
priests in the name of the church, reported STL
Saturday. (STL, TP, Diario)
Government wants to urgently define electoral law
The government wants to define the fundamental
principles of the electoral law as soon as
possible to allow many people to participate in
the debate on the elections, as well as on
candidature and voting procedures, reported STL.
According to the report, the Council of Ministers
raised the topic during Thursday’s meeting. The
Council also discussed other topics including
combating HIV/AIDS and the organic structure of
the public administration. (STL)
UN supports Portuguese magistrates
Three Portuguese magistrates accused of being
’colonialists’ by the Minister of Interior last
week were cleared of the accusations by the United
Nations. Speaking at a press conference on Friday,
SRSG Hasegawa emphasized that the investigation
following the accusations by Timor-Leste Minister
of Interior, Rogirio Lobato "reveals that by no
means did this reflect colonial attitudes, nor was
there evidence found of misconduct, dereliction of
duty or absence without due authority by any
international prosecutor". In response to the
SRSG’s conclusion, Prime Minister Alkatiri said,
"I recognize that work has been done in the
Prosecutor’s office since the Portuguese began
working there". On the accusations made by
Minister Lobato, Alkatiri said, "one thing is the
absence of the Portuguese prosecutors, duly
authorized, the other is negligence and worse is
to consider their attitude as colonialist. " I
have knowledge of some situations in the
Prosecutor General’s office where Timorese and
expatriates have had conflicts, but I recognize
work has been achieved since the Portuguese
prosecutors began work in that area," he said.
(STL, Lusa)
Fretilin wants to strengthening national unity
Fretilin’s Secretary General, Mari Alkatiri,
reportedly said the names Maubere, Timor-Leste and
Mount Ramelau have important significance in
strengthening national unity. Alkatiri said the
three components are in the hands of Fretilin.
Speaking at the party’s central committee in
Comoro, Mari Alkatiri affirmed the importance on
reflecting and reviving the main symbols for which
Fretilin fought. He explained the concept of
Mauberismu (Maubere) and why Fretilin values it.
Timor Post reported Fretilin’s Secretary General
as saying that the church and Fretilin cannot turn
their backs on each other, adding that if Fretilin
turns its back on the church, it is the same as
turning its back on the party. He noted that
Fretilin is the church and vice-versa.
"Those members of Fretilin, the majority are
Catholics. They are part of the Catholic Church.
The majority of the people in the church are
Fretilin and Fretilin makes up the church," Mari
Alkatiri explained on the occasion of 16th
anniversary of the group Frente Timor Unidos
(FITUN) in Kuluhun, Dili. Alkatiri appealed to the
people to ignore comments made by some priests
that if his party wins the 2007 election, some
priests’ throat would be cut, calling on the youth
to carry forth the notion that religion is sacred
and should be respected. Therefore, he asks those
priests that want to be involved in politics to
establish a political party and to speak like
politicians, allowing people to question them.
Government lacks capacity to resolve citizen’s
problems
Director of NGO Mirror for the People (LABEH)
Henry Samson, reportedly said the government
cannot resolve his problem which is considered
small, let alone the F-FDTL case. Samson said the
immigration police have been investigating him for
five years and have not yet found any facts that
he is of non-Timorese citizenship. He said he is
prepared to undergo DNA testing to prove his
identity. STL reported the Director of LABEH as
saying that the Provedor for Human Rights and
Justice must investigate the Minister of State to
find out the aim of investigating his identity,
noting that the Minister of State initiated the
investigation and not the immigration authorities.
He says he is prepared to sit and resolve the
problems with the authorities. (DN, STL)
PNTL commander laments report
PNTL Commander Paulo Martins told the media he
greatly laments the Human Rights Watch report that
gave a bad image to PNTL. Martins said he feels
sad about the report but that some part of it
discriminates against PNTL. Some of the
discrimination Martins said the citing of the
names of some PNTL officers such as the Commander
of Dili District, Eugenio Pereira, accused of
infringement in Bobonaro District.
In the meantime the Programe Manager for Law and
Enforcement Program, Aniceto Bertenie Neves
reportedly said that the Human Rights Watch is a
reflection of the current situation in the
country. According to Aniceto Neves, PNTL often
violate human rights when they perform their
duties during patrol among communities. He
affirmed that HAK Association has also gathered
facts that show that a number of human rights
violations within the community involve Timor-
Leste police. (TP) Media still unprofessional: Suni
An organizer of Timor-Leste Journalist Association
(AJTL), Francez Suni, reportedly said last Friday
that the media of Timor-Leste is still
unprofessional and weak in the area of writing
news, therefore AJTL launched an open discussion
on how to report and write professionally which
began by presenting a film in which journalists
had fabricated news. Suni noted that the present
media in Timor-Leste does not report the news
accurately even though the news is obtained based
on a talking source. He added there is no one to
analyze the news and the journalist writes and
reports. He used as an example that journalists
reported that about ’80 percent of FRETILIN is not
in support of Mari Alkatiri’ pointing out that
this piece of news was placed at the bottom of the
first page when it should have been at the top. He
said that the context of the news is important and
it should keep readers interested. (DN)
April 21, 2006
Maubusi doesn’t have the rights to speak on
congress
On Thursday the media reported Vicente Maubusi as
saying that 80 percent of Fretilin delegates will
not vote for Francisco Guterres, Lu’Olo and Mari
Alkatiri as the President and Secretary General of
the party due to pending problems and no national
structure connection within districts.
Francisco Guterres, Lu’Olo reportedly responded
that Vicente Maubusi does not have the right to
make comments regarding Fretilin’s national
congress because he has been suspended from the
party’s Central Committee. Lu’Olo said it is of no
concern whether 80 percent of the delegates vote
for them but he believes that same number will not
vote for Maubusi. He added that the regional
meeting is to look into issues of concern and to
discuss changes to the statute.
President, sovereign bodies will resolve
’Petitioners’ problem
Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri reportedly said
President Gusmco and the sovereign bodies are
working together to resolve the problem of F-FDTL
institution. "Our politics is like the State. What
we have been doing we will continue to do.
President Xanana and I reached a consensus that
the petitioners must collaborate and cooperate in
the process we have defined on how to clarify the
whole situation. The petitioners themselves have
already declared they will not return to F-FDTL
headquarters," Prime Minister Alkatiri said. He
added that although the ’group’ is not returning
to the institution, the problem they raised must
be resolved.
According to Timor Post, the Minister appealed to
the population not to panic about the protest that
the 591 soldiers are planning. He added that the
petitioners are no longer entitled to salary as
they have quit the army but the State is looking
into their conditions so that they may live like
any other ordinary citizen.
In response to the statement made by Minister of
Interior that some priests are supporting the
’petitioners group’, Fr. Domingos Soares Maubere
said the church is everywhere to attend to the
cries and suffering of the people and that is what
the church is doing with the 591 petitioners by
providing counsel to them so that they may live in
the realm of peace and stability.
Minister of Interior, Rogirio Lobato has
reportedly appealed to the ’petitioners group’ not
to listen to third parties to avoid provocations.
