Transition & reconstruction

Why another UN Timor mission is needed

Asia Times - September 17, 2003

Paulo Gorjao -- East Timor is seen at the United Nations headquarters as one of its state-building success stories in the past few years. Even though the UN had no prior experience in state-building, it administered and exercised all legislative and executive authority in the territory until its independence from Indonesia. Since May 2002, the UN has been devolving all operational responsibilities to the East Timorese authorities, and next May its mission in the new country will end.

The UN role in East Timor after 2004 remains unclear. The format, the dimension and the roles of the future UN structure are being discussed in both Dili and New York.

Next month the special representative of the UN secretary general, Kamalesh Sharma, will submit to the Security Council a first draft describing the future UN presence in East Timor.

East Timor -- as well as Australia and Portugal -- desire a continuing UN "mission" in the territory. East Timor is now a sovereign state but lacks significant expertise in several areas of civil administration. Moreover, since the financial dividends of the oil and gas from the Timor Sea will not be available until 2005 at the earliest, this means that East Timor does not have the resources to pay for the civilian expertise that it requires.

However, the Security Council and the United States in particular -- mainly for financial reasons -- wish to downsize substantially the UN involvement in East Timor after May 2004. The US is not against the continuing presence of the UN organizations in the territory, but Washington has resisted the idea of a formal UN "mission".

This is a mistake. The US should reassess its skepticism toward a successor UN mission in East Timor. Washington should do so in order to allow the consolidation of sovereignty in East Timor. In other words, it should do so for its own self-interest, not for altruistic reasons.

Southeast Asia harbors several active terrorist organizations with links to al-Qaeda. Moreover, East Timor has land borders with Indonesia, where operatives of Jemaah Islamiya recently mounted a terrorist attack against the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta. Although there is no terrorist organization known in East Timor, it is plausible that terrorists might view the territory as a safe haven, bearing in mind that terrorists are being actively pursued elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

In light of the terrorist attacks in Southeast Asia, the State Department recommends that US citizens defer all non-essential travel to Indonesia and to exercise extreme caution while in East Timor.

Apparently, other states are taking the terrorist threat in Southeast Asia more seriously than the United States. This seems to be the case of Australia, which recently signed a memorandum of understanding with East Timor to boost cooperation in the fight against international terrorism. Therefore, it is plausible to argue that the US, the UN and the international community must remain engaged with East Timor in order to provide military and civilian training and expertise, for example in all matters related with border control.

Moreover, Washington should support a future UN mission in order to allow the consolidation of democracy in East Timor. The serious riots last December and other subsequent less serious disruptions of public order have shown that the East Timorese civil and security institutions remain weak. Indeed, some analysts consider East Timor as a potentially failed state.

East Timor still requires expensive foreign expertise to support the government and the parliament, the public administration and justice, as well as the police and the military.

As the US knows fully well, the threat of terrorism and a potentially failed state are an explosive mixture. Moreover, the US would not face any sort of resistance within the UN Secretariat and among the major donors involved in East Timor -- Australia, Japan, and Portugal. In other words, there is a widespread consensus that a future UN mission, to succeed UNMISET (the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor), is required.

It would be a shame if, after so much effort, everything were to be lost because the United States -- only for financial reasons and nothing else -- did not support in the Security Council a future UN mission in East Timor.

[Paulo Gorjao is a senior lecturer at Lusiada University, Portugal, and editor of the forthcoming book Double Transition in East Timor: Consolidation of Sovereignty and Democracy.]

Security & boarder issues

Indonesia wants Timor to address illegal border trade

Antara - September 16, 2003

Kefamenanu, East Nusa Tenggara -- East Timor should prevent illegal trade at the border between its Oecusse district and Timor Tengah Utara district in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province, a local official has said.

"The East Timorese government has to prevent illegal trade by reducing import duties imposed in areas bordering with Timor Tengah Utara," Timor Tengah Utara district's deputy head, Gabriel Manek, said here Monday. He said that if the newly independent country encourages trade at the border by reducing the import duties of daily necessities, black market activities would gradually disappear.

The mushrooming of the black market at the border of East Timor and East Nusa Tenggara disadvantages Indonesia, especially the district government, he pointed out.

Gabriel noted that the district government has been trying to prevent illegal trade by opening traditional markets at border points, especially in Napan, Wini and Haumeniana.

Government & politics

Timors President (sic) Under Siege

SBS Dateline - September 17, 2003

East Timor's Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri is today travelling to China, an old ally from his years in exile. The Prime Minister's critics say he's too close to the Chinese and too wary of foreign investment from Western sources. They're part of the growing list of criticisms levelled at the man who took over Timor's top job in 2001. He's a man who remains something of a mystery to most Australians. Maryann Keady has more.

Reporter: Maryann Keady

Graham Green would have loved Dili. UN workers mix with carpetbaggers, diplomats, hopeful locals, and the military boys in green. Gone is the romantic terrain of the liberation struggle. Now, it's the hard reality of post-independent survival.

Timor became independent into 2002 and it's this man, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, who wields the power, not the internationally famous Xanana Gusmao or Jose Ramos Horta.

Alkatiri carries a heavy burden. He must oversee the reconstruction of his country, shattered by Indonesia's occupation. After decades of the independence struggle, Alkatiri makes it clear the struggle continues, but now it's about economic independence.

Mari Alkatiri, Prime Minister East Timor: We fought 24 years for an independent country and we are still fighting for an independent country. Independence means sovereignty over all our resources.

Mari Alkatiri led the Fretilin party to victory in countrywide elections in 2001. Before that, he viewed his country's tough struggle for liberation from the outside.

Mari Alkatiri: Since the invasion of East Timor, Jakarta is facing a lot of troubles.

He spent 24 years in exile as part of the Fretilin diplomatic struggle abroad, living mainly in Mozambique, one of the few countries to provide generous support to the resistance.

He was a founding and well-regarded member of Fretilin. His tough negotiation skills a crucial asset, as the young leaders fought for diplomatic recognition around the world.

He's a Muslim in Catholic East Timor, so his elevation to the top job is no small feat after years overseas. But today, after only a year in the hot seat, he's under attack from critics both inside and outside the country. All political enemies are now jostling for power.

A short distance from the Prime Minister's office, one of his strongest political opponents, Mario Carrascalao, is being threatened with eviction from the house he's lived in since Portuguese rule. Carrascalao is crying foul, saying the government is playing dirty politics.

Mario Carrascalao: In order to destroy this, you know, you have to destroy their political leaders, destroy politically by the creation, by creating the mistrust of the people, the non- confidence of the people, and then create situation like this.

Carrascalao and his supporters accuse Alkatiri's government of corruption and nepotism. It's political sledging time and Alkatiri's years in exile are used against him. He's cast as an outsider.

Man, (Translation): If your true to this country and it's people, the ancestors protect you. No need to be afraid, even bullets wouldn't harm you. For a person like Mari, if we start shooting each other in Dili, even if hes in hiding a bullet will get him, because he's not a son of this country.

Emotions are running high and the Cold War rhetoric is out in force. The political divide that existed before Indonesia invaded in 1975 has re-emerged, between Fretilin socialists and their opposition.

