West Timor/refugees

Gusmao arrives in West Timor for refugee repatriation

Jakarta Post - November 1, 2002

Kupang -- The president of the Democratic Republic of East Timor, Alexander "Xanana" Gusmao, arrived here on Friday morning, amid tight security, for a four-day official trip that will include visits to East Timorese refugee camps.

Gusmao held meetings here with representatives of the Indonesian government, including East Nusa Tenggara Governor Piet A. Tallo and the secretary to the Office of the Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs Sutedjo Yuwono, provincial administration spokesman Johanis Bastian Kosapilawan said as quoted by Antara.

According to Johanis, President Gusmao said the door to East Timor remained open for all the East Timorese still living in refugee camps.

Gusmao said he hoped the East Timorese refugees would return and join together with their fellow residents to develop East Timor. "So the main goal of the visit is to accelerate the process of repatriation and reconciliation among East Timorese residents," he was quoted as saying.

The visit also is aimed at strengthening the relationship between residents of East Nusa Tenggara and East Timor through the development of culture and trade along the border.

In supporting the repatriation process, the Indonesian government announced it would give Christmas, New Year's and Idul Fitri gifts to East Timorese refugees who wanted to return to East Timor.

Each head of family will receive the gifts, valued at Rp 1.5 million. And former Indonesian civil servants and police or military officers who resign their positions and return to East Timor will be given repatriation aid of between Rp 5 million and Rp 15 million according to the length of their service, Sutedjo Yuwono said.

Governor Piet Tallo noted that there were more than 33,000 East Timorese refugees remaining in the province.

Gusmao tells Timor refugees their decision to go home

Agence France Presse - November 2, 2002

Kupang -- East Timorese president Xanana Gusmao told a sports stadium filled with East Timorese refugees Saturday that it was their decision whether or not to return home.

But Gusmao told the crowd of about 1,000 people that his country will welcome those who come back.

"In East Timor there are no first-class or second-class citizens and the refugees who already went back live peacefully with their brothers in their own villages," said Gusmao who is on a four-day visit to encourage thousands of his countrymen to return home.

"We in East Timor always remember you and you definitely remember us. Because of that we should get together to resolve our problems," he said in the East Timorese language, Tetum.

"[But] the decision to go home depends on you," he said. "If you want to go home we will continue to accept you," Gusmao, who once commanded rebel forces resisting Indonesian occupation, told the crowd.

Gusmao later travelled to the outskirts of Kupang to visit an East Timorese refugee camp where he was enthusiastically welcomed by about 1,000 people.

He was to attend a friendly soccer match later Saturday between an East Timorese side and a Kupang team.

More than 250,000 East Timorese fled or were forced from their homeland into West Timor after the Indonesian military and the militia proxies they created carried out a scorched-earth policy after the August, 1999, UN-sponsored ballot in which East Timor voted to secede.

The UN's refugee agency estimates 30,000 refugees remain in West Timor. Most are former militia, military, police, government officials and their followers.

In July, Gusmao received red carpet treatment when he made his first visit to Indonesia since his country became independent on May 20 after 31 months of UN stewardship.

East Timor's independence is still considered an affront by sections of the Indonesian military.

Church lobbies Ruddock to keep Timorese in Australia

Catholic New Service - October 30, 2002

President of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Francis Carroll, has written to the Minister for Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon Philip Ruddock, asking that 1800 East Timorese asylum seekers, who have been in Australia for at least eight years, be allowed to stay.

Many of the asylum seekers have recently received notification from the Immigration Department that they must return to East Timor. They came to Australia for protection many years ago, and have since lived in uncertainty, waiting for a decision.

Archbishop Carroll told Mr Ruddock that it "seems unjust" to "send them away from a country which they now regard as their home".

"They would be unable to continue their education satisfactorily in East Timor," he said. "These children have become very much part of our life and culture and could contribute in many ways to our future."

In his letter, Archbishop Carroll proposes that a special visa category be formed so that these long-suffering people may be able to continue their lives in Australia with right of Permanent Residence.

Most of the East Timorese are Catholics. The Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office says they have become respected and valued members of the Church community, and the Church feels a particular responsibility for them.

In a statement released yesterday, the Office said the asylum seekers' return to East Timor would be very difficult for them and would add to the problems of the new nation.

"Many children in the group have been born in Australia and have begun their education here," said yesterday's statement. "Older children have married and started their families here. Some have acquired employment in fields of work which do not exist in East Timor."

Archbishop Carroll's move was supported by another statement, from the Australian Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes (ACLRI).

'War on terrorism'

Terrorists linked to JI targeting East Timor

Straits Times - October 31, 2002

Sydney -- Portuguese intelligence has warned of terrorist attacks against Australian, Portuguese and US interests in East Timor, the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) said yesterday.

The warning that terrorists linked to the outlawed Islamic group, Jemaah Islamiah (JI), were planning attacks was said to have been contained in a leaked Portuguese army intelligence report, compiled in East Timor.