According to the media, Lobato visited many areas
of Dili to speak to youth groups to provide
correct information and to calm the population.
April 20, 2006
Police can use gun to defend: Lobato
Minister of Interior, Rogerio Lobato told the
media in a press conference Wednesday, that the
police have given authorization for the
’petitioners group’ to hold their protest. Lobato
said his department received a notification from
the group, informing him of their plans to hold a
demonstration starting on Monday until Thursday.
He reiterated that as a democratic nation,
citizens of Timor-Leste have the right to protest,
but added that ’if the protesters commit a crime,
police will shoot’. The Minister of Interior said
the work of the police is to provide security to
the protesters as well as the community therefore
PNTL will be in control of the security to prevent
any crimes that can affect the stability of the
nation. According to media reports, Lobato also
stated during the conference, that he has already
received information that some political parties,
embassies and priests are supporting the
’petitioners group’ noting that police have also
identified some people who are providing food to
the ’petitioners’. Lobato said police would patrol
the airport and the borders to detain anyone
contributing to the destabilization, from fleeing
the country. He also appealed to the community not
to panic as police would provide security 24 hours
and he asked the heads and chiefs of villages to
work together with the police in identifying new
faces within their community and to question the
purpose of their stay as many youths are now
travelling to Dili to participate in the protest.
He said police will identify the venue where the
group plans to demonstrate and that participants
will be searched to guarantee that they are not
carrying any weapons. He asked all to maintain law
and order.
The media also reported that the spokesperson of
the ’petition group’, Salsinha Gastao, as saying
that the scheduled protest is to demand the
sovereign state to speed up a solution to the
problem adding, "if it is not resolved within the
fours days, we don’t know what will happen to this
country. It is not we who are destroying the
nation but the sovereign bodies for not wanting to
resolve it,“he said, adding”We have been too
patient during the last three months and we have
exhausted our patience. We were once slaves and we
don’t want to be forever slaves, therefore the
leaders must give attention to this problem."
Gastco said the people planning to participate in
the demonstration include the group and their
families and asked police not to be in dismay as
it will be a peaceful action. He stated that the
group is only receiving support from their
families and people from 10 Districts and not from
embassies and political parties as reported.
According to the media, Salsinha Gastao believes
that the demonstration will run smoothly but
emphasized there must be a solution. He questions
the functioning ability of the established
commission and asks why they are investigating the
victims and not the suspects. He also appealed to
the commission to act impartially.
Suara Timor Lorosa’e (STL) reported Salsinha as
saying that in order to resolve the matter, a
comprehensive step should be taken to first
investigate all F-FDTL members considered to be
the actors of discrimination. The newspaper also
reported that during a phone interview with the
commander of F-FDTL’s 1st Battalion, Lieutenant
Colonel Falur Rate Laek, he said that he is always
ready for any interview by anyone: the devil, God
or the Timorese authorities in relation to the
expulsion. However, he said F-FDTL Commander,
Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak has banned
anyone within the institution from commenting
further on the matter. (TP, STL, DN)
Majority of Congresses won’t vote for Alkatiri and
Lu’Olo
A member of Fretilin Central Committee (CCF),
Vicente Maubuti, said around 80 percent of the
congresses would not select Franciso Guterres,
Lu’Olo and Mari Alkatiri as Secretary-General and
President of the party. "If their behaviour was
good toward the cadres and militants during the
last four years, they will be selected. But that
will be difficult. The congresses are not blind
and deaf," Maubuti reportedly told Timor Post.
Maubuti said one of the reasons they would not be
selected is because the structures of the party is
paralysed, adding that a few people worked very
hard for the re-structuring of the party and in
the end were paid no attention and promises that
those that took part in the clandestine would join
PNTL and F-FDTL did not materialise. He added that
the recent statement in Baucau from region I and
II claiming total support for Mari and Lu’Olo, is
only a formality noting, the correct results will
be seen in the congress in May. (TP)
Petitioners reject continue remuneration The 591
F-FDTL petitioners have reportedly rejected the
decision to continue remuneration to them.
Speaking to journalists in Taci Tolu Dili, the
group’s spokesperson, Gastao Salsinha stated that
based on the decision of General Taur Matan Ruak
who has considered them civilians since 1 March,
they no longer have the right to claim any money
from the state. Instead, he urged the State
Institutions to address the issue stating that
they were prepared to undergo investigation as
long as those who had discriminated against them
were investigated as well. If the “perpetrators”
refuse to submit to investigation, "then they are
the ones who want to destroy the nation," said
Salsinha. (RTTL News)
Ineligible for external means ineligible for
internal: Lobato
Commenting on the statements that the 591
petitioners could join other state institutions
such as PNTL, the Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato
reportedly stated that this would not happen.
Speaking to journalists at the PNTL headquarters
on Wednesday, the Minister said whoever is
ineligible to be in external security is
considered ineligible to be in the internal state
security institution. "Our principle is clear
right from the beginning," Lobato said. (RTTL
News)
April 19, 2006
Pedro Carrascalao clarifies allegations against PM
Representative of Petro Timor in Timor-Leste,
Pedro Carrascalao said an allegation of bribery
against Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri was initiated
in 2004 by some individuals to bring down the
Minister. Carrascalao added that he had not
accused Alkatiri of receiving bribes from Ocean
Exploration as reported by the media in 2004. He
said many people telephoned him at the time asking
for evidence to use against Alkatiri but he did
not have any information and his objective was not
to bring down anyone. He said he has been trying
to meet with the Prime Minister since then but has
not had the opportunity to do so, noting that some
people have been trying to prevent the meeting.
According to the media, Pedro recently met with
Alkatiri to discuss investment opportunities in
the country, and at the same took the opportunity
to clarify the events leading to accusations
against the PM regarding accepting bribes. (TP,
STL, DN)
President meets leaders of political parties
President Gusmao on Tuesday invited leaders of six
political parties to discuss current issues and
the preparations for 2007 elections. Those that
participated were representatives from Partido
Liberal (PL), Partido Nacionalista (PN), Partido
Socialista Timorense (PST), and Partido
Democratico Cristao (PDC). According to Nelson
Tomas Correira, President of PST, the points
discussed were the problem of F-FDTL, which
President Gusmao said a mechanism is being
discussed between the government and F-FDTL to
find a solution, the martial arts group problem,
the electoral law and other problems like the
Commission of Former Cadres of the Resistance and
the preparations for the 2007 elections. On the
latter, President Gusmao asked the political
parties to reorganize and revitalize themselves in
order to have a composition balance in the
National Parliament. On the issue of F-FDTL,
Correia stressed that the Minister of Defense,
Roque Rodriques should make an organic law to
regulate F-FDTL and also military court to process
them according to legal procedures. (TP, DN)
Approval of electoral law is crucial
The president of ASDT party and vice president of
the National Parliament, Francisco Xavier do
Amaral said the Parliament hopes to receive the
electoral law from the Council of Ministers sooner
in order to allow the Parliament more time for
discussion and debate, especially commission A
which has the competency for this matter. Xavier
Amaral underlined that if the document is
presented to the Parliament late they will not
have time to discuss and would just implement it.