The Carrascalaos have always opposed Fretilin, calling them communists. In this political time warp, Mario's brother Manuel doesn't mince words.

Manuel Alkatiri (Translation): Mari Alkatiri and Ana Pessoa both came from Mozambique where the political system is communist and totallt different. It's oppressive and things are deteriorating.

Today in the district of Lautem, security is intense, ahead of a visit by the Prime Minister to meet the people. It's part of something called "open government", after critics accused him of being uncommunicative and out of touch. Alkatiri is also fending off criticism that he's running a government of exiles, people who've returned, but didn't stay to fight during the struggle. It's not long before he addresses the issue of legitimacy.

Mari Alkatiri: (Translation): There's propaganda that says the government is from outside East Timor. They came from outside but they're East Timorese. Some say they came from Mozambique. There are no Mozambicans in this government. I left Timor on December 4, 1975 and on that date in 2002 they burnt my house down. I left in 1975 I didn't run away.

Alkatiri's house was burnt to the ground during these riots on December 4 last year. Two people died in unrest that shocked the new nation -- violence and looting carrying on for over six hours. Many saw it as a direct attack on the Prime Minister. The unrest, a rude wakeup call for this young government.

The Prime Minister also believes the riot was politically motivated.

Reporter: Do you take the threats to your power seriously and I suppose I'm looking at December 4. Do you see that as an example of an attempt to lessen your power?

Mari Alkatiri: Yeah. From a very few people in this country, they are trying, because they say at that time that I will really react negatively which means that I could do one of two things, to call to the Fretilin members to come out and to react -- it will be a disaster, it will be a disaster -- or simple, talk to the people, I'm going to choose another person to govern this country. I'm tired of. But I decided not to do either one of this options and to stay.

While there have been numerous investigations into the riots, no-one has been charged, leading to furious speculation in a country used to the whispers of an underground resistance.

Constant rumours of a military coup seem to preoccupy many of the locals, and today at Lautem, the head of the military, Tuar Matan Ruak, addresses them head-on. He says the army is with the government and that unrest is coming from groups outside the army.

Tuar Matan Ruak, military head: Who is not being part of the government, is not really the army. Maybe it's some bandits or groups.

The bandits he's referring to are ex-guerillas who, according to the constant rumour mill, are massing against the government. After lunch, the influential president of the parliament, Luolo, and a former guerilla leader, Lere, discuss the so-called third force.

It's hard to know in Timor today where to separate truth and fiction, however, these seemingly fantastical scenarios do play into some real political divisions.

For example, there is real discontent inside his party about Alkatiri's leadership. A petition is circulating within Fretilin to remove him and the party president, Luolo. And at this meeting, Alkatiri lets the comrades know what he thinks.

Mari Alkatiri (Translation): Every week they have meetings to make petitions. They make petitions and criticise the leadership. Some say the president and general secretary must go. Bring Congress better candidates and we'll change, no problem. But if there's a change we'll become militants and we'll be watching you.

And over lunch, at a resort built by the seaside, other urgent pressures are revealed. President Gusmao has recently rejected a controversial immigration bill put forward by Alkatiri's government. The bill is opposed by the international community in Timor, who say it reflects Alkatiri's suspicion of foreigners.

Gusmao's rejection has raised the ire of the government and added to existing tension between the two leaders.

The immigration law debate is just one of the pressures Alkatiri is facing. He's also coming under criticism for being protectionist over Timor's development, critics saying his cautious approach is hindering the country's future.

Here, he's visiting a stream earmarked for a hydroelectricity project and he makes it clear there will be no fly-by nights making money at Timor's expense.

Mari Alkatiri (Translation): That's why we asked our friends from Norway to do the study, so he who does the study won't be implementing the project. Sometimes a person says everything is okay just because he wants to make money.

Travelling across Timor, it's easy to see why the country is considered one of the world's poorest. Many are advocating fast- track development, saying concessional loans from large international institutions such as the Asian Development Bank and World Bank would kick-start the economy, but Alkatiri is resisting the pressure, saying future oil money is enough, and that loans would send the country down a dangerous path of recurring debt.

Mari Alkatiri: Because loans, you have to pay back the loan and if you don't really use the money, the loans money, it will be a disaster for this country.

But this softly, softly approach isn't supported by other senior leaders in Timor. Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta says he wouldn't be so suspicious of loans or foreign investment. He'd do things differently.

Jose Ramos Horta, Foreign Minister East Timor: I would move faster to enter into these matters which are a potential for investors, give them facilities, privileges, so that they beginning investing, you know. I wouldn't spend too much time worried about all the legal implications.

He does add, however, that there may be sense in a cautious approach.

Jose Ramos Horta: The Prime Minister, he's a lawyer. He's a very suspicious character by nature. He's even suspicious of his own shadow. And I think -- and it's positive, as we are building the country, somebody has to be extremely careful. And if things go much, much slowly, well maybe at least it goes slowly, but it goes safely, steadily, rather than we make quick decisions, improvising and creating a chaos, a mess.

Others are not so generous. Joao Saldanha is from the East Timor Study Group, a think-tank that advocates privatisation and free market ideals. I caught up with him after he'd met with the acting US ambassador.

Joao Saldanha, East Timor Study Group: We are trying to isolate East Timor from the rest of the world. We are a small country. I don't think we can afford to do that.

It's hard to see once-forgotten Timor shutting out the international community. There are plenty of players here in Dili -- the World Bank, the UN and Australia, just to name a few. But it is the nature of connections that Alkatiri is forging that concerns Saldanha.

Joao Saldanha: There is a shift in this government. There's some attention, not much going to Australia, to the US, to Japan, but I think it's going to China.

When Alkatiri met with the Chinese delegation earlier this year, it gave more ammunition to his critics. They say the meeting was proof that the old Fretilin socialist hadn't changed his spots.

But for Alkatiri, the meeting with a regional power just made good sense.

Mari Alkatiri: One of the biggest corporations of some other countries in this region is with China, even for other countries from out of this region, United States and European Union, a market like China, which is more than 1 billion people, are looking for this market.

Alkatiri's Chinese connections are being closely watched by other regional players as the emerging superpower seeks to expand its influence in the Pacific. Timor's strategic position and oil and gas reserves make it an attractive ally for other powerful nations like Australia and the US.

Grover Joseph Rees, US Ambassador: Do we want East Timor to be a force for good in this region? Sure we do, in lots of ways.

But according to the US Ambassador, Grover Joseph Rees, there's no big-picture politics involved. He's just keeping an eye on a new democracy.

Grover Joseph Rees: There are always temptations and they're always -- whether you're talking about a government, whether you're talking about individuals -- we all have tendencies in ourselves that we need to keep in check, and that's just as true of this government as it is of everybody else. And that's part of the reason that the international community is here in larger numbers than they would be, say, in another country this size, because this is a government in transition, and, you know, they were ruled for 24 years in a way that did include corruption and nepotism and brutality. And there are two lessons you can learn from that. One is -- now that we have our freedom, we will never be like that. And you hear people saying that. And the other lesson you can learn without even knowing you learnt the lesson, is, "Oh, that's the way to behave when you get in charge."