The report said that foreigners and business interests would be targeted in a series of attacks designed to coincide with significant dates, meetings and celebrations in East Timor between November and May.

Five targets in the capital, Dili, including a branch of the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ), Portugal's Banco Nacional Ultramarino and popular bars, were identified.

Two suspects were named, including a former Indonesian soldier from West Timor-based Battalion 744, and a Pakistani national who had stayed previously at the main Dili mosque.

The two men reportedly had access to sophisticated communications equipment and planned to smuggle plastic explosives into East Timor from the Indonesian border town of Atambua in West Timor.

East Timor's Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta told the ABC that he was taking the threat seriously following the Bali bombing.

"East Timor is in many ways similar to Bali, it is a Catholic enclave that stands in the way of the fundamentalist strategy of converting or dominating the whole region, according to the analysis made in Washington or elsewhere," he said. "So on the basis of that, East Timor is a target for the extremists, fundamentalists in the region and in the world." Reacting to the report, the Australian Foreign Ministry said security had been stepped up at its embassy in Dili and that it had told Australians to "exercise extreme caution" in the country in light of "terrorist threats".

In its upgraded travel warning for East Timor, the Foreign Ministry said the threat "extends to a range of locations popular with foreigners, including City Cafe, Dom Aleixo Hotel, Central Boat, BNU and ANZ banks as well as the Australian and US embassies". It said "physical security" at the Australian Embassy had been upgraded in response to the threats.

The ministry also issued new travel alerts warning about the danger of terrorist attacks in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Libya.

Government & politics

Budget to be revised after 2 million budget deficit

Lusa - October 30, 2002

Dili -- The East Timorese government is to undertake a review of its state budget plans after a fall in government receipts and delays in delivering aid funds have left the new nation with a deficit of about USD 1.9 million in the third quarter of this year.

A statement released after a meeting of East Timor's cabinet Wednesday said that the deficit was due to "delays in some payments from the international community and the need to revise estimates of government revenue".

Lusa has learned that receipts into Timor's exchequer between July and September were 10 percent below expectations. The main reasons for this fiscal shortfall are difficulties in collecting excise duties and problems in the power supply sector. Many electricity consumers complain at high tariffs and unreliable supplies and do not pay their bills.

The Dili government has approved measures to widen the types of firms eligible for taxation -- some businesses still remain exempt from tax. Other sectors such as construction, transport and mineral extraction will pay higher contributions.

Gusmao sets the tone with his Palace of Ashes

Melbourne Age - October 29 2002

Jill Jolliffe, Dili -- He didn't wear sack cloth, but Timorese President Xanana Gusmao sent a clear message on austerity when he unveiled a burnt-out building as his new headquarters yesterday, dubbing it the "Palace of Ashes".

The President told the assembled diplomatic corps and UN officials that he had chosen it because independence had been forged from the ashes of destruction and he wished to set an example, "to curb public expenditure ... otherwise we won't achieve much in this independence process".

The building in central Dili was formerly the Motor Registration Office of the Indonesian provincial government. Like many Indonesian-owned buildings, it was torched by withdrawing troops in 1999 as part of their scorched earth policy.

It still has no roof on its second storey, and burn marks are evident on the concrete walls.

After a parade of cutlass-bearing tribesmen and a flag-raising ceremony conducted by three goosestepping youths, President Gusmao cut a ribbon to inaugurate his new office.

Dili's Vicar-General, Father Jose Antonio da Cunha, then sprinkled holy water and the dignitaries traipsed through the undeniably austere rooms, with separating walls made of plywood.

Since independence in May, the East Timorese President has been occupying offices alongside ministers of Fretilin in the main government building. He was frustrated by not having space for the staff necessary to run his affairs effectively, and by the fact that he needed to be symbolically separate from the government.

Under the semi-presidential system adopted by the newly independent nation, the president is an independent arbiter, above party politics.

Justice & reconciliation

Shared betel nut brings reconciliation

Melbourne Age - November 2, 2002

Jill Jolliffe, Lacluta -- In the remote south coast town of Lacluta, nine villagers accused of violence against their neighbours during 1999 militia attacks have faced their victims in the presence of the community.

The event was carefully prepared by the Commission for Reception Truth and Reconciliation, which has a budget of $US4 million from international donors to conduct hearings over a two-year period. The body, with its seven national commissioners, was set up by a United Nations regulation of 2001.

Several hundred villagers crowded around the thatched shelter where the hearings were held, straining to hear as nine Lacluta men linked to pro-Indonesian militia groups were judged by their peers.

Each of the nine described how he had transgressed against the community and offered an apology to it. Nicolau Soares testified that after a trip to Jakarta for a training course he was recruited in Dili by the SGI (Indonesian secret police) commander as an informer. His life became difficult when this was known in the community.