On the same issue, National Parliament Secretary
of Sub Commission A, Alfredo da Silva told
reporters that the electoral law is exclusive to
the parliament and as enshrined in the
constitution MPs can propose the laws, but not
political parties. He said the commission will be
open to the public so the political parties can
provide good inputs to make the law. Silva
reportedly says he believes there will be no
manipulations in the general election in 2007
because there is good mechanism to prevent this.
(STL)
Evacuation into the hills in anticipation of
demonstration
In relation to rumours that the 591 F-FDTL
petitioners would hold a demonstration in Dili,
which could potentially cause disturbances, RTTL
reported that some Dili residents have fled to the
hills around the capital, such as in the area of
Manleuana, South West of Dili. The population of
Manleuana reportedly told RTTL that some of those
people have returned to their homes after staying
for days while some others, particularly women and
children, continue to remain in the area. (RTTL
News)
April 18, 2006
Discrimination within F-FDTL must be solved
immediately
Salsinha Gastco, the spokesperson for the
’petitioners group’ has affirmed that the group
has no intention of holding a protest but will
continue to demand that the government to solve
the problem of discrimination within the Armed
Forces institution, as reported by the media on
Tuesday. On the same issue, MP Clementino Amaral
(KOTA) requested the President of the Parliament
to seriously consider the case of F-FDTL as it can
affect the stability of the nation, adding that up
to now the issue has not been tabled for
discussion in Parliament. But Francisco Guterres,
’Lu’Olo’, President of the National Parliament
reportedly said, "I see the petitioners group case
is directly involved with the executive
[government?]. Therefore we feel it is not yet
possible for the Parliament to decide on the
issue". STL reported Salsinha as saying the group
would not surrender until the issue is resolved,
stressing that "unless all of us, the 591, perish.
If not the problem will continue". Gastco
underlined, all the leaders must have the will to
resolve the problem and if they do not wish to do
so they should say so and relocate the
’petitioners’ elsewhere to avoid burdening the
government. The newspaper also reported him as
saying that although the group was willing to
participate in Easter Sunday mass, they did not do
so because neither has their problem been solved
nor did they receive an invitation. Responding to
the statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Jose Ramos-Horta that the ’petitioners’ can apply
to work in PNTL, Gastco said it would be difficult
because on 17 February F-FDTL Chief of Staff,
Lieutenant Colonel Lere Anan Timur threatened the
group by saying if they joined the police force,
disruption can emerge in Timor-Leste. He added
that for this reason they do not intend to work as
police. He underscored that the reason for the
’petitioners’ demand is not to quit the defence
force and join the police or return to F-FDTL
Headquarters, but to change the mentality and the
unjust practices in the institution to avoid
discrimination against those from the west in the
future. Salsinha also appealed to the population
in Dili not to panic, as they would not create
disturbances because the majority of the
’petitioners’ are unarmed. Gastco affirmed the
population the group is mobilizing those who
volunteered to fight for national liberation,
stressing a peaceful protest will be held if the
problem is not solved.
In the meantime, Police Commander, Paulo Martins
appealed to the population not to panic because of
rumours of a protest by the 591 ’petitioners
group’ as the police has not yet received
information about the action. He asked the people
to contact and confirm with the police about any
rumours by publishing the telephone numbers of
PNTL and assuring the public that the police is
providing 24-hour security. Martins said police
received information about some political party
congress and the university students congress in
Dili. He pointed that is the reason for increased
movement of people in Dili. (STL, TP, DN) PNTL
inspector to attend the National FBI Academy in US
It is reported that the USA Ambassador to Timor-
Leste Grover Joseph Rees said PNTL Inspector
Hermenegildo G. da Cruz was selected to attend the
226 session of the FBI National Academy in
Quantico, Virginia, USA. In a press statement
released on Monday, Ambassador Rees stated that
the Academic session will start in July until
September and it will be good experience for the
police officer to share his experiences with other
countries. Da Cruz is the first PNTL officer to
take part in the training. (TP)
STAE not to be confused with Chief Suco election
law
STL reports that MP Jose Nominando (PD) said "STAE
should not be confused with the Chief of Suco
election legislation" as to-date the National
Parliament has not yet received any proposed bill
from the government on the general elections.
Nominando asked STAE "not to run without a legal
base as the implementation of any national
activities needs a legal base" He further
explained that STAE should not speak about
national and international observers for the
upcoming general election because it is CNE’s
work. (STL)
April 17, 2006
Taur considers F-FDTL case ’small’
F-FDTL Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak told the
media on Sunday, following a mass held at the
Defence Force Headquarters in Metinaro, that "the
problem of the 591 soldiers involved in the
petition — I considered it to be small not big. I
can only say big, when we go to war with the
Indonesian military. Therefore the work of F-FDTL
is done, now it’s in the hands of the President of
the Republic, National Parliament and the
Government"
STL reported Brigadier General Ruak as saying,
following a meeting with Minister of Foreign
Affairs Jose Ramos-Horta on Thursday, that the
problem involving the 591 soldiers has been handed
to Prime Minister Alkatiri and the Government to
find a just and transparent solution. The
newspaper also reported that the Brigadier General
met with President Gusmco for two hours on the
same day.
In reference to Sunday’s mass held in Metinaro,
the spokesperson for the ’petitioners group’,
Salsinha Gastco stated that the group did not
participate in the mass organized by President
Gusmco as they are still traumatized by last
week’s events in Metinaro Training Centre when
they were called to participate in the
investigation process. Salsinha said plans were in
place for after Easter but did not reveal them.
In a separate article, STL reported Minister
Ramos-Horta as saying that once the problem of the
’petitioners’ is resolved, individuals can apply
to work anywhere including PNTL. "The soldiers
have the right to apply to PNTL," said the
Minister. (STL, TP, DN)
Arsenio Bano: Government’s strategy to reduce
poverty
Speaking to the media after delivering aid from
the government to Dormitorio Irma Lucia de
Portugal Lautem College, Lospalos, Minister of
Labour and Solidarity Arsenio Bano said the
government’s strategy to reduce poverty is in
national interest and therefore it is a problem
involving everybody, not only the government. "If
we all want to reduce poverty, we all need to
study hard; work hard to liberate our people from
poverty." Bano added. He also restated that 2,900
students would be awarded scholarships to help the
students financially and improve the quality of
human resources. (TP)
No need to make a regulation for martial arts
groups
In response to the killing of Domingos Liborio
Martins in Colmera, MP Alexandre Corte-Real from
UDT said the National Parliament doesn’t need to
make regulations for martial arts groups since a
decree law to regulate such groups already exists.