For Mari Alkatiri, it's not about political morality, but a delicate geopolitical balancing act.

Mari Alkatiri: East Timor is a very small country situated between two big regional powers. It's not easy to be a small country. That's the reason why you would only think so far the only way to survive in this condition is to be independent and to play a very active role as a bridge between the two giants.

But the looming battle between the great powers counts for very little alongside Alkatiri's immediate domestic struggles. The Prime Minister says he will continue the job he started long ago in the resistance, taking orders from the people and the party now running a liberated Timor.

Mari Alkatiri: This is my obligation, I have to make my contribution for the liberation of the people, from poverty and from illiteracy, there are all kinds of things I have to do first. I am here, not because I love to be in power. I'm here because people are asking me, still asking me to stay. Once the central committee of Fretilin decides to choose another person, I will support it, and I will be happy.

Justice & reconciliation

Don't trade justice for peace, prosecutor pleads

Sydney Morning Herald - September 17, 2003

Jill Jolliffe, Dili -- East Timor's chief prosecutor, Longuinhos Monteiro, has warned that the country could face internal problems if it drops cases against Indonesian human rights violators to further relations with Jakarta.

Speaking after Interpol issued 23 new arrest warrants for Indonesian and Timorese suspects, Mr Monteiro said: "I have always argued that ... if we close the doors of the Serious Crimes Unit we will have problems."

The SCU was set up by the United Nations to prosecute Indonesians and Timorese responsible for the violence that accompanied East Timor's independence referendum in 1999, leaving more than 1000 dead and destroying much of the country's infrastructure.

Arguing that East Timor has a moral obligation to victims and the world, the Prosecutor-General underlined the growing contradiction between Dili's need for good relations with Jakarta and the need to judge those accused of atrocities.

He said he would drop prosecutions if East Timor's foreign policy demanded it. "Until then, I'll continue the accusations," he added, saying he felt the Government was not giving him sufficient moral support.

He said the UN had indicated it would continue backing the SCU, which has been under Timorese control since independence, but only if the government agreed.

The Justice Minister, Domingos Sarmento, said the prosecutor had the Government's full backing, and "if war crimes have been committed the UN must establish an international court".

Among those named in the latest Interpol warrants is Colonel Burhanuddin Siagian, a former commander of Bobonaro district, who has since risen to be the third-ranking officer in the Bali-based command of the eastern Indonesian region. He is accused of crimes against humanity during two massacres in Bobonaro.

The Timorese prosecutor sought Interpol's intervention after Indonesia refused to hand over suspects for trial before a special Dili court which has already sentenced more than 30 East Timorese to terms of up to 33 years.

Although authorities are powerless to extradite suspects from Indonesia, those on the Interpol list may be arrested if they travel outside Indonesia.

Jose Andrad, a Timorese MP who was tortured by Colonel Siagian, said he was happy the colonel was on Interpol's wanted list. He said he understood the contradiction between East Timorese foreign policy and the prosecutions. "We need to become good neighbours with Indonesia, but not at the expense of justice," he said.

Timor's 'disappeared' await justice

Melbourne Age - September 15, 2003

Russell Thirgood -- Four years after the East Timorese people voted overwhelmingly for independence from Indonesia, justice remains elusive for the victims of the violence that followed.

Among those killed in East Timor in 1999 was Ana Xavier da Conceio Lemos, a 34-year-old primary school teacher and mother of three children. Ana had been outspoken in her criticism of the Indonesian military and in her support for independence. On the day of the independence ballot she was beaten and interrogated by militiamen led by an Indonesian military officer. She was then reported to have been raped in detention before "disappearing". Her body was discovered in November 1999.

Ana was among the estimated 1300 East Timorese people murdered by the Indonesian security forces and pro-Indonesia militia in 1999. The victims included political activists, community leaders, students, priests and nuns.

The crimes committed were so widespread and systematic that they are considered to be crimes against humanity. However, four years on, most of the victims and their families are still waiting for justice.

Today, many Indonesian military and police officers who colluded in the violence remain in active service, some in senior posts in other parts of Indonesia where human rights violations are common -- Papua and Aceh.

Trials of suspected perpetrators, which recently concluded in Indonesia, have been seriously flawed. Most defendants were acquitted, while six men who received short prison terms have been released pending appeal. They include several present members of the Indonesian military and police.

A parallel justice process in East Timor has made considerable progress in investigating the crimes. Indictments have been issued against more than 300 people, most for crimes against humanity.

But the persistent refusal of the Indonesian authorities to co- operate with the justice process in East Timor, and the failure of the Jakarta trials, means that the international community must now take action.

The UN should review the Jakarta trials with a view to recommending further measures to ensure that justice is achieved and the truth revealed.

Only then will there be a chance that the killers of Ana Lemos and many others will be brought to justice. Only then might the powerful individuals behind the killings be prevented from doing similar things to the people of Papua and Aceh.

[Russell Thirgood is Amnesty International's Australian president.]

Indonesia

Assets dispute lingers as talks continues

Jakarta Post - September 8, 2003

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta -- Assets remain a thorny issue in Indonesia and East Timor relations, as neither of the countries is willing to back down from its stance in settling the problem.

In high-level talks between the two countries in Dili over the weekend, Jakarta demanded more time to register the personal assets of East Timorese who have chosen to remain as Indonesian citizens. The East Timor government has not yet responded to the demand, saying that its national legislature had still to discuss the request.

"The dateline for Indonesians to register their assets in East Timor is March 2004, but the registration forms were handed to us only last month, so it is difficult for people to claim their rights," Indonesian ministry spokeswoman on East Timor Ratna Lestari told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

She said that data at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs showed that the personal assets of East Timorese who fled the former Indonesian province totaled around Rp 200 billion (US$235.3 million).

"Many of the refugees abandoned their homes without carrying with them any ownership documentation, so it will be difficult," Ratna added. "What we ask is simply a chance to have legal recognition that those assets belong to our citizens; compensation should not necessarily be financial," she stated.

More than 150,000 people fled the former province in 1999 after the riots that followed a referendum on the separation of East Timor from Indonesia. Some of the refugees chose to maintain their Indonesian citizenship, and demanded compensation for their homes and land from the East Timor government.

However, that government refused to recognize any documents issued by the Indonesian government between 1975 and 1999, which has made it more difficult for either side to settle the issue.

Ratna said there would be another meeting later this month to discuss the problem. "Assets are our main agenda item for now," she remarked.

The two countries have been striving to address many residual issues following the separation; so far, assets have remained the most contentious. Both sides agreed earlier to transfer the Indonesian government's assets in East Timor as investment capital for the newly established country.

In Jakarta, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto agreed to help the East Timor armed forces and provide training for their soldiers. "We should bury the hatchet," Endriartono told East Timor Brig. Gen. Taur Matan Ruak in a meeting on the weekend. TNI said that it was prepared to support the establishment of stronger armed forces for the new country.