"They shouted bufo [informer] at me. When they did, I felt bad and hit them in anger," he said. "But because this is a time of reconciliation, I want to end my anger. I am very sorry." The perpetrators had a support team from the commission, as did the victims, to ease tensions and to offer aid to anyone showing signs of trauma.

Inacio Soares, 23, was one of Nicolau Soares' victims. He said Soares had belonged to the notorious Gada Paksi militia group, and had beaten him when he asked him for a cigarette in the street.

When it was time for the victims to assess the confessions, he wept, saying: "The fighting is over. It was politics that divided us. I accept his apology. We must be together to build our new country, to live without fear."

Not everyone was so generous. Two victims initially told their persecutors that their confessions were inadequate, saying they lacked sincerity and omitted facts. Artur de Carvalho berated the man accused in his case. "My house was burnt and others were, too, and everybody here today saw you there. There's no point in saying otherwise," he asserted. The panel of community elders empowered to mediate then asked the perpetrators to "look into your hearts" and make fuller statements.

Early in the ceremonies, the chief of Lacluta led a group of villagers in colourful robes on to the stage. There he laid a biti bot, an ornate palm mat traditionally used when village disputes are being settled. On this were laid small baskets containing betel nut, to be chewed by both sides as a sign of reconciliation of differences.

The commission's charter is to bring cases of crimes by low- ranking militia members before the community for resolution, to ensure that refugees returning from West Timor are peacefully reintegrated into their communities.

Major offences such as murder or rape must be referred to UN prosecutors.

International aid donors, including Japan, have become frustrated in recent months with the commission's slowness to perform. With more than 200 people now on its staff, they say it has built a top-heavy structure heavily influenced by non-Timorese.

It was intended to complement international prosecutions for serious crimes, which would focus on senior Indonesian perpetrators. However, the UN has failed to bring those accused to court, raising fears that the commission may lack credibility in East Timorese eyes and turn into a very expensive white elephant.

Pope urges Timorese to forgive, seek justice for violence

Catholic News Service - October 30, 2002

Cindy Wooden, Vatican City -- Catholics in East Timor held firmly to their faith during their struggle for independence, and now they must bring their Catholic values to bear on the new society they are building, Pope John Paul II said.

Even though the memories of bloodshed, murder and violence may still weigh on people's hearts, the pope said, the country's future lies in reconciliation, forgiveness and hope.

The pope met October 30 with the two bishops of East Timor, making their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican five months after their country became independent. Heads of dioceses normally make such visits to the Vatican every five years.

Pope John Paul not only congratulated the people of East Timor for their new-found freedom, but also offered his prayers for the victims of the violence that, particularly in 1999, marked the 24-year struggle for independence from Indonesia.

Freedom, he said, should mean freedom to express and to reinforce the Catholic faith of the majority of East Timorese citizens.

When hundreds fled the cities for the safety of the mountains in 1999, he said, many took with them nothing but the clothes on their backs and a crucifix or statue of Our Lady of Fatima.

The same emphasis on holding firm to the faith must continue as the country rebuilds, the pope said.

Parish communities, he said, will be called "to offer a reconciling embrace, like the father of the prodigal son, to those brothers and sisters who return home hoping for fraternal pardon."

Pope John Paul said he knows many East Timorese ask how anyone could have engaged in "such cruel and irrational violence," and they worry that by forgiving those who acted with the pro- Indonesia militias they would be tainted by "the contagion of that homicidal violence."

Reconciliation, the pope said, not does mean forgetting what was done nor ignoring the demands of justice, but it does involve an "examination of conscience" on the part of all citizens and a commitment to bringing healing.

Christians, he said, must remember Jesus' words to the men who were about to stone the woman caught in adultery, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone."

"To believe in Jesus means to believe that love is present in the world and that this love is stronger than any kind of evil in which a man, or humanity or the world is involved," he said.

Human rights trials

East Timor panel jails former militia commander

Agence France Presse - October 30, 2002

A court in East Timor has sentenced a former militia commander to five years in prison for crimes against humanity committed in 1999, the United Nations said.

The special court in Dili, capital of East Timor, on Tuesday found Joni Franca, a former commander of the Kaer Merah Muin Putih militia in Lolotoe, Bobonaro, guilty of four counts of imprisonment and one count of torture in Lolotoe between May and July 1999, a UN statement said Wednesday.

The sentence was less than the prosecution recommended but both sides have indicated they will not appeal the verdict.

Franca had originally been charged with two other crimes against humanity but they were withdrawn by the prosecution in light of his guilty pleas to the other five counts.

The 20 months Franca has already spent in pre-trial detention will be deducted from the sentence.

The panel is currently also hearing the case of two other militia members accused of crimes against humanity in Lolotoe in 1999.

Indonesia's armed forces created a number of militia groups ahead of the UN-held ballot in August 1999 which led to East Timor's separation from Indonesia after 24 years.

The militias and their military sponsors killed at least 1,000 people during 1999 and destroyed much of East Timor's infrastructure after the ballot.