"These groups have made a declaration but they
continue fighting each other and that shows the
leaders of the organizations are irresponsible,"
Mr Corte-Real added. On the same occasion MP
Clementino Dos Reis Amaral from KOTA said the
government should ask responsibility from martial
arts leaders because they have violated the
agreement among martial arts groups which they
have signed. "If they keep creating instability in
this country there will be no investors
interested," Amaral added. (TP, STL)
Timor-Leste penal code
The President of the Republic will cooperate with
the Government to make changes to the penal code,
RTTL reported Thursday. The code, particularly
article 175 on defamation has caused concerns
among the civil society groups and media in this
country. Speaking to journalists, the President’s
Chief of Staff, Agio Pereira reportedly stated
that the legislative process is not being
finalized and the President was willing to
cooperate with the Government to make the penal
code reflect the public opinion. (RTTL News)
’Chickens will grow teeth’ — Alkatiri
The Secretary General of FRETILIN, Mari Alkatiri
reportedly stated in a democratic country like
Timor-Leste, everyone including political parties
and leaders, have the right to express their
opinion and criticize and to strengthen their
parties. However, he said, for PD to destroy the
roots of FRETILIN, is something that would happen
only when “chickens grow teeth”. He added he has
no doubts his party would win the next general
elections. (RTTL News)
April 13, 2006
’Petition’ case to be resolved during Easter:
Alkatiri
Prime Minister Alkatiri stated that President
Gusmao would soon contact the former 591 F-FDTL
soldiers to resolve their problem. He added that
Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak and other
commanders would continue to work together to try
and find a solution to the problem. Alkatiri said
that Easter is a good time to resolve any
problems. According to media reports, Prime
Minister Alkatiri and President Gusmao have
started putting ideas together to try and find a
solution to contribute to peace consolidation and
stability for the nation. Alkatiri stressed that
the soldiers would not return to the F-FDTL
headquarters.
In a separate article, in response to concerns
raised by the civil society regarding the former
F-FDTL soldiers, Alkatiri said the leadership does
not need lessons from the civil society,
highlighting that the state and the nation is not
governed by an NGO. He stressed that some civil
society are not following the case and want to
take advantage of the situation to be promoted/get
their name in the newspapers and gain public
approval. It was reported that some civil society
are concerned that the leaders are not trying to
resolve the problem seriously.
STL reported that Foreign Minister Ramos-Horta and
F-FDTL Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak met on
Wednesday to discuss the latest development
regarding the ’petition group’. (TP, STL)
Some prosecutors not performing their duties
Minister of Interior, Rogerio Lobato told the
media during a press conference on Thursday, that
he has requested SRSG Hasegawa to monitor
international staff, especially those working for
the justice system. Lobato stated that according
to information he received, some expatriate
prosecutors working in Timor-Leste are not
performing their duties but rather are spending
their time travelling to Bali and therefore not
working on court cases. Lobato said, "they come
here to earn big money to spend holidays or to
work in Timor? That’s my question". The press
conference was in relation to the detention of 32
people for alleged involvement in the murder of a
22-year-old man on Monday night in Colmera, Dili.
The Minister notes that the role of the
international prosecutors is to resolve court
cases, assist the government with law and order
and develop the justice system. According to
reports in the Timor Post, the Minister mentions
that the prosecutors do not treat police officers
kindly and victims are afraid to lodge their
complaints. The article further mentions that the
Minister asked Prosecutor General Longuinhos
Monteiro, who was present at the press conference,
to control ’his people’ at the tribunal,
especially the prosecutors. In response, Monteiro
confirmed that the international prosecutors are
not doing their work within the public ministry.
Based on this confirmation, Minister Lobato
reportedly asked the Prosecutor General to ask
those not working to return to their country, as
there are other people interested in working in
Timor-Leste.
STL reported MP Alexandre Corte-Real (UDT) as
saying that the Minister of Justice is too weak to
keep an eye on the international workers in the
judicial area. Corte-Real is of the same opinion
as Minister Lobato in that international staff
working in the justice sector are not serious in
focusing on their work in the courts.
In a separate article, Minister Lobato said he has
also heard many rumours that within a few days
certain groups will create problems in Dili.
Therefore, he appealed to the population to work
with the police to stop these people whom he
describes as criminals because the war has ended
in Timor-Leste. (TP, STL)
Hasegawa establishes fact-finding commission
Dili, 13 April 2006 — SRSG Sukehiro Hasegawa
established today a UN fact-finding commission
into the performance of UNOTIL/UNDP international
advisers working in the Office of the Prosecutor-
General. This Commission is headed by Deputy SRSG,
Maj. Gen. Anis Bajwa, with members Mr. Kazi Ahmed,
Conduct and Discipline Adviser for UNOTIL, and Mr.
Endre Vigeland of UNDP. SRSG Hasegawa noted that
international advisers are assigned to various
government or state institutions, including the
Office of the Prosecutor-General and work under
the respective ministry or department.
SRSG Hasegawa was surprised to read the comments
made in the press by the Minister of Interior,
Rogerio Lobato, with regards to international
prosecutors assigned to the Office of the
Prosecutor-General not working well. Furthermore,
in reading Prosecutor-General Longinhos Monteiro’s
remarks, SRSG Hasegawa notes that the Prosecutor-
General is responsible for the supervision and
management of the UNOTIL/UNDP international
advisers assigned to his office. (UNOTIL
Statement)
Misunderstanding about number of observers: Tomas
Responding to a statement by some MPs that ’it is
too soon for parties to present 1,000 observers
during the 2007 elections,’ Tomas Cabral, Director
of the STAE, said there has been a
misunderstanding. Cabral said, "STAE is not in
charge of observers and political parties fiscal,
national and international NGO observers; that is
the function of CNE. He clarified that STAE is
responsible for organizing the elections,
registering observers, enlisting voters, preparing
ballot centres and materials. (TP)
April 12, 2006
Wolfowitz: Sustainable economic growth needs
strong justice
The president of the World Bank Paul Wolfowitz
asked the government to reinforce the justice
system in the country or be prepared to face
problems with sustainable economic growth.
Furthermore, Wolfowitz underlined that the country
will face many challenges, and the government has
good initiatives to overcome problems even though
it will take time. "With the experience you have
had in the past, you continue identifying yourself
as a nation that lives in peace and harmony".
