Transition & reconstruction

Continued UN presence 'quite likely' after May: Annan

Lusa - January 29, 2004

Brussels -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan assured East Timor Thursday that the UN would likely maintain a presence in the country after the end in May of its current security and aid mission.

"All peace operations come to an end in one form or another", Annan said in Brussels, adding that what was most important was "to have the certainty that what has been gained should not be lost".

He said it was "quite likely" that a "follow-up mission to assist" East Timor would remain after the current UNMISET mission ends its mandate on May 31.

He said the "how and when" of the UN's departure would be determined by the Security Council after it receives a report from a UN technical team that visited the country earlier this month. Annan also admitted the possibility of dispatching a second assessment team to Dili.

The UN, he added, was "working arduously" to ready Timorese police and defense forces so the fledgling country could assure its own security.

East Timorese President Xanana Gusmao, who met with Annan in Brussels during a European Parliament awards ceremony honoring the UN, reiterated Dili's concern that the UN maintain both a security and civilian presence in the country beyond May.

Gusmao told journalists it was "desireable" for the UN to maintain some form of security force in East Timor, "even if smaller" than the current mission.

Despite the country's relative calm since gaining independence om May 20, 2002, remnants of anti-independence militias remain in neighboring Indonesian West Timor and several outlaw bands operate in border areas.

The Indonesian military commander of West Timor warned earlier this week there were signs the armed bands were seeking to mobilize former militias to "destabilize" East Timor following the UN withdrawal.

Renewed calls for UN to remain beyond May deadline

Radio Australia - January 20, 2004

A UN assessment team returns to New York this week from East Timor amid speculation there may be an extension of its presence there.

On May the 20th, some 2000 UN peacekeepers are scheduled to hand over all responsibility for security to local authorities. However, East Timor's government says its police force is ill- equipped to deal with the effects of political divisions which still threaten the country's stability.

Presenter/Interviewer: James Panichi

Speakers: Jose Ramos Horta, East Timor's Foreign Minister; Marcia Poole, UNMISET spokeswoman

Panichi: According to local reporters, members of the UN Technical Assistance Mission -- known as TAM -- told them they would recommend a delay in the planned UN withdrawal from East Timor.

If that were to prove true, it would then be up to Secretary General Kofi Annan to pass the recommendations on to the UN Security Council next month.

Officials with the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor are today refusing to speculate on the content of the TAM's report.

However, UNMSET spokeswoman Marcia Poole has confirmed there's a growing consensus that the UN should remain in East Timor.

Poole: "I think there's much agreement between the Timorese leadership, security council members and the troop-contributing countries to the present mission that there will be the need for continued support to public administration, to the government, to the justice sector, human rights and also to the police in terms of institutional strengthening.

"There's also some sort of general agreement -- and it certainly seems to have been the flavour of what the TAM is going to take back to New York, that some sort of security element should also be part of a follow-up mission, should the security council decide there is a need for a follow-up mission."

Panichi: However, Ms Poole says that if a security component is to be included in a mission beyond the May 20 deadline, the Security Council would also have to decide what form that should take.

Poole: "There's no indication for the moment that this might include peacekeeping troops. It might include a police element, but not necessarily peacekeeping troops.

"And that's where we might not have an indication as to whether or not it might include troops until the Secretary General makes his recommendations to the Security Council in February.

"But even then, it's important to stress that this is at the level of recommendations -- the final decision is going to be made by the Security Council."

Panichi: Meanwhile, Australia -- whose soldiers makes up the bulk of the peacekeeping force -- argues that East Timor is now ready to stand on its own two feet.

That's in spite of the fact that East Timorese government representatives left the UN mission in no doubt they oppose the scheduled withdrawal.

Among those who met with the mission is the country' foreign minister, Jose Ramos Horta.

He says with East Timor's nascent police force still undertrained and under-resourced, the presence of UN military or police personnel remains vital.

Ramos Horta: "We think it would be premature for the UN to pull out the peacekeeping troops.