"We are currently looking for suitable opportunities to train East Timor military officers," TNI spokesman Maj.Gen. Sjafrie Syamsuddin told the Post on Sunday. "But we have responded positively to the request from East Timor as a matter between two sovereign countries," he added.

News & issues

Eurico Gutteres denies he will attack East Timor

Antara - September 4, 2003

Kupang -- Former deputy commander of pro-Indonesian fighters in East Timor Eurico Guterres on Thursday denied that he would attack East Timor.

"I think the East Timor problem is over, and I am thinking to make peace for its future. But certain parties have circulated rumors that I will attack the country with my 150 men," he said in a phone interview.

He made the statement in response to a foreign media report that he would infiltrate into East Timor territory to attack the country which gained independence from the United Nations on May 20, 2001.

"I am now in Jakarta. How can I attack East Timor," he told Antara who called him from the East Nusa Tenggara town of Kupang. "The issue was intentionally disseminated by certain parties to divide and rule the people of East Timor so that there will never be peace there," he said.

Eurico said he received phone calls from various elements in Indonesian and East Timor societies asking him about the rumors. He called on the whole East Timorese people in Indonesia and East Timor not to panic due to the rumors.

East Timor was an Indonesian province before it seceded from the republic following the pro-independence camp's victory in the UN-organised ballot in August 1999.

The pro-integration faction could not accept the ballot returns and went on the rampage shortly after the UN Mission in East Timor (Unamet) announced the ballot returns in September 1999.

More than 250,000 East Timorese fled the territory to East Nusa Tenggara province to escape the deadly riots.

Holdens and Aussie rules are part of folklore in Australia

Melbourne Age - September 7, 2003

And they are the passions of Kiam Lay and Toto Djumanto, developed over a decade of growing up in Melbourne.

Djumanto, 21, a manager at McDonald's, avoids cruising Lygon Street but loves tinkering with his red VN Commodore while Lay, 20, is more interested in the Swans' finals chances.

The engineering student rates the team he has barracked for since he first set foot in Melbourne as a 50-50 chance to win the AFL premiership. They play Port Adelaide today. It may be the only chance he'll have to see them try.

Lay and Djumanto, like dozens of others who fled Indonesian- occupied East Timor for Australia a decade ago as children seeking refugee status have no certainty about whether they will be allowed to stay in the country they consider home.

Djumanto's brother, Djono, in an accent that could not be mistaken for anything else, says he considers himself Australian. The 18-year-old is in year 12 at Hawthorn Secondary College and lives with the family of his girlfriend, who was born in Australia and is part Greek.

Two months ago the plight of the young East Timorese adults who had grown up in Australia and are no longer considered refugees came to the attention of the State Government via the Brotherhood of St Laurence.

Brotherhood executive director Nic Frances had listened to the "extraordinarily moving" stories of young East Timorese people, still on bridging visas after a decade and uncertain of their futures.

He also knew of a close-ties visa that may enable them to stay in Australia, which can be obtained if applicants are 18 or over, independent, and have spent their formative years in Australia. It was also considered by lawyers their best shot at permanent residency.

The young East Timorese were eligible to apply for the visa, but there was a catch. The $2000 application fee was too much for them. "They were saying, 'we've been here 11 years. It's our home, it's all we know and now we're going to end up going back for some clerical mistake'," Father Frances said. "I rashly said 'this is ridiculous'."

Father Frances went to his local MP, Richard Wynne, who took the suggestion to Premier Steve Bracks that the state help with application costs.

The Premier agreed and last week the Government handed over $23,000 to help the Brotherhood pay for about 20 applicants to confirm Australia as their home.

It is estimated there may be about 30 or 40 more applicants. About a dozen have already been granted permanent residency through the close-ties visa.

Sitting outside the Sila cafe in Brunswick Street, one of Melbourne's first migrant cafes, Djono Djumanto, who was nine when he came to Australia after his family home was burnt down, talks of the counselling he has for flashbacks and anxiety over a possible return to East Timor.

"It worries me to go back and lots of Timorese kids have these things," he said. "We can see on the TV, the street lights are not on and we're afraid if my sister goes on the street; anyone is capable of anything," he said. Djono Djumanto wants to be a carpenter in Australia.

Father Frances says helping the applicants was also about giving something back. "We have been saying thank you for being part of our schools, our life, our football teams or churches, whatever it is you're into -- your car club" he said, motioning to Toto Djumanto. "You should see his car, it's tremendous."

International relations

Belo scuttles Gusmao's bid to woo Indonesia

Sydney Morning Herald - September 11, 2003

Jill Jolliffe, Dili -- A bid by East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao to further his campaign for reconciliation with Indonesia came apart yesterday when Jakarta's former foreign minister, Ali Alatas, was criticised during a visit to Dili by Bishop Carlos Belo and subjected to hostile questioning by the local press.

The 70-year-old diplomat's first visit to independent East Timor began triumphantly. He was embraced by both Mr Gusmao and the Foreign Minister, Jose Ramos Horta, while dodging questions on human rights violations during Indonesia's occupation from 1975 until 1999.

There was mutual agreement the subject would not be raised, though, in an interview with the Herald, he admitted there had been violations. "It was a nasty little war ... There were acts committed by either side," he said.

Now an adviser to President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Mr Alatas was keynote speaker at a seminar organised by Mr Gusmao's office. In chairing the meeting, Mr Gusmao disallowed any questions referring to past Indonesian behaviour. central government and various community groups in Papua and it concluded that Special Autonomy has only been 10 per cent implemented -- and this is over 18 months after Special Autonomy became valid law of Indonesia.

MacLellan: The Autonomy Law proposed the establishment of a Papuan People's Assembly. Has this body been established?

Sullivan: No, that body has not yet been established and the non-existence of the Papuan People's Assembly is one of the core problems with the Special Autonomy Law.

The Special Autonomy Law quite clearly states that the province would make a proposal to establish this Assembly, and then the Government would have to issue a regulation to establish the Assembly within one month of receiving the proposal.

Papua Province submitted the proposal to Jakarta in July 2002, and the government has still not yet completed the regulation and issued it. So the regulation is now one year late and this is clearly in violation of Indonesia's own Special Autonomy Law.

MacLellan: Indonesia's President Megawati Sukarnoputri has also proposed dividing the province of Papua into three separate provinces. Has this affected the way the law would be implemented?

Sullivan: Yes it has. The issuing of the Presidential Instruction in January of this year was most unexpected in Papua and it is not clear what effect the Presidential Instruction and the fragmentation of Papua will have on Special Autonomy.

The government says that it will implement the three provinces plan, and then it will implement Special Autonomy. But seven months after the issuing the presidential instruction, the government has still not give a coherent detailed explanation of how these two apparently contradictory policies will be compatible.

MacLellan: Indonesia goes into national elections in 2004. Do you think the election period will provide a context where this law can proceed?

Sullivan: I'm not sure if the election period will assist the process, but I would hope that in the aftermath of the general elections next year that significant players in Jakarta will be able to have a fresh look at Indonesia's Papua policy and revert to the autonomy strategy that is clearly laid out in the Special Autonomy Law of giving Papua autonomy to satisfy its legitimate grievances, while maintaining the territorial integrity of Indonesia.