In relation to Wolfowitz’s statement that "there
will be a big challenge for the government to
implement the budget for fiscal year 2006/2007,"
MP Manuel Tilman (KOTA) said that this is only a
recommendation from the head of the World Bank and
Timor-Leste should consider implementing only what
is relevant. "This country is led by a government
under Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and not an
outsider," Tilman added. (TP, STL)
Too early to request for electoral observers from
parties
In response to Tomas Cabral’s, Director of STAE,
recommendation asking political parties to prepare
1,000 members to act as observers for the general
election in 2007, MPs Jose Nomiado (PD) and Lucia
Lobato (PSD) said that it is still too early to
discuss the issue. However, it is reported that
KOTA spokesperson, Manuel Tilman, states that
although there is no electoral law it is not wrong
to prepare a 1,000 members from each party to be
stationed in the electoral posts around the
country during the election. (TP)
Arrival of GNR depends on preparation: Barris
Vice-Minister of Interior Alcino Barris said he is
uncertain when the Portuguese police Guarda
Nacional da Republica (GNR) will arrive in Timor-
Leste to give training to the Unidade Intervengco
Rapida (UIR) unit. Barris said the training
depends on PNTL preparations with equipment but
that it is likely to commence after Easter. He
added that training would be held in Suai and
Maliana. The Vice-Minister said training for PNTL
must continue according to the needs of the UIR
and Timor-Leste is grateful for the assistance
provided by many countries. Barris added that the
training from GNR is based on the bilateral
agreement between Portugal and Timor-Leste. He
underlined that GNR has proven to have a rigid
training discipline and UIR personnel have spoken
highly of their performance. (STL)
Martial arts groups fighting
RTTL reported a fight between two martial groups
in Colmera, Dili on Monday night which left one
man dead and one seriously injured. RTTL reported
that 22-year-old Liborio Martins died of stab
wounds. Minister of Interior Rogerio Lobato
laments that a life has been lost due to martial
arts groups problems. He said a total of 32 people
are being investigated. (RTTL News)
April 11, 2006
Wolfowitz on challenges facing East Timor
Speaking to the press after his meeting with the
Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, the President of the
World Bank Mr Paul Wolfowitz said that the big
challenge for the government is how to manage the
budget well in order to achieve 6-7% of economic
growth for the fiscal year 2006/2007. "This
country needs to create more jobs to decrease
unemployment, but also increase the quality of
education and private sector which plays an
important role in this country.
Mr Wolfowitz added, that public servants need to
know the role of media because the media informs
society on how the government implements the
budget and the process of development, so people
know how the money is being used.
Mr Wolfowitz also met with President Xanana Gusmao
to discuss the challenges facing the country in
the future, as well as how to manage the petroleum
funds. He told reporters that they discussed how
the World Bank could help, especially in provision
of technical assistance to improve the quality of
the government’s system. Mr Wolfowitz restated
that Timor-Leste is progressing in development
after so many years of conflict and is one of the
best examples in the world. (TP, STL, DN)
20 workers from Timor going to Korea
In the Ministry of Labour and Solidarity office,
Prime Minister Mr Mari Alkatiri appealed to 20
workers who were going to South Korea for work to
"work hard not only for money but bring the skills
to Timor-Leste when your assignment is finished to
develop this country. This is a new experience for
you and the government and its people, but you
have to learn and use this opportunity. The
government has a responsibility for all of you
because you have used the right channels which the
governments of Timor-Leste and Korea have opened
for you", Mr Alkatiri added. He also said that
many East Timorese are in Ireland and in other
parts of the World, but they have proceeded to
these destinations on their own accord and
therefore the government has no responsibility for
them. (DN, TP)
Ricardo: Church accepts help from the government
It is reported that in relation to the government
declaration to help the church, Bishop Diocese
Dili Dom Alberto Ricardo said that the church will
accept assistance from the government to improve
education quality which the church has
established. Bishop Ricardo stated that the
government has an obligation to help teachers to
educate Timorese students and he appreciated the
government’s initiatives. (DN)
April 8-10, 2006
NGOs must be organised: Xanana
President Xanana Gusmao told participants during
the “Open Space” dialogue held last Friday and
Saturday that all NGOs must be organised, as their
role is important for the development of the
nation as partners. Gusmao said, "it’s been four
years since Timor-Leste entered the development
phase and many goals have been achieved by the
State but there are not yet mechanisms in place to
serve the people to better their lives for the
future". He said the role of NGOs is crucial in
being part of the development process therefore it
is important that they sit and discuss the
concerns of the population. The President
underlined the purpose for NGOs to organise
themselves as a way to also create conditions
conducive to stability and focus their work in the
rural areas as well. (STL, TP)
Head of World Bank meets Bishop Basilio The Bishop
of Baucau Diocese, Basilio do Nascimento, met with
the President of the World Bank, Paul Wolfowitz in
Dili on Saturday and according to media reports
the Bishop said, "as President of the World Bank,
he (Wolfowitz) wants to listen to opinions from
the church, and to present appreciation and
information". Nascimento said meetings with people
such as Wolfowitz is important in order to inform
them, especially regarding the population living
standards in Timor-Leste.
In the meantime Paul Wolfowitz told the media upon
his arrival in Dili that he was happy to see
development progress in Timor-Leste although it is
a fairly new country. Wolfowitz mentioned that he
was interested to see how the Timorese govern, the
transparency system, the petroleum fund and how
the World Bank can assist in reducing poverty in
Timor-Leste. On Sunday, he visited the market in
Taibesse and the nearby community to see the
living conditions of the people. According to the
media, Paul Wolfowitz also attended Palm Sunday
mass on Motael church in Dili accompanied by the
World Bank Director in Timor-Leste, Elizabeth
Huybens and other staff.
STL reported the President of the World Bank as
saying that Timor-Leste is listed in 9th place
according to its performance as a post-conflict
country, noting that many countries have reverted
to conflict. "This is a great history. Within a
few years, the people of Timor-Leste established
its economy well and a shiny democracy that
started from ashes of 1999. To maintain peace and
stability, is a spirit testament that the people
and the leader of Timor-Leste are hoping for,"
said the President of the Wold Bank. He added that
the Bank is proud to support whatever is needed
despite the challenges faced by the country. (TP,
STL)
Hold demonstration and URP will flatten tyres:
Lobato
Minister of Interior, Rogerio Lobato said the
government is taking measures to stop a
demonstration by the 591 F-FDTL Petitioners and
their supporters in Dili. Lobato said according to
information received, the group is planning a big
protest in Dili after Easter celebrations and said
that the government doesn’t have other option but
to station URP (Police Reserve Unit) at Ermera
bridge and warn anyone wishing to proceed to take
part in the demonstration that the tyres of their
vehicles will be punctured because the situation
in Dili has been calm and there no such thing as
’east’ and ’west’. According to Diario Nacional
the Minister made the statement during Fretilin’s
regional congress last Saturday in Baucau. He
added that the issue of regionalism is a very
sensitive issue and many of the party’s members
from Atsabe, Atulia, and Cailaco are beginning to
travel to Dili to start fighting. "We know who is
behind all this, trying to tease our colleagues
from F-FDTL. We are controlling those people that
are going to Tasi Tolu quarantine to provide
information for them. It is not from the
opposition parties but from overseas". The
Minister added that problems such as this will
continue up until the elections in 2007 therefore
he appealed to members of Fretilin to be prepared
and face this challenges as many people are trying
to discredit Fretilin government. (DN)
The government must increase administration
quality
Assistant Director General of Ausaid for ASIA
region, Michael Wilson said that if the government
of Timor-Leste wants success in public investment
development, it should improve the quality of
budget management in order to achieve development.
Wilson believes that the initiative of the Prime
Minister for transparency and accountability is a
base for Australia to debate about this important
issue.