"The peacekeeping troops here, we believe, would never be necessary for them to be called. In fact, Indonesia has shown statemanship and realism, along with good faith.

"So the UN peacekeeping force would have more of a psychological deterrence element here."

Panichi: But if the East Timorese government says it has nothing to fear from the thousands of refugees across the border in West Timor, why then the need for UN security?

East Timor's former Catholic Archibishop, Carlos Belo, is blaming internal political dissidents who, he believes, still pose a security risk. And Mr Ramos Horta agrees with that assessment.

Although he says the groups can be managed, providing the UN remains in the country as a deterrent -- possibly until the end of 2006.

Ramos Horta: "Yes, we do have internal dissedents, we do have a faction that is a bit weird, a bit unusual. I know this faction -- I have met with them on numerous occasions.

"They are a sort of radical fringe of Fretilin. But they are just a radical fringe. I don't think they constitute a major threat, as such."

Dili 'convinced' UN will remain engaged: Horta

Lusa - January 15, 2004

Dili -- Foreign Minister Josi Ramos Horta said Thursday he was "convinced" the United Nations would extend its engagement with East Timor beyond the end of its current mission.

"The United Nations has invested so much in East Timor that I'm convinced they will maintain a visible and credible presence" following the end of the UNMISET mission on May 31, Ramos Horta told a news conference in Dili.

The country's "conditions of security and peace are still fragile", he said, adding he was sure the UN would remain engaged on three levels: "a peacekeeping force, military observers and the civil sector" through advisers to the government.

He noted that a UN technical team was in Dili for consultations with East Timor's leadership with a view to preparing a report for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the possible character and framework for a continued UN presence.

The UN Security Council is expected to take a decision in March on what kind of commitment it will make to Dili following the end of the current UN Mission in Support of East Timor (UNMISET).

East Timor calls for extended UN presence

Associated Press - January 12, 2004

Dili -- East Timor called on the United Nations Monday to extend its mandate in the country as the leader of a UN team arrived to assess whether the tiny nation was strong enough to go it alone.

The United Nations has been helping East Timor since its people voted for independence from Indonesian rule in 1999. On May 20, the UN mandate expires and most of its staff, along with hundreds of foreign peacekeepers, are scheduled to leave.

"Certainly we still need a UN presence after May 20," said government spokesman Gregorio de Sousa.

Last month, Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta told The Associated Press that the country would need help strengthening its defense forces so the government could provide stability and security.

On Monday, the country's influential Roman Catholic Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo said international troops were still needed.

"We need a small UN peacekeepers platoon ... to safeguard our border from former militia," said Belo, who was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize along with Ramos-Horta for his nonviolent resistance to the Indonesian occupation.

Pro-Jakarta militias backed by Indonesian troops devastated much of East Timor and killed more than 1,000 people after its August 1999 vote for independence.

The fighters fled to the Indonesian-held western part of the island after the ballot. They were blamed for a series of violent cross border raids last year.

However, the country has been largely peaceful since gaining full independence in May 2001 following more than four centuries of Portuguese colonial rule and 27 years of often brutal Indonesian occupation.

The UN team will prepare a report on whether to extend the world body's mandate after May and, if so, what form it should take, said UN spokeswoman Marcia Poole. "They are looking across the board and will recommend to the security council," she said.

The head of the team, Julian Harston, declined to comment to reporters as he arrived at Dili International airport on Monday.

Despite having considerable oil and gas deposits, East Timor is likely to be dependent on foreign aid for several years to come. Most of its 800,000 people live in poverty. It also has a severe shortage of civil servants, many of whom fled to Indonesia after the independence vote.

Security fears prompt extended UN mandate calls

Radio Australia - January 12, 2004

By May, the last United Nations troops stationed in East Timor are due to hand over responsibility for security to the local army and police. But while the international community views the transition as the result of a successful peacekeeping operation, some East Timorese, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Bishop Carlos Belo, claim the country still faces major security risks.