MacLellan: As well as those that support greater autonomy for Papua, there's also a strong independence movement. Do you think Jakarta's stand has strengthened or weakened supporters of autonomy?

Sullivan: I think the government's actions in the past year and a half have undermined those Papuans who are involved in the Special Autonomy process and were prepared to work with Jakarta.

As you said, many components of the community in Papua were never that keen on Special Autonomy and one of there arguments was that Jakarta would never implement a meaningful level of autonomy to Papua, and up to now that argument has been proven correct.

This is one of the main problems I think: the non-implementation of special autonomy is bad for Papua but it's also bad for Indonesia, and it would appear to me that Jakarta does not yet fully understand how an autonomous system of governance works.

The idea that to keep the country together, you have to let go and you have to let the Papuans express their identity and culture and give them self-government within the country and then they will be happier to stay within the country.

I think it's ironic that certain elements in Jakarta who claim to be defending the territorial integrity of the state, but by their actions they are actually strengthening the independence movement and undermining Indonesia.

Alatas 'laments' 1999 Timor violence

Lusa - September 8, 2003

Dili -- Ali Alatas, the former Indonesian foreign minister who negotiated East Timor's 1999 independence plebiscite, arrived in Dili Monday for a visit, expressing "lament" at the violence that scarred the process, but "satisfaction" with increasing bilateral cooperation.

"I feel no remorse because I did my duty as [Jakarta's] foreign minister", Alatas said on arrival for a two-day visit at the invitation of President Xanana Gusmco. He underlined, however, his "lament" that the solution found through the 1999 UN- supervized plebiscite had caused "so many victims".

Widely considered an Indonesian elder statesman, Alatas, who now serves as an adviser to President Megawati Sukarnoputri, said he was "quite satisfied and impressed" that Jakarta and Dili had opted to "look to the future, cooperating mutually", since East Timor's independence in 2002.

Alatas, who will address a foreign affairs seminar Tuesday, was scheduled to pay courtesy calls on Gusmao, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and Parliament Speaker Francisco Guterres. His visit comes on the heels of a Friday-Saturday meeting in Dili of the Joint Ministerial Commission that reinforced the framework for bilateral cooperation in many fields.

In a joint interview with Lusa and Portugal's RTP television, shortly after his arrival, Alatas said he had always sought a "peaceful solution" for East Timor after assuming the helm of Jakarta's foreign policy in 1983. He recalled "facing" three foreign ministers from Portugal, East Timor's former colonial ruler, in negotiations at the United Nations, saying the "hardest period" had been negotiating in the early 1990s with Josi Manuel Durco Barroso, now Portugal's prime minister. "I think we could have found a better solution", he said of the 1999 plebiscite to resolve East Timor's resistance to 24 years of Indonesian occupation. "I always feared that whoever lost [the vote] would not accept the results well. I was convinced we needed more time, more negotiations to achieve a peaceful solution instead of a political shock like a referendum".

Alatas said he supported "reconciliation" and "adequate justice" for Indonesian officers and proxy militias blamed for atrocities around the time of the plebiscite. "But we must not be impatient", he urged, saying East Timor's separation from Indonesia had been "a painful and traumatic experience for both sides". Alatas said he hoped to visit Portugal soon, honoring an invitation made by Durco Barroso last year.

Indonesia training offer to Timor sparks mixed reaction

Associated Press - September 8, 2003

Dili -- A top East Timorese commander said Monday it was time to put the country's troubled past behind it and endorse an offer from Indonesia, its former occupier, of joint military training.

Col. Lere Anan Timor, the Timorese army's chief-of-staff who battled Indonesian forces during the country's 24-year war for independence, acknowledged that Indonesia's brutal reign ending in 1999 left deep "psychological scars" on many Timorese victims.

But he said an agreement forged over the weekend in Jakarta between the Indonesian military and the East Timor Defense Force showed that Indonesia sincerely wanted a new relationship.

"This is very positive agreement. We have to look at the bright future for our two countries and forget the past," he told journalists. "Do not consider Indonesia today as an enemy but consider Indonesia as more than a brother," said Lere, who served as a paratrooper in Portugal's colonial army before Indonesia's invasion in December 1975.

At least 100,000 East Timorese died in the ensuing 24-year guerrilla war.

Indonesia's armed forces head Gen. Endriartono Sutarto made the training offer Saturday during a meeting in Jakarta with Brig. Gen. Taur Matan Ruak, commander of the small East Timor Defense Force. Sutarto said no decision had been made on the specific type of training involved, adding that it was up to East Timor to decide what its requirements were.

The proposal was seen as a further indication of warming ties between the two countries.

After a UN-sponsored independence referendum in August 1999, the Indonesian army and its militia proxies killed nearly 2,000 people and destroyed much of the half-island territory. UN troops finally restored order and after a period of transitional rule East Timor gained full independence in May 2002.

About 3,000 international peacekeepers remain in East Timor to support its fledgling army. They are scheduled to depart next year.

Some Timorese legislators criticized the Indonesian military proposal. "East Timor can accept this military training offers from Malaysia, the Philippines, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Portugal," Mariano Sabino said. "But it is too early to cooperate with the Indonesians."

Ministers from both governments -- who met in Dili over the weekend -- agreed to also set up a joint commission to discuss border security, trade and property compensation.

On Monday, Ali Alatas, President Megawati Sukarnoputri's representative for Association of Southeast Asian Nations, arrived in Dili for a series of meetings with Timorese leaders.

Indonesian foreign minister visits East Timor

Associated Press - September 5, 2003

Dili -- A high-level delegation led by Indonesian Foreign Minister Hasan Wirayuda arrived Friday in East Timor, its former possession, to discuss issues including border security, trade and property compensation.

Relations between the two countries, whose separation in 1999 was marred by widespread violence led by the Indonesian army and affiliated militia gangs, have improved significantly.

"It is necessary to create a conducive political climate so that [East Timor] can continue to develop," said Makaraim Wibisono, an Indonesian representative.

The agenda for the talks will also include the repatriation of remaining East Timorese refugees who in 1999 crossed over into Indonesian-run West Timor, he said.

East Timorese officials say they want to discuss several issues including property rights and pensions for East Timorese, joint border patrols on land and sea, and unfettered access to Oecussi, an isolated enclave inside Indonesia that belongs to East Timor.

A UN multinational force currently patrols the border between East and West Timor, but is scheduled to hand over duties next year to East Timor's newly formed army.

East Timorese leaders, including President Xanana Gusmao, have repeatedly emphasized that good relations with Indonesia are crucial for East Timor's stability and economic development.

Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 and ruled it with an iron hand until 1999. East Timor gained full independence in May 2002 after a period of transitional rule by the United Nations.