East Timor became independent in May after 31 months of UN stewardship but UN personnel remain to assist the new government.

Opposition to human rights trials criticised

Melbourne Age - October 28, 2002

Jill Jolliffe, Dili -- East Timor's President Jose "Xanana" Gusmao has repeated his opposition to trials for Indonesian officers accused of human rights violations in Dili, a stand supported by his Foreign Minister, Jose Ramos Horta.

In parliament last week, Mr Gusmao attacked the idea of an international court to try those accused, saying outsiders were trying to impose inappropriate international standards.

But his views have been criticised by Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and by human rights workers, who say international rules must apply to East Timor. Mr Gusmao said the East Timorese did not need the standards of other countries.

The President has long opposed war crimes trials for atrocities committed during Indonesia's 1999 troop withdrawal, advocating instead a policy of reconciliation between East Timorese militiamen and their victims.

On his return from overseas on Thursday, Mr Ramos Horta backed Mr Gusmao. He was quoted as saying that the idea of an international court had to be seen in the context of the positive bilateral relationship that East Timor was developing with Indonesia.

"I invite all those who want an international court to tell me how we can demand this and also have excellent diplomatic relations," Mr Ramos Horta said. But Mr Alkatiri said: "Are they saying East Timor is different?" "If so, one day somebody can say East Timorese don't have human rights." Jose Luis Oliveira of Yayasan Hak, East Timor's leading human rights organisation, said the President was out of step with the population.

"All the victims' families want an international court," he said. "I know Xanana spends a lot of time in the countryside, but he talks and doesn't listen. Last December we organised a national dialogue between victims and national leaders, and neither Xanana nor the Foreign Minister turned up." The issue is taking on importance because of the perceived failure of Indonesia's tribunal on East Timor, which in August acquitted senior officers accused over the 1999 Suai massacre.

News & issues

Blast hurts six Indonesians military says

Jakarta Post - October 28, 2002

Yemris Fointuna, Kupang -- Six Indonesians were wounded when a homemade bomb exploded at a traditional market in an East Timorese town near the border with East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), the military here said on Saturday.

The blast, believed to be caused by a Molotov cocktail, occurred at around 9 p.m. on Friday in Balibo village, Bobonaro subdistrict, East Timor, which is close to Silawan village in East Tasifito subdistrict, East Nusa Tenggara.

Lt. Col. Tjuk Agus Minahasa, chief of the Belu district command, confirmed that an explosion had occurred and said his office was coordinating with local police and their East Timorese counterparts to investigate the blast.

"We have received information on the incident and are looking into it," he told The Jakarta Post. He could not identify those behind the bomb attack nor their motive.

Tjuk said the East Timor Police were working hard to identify the explosive used in the bombing and discover the motive behind it.

"We don't know for sure what explosive device was used in the explosion as it is still being investigated by East Timor security authorities," Tjuk said. The six injured Indonesians, who come from Silawan village, are being treated at the Atambua General Hospital in NTT. They appeared very weak on Saturday.

At the time of the explosion, the victims were engaged in a fuel transaction with East Timorese traders at the market.

It is unclear how the six Indonesians -- Lusia Funan, 47, Benedikta In, 26, Martinus Besie, 47, Tarsius Antonin, 33, Halek, 70, and Yudith Abauk, 36, -- came to be in East Timor.

It is believed they entered Balibo illegally as security is not tight at the borders between East Nusa Tenggara and East Timor, a former Indonesian province.

Meanwhile, the hospitalized victims said they felt a strong vibration from the blast, adding that they believed the bombing was perpetrated by East Timorese at the scene.

"At the time, we saw a man hurling an object from a car close to the scene. Fire burst around us from the object that later exploded," Martinus Besie said.

It was the first violence against Indonesians in East Timor since the territory officially became an independent state on May 20.

East Timor voted on August 30, 1999 to secede from Indonesia. The independence vote immediately sparked devastating carnage blamed on pro-Indonesian Military militias, which forced some 250,000 East Timorese to flee to East Nusa Tenggara.

Most of the refugees gradually returned to East Timor ahead of and after their homeland was officially declared the world's newest nation last May.nto the Bali bombing, told the head of the Indonesian military police of his conclusions about a week ago, according to the paper.

Security sources said Papuan police so far had compiled about 30 dossiers on Indonesian soldiers. They said Mr Pastika was leaning to the culpability of members of the military, but had not reached a firm conclusion. A respected officer, Mr Pastika led the Papuan police during the investigation into the murder of independence leader Theys Eluay, which concluded that Kopassus was responsible.

East Timor press reviews

East Timor Press Review

UNMISET - October 31, 2002

Suara Timor Lorosae reported on ABC news about a report put out in Dili, which mentioned main building and places of terrorism attacks in the next 7 months.

STL reported on Primer Minister Mari Alkatiri's interview with the Portuguese newspaper, EXPRESSO last week in which Mr. Alkatiri reiterated that the country's allies are those that speak the Portuguese language.