Speaking to the press after his weekly meeting
with President Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister Mari
Alkatiri said the budget for the fiscal year
2006/2007 has increased and public investment will
focus more in Dili due its central concentration
of infrastructures and the maintenance of
government’s assets. Alkatiri restated that
another argument to focus in Dili is because of
the high unemployment rate. This is why the
government took the initiative to invest more in
Dili.
It is reported that in relation to the
opposition’s declaration that the government does
no have a national development plan even though
they increased the budget the Prime Minister said
the opposition and the government always have
different ideas but the government has done much
for the country and its people. "I know the
position of the opposition," Alkatiri added. (TP,
STL)
To solve the petitioners not only rhetoric
After attending the NGOs conference at ex CNRT
office, at Balide, East Timor Human Rights
advocate Aderito de Jesus said that it is not too
late if the Government, the National Parliament
and the President of Republic want to take
initiatives to solve the problem of the 591
members of F-FDTL petitioners, adding the leaders
should take it seriously and not only
rhetorically. De Jesus does not know what kind of
mechanism the government will use to solve the
problem due to the many cases still to be resolved
within F-FDTL, citing as an example, the incident
of 4th December 2002, Lospalos and Becora
incident. On the same occasion, President Xanana
said that mechanism to solve the problem of
petitioners cannot be revealed as it is a
mechanism used to maintain stability of the
country. (TP)
F-FDTL case resolved: Lere
F-FDTL Chief of Staff, Lere Anan Timor said that
in military terms, the problem of the
“Petitioners” is now over and they are now
considered civilians. Lere said the question now
rests on the Military Commander to acknowledge
whether or not the group committed a crime by
abandoning the Armed Forces Headquarters and that
issue should now be dealt with politically. (STL,
DN)
April 7, 2006
It’s better that the soldiers sit quiet
Speaking to the press after his weekly meeting
with President Xanana at Palacio da Cinsas,
Caicoli, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said that
the government and the President will solve the
problem of ex F-FDTL but the petitioners should
stay calm and not create instability. Mr Alkatiri
stated that relevant laws need to be created so
people can understand what their obligations and
rights are within the F-FDTL.
Fretilin Parliamentarian spokesperson Mr Francisco
Miranda said that they will oppose the resolution
to investigate F-FDTL petitioners because the
Parliament has asked the government to solve the
problem. However, it is reported that the
opposition party plans to create a commission to
investigate the case of the petitioners.
It is reported that in relation to the
opposition’s declaration that the government does
not have a national development plan even though
they have increased the fiscal year 2006/2007
budget, Mr Alkatiri said that the opposition
should build their own capacity in order to inform
people correctly rather than just dreaming because
they always misinform the public regarding the
budget. (DN, STL, TP)
Lobato and Rate Laek discuss internal security
It is reported that Commander, Battalion 1 F-FDTL
Falur Rate Laek and the Minister of Interior Mr
Rogerio Lobato yesterday met to discuss internal
security. Mr Lobato said that "our discussion was
about internal security and also how we can solve
the problem of F-FDTL petitioners". The Minister
added that as the Minister of Interior, internal
security was his responsibility. (DN, TP)
SRSG Hasegawa: Verify what people say
After the closing ceremony of a two-week media
training at UNOTIL Obrigado Barracks yesterday,
SRSG Sukehiro Hasegawa said that the function of
media is to give factual information to the public
and transparent, but also highlighted that the
media is responsible to the society for providing
correct information. Mr Hasegawa also presented
certificates to 22 local journalists who
participated in the media training jointly
organised by UNOTIL and TLJA.
Speaking to reporters after attending a book
launch of ’Tetum grammar’ at the National
University of Timor Lorosae, PM Alkatiri said that
journalists need to speak and write good Tetum,
because Tetum is the official language of Timor-
Leste and needs to be developed. (TP)
April 6, 2006
Government is not denying church participation
Minister for the Council of Ministers and
Government spokesperson, Antoninho Bianco,
strongly disagrees with the statement made by Fr.
Martinho Gusmco as reported by the media on
Wednesday that a dialogue between the Government
and the church is a joke. Bianco said that the
Government has never denied the participation of
the Catholic Church during the struggle for
liberation and suggests that the priests educate
the people with truth rather than making things it
up. He added that Minister Ramos-Horta is of the
opinion that the Government should hold a dialogue
with the church and especially with Bishop Basilio
do Nascimiento to discuss issues of national
interest. He said that the Government has received
information from the working group — composed of
representatives from the Government, church and
other religious groups — that Catholic Schools in
Timor-Leste, especially in Baucau are facing
difficulties with their activities. The MP said
the State budget, which is Timor-Leste money, is
meant to be allocated to areas in need and since
the church has more experience in the area of
education the Government wants to support it.
Diario Nacional newspaper reported MP Francisco
Branco (Fretilin) as saying that the initiative of
the Government is good and it is its obligation to
support the Catholic Church Institution as a
development partner in the education area. He said
some church leaders should not see this act in a
negative way. Branco added that the Government is
committed to building the nation during this
reconstruction phase with continued technical
assistance from development partners and added
that it is not the Government’s strategy to seek
votes for the 2007 elections. In the meantime, MP
Rui Menezes (PD) said the Government’s commitment
is a dream due to the proximity of the elections
and the prospect to win votes based on this
measure. MP Clementino Amaral (KOTA) is of the
opinion that the Government and the church must
renew their bond, which was damaged following the
19 days of protest in April last year. Amaral
notes that the people of Timor-Leste trust more
the church than the Government therefore it is
important for the Government to restore that bond.
(DN, TP, STL)
President to hold national dialogue
President Gusmao is holding a dialogue with
national and international NGOs with the theme of,
"How Can We All Strengthen Our Commitment To
Better Serve The People And Carry Timor-Leste
Forward With Stability And Prosperity?" The
dialogue is scheduled for 7th and 8th April.
According to Timor Post, the meeting is open to
any discussion on the topic relating to one’s
day-to-day work. Belun NGO, NGO Forum and UNDP are
supporting the event. (TP)
Some members of petitioners wants to return
MP Antonio Lelan (Independent) reportedly said
that two members of F-FDTL Petition from Oecussi
enclave have asked him for assistance to return to
the Armed Force Headquarters. Lelan stressed that
the decision must come from Brigadier General Ruak
and that all he can do is organize transport for
those wishing to return to the Headquarters. To
date, however, no one has approached him again. He
added that the two F-FDTL members who wished to
return have also asked for assistance with money
and provisions to hold meeting which he refused to
give saying he would only provide for the benefit
and stability of the country.
Timor Post reported Salsinha Gastao, the
spokesperson for the group as saying they are all
concentrated in the former UNHCR quarantine
compound in Rai Kotuk to avoid being accused of
creating problems. Gastao said the purpose of them
to remaining in that area is to await a solution
from the leaders regarding their problem. He also
said the group sent a letter to the PNTL
Commissioner informing him of their decision to
remain in Rai Kotuk, adding that their families
are their sole support. (DN, TP)
WFP starts food program in schools
World Food Program, WFP is now providing food to
schools in five districts. According to the
Memorandum of Understanding signed by WFP and the
Government of Timor-Leste, WFP will provide lunch
and supplemental food for schools. The program
started two months ago in the districts of
Covalima, Bobonaro, Oecussi, Ainaro and Liquiga.