Local media monitoring

East Timor local media monitoring

UNMISET - September 5-19, 2003

The IMF Senior Resident Representative in Timor-Leste, Mr Khadeem A. Al-Eyd, is reported in STL as saying that it is not the intention of IMF not to give assistance fund to Timor-Leste, but that the Government of Timor-Leste itself does not want to borrow from the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. Mr Al-Eyd said that the IMF always gives financial assistance to countries most in need, including Timor- Leste. He said however that, Timor-Leste's Government has its own policy not to borrow from IMF because there are donors like Ireland, Norway, Switzerland and others which voluntarily give funding assistance. Mr Al-Eyd said that perhaps that is the reason why the Government does not want to borrow from IMF, ADB and the World Bank. Mr Al Eyd said that even though IMF does not give assistance in the form of loans it does support Timor- Leste's development through its technical assistance. He said that IMF has assigned 3 experts in financial management to the Bank and Payment Authority. Mr Al-Eyd said that in the month of April, IMF sent a technical team to assess economic development in Timor-Leste and the result of their findings was presented during the last donors meeting in June this year.

During his open Government Visit last week to the District of Baucau, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, said that he will withdraw his support to the Commission on Reception, Truth and Reconciliation if the Commission does not "straighten up" its structure (people) at the district level. Prime Minister said "I have talked to the Commission's President, Mr Aniceto Guterres, and asked him to follow up people's complaints against the structure (people) in the District level. The Prime Minister had heard complaints about CAVR staff at district level who the community said had not lived through the independence struggle and thus did not understand the peoples' suffering.

The Head of the Indonesian delegation in Timor-Leste for Senior Official Meeting, Mr Makarim Wibisono, yesterday told reporters at Nicolau Lobato International that the relationship between Timor-Leste and Indonesia is satisfactory, even though there are still issues to be discussed in order to reach an agreement for the future benefit of both nations.

The Timor Post reported that former Indonesian Foreign Minister, Ali Alatas, the man who negotiated Timor-Leste's 1999 independence plebiscite with the United Nations and Portugal will visit Timor Leste for the first time next week. Mr Alatas is expected in Dili Monday, at the invitation of President Xanana Gusmao, to participate in a foreign affairs seminar. Commenting on Mr Alatas' visit the President of the Commission B of the National Parliament, Mr Jose Manuel Fernandes, said that Mr Alatas was an Indonesian diplomat during former President Soeharto regime and his visit is a sign of normalization of relations between the two countries.

The head of the private Liberta's Lawyer office, Mr Benevides Correia Barros, said that last month his office had undertaken a civic education program about this country's new laws to the District of Baucau. "The community at that district felt that this civic education was important. Because the community did not get information regarding the existing formal law, they had sought to overcame their problems by using the existing traditional law" said Mr Barros.

Timor Post also reported on the head of the Indonesian Senior Official delegation, Mr Makarim Wibisono's statement to the media as per the STL report.

September 8, 2003

Suara Timor Lorsae reported that the Administrator of Dili and Baucau Diocese, Monsignor Basilio do Nascimento, responded to STL question regarding the possible extension of the UN mission in Timor-Leste. Monsignor Nascimento said the leaders of the country they should explain to the people why the UN mission should be extended. Monsignor Nascimento said that from his own view, "if the UN presence is an obstacle for our steps ahead, then we do not need it anymore, but if the UN presence in Timor-Leste is to assist us in developing our country in peace to a bright future, then it is really good". Monsignor Nascimento said that Timor- Leste's society still has wounds that will take time to heal.

On Saturday the Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Hasan Wirajudha, met with President Xanana Gusmao at the Palace of Ashes in Caicoli ? Dili. After the meeting Mr Wirajudha told reporters that both sides agreed to foster their bilateral relations through reconciliation efforts. Mr Wirajudha said that during the meeting President Xanana reiterated his commitment to the reconciliation process and the return of ex-refugees from West Timor.

In response to STL questions relating to the Internal Security Act, Article 17, which stipulated that there will be a control on social communications, Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo, said that the media has freedom to inform what is right, not to violate personal dignity or insult someone. He said he was concerned that the Government could use this Internal Security Act to control the media unfairly. He said if the people of this country understand democracy and their fundamental human rights, they have the responsibility of mutual respect. He said then the freedom of expression and the media could play its role as it is intended".

The Timor Post reported that in response to Timor Post questions relating to the whereabouts of the bodies of Timorese liberation fighters, the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Hasan Wirajudha, said that the Indonesian Government will show these places. Mr Wirajudha said that Indonesia has no interest to impede or hide any of the corpses of the liberation fighters. Mr Wirajudha said this topic was a serious matter discussed in the bilateral commission. Mr Wirajudha said that the Indonesian Government will carry out investigations.

The Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mr Hasan Wirajudha, praised President Xanana Gusmao for his commitment to enhancing bilateral relationship between the people of the two nations, in particular those who live near the border.

On last Saturday the Central Committee of Fretilin Party held a meeting in Ermera District with district echelons of Ermera, Liquica, Aileu and Bobonaro.

The Secretary General of Fretelin, Mr Mari Alkatiri, said that there are some members of the Central Committee of Fretilin who had collected signatures objecting to some members of CCF holding more than one position. (This is not explained in the story). Mr Alkatiri said the objections were wrong, because the other positions related to private interest pursuits, rather than a common interest.

September 11, 2003

Suara Timor Lorosae reported that during the "Open Government" visit to the District of Ainaro, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri yesterday said that the Government will release a warrant for the National Police (PNTL) to regulate illegal groups or organizations. "If the police cannot carry out this task we will use the armed forces (F- FDTL). If the F-FDTL also can not undertake this task we will ask for UN support" said the Prime Minister in Hatubuiliko Sub-District. The article said that the Prime Minister made this statement in response to the community complaints against the CPD-RDTL (Comite Popular de Defesa ? Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste) that they used the national flag and the name of the former President of Fretilin, Mr Nicolau Lobato, to support their political activities by collecting money and goods from the people in the villages.

Prior to his departure to Jakarta, the former Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mr Ali Alatas, said that he hopes Timor-Leste will learn from mistakes made by Indonesia in the past. Mr Alatas said that by learning from the mistakes that had been made by Indonesia and other nations in the past, Timor-Leste could avoid committing the same errors and make a good policy for organizing the country.

President Xanana Gusmao officially inaugurated the Professional Institution of Canossa in Delta Comoro Dili. Before the inauguration, Bishop of Dili and Baucau Diocese, Monsignor Basilio do Nascimento and the Vatican Ambassador to the United Nations, Monsignor Renato Martino, blessed the premises.

The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr Armindo Maia, said that the Government is drafting a regulation regarding the establishment of higher education facilities by the private sector. Dr Maia said that the draft regulation consists of eligibility criteria for the establishment of a private higher education institution.

The Timor Post reported that former Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mr Ali Alatas, commented on the Ad Hoc tribunal established by the Indonesian Government to judge those responsible for crimes against humanity committed in Timor-Leste in 1999. He said that he knows that there is a lot of dissatisfaction regarding the Ad Hoc tribunal in Jakarta.

However, the Ad Hoc tribunal was a process undertaken by the Judiciary and the Government did not interfere in the process. "The present Government is not the same as the one of the past" said Mr Alatas. Timor Post also reported on the inauguration of the Canossa Professional Institute by President Xanana Gusmao as per the STL report.