It is reported that the government will send a team to investigate problems occurred in District Viqueque in the last few days. It is claimed that animals have been stolen and killed in Watulari sub-district.

STL reported that a 12-year-old girl is pregnant with her own 53-year old father.

Primer Minister Alkatiri officially opened the National Logistic Centre yesterday at Tolo-Bere in Bebora Dili.

Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth, Armindo Maia is seeking more scholarships from Portugal, reported STL.

Timor Post's front page reported President Xanana Gusmco as saying the Timorese must forget terms like "militias" and "Untas" and focus their energy more on the national unity.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Josi Ramos-Horta stated that there is no need to increase security if it is going to affect the movement of people, for example roadblocks. Mr. Horta also stressed, "personal security for myself and the President will not be increased."

In a separate article Mr. Horta said President Gusmco will officially travel to Thailand soon after the Atambua and Kupang trip.

Timor Post reported that former clandestine members have requested Timor-Leste Police Commissioner, Paulo Martins to increase the recruitment from 100 to 200. A total of 300 former clandestine should go through the recruitment process. It is also reported that 12 former clandestine commanders met with the Minister of Internal Administration, Rogerio Lobato and UN Police Commissioner, Peter Miller to present their concerns and also requested a change on the age status from 45 to 50 years. Mr. Miller agreed on the matter. Meanwhile a list of six 6,000 names have been presented by the Minister of Administration to UN Police, which has decided to recruit only 100, reported TP.

Minister of Internal Administration, Rogerio Lobato stressed that the conflict in Watulari, Viqueque District has political motivation, therefore it should be resolved politically, not with repression. Mr. Lobato said the government decided on a commission composed of Vice-Minister Ilda da Conceigao, members of police, Baucau diocese, Parliament and Commission of Reception, Truth and Reconciliation to travel to that district and resolve the problem with local head of villages. The Minister said he is confident Mrs. Conceigco can help settle the conflict because she used to work there and has dealt with the same issue many times over the years. court that Guterres caused dozens of deaths for ordering his Aitarak (Thorn) militia gang to go on murderous rampages.

"The defendant does not feel guilty and does not regret his actions," Yusuf was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.

He did not seek the maximum penalty of death for Guterres because the defendant has been cooperative during the trial and had sought reconciliation with his political aversaries in East Timor.

The prosecutor also said Guterres was young (28 years old) and therefore still has plenty of opportunities to change his attitude.

At the commencement of his trial on October 24, Guterres told the court he felt no remorse because his violent actions in East Timor were based on his moral and legal obligation to fight for Indonesian sovereignty.

Human rights activists say Aitarak and other homicidal militia groups were established, funded and given orders by Indonesian military and government officials.

Guterres is accused of ordering his followers on April 17, 1999, to kill pro-independence leaders, including Manuel Viegas Carascalo and his family. Shortly after his speech, pro-Jakarta militiamen murdered 12 people at Carascalo's Dili residence.

Indonesia's special human rights court was formed earlier this year to deflect foreign pressure to establish an international tribunal to deal bring the culprits of the East Timor carnage to justice.

Rights activists say the series of trials taking place for several military personnel, policemen, pro-Jakarta militiamen and former officials charged with crimes against humanity are a sham.

The court on August 15 acquitted four soldiers and two policemen, including the former police chief of East Timor, on charges of allowing massacres to take place before and after the August 30, 1999, referendum on independence.

The acquittals drew widespread criticism from Indonesian human rights groups, as well as Amnesty International and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

So far only one suspect has been found guilty. The court on August 14 sentenced East Timor's former civilian governor Abilio Soares to three years in jail for failing to curb the violence. Prosecutors had demanded a sentence of 10 years and 6 months.

Observers are now curious to see whether Guterres' close ties with senior generals will enable him to evade jail, or whether he will become a sacrificial pawn in the sham that is Indonesia's human rights court.

October 30, 2002

Suara Timor Lorosae's front Page reported on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Josi Ramos-Horta's audience with Members of Parliament yesterday to explain about the signing of International Criminal Court (ICC) and Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between Timor-Leste and the USA. Mr. Horta said he is aware that the signing of this agreement has raised many questions with many people in favor and some against. One of the concerns raised by Members of Parliament is that an American military base could be established in the country under this accord. Regarding this matter the Foreign Minister replied that as a new nation Timor-Leste need the support of all countries.

STL reported that the visit of President Gusmco to West Timor should encourage Timorese refugees to return to Timor-Leste. The President of the National Parliament, Francisco Guterres said he agrees with Mr. Gusmco's view about reconciliation and amnesty as a way of encouraging the refugees to return. Francisco Guterres will travel with President Gusmco to Atambua and Kupang next week.

The Indonesian government has provided a bullet-proof car (Mercedes Benz) to be used by President Gusmco during his 4 day visit to West Timor, reported STL.