The program will soon start in Dili District
focusing first on the island of Atazro. The School
Director of Maumeta, Liquiga, Rozinha de Jesus
said, since the program began the students are
much more eager to attend classes and the numbers
continue to increase. De Jesus said that before
this, not many students could attend class up to
twelve thirty because they could not bear being
hungry and the long distance they had to walk
back. She hopes that the food provided will
strengthen their learning capacity, but it is too
soon to tell. Food supplements (ground maize) are
also being distributed to pregnant mothers. Each
pregnant mother is entitled to 9 kilogram of the
maize and oil. Breast feeding mothers are entitled
to15 kilogram of maize (9 for mother and 6 child).
A total of 72 pregnant mothers and 104 breast
feeding mothers have benefited from the program.
(TP)
PNTL destroyed pornography VCDs
PNTL destroyed pornography VCDs, reportedly to
demonstrate to the public that they aware of the
problem, RTTL reported on Wednesday. Speaking to
journalists, PNTL General Commander, Paulo Fatima
Martins reportedly stated that the VCDs were
destroyed as an example for the people to stay
away from these devices and to encourage parents
to keep their children away from pornography.
(RTTL)
Government must listen to the people
Want to make changes? Government must listen to
critics and opinion from the church, civil
society, opposition parties, political leaders and
traditional leaders/authorities. Because criticism
can be golden when it improves a situation.
Therefore if the Government wants to govern this
nation properly, it must listen to the people, and
the politicians who thinks that Timor is the
property of the people must work together.
Fretilin Central Committee (CCF) member Jose Luis
Guterres told this to Timor Post on 4 April after
participating in the bilateral meeting between
development partners and the government in Hotel
Timor.
According to Timor Post, Jose Luis Guterres-a
figure likely to become a candidate for Fretilin’s
Secretary-General in the up coming congress-
appealed to Fretilin leaders especially those in
the Government to not only pay attention to those
who speak nicely about the Government but also to
listen to the critics as well to improve
governance.
He also asked Fretilin political leaders to make
changes if they want to see the party stronger in
future, adding that the party does not belong to
one person but to the militants and the population
and therefore, the political structure must be
defined and implemented by the leaders, Jose Luis
Guterres said.
"I believe the economic social development and
political changes yearly. Whichever party wants
continued efforts, must make changes and Fretilin
also wants to continue to better serve the people
of Timor-Leste and it must respect the statute of
the situation in the coming congress," said
Timor-Leste Ambassador to the UN. (TP)
April 5, 2006
Donor’s meeting and WB acknowledges changes
The donor’s meeting concluded on Tuesday with
continued commitment for the development of
Timor-Leste, the media reported today. Prime
Minister Mari Alkatiri reportedly said that donor
partners have praised his Government and called to
establish a mechanism to execute the state budget
that will benefit development. Alkatiri stressed
that the advisory role is still important and
Timor-Leste still requires technical assistance to
accelerate the work.
"According to the national strategic development
plans, the Government has achieved many things and
the partners have also agreed with the new plans
to decrease poverty, Prime Minister Alkatiri said.
The Prime Minister underscored that the Government
really wants to resolve the problem of poverty as
soon as possible and move to the development
phase.
In the meantime, World Bank Country Director, Xhun
Xian reportedly said Timor-Leste has achieved a
lot in the private sector and the World Bank will
continue to assist the Government in the areas of
poverty reduction and infrastructure development.
According to STL, the World Bank welcomed the
Government’s plans to increase the budget for the
Office of the Provedor and Public Broadcasting
Services as it is crucial for good governance.
In a separate article, Diario Nacional reported MP
Rui Menezes (PD) as saying that many donor
partners are not committed to their pledges due to
the Government’s performance results which are
insufficient and do not meet their objectives.
The budget for the Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forest increased by almost 100
percent, Minister of Agriculture Estanislau da
Silva told the media Tuesday. (TP, STL, DN, WB)
Government dialogue with church a political joke
Father Martinho reportedly said that the recent
request by Prime Minister Alkatiri through the
Foreign Affairs Minister to Baucau Bishop on how
the State can coordinate and assist the church in
areas like education would not be possible in the
short term. Martinho noted that the two Dioceses,
Baucau and Dili, do not have on their agenda a
meeting with Prime Minister Alkatiri due to busy
schedules. He added that many there are many
aspects involved and the context must be debated
before holding the dialogue. Fr. Martinho noted
that for agreement on the dialogue, the bishops,
the nuns and the priests have stressed that they
do not want to see church taken as a joke. "It’s
different from before when we all fought together.
In the end it’s been denied. But now that the
situation is starting to go into crisis, there are
talks of being together again. This is political
joke,’ Martinho said.
MP Lucia Lobato (PSD) said the proposed effort of
the Prime Minister through Minister Ramos-Horta is
a promise which began sometime ago and has not yet
materialized. She noted the agreement signed by
the Government, the Church and the President last
April following the demonstration but there has
been no follow up. "These promises are only to
keep us quiet, but in reality they are nothing.
Nothing is realized in this country," Lucia Lobato
said. Lobato fully agrees with the government’s
plans to strengthen ties between the two
institutions (church and government) as the
relationship has worsened since Government
officials made statements that the church should
not be involved in politics. (TP, DN)
Leadership crisis within F-FDTL: Gusmao
President Xanana Gusmco says the country’s
military leadership is in crisis. His comments
follow the desertion of 591 soldiers in February.
The troops, who were protesting against alleged
nepotism and poor conditions, were later sacked.
Mr Gusmco has told a conference of foreign donors
in Dili that the military is faced with a "lack of
capacity to manage the problems properly. I appeal
to everyone not to become alarmed if I say that a
crisis exists," he said. Mr Gusmco has vowed to
solve the problem.