September 15, 2003

Suara Timor Lorosae reported that in a carefully worded statement Bishop of Dili and Baucau Diocese, Monsignor Basilio do Nascimento, has warned the people of Timor-Leste of the emergence of communism in the new nation. He said that every nation is sovereign and independent and they have the right to organize themselves. Bishop Nascimento said that we should be prudent in serving our people. He also said that we should be vigilant as a snake and low profile as a dove. Bishop Nascimento said that there are rumors of a revitalization of communism in Timor-Leste. He said that rumors are sometimes true, but also could be wrong. Bishop Nascimento said that Timor-Leste is wounded and it takes time to heal. He also said that the Catholic Church is strong in Timor-Leste, and there are some people who want to weaken this foundation by eroding it slowly. (A reference to the emergence of communism).

The Minister of Justice, Mr Domingos Sarmento, said that the Government is assessing its assets and those who live in the Government premises will be evicted if they do not comply with Government regulations. Mr Sarmento said "if they live in the Government premises (Portuguese or Indonesian regime ownership) and if they do not obey the law, they will be expelled or evicted from the Government's premises. We have committed to enforce the law without preferences, whoever or whatever their political affiliation".

STL sought opinions from members of the National Parliament including the Vice President of KOTA Party, Mr Clementino dos Reis Amaral, and member of the National Parliament from PSD, Mrs Lucia Lobato, regarding the Prime Minister's statement on the regulation of illegal groups. The article said that both stated that all parties should not judge the CPD-RDTL as legal or illegal organization, because there is no law to regulate organizations or political parties.

A delegation of Timor-Leste's National Parliament comprising members from Fretilin, PSD, PD, ASDT, UDT, AND PDC will visit Switzerland and Norway on 11 October. The delegation will be led by the House Speaker, Mr Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo. The article said that among topics to be discussed during the visit, are the duties and function of the National Parliament and the relationship between Parliament and the Government, civil society and community. The article said that in addition to the visit to Switzerland and Norway, the National Parliament also will attend a meeting of Parliamentarians of Portuguese Speaking Countries in Brazil.

The Timor Post reported that during the "Open Government" visit to the District of Ainaro the Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and the Speaker of the National Parliament, Mr Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, said that the legitimate government is the one who is talking to the people. They said that there are groups like CPD- RDTL which is not representing the people. They said that the CPD-RDTL was created in 1999 by declaring itself as the 1975 Constitution Defender.

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri today led a delegation to the People's Republic of China for an official visit. Included in the delegation are the Minister of Finance and Planning, Mrs Madalena Boavida, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Estanislau da Silva, the Minister of Health, Dr Rui de Araujo, State Secretary for Defense, Mr Roque Rodrigues, State Secretary for Tourism and Investment, Mr Jose Teixeira, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Olimpio Branco and the FDTL Chief of Staff, Col Tito Cristovao. The article said that in Beijing, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri will met with his counterpart Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

Timor Post also reported on the Minister of Justice statement relating to the law enforcement on Land and Property as per the STL report.

September 16, 2003

Suara Timor Lorosae reported that the spokesperson for the CPD- RDTL (Conselho Popular de Defesa da Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste), Mr Antonio Aitahan Matak, said that the CPD-RDTL will not feel fear resulting from any actions that will be taken by the Government. Mr Matak said that the CPD-RDTL had not violated people's rights nor committed any crime. (Mr Matak's statement referred to the Prime Minister's statement during the "Open Government" visit to the District of Ainaro. Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said that the Government will release a warrant for the National Police (PNTL) to regulate illegal groups or organizations. "If the police cannot carry out this task we will use the armed forces (F- FDTL). If the F-FDTL also can not undertake this task we will ask for UN support" said the Prime Minister in Hatubuiliko Sub-District. Prime Minister made this statement in response to the community complaints against the CPD-RDTL (Comite Popular de Defesa ? Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste) that they used the national flag and the name of the former President of Fretilin, Mr Nicolau Lobato, to support their political activities by collecting money and goods from the people in the villages.

The President of Fretilin Party, Mr Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, said that Fretilin is the only party which was always forward- looking in defending the independence. He said his party always prepared in facing challenges in the future. The article said that the Fretilin party held a district's leader meeting in the District of Ainaro. Also participating were district leaders from Manufahi and Suai. The article said that the meeting was chaired by Fretilin's President, Mr Lu-Olo. Also present at the meeting was the Secretary General of the Fretilin, Mr Mari Alkatiri, and the Deputy Secretary General, Mr Jose Reis.

The article said that the aim of the meeting was to analyze the entire process from 1975 until now and make structural adjustments.

The Prime Minister said that the Open Government program is aimed at creating a culture of dialogue, between community and the Government. Mr Alkatiri said that through dialogue the Government can redefine its priorities in the National Development Plan to make sure the NDP reflects the real needs of the people. The Prime Minister also said that the Open Government program assists the people to have a perspective and not to lose their hope.

The Timor Post reported that Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said that the District of Ainaro is different from other districts in Timor-Leste. Mr Alkatiri said that the people of Ainaro always live in fear of groups that always threat them. Mr Alkatiri said that the Open Government is important in Ainaro, because it will help sweep away people's fear.

Timor Post also reported on Fretilin Party meeting in Ainaro as per the STL report.

September 17, 2003

Suara Timor Lorosae reported that the Minister of State Administration, Mrs Ana Pessoa, yesterday witnessed the hand-over of policing responsibilities from UN Police to Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL) at the Baucau Stadium in Baucau. In her speech Mrs Pessoa said that Timor-Leste wants a police force that is professional, non-partisan and one that has respect for human rights. Mrs Pessoa also thanked the UN and the countries that have helped establish and develop PNTL. Mrs Pessoa reminded the police officers of the challenges they face by saying"we face no easy task, especially when we have as starting point a [public] image that is a legacy from the times under military occupation, when police flaunted and abused their power".

STL sought opinions from members of the National Parliament in relation to the issue of communism in Timor-Leste raised yesterday by Bishop Nascimento. The President of the Commission B in the National Parliament Fretilin), Mr Jose Manuel Fernandes, said that the issue of communism is mere speculation and it will never become a reality. Meanwhile a member of the Parliament (PSD), Mrs Maria Paixao, predicted that Timor-Leste could become a communist state within two or three years. She said that she had experienced it in 1975 when she was 17 years old. She also said that at that time there were five Timorese students who introduced communist ideology into Timor-Leste and caused the civil war. Mrs Paixao also raised concerns about sending Timorese students to study medicine in Cuba. The Speaker of the National Parliament, Mr Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, said that the international political constellation had changed, communist dictatorships had fallen and communism is not a real threat. He said that such talk was internal propaganda.

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri yesterday led a delegation to the People's Republic of China for an official visit. Included in the delegation are the Minister of Finance and Planning, Mrs Madalena Boavida, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Estanislau da Silva, the Minister of Health, Dr Rui de Araujo, State Secretary for Defense, Mr Roque Rodrigues, State Secretary for Tourism and Investment, Mr Jose Teixeira, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Olimpio Branco, the FDTL Chief of Staff, Col Tito Cristovao and the Prime Minister's Chief of Staf, Mr Jose Guterres. The article said that in Beijing, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri will sign agreements with his counterpart Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. He said that they will sign seven agreements, relating to the health sector, trade, logistic support for F- FDTL, the construction of RDTL's presidential palace, assistance for Falintil veterans and financial assistance for the Government of Timor-Leste. The article said that the Government of China has guaranteed financial assistance to the Government of Timor-Leste, however, it did not mention the amount of the financial assistance package. The article also said that China's financial assistance will be allocated to finance Government expenditures.