In separate interviews, Members of Parliament Fernando Lasama Arazjo of PD party and Maria Paixu of PSD stated that they will push the government to allocate funds to rehabilitate the presidential palace in order to create a better working condition.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Josi Ramos-Horta has pleaded with Continental University to move out of the premises assigned to his department or face being handed over the foreign affairs department work reported STL.

It is reported that former militia, Joco Franga da Silva was yesterday sentenced to 5 years imprisonment by Dili District Court for serious crime committed in 1999.

STL reported that all local and international businesses in Timor-Leste, must pay the tax in order to help the government develop a better nation.

Timor Post front page headline reads: Prime Minister criticizes UN for not setting a working place for the presidential. Prime Minister Alkatiri said UN forgot to provide a palace to the President after 20 May 2002. "If UN came here to prepare the nation then, why didn't they plan an office for the Republic President? They knew that the country was having a president."

Coordinator General of Continental University (UNICON), Col. Lere Annan yesterday affirmed that the university is only using the foreign affairs building temporarily. He said the agreement states it clearly. That it is for temporary use.

Cape Verde National Parliament has invited Timor-Leste Parliament President to visit the Portuguese Speaking Countries Community. The dates for Mozambique visit are not yet confirmed, informed Francisco Guterres, President of the National Parliament.

President's Gusmco Office is currently quiet and without any visitors, except for the security guards because the president is preparing for his trip to West Timor.

On 28 October Father Ricardo da Silva visited Sebastico Gomez's grave to lay a wreath of flowers in commemoration of the 11th anniversary of his killing in Motael Church in Dili. Father Ricardo said he hopes the nation has not forgotten those people who died for the independence of this country. He hopes that those in the government can gather data of people who died in the struggle and nominate them as heroes of the nation.

It is reported that Border Control officers are stopping illegal imports of goods from overseas. But on the other hand visitors coming to Timor-Leste are complaining that the officers are taking their goods even though they are legal. Yesterday one of these owners went back to get his good but no Border Control Officers were present at their workstation.

October 29, 2002

Timor Post reported on the official opening of President Gusmco's office yesterday in Caicoli, Dili. Speaking to journalist President Xanana Gusmco stated that it is important to create the basic conditions to work rather than having a nice office. The presidential office is called "Palacio das Cinzas/The Ashes Palace" which is across from the UN hospital. In the same article Mr. Gusmco stressed that he is happy to use his new office because it is spacious and he can breathe easily now. The President said he requested this building to former Head of UN, Sergio Vieira de Mello and Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri soon after being elected as President of Timor-Leste.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Josi Ramos-Horta told journalist that he fully supports the President's idea in setting up the office in that building. Mr. Horta said the building is not a new one and the President was briefed about the condition of it and decided to carry on his work there during its reconstruction.

At the opening ceremony of the President's office yesterday, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation also told journalists that the use of building and land by Continental University in Marconi, Fatu-Hada, is illegal because the premises have been assigned to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

President Xanana Gusmco congratulated Brazil's new President, Lums Inacio Lula da Silva who won the presidential election by 61 per cent of the vote, reported Timor Post.

Parliament Member, Leandro Isac (PSD party) stated to journalists that the decision of the President to work in the new Palace is good because many people in the communities are still leaving in the same condition. But on the other hand he said it is not good because the whole government's cabinet members are living in nice and luxury residences.

Timor Post reported that Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Armindo Maia announced that a survey was conducted on Timorese students in Portugal in order to find out how many of them are still continuing their studies.

The Executive Director of East Timor Study Group (ETSG), Joco Mariano Saldanha, Phd stated that the government must appoint a Minister to deal with veteran's issues.

It is reported that Members of Parliament will go on 2 months annual leave starting from 15 November to 15 February. Only the permanent commissions composed of 37 members will be on standby to deal with issues of urgent requirements.

Timor Post reported that the court case of a youth male killed by a car was postponed today because the judges, prosecutors and public defender had to attend a training workshop in Dili.

Head of Dili District Court, Aderito Tilman said, "the judicial system in Timor-Leste is not confused. The government itself is confused because they do not have clear definition on the judicial process."

New Zealand's Government donated US$ 235,000 dollars for the development of the agriculture and environment protection awareness. New Zealand Government representative in Timor-Leste, Susannah Gordon and Vice-Minister of Finance, Aisha Basarewan, signed the agreement last Friday.

Suara Timor Lorosae's front page reported a member of the Commission of Reception Truth and Reconciliation (CRTR), Jacinto Alves as saying that the commission already started its function in all 13 districts and sub-districts to facilitate the reconciliation process in communities. Mr. Alves spoke during a press conference held yesterday at CRTR's office in Balide.

STL also reported on Members of Parliament 2 months annual leave.

Military Commander of Wira Sakti in Kupang, West Timor, Colonel Moesanip stated that he will guarantee the security of Timor- Leste's President during his upcoming visit to Atambua and Kupang.