In a separate article Lieutenant Colonel, Salsinha
Gastco said the National Parliament has just
awakened to the dismissal of the soldiers after
almost two months. According to Gastao, they have
all supported Brigadier General Ruak’s decision
and he questions whether their concern is to
resolve the problem or mere politics. He is of the
opinion that the Parliament should be able to
resolve the issue and not let it sit for too long,
adding trauma to the population in Dili. Salsinha
Gastao said the decision by Brigadier General Ruak
to dismiss them executed on television and not in
writing and therefore they still considered
themselves military. He rejects the statement by
Minister of Interior Rogerio Lobato who said that
the group wants to burn their uniforms to create
instability, adding that if they wanted to create
instability, the town of Dili would be destroyed
by now. The Lieutenant General said his group
doesn’t want discrimination within the F-FDTL,
noting that it is not they who are responsible for
instability but the F-FDTL themselves who want to
create instability. Gastao said the meeting the
group held with youth groups was to calm them and
not to create instability due to their
discontentment with General Ruak’s decision as
well as statements that people from the West did
not participate in the struggle. In a separate
article, Prime Minister Alkatiri said the group
should stop dreaming that they are still military
just because they are still wearing the military
uniform. Alkatiri also asked what the group really
wanted, since they do not want to resolve the
problem. He said that the decision is made and
that’s final. (ABC, TP)
UNOTIL mission would be changed to UNSPO
Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to the United Nations,
Josi Luis Guterres, reportedly said that he
believes the international community will continue
to provide assistance to the Government of Timor-
Leste. Guterres also said that the United Nations
mission will end on May 20 but that the UN will
continue its presence in the country with a
special political office to be called United
Nations Special Political Office, UNSPO. He says
that with the continued presence of the UN, the
international community will be committed to
assisting Timor-Leste in conducting the elections
and that the population should believe in their
commitment. (DN)
Intellectual groups creating division and
disturbances
MP Jacinto Maia (Fretilin) on Tuesday accused the
Forum Intelektual (Intellectual) who made a
statement on Diario Nacional on the weekend saying
the group is creating division disturbances to the
situation because it only has representatives from
10 districts. Maia said the other 3 districts —
Viqueque, Baucau and Lospalos — are not
represented in the Forum. He added that this
clearly shows the divisionism.
The MP is of the opinion that since it is a Forum
composed of intellectuals it should encompass
representatives from all the districts and embrace
everybody. He said the group should also be able
to sit and discuss problems and try to come up
with solutions. (DN)
April 4, 2006
F-FDTL petitioners want to create instability
The Ministry of Interior has received information
that the “591 petitioners” have been holding
meetings to discuss burning their uniforms and
creating instability. Speaking to reporters on
Monday, Minister of Interior Rogerio Lobato
appealed to the Timorese people and in particular
the people of Dili not to support those people who
are trying to create confusion, and to instead
support the police in working to guarantee
security. He emphasized that in all situations it
would be the law which would determine what action
should be taken. Responding to the statement of
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Jose
Ramos Horta that the expelled petitioners should
return to their homes as civilians, spokesperson
for the “591” Gastao Salsinha said that the
petitioners still consider themselves as military
personnel, and complained that Horta’s statement
is unfair.
Meanwhile, opposition MPs in Monday’s Plenary
Session in Parliament requested that a Commission
of Inquiry be established to investigate the roots
of the alleged discrimination in the F-FDTL. They
also requested that the soldiers continue to
receive their salaries, as there has as yet been
no legal decision taken on their expulsion. (STL,
TP, DN)
2,900 students to receive scholarships
The Minister of Labour and Solidarity Mr Arsenio
Bano said that 2,900 students will be awarded
scholarships. The scholarship will be given to
students who obtain high marks in their studies
from pre-secondary to university level and also to
orphaned students. Mr Bano explained that the fund
amounting to US $240,000 comes from the Prime
Minister’s Cabinet to help students with financial
problems. (TP)
Ex-combatants and women urged the government to
solve problems Former Combatants and women
organizations from Ermera district held a press
conference on Saturday in Ermera to call on the
Government, including the Church, to stop and
resolve the problems between the peoples of
Lorosae and Loromonu. Speaking at the press
conference, Ernesto Fernandes “DUDU” a former
FALINTIL Commander from the area, reportedly
called on the Government, the National Parliament
and the President of the Republic to stop and
resolve the problem. He added that the people of
Ermera believe there is no east and west, but one
Timor-Leste, and hence, they are against
divisionism. (RTTL)
OPMT district Dili holds 1st conference
FRETILIN’s women Organization, OPMT, of Dili
district held its first Conference on Saturday.
The purpose of the conference was to strengthen
and improve the capacity of FRETILIN women from
Dili District. Maria Filomena Belo who organized
the conference told journalists that her
organization was aimed to prepare the women of
Timor-Leste to be leaders and actors of
development in this country. (RTTL)
TLMDC demands STL correct its report
Timor-Leste Media Development Center, TLMDC, held
a press conference on Friday to demand that the
daily STL should withdraw its report in relation
to FM Horta’s criticism of Internews. In the
article, STL reported that TLMDC was a part of
Internews, which the Organization refuted stating
that it is not a part of Internews. Meanwhile, the
editor in chief of STL, Salvador Ximenes said that
both sides have agreed to solve the issue. (RTTL)
April 3, 2006
Horta asks F-FDTL Battalion I to stay
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Negotiations Jose
Ramos Horta has appealed to all members of the F-
FDTL in particular Battalion I in Baucau to
continue to implement their duties as members of
the Armed Forces and to maintain respect for the
military hierarchy, so that they do not fall
victim to the maneuvers of some people. Speaking
at the F-FDTL Headquarters in Baucau on Friday,
Horta appealed to the F-FDTL soldiers to join
together in maintaining discipline and the
principles of respect, leadership, and confidence
in the military hierarchy. He stated that in his
opinion people with grudges are trying to break up
the F-FDTL, the State, and the people, as well as
provoking instability in Timor-Leste.
In an informal meeting between Horta and Baucau
Bishop Basilio do Nascimento held on Friday, Horta
brought with him a message from the Prime Minister
regarding a proposed dialogue that Alkatiri will
hold with the Catholic Church in order to
establish how the Government and the Church may
cooperate in the preparations for the education
budget, in particular concerning the payment of
salaries to Catholic School teachers. (STL)
Parliament asks for verification on F-FDTL case
The National Parliament has asked Commission B to
conduct a verification of the F-FDTL case, so that
the situation may be clarified in order to prevent
further unrest in the community.
Commission B has also just presented its report
from its recent visit to Baucau, Lospalos and Suai
districts, which stated that in order to
strengthen stability in the country it is
necessary to create the conditions which will
guarantee this security. In particular, they
recommended that the relevant Ministries focus
their attention on the equipment needs of the
Border Police. Nine members of the "F-FDTL
petitioners" who were arrested on charges of
assault on homes in the Tasi Tolu area last week
have been released, as there was no evidence of
their involvement in the incident. (STL, TP)
Population of Beto develop national unity
The Minister of Interior Mr Rogerio Tiago Lobato
said that "there is no east and because we all
East Timorese citizenship" after he attended peace
ceremony which organized by chief of Suco Comoro
Mr Eurico da Costa de Jesus. Mr de Jesus, stated
that national unity is important for development
in this country and people should not believe
rumors of west and east because it only divides
people. On the same occasion, coordinator of Youth
National Unity Suco, Beto Mr Jorge dos Santos,
asked the Government to solve the F-FDTL
petitioners as soon as possible. (STL)
Demonstrators stage hunger strike
Four demonstrators staged a hungry strike in front
of the National Parliament office last Friday and
demand National Parliamentarian to solve the
problem of west and east issue.
Coordinator of hunger strike, Mr Vicente Reis,
said that " we ask our leaders to look at what is
happening in this country right now and we don’t
want to see people suffer anymore" People want to
live in peace and harmony because 24 years of
suffering is enough, Mr Reis added. (TP)
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