The Timor Post reported that before his departure to the People's Republic of China for an official visit Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said that he will propose to the United Nations Security Council to reduce the number of Peace Keeping Forces and increase the capacity of Timor-Leste's National Police and the National Armed Forces (F-FDTL). He said " the United Nations' role in Timor-Leste will be reduced in 2004, however, politically the UN presence in Timor-Leste is needed". The article said that Prime Minister's delegation will also attend the World Bank Annual Meeting in Dubai and the United Nations Security Council meeting in New York regarding the extension of the UNMISET mission in Timor-Leste.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Jose Ramos Horta has approved three cooperation accords with Portugal, including a broad agreement to establish the framework for bilateral relations. Among the accords approved on Monday, one deals with the reciprocal promotion and investment protection, and the other with a three year aid program for Timor-Leste's Defense Force training and technical support. (There is no explanation about the third accord).

September 18, 2003

Suara Timor Lorosae reported that the spokesperson for Fretilin Party in the National Parliament, Mr Francisco Branco, yesterday said that his party is sticking to the decision not to make any modifications on the Immigration and Asylum Law that has been approved by the Parliament. He said that this decision is based on the national interest of the country and its people. The article said that the Immigration and Asylum Law was vetoed by President Xanana Gusmao and it was sent back to Parliament for review.

A member of the National Parliament from Fretilin, Mr Jose Andrade, said in a plenary session that he had received complaints from the community of Bobonaro that the CPD-RDTL had forced the community to change their identification cards (ID) to CPD-RDTL ID cards. Mr Andrade told members of the Parliament that the CPD-RDTL asked the community to change their ID, because the Government IDs are not legal. Mr Andrade also said that the CPD- RDTL charged community members 5 dollars for each ID. Mr Andrade said that this happened in the villages of Pipigalak, Memu and other villages in the District of Bobonaro.

In yesterday's plenary session of the National Parliament the Vice President of the PNT (Partido Nacionalista Timorense), Mrs Alianca de Araujo, strongly rejected the statement made by President Xanana Gusmao regarding her party. Mrs Araujo said that President Xanana was saying that PNT and the CPD-RDTL had met with an Indonesian high raking military official, Lieutenant General Jacky Anwar, at Hotel Timor in Dili in 1999 to reject referendum. Mrs Alianca said that President Xanana made this statement in various meetings during his visit to the Sub Districts and it was also broadcasted by Timor-Leste Television (TVTL).

The Timor Post reported that on Monday President Xanana Gusmao made a visit to the Sub District of Turiscai ? District of Ainaro. President Xanana was accompanied by the Vice President of the National Parliament, Mr Francisco Xavier do Amaral, the Deputy SRSG, Mr Sukehiro Hasegawa, Vice Minister for Development and Environment, Mr Abel Ximenes, and the Commander of the first F-FDTL battalion, Let Col Falur Rate Laek. President Xanana met with Former Combatants of the Orsnaco Base (ACBO) in the mountains of Orsnaco ? Turiscai Sub-District. The article said that before the President's scheduled visit, there were rumors that if President Xanana came to Orsnaco he would be killed, however the reality shows the contrary. The article also said that there are groups of former combatants and people coming from all corners of Timor-Leste (more than one thousand) to gather at Orsnaco.

The article said that they were isolating themselves from the rest of the country by setting up their structures and forming their own agriculture cooperatives. The article said that according to the group's leader, Marcos da Costa, after Timor- Leste gained its independence they did not get any attention from the Government. He said he took the initiative to concentrate people in the Orsnaco mountain by organizing them in agriculture cooperatives for their subsistence. Mr Costa said that his group is not the same as the CPD-RDTL.

During the "Open Government" visit to the Sub District of Hatubuilico, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri appealed to the community of Hatubuilico not to be afraid of the CPD-RDTL group. The Prime Minister said that even though this group was formed in 1999 and defends the national flag and the 1975 constitution, Mr Antonio Aitahan Matak (the group's coordinator) was not the constitution's proclaimer. (The article does not explain why the people of Hatubuilico are afraid of Mr Matak).

September 19, 2003

Suara Timor Lorosae reported that President Xanana Gusmao said that he would wear his military uniform again if the CPD-RDTL and other isolated groups want to fight again after the UNMISET and PKF withdrawal in 2004. The article said that during his 3 day visit to the Sub District of Turiscai and Remexio, the communities in these districts complained about threats made by the CPD-RDTL and other isolated groups. The article said that these organized groups has threatened the community if they did not follow them. They said they would kill community members after the PKF and UN mission withdrawal. President Xanana said that as the President of RDTL he has the responsibility to embrace all segments of the society as stipulated in the Constitution.

The Commander of the UN PKF in Timor Leste, Let Gen Khairuddin Bin Mat Yusof, said that UN PKF's task and responsibilities in Timor-Leste were not limited to security matters, but also involved development tasks. General Yusof was speaking to STL after the inauguration of the Lugasa bridge in the District of Viqueque area.

The Secretary General of the Social Democratic Party, Mr Joe Goncalves, yesterday said that his party will commemorate its third anniversary on Saturday September 20, 2003 at My Field Hotel in Dili. He said that his party will use this event to gather their members from 13 districts and hold a preliminary meeting before the party's congress in October 23, 2003.

The Timor Post said that Hungary yesterday officially opened its Embassy in Timor-Leste. The event was marked by the presentation of credentials from the Hungarian Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, His Excellence Ambassador Gyorgy Buzstin, to the President of Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, His Excellency President Xanana Gusmao. Present at the ceremony were the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Jose Ramos Horta, President's Chief of Staff, Mr Agio Pereira, and key staff from Foreign Affairs Department. After the ceremony, Ambassador Buzstin told reporters that his country is willing to assist Timor-Leste in the agriculture sector, economy, education, and energy. On the same day President Xanana Gusmao also received credentials from the first Ambassador of Malaysia to Timor-Leste, His Excellency Ambassador Abdullah Faiz Bin Mohd Zain, at the Palace of Ashes. After the ceremony, President Xanana accompanied by Foreign Minister, Dr Jose Ramos Horta, held a closed door meeting with Ambassador Zain.

After the meeting Ambassador Zain spoke to reporters said he will make efforts to increase bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and Timor-Leste.

In response to reporters question relating to building bilateral relationship with China and Timor-Leste's internal stability, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Jose Ramos Horta, said that it is positive to build relationship with the People's Republic of China. He said that China never interferes other nations internal affairs. He added that the Chinese Government is preoccupied with its economic development. Dr Horta also said that China does not care whether a nation is communist or not in building bilateral relations.

Timor Post also reported on President Xanana's visit to the Sub District of Turiscai and Remexio as per the STL report.