STL reported on the official inauguration of President Xanana Gusmco's new office in Caicoli. Mr. Gusmco said there are no funding from the government to build a new office because Members of Parliament did not approve any budget for it.

Minister of Education, Armindo Maia said that the survey done on Timorese students studying with scholarship in Portugal indicates that 17 students decided to return to Timor-Leste because their parents cannot afford to sent them money.

Rui Martins, the Head of Post Office said the Government of Timor-Leste and Indonesia plan to establish postal and telecommunications cooperation next year.

It is reported that an ANZ Bank security officer was attacked on Sunday night by a group of 7 people. Americo dos Santos had to receive treatment in the national hospital.

October 28, 2002

Timor Post's Saturday edition reported National Parliament President Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterres appealing to all Timorese to respect law and order. He said the police force must be respected. Mr. Guterres made the appeal last Friday at a meeting between various martial arts groups of Timor-Leste. President Gusmco, Head of UNMISET, Kamalesh Sharma were also present at the meeting.

Timor-Leste Youth Coordinator, "L-4" stated that the government must resolve the problem occurring in Timor-Leste, because up-to-date many issues have left unresolved. One example given by "L4" was a problem between Falintil members in Ailelu which one group of Falintil fled the acantonment with guns.

In a separate article, member of the National Parliament Leandro Isac (PSD) said he disagreed with the "national dialogue because government representatives and people from different communities did not participate". Mr. Isac also said that such dialogue would raise many other issues faced by the people in the country. Responding to these concerns, President Gusmco informed that the initiative for a dialogue was put forwarded by "L4" in order to stop the raising of further conflicts.

TLPS Commissioner, Paulo Martins said the recruitment of new officers will be based on general international standard. Those who cannot read and write will not be recruited.

Timor Post (Monday) front-page headline reads: PM Alkatiri: UNTAET created confusion in Timor-Leste's justice sector. TP and Radio Timor Leste journalist had an exclusive interview with the Prime Minister upon his arrival on Sunday at Dili Airport in which he stated that his visit overseas was positive. The visit to Portugal was not an official but a working one. The Minister said it was positive because Portugal will send advisors and technical support for the national radio and television. Mr. Alkatiri did not say much about Bishop Belo's comments on leaders travelling too much overseas and not paying attention to the need of the people. Asked whether the Minister managed to get assistance for improvement in the justice sector he replied, "UNTAET created confusion. They brought various law systems and mix it all up here. (Then the law that we are now using no one knows about it. Each one of them brought laws from their countries. They made the people more confused and created lots of headaches. In justice sector, UNTAET created confusion. You can write and anounce it on the Radio that I, Mari Alkatiri said, UNTAET created confusion in Timor-Leste's justice sector."

In a separate article, PM Alkatiri said, "Whoever is in Timor- Leste government must have great tolerance." Informing about his visit to Portugal, Mr. Alkatiri said Portugal would provide assistant for Timor-Leste to create its own central bank. During his visit he met with Radio and Portuguese Television (RTP) representatives who have said to provide technical and equipment assistant to the future national TV and Radio. Mr. Alkatiri said the government and the parliament must work on the establishment of a media law in order to have more professionalism in this area in the country. The Prime Minister said it has not been easy governing the country because Timor-Leste scratched from zero. He said in the last two years many laws established by UNTAET are no longer valid. The parliament has to draw up new codes for different areas.

Also referring to his visit overseas with the Prime Minister, Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak stressed that many countries have shown interest in supporting Timor-Leste's Defense Force to take over the security by June 2004. The Brigadier said that first they need to devise what can be done and then prioritizes the need of the Defense Force.

FDTL Vice-Chief of Staff, Colonel Lere Anan told Timor Post that he agreed with the dialogue held on Friday between the Timorese youth and President Gusmco.

UN Police Commissioner, Peter Miller rejects allegations that recruitment of Timorese Police officers during UNTAET period was not transparent. The first recruitment process was done in consultation with the Timorese, said the Commisioner. All candidates had to go through selection process criteria. Only those passing the test are accepted in the police force. Mr. Miller said the same criteria also applies to the Districts.

Timor Post today reported on the 12th commemoration day of the killing of Sebastico Gomez [by Indonesian troops] at Motael Church. A seminar was held yesterday in his memory in Dili with the theme "Consolidation Between Youth in the Efforts for Timor- Leste's Independence." Secretary of State for Electricity and Water, Egidio de Jesus opened the seminar.

Suara Timor Lorosae reported on Friday dialogue between representatives of 12 martial arts groups and President Gusmco and President of National Assembly, Francisco "Lu-Olo" Guterrres. Around 200 residents from different districts also participated in the meeting. UN SRSG, Kamalesh Sharma, Vigary General Dioceses Dili, Josi Antonio da Costa, Timor-Leste Police Commissioner, Paulo de Fatima Martins, Government representatives [ Government not represented at the meeting] and several local NGO's members were also present. It is reported that an audience between Timor-Leste Judges Association (AATL) and members of Parliament on Friday has been postponed for another date leaving the association members upset and calling the parliamentarians "liars", reported STL.

A local NGO called "KARIDADE Health" has been formed by Australian nuns and are supporting the Dili Hospital. They are also providing assistance to the poor. They are planning to extend their services to rural areas.

It is reported that the National Parliament has already approved 10 laws.

Several Judges have reportedly agreed with President Gusmco's idea of not having an international Court in Timor-Leste. Jose da Costa Ximenes, a lawyer at Dili District Court yesterday stated that it is better finding a neutral country for processing the serious crime cases.

TLPS Commissioner Paulo de Fatima Martins informed that crimes are very high in Timor-Leste. Last month 400 case of general crimes were reported to the police. Mr. Martins said the crimes have been committed due to high unemployment.

The Head of Malaysia Mission in Timor-Leste, Mr. Mohamad Rameez Yahya told STL that 26 East Timorese Police Officers will travel to Malaysia to receive training.

Dili Immigration Department is continuing investigation on two Filipinos citizens who entered the country with false passport seeking employment.

The first team of President Gusmco delegation to Kupang arrived yesterday to prepare the security of the President's tour of Kupang, West Timor.

It is reported that a bomb explosion on the illegal market in the border between Indonesia and Timor-Leste left 6 residents of Belu-Kupang, Indonesia wounded. The explosion occurred on Friday. It is unclear whether some Timorese have been injured from the explosion. The type of bomb is unknown. Timor-Leste Police and Indonesian police are investigating the case, reported STL.

To anticipate terrorism in Timor-Leste, TLPS Commissioner, Paul Martins said first one has to know its purposes, and an updatee accurate data on terrorist's activities. Mr. Martins said Timor- Leste also needs modern equipment as well as intelligent personeel to be trained in detecting terrorism.

It is reported that 15 of generators have been donated by Italy Business Strolim to Timor-Leste and is due in sometime next month

October 25, 2002

Suara Timor Lorosae's front page reads: President Xanana Gusmco defended Wednesday the dynamic of a national reconciliation process rather than establishing an international court. The President said, "There are talks about an international court but for whom? For Timorese people? If that is the case, then I'll be the first one to disagree." Mr. Gusmco made these comments during a 90-minute speech at the National Parliament.

STL reported that UN Special Representative of the Secretary- General in Timor-Leste, Kamalesh Sharma marked UN Day in Dili by saying that this year's celebration is historic for Timor-Leste because it had become a member of UN. " The UN Secretary General, his Excellency, Mr. Koffi Annan sends his special greetings to the people of Timor-Leste who have just become the newest member of the organization. ", said Mr. Sharma. The Special Representative also said that all Timorese should be proud of this Day because the country had found a place among the international community.

STL also reported on President Gusmco's speech on this Day event celebration at Hotel Timor as saying, "I will always talk about the reconciliation process, justice and amnesty because up to now all efforts have put on this were unsuccessful."

Chief of Becora Prison, Carlos Freitas Sarmento said that 16 prisoners who fled the compound during the prison riot are still at large. Mr. Sarmento spoke to STL after a training workshop for Timor-Leste prison staff including 8 new recruits. Malaysian prisoner officers have provided the training.

Member of Parliament, Rui Menezes (PD) said the agreement on Timor Sea is likely to be finalized because Timor-Leste and Australia signed an agreement on May 20 about the exploration of Timor Sea. Mr. Menezes noted that the Prime Minister has yet to address the Parliament on the treaty.

Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth, Armindo Maia stated that he is not aware of Timorese working in Ireland as well as those studying in that country.

Timor Post's front page reported on SRSG's statement yesterday during UN Day celebration in Dili.

TP quoted Head of Indonesian Mission in Timor-Leste, Kristio Wahyono as saying that Indonesia government is likely to pay former Indonesian pensioners and civil servants because the special fund established by UN is not enough.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Josi Ramos-Horta stressed that he disagreed with criticisms made by Bishop Belo that this country's leaders spend more time travelling, and not focusing on the needs of the people. Mr. Ramos-Horta said, " is the bishop aware of all ministers' schedules? I don't know about my cabinet colleagues' schedules. I travel overseas a lot, so I must confess my sins to the bishop."

Timor Post reported that President Gusmco will open a dialogue between various martial arts groups in Timor-Leste this morning in the former UNAMET and CNRT compound. Chief of Staff of President's Office, Agio Pereira informed that the dialogue would focus on problems between different groups in villages throughout the country and Dili, the capital.

It is reported that a court case involving conflicts between two martial art groups on 28 May which left a 26-yearl old man dead is still pending because it needs three panel judges to proceed with the case.

Timor Post reported that President Xanana Gusmco will make an official visit to Kupang, West Timor to talk about the reconciliation process. He is scheduled to also meet with former pro-autonomy leaders , Joco Tavares and Sera Malik in the town of Atambua.