Presenter/Interviewer: James Panichi

Speakers: Bishop Carlos Belo; Professor Jim Fox, director of the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies at the Australian National University.

Panichi: About 25 per cent of the over 1700 UN peacekeepers in East Timor are members of the Australian Defence Force.

As well as training local police and military, the Australians continue to patrol remote parts of the country, close to the Indonesian border.

Beyond that border are 28 thousand East Timorese living in camps -- about 3000 of them are believed to have once belonged to pro- Jakarta militias.

According to Bishop Belo, who is visiting East Timor from Portugal, that means there are still far too many security threats to justify the UN's departure.

Belo: "We still need to maintain the security internally and to maintain the security in the areas in West Timor."

Panichi: What are your concerns? Are you afraid that pro- Indonesian militia may still be an issue in West Timor?

Belo: "Yes. They are still there. And we have not only militias but there may also be some Indonesian military here internally. Also, there is still competition between the different political parties. So we still need the security."

Panichi: Bishop Belo says East Timor's new border police patrol may not be up to the task of controlling militias from West Timor.

And he's concerned that political forces within East Timor -- rivals of the dominant party Fretilin -- could also pose a security risk.

Belo: "There is still one organisation that doesn't accept the present constitution. They'd like to impose the constitution of 1975. So there are still problems here."

Panichi: Have you spoken to the government of East Timor about your concerns?

Belo: "Already. I've already talked to the people of the United Nations here and also to the government here."

Panichi: And do they agree with your position?

Belo: "They said they would think [about it]."

Panichi: Do you think the Australian government is serious when it says it will withdraw the troops?

Belo: "Well, I never hear the Australian government. I would like to hear it."

Panichi: What would you like it to say?

Belo: "I'd like to hear a firm position, to see if they will withdraw or they will stay."

Panichi: You obviously hope they will stay on. How much longer do you think the UN troops should remain?

Belo: "One or two years."

Panichi: Although, the Australian government now appears unlikely to change its plans.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer recently said that while Australia is happy for some police observers to remain in the country, there is "little need for the peacekeeping force to remain."

Australia has already spent 1.5 billion US dollars on peacekeeping efforts in East Timor and is therefore keen to see the country's new defence and police forces take over.

Although, the United Nations could still review plans for a May withdrawal if it's not satisfied that security can be maintained.

Professor Jim Fox is director of the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies at the Australian National University. He's in no doubt East Timor requires a UN presence beyond 2004.

Fox: "I think a little bit more time is needed -- not necessarily a long time, but certainly a further extension of the UN mission.

"Because were the UN to leave now before the job is done, it would have a serious consequence for the reputation of the US, because it's considered in many circles a great success story for the UN.

"But more than that, I think there is a need in East Timor for that UN presence as a stabilising force."

Panichi: If it were to withdraw too soon, what would be the worst case scenario. What could happen?

Fox: "Well, one could imagine all sorts of worst case scenarios. At the moment unfortunately there is a real budget deficit in East Timor so they're doing it hard. I think until there is the beginning of some substantial oil revenue, they'll continue to do that.

"So, for that period of time, any assistance that the UN can provide to provide stability is to the good."

Don't leave Timor before job is done

The Australian - January 6, 2004

Australia has made a huge investment in East Timor for which the nation can be proud, but now is not the time to give up on it. From a position just years ago where Indonesian-sponsored militia were shooting and hacking to death supporters of independence, East Timor now has a semblance of order as a free state. Australia's commitment has cost some $2 billion, and Australian troops, at their height 5700 and now scaled back to about 500, have been the backbone of the United Nations force.

However, the new democratic state is a fragile one. Security experts have serious doubts as to whether the planned 3000-strong local police force and 1500-member defence force are adequately developed to counter potential militia threats from across the border. Deep ideological and cultural divisions remain below the surface of the Government. And East Timor is dirt poor, with a life expectancy of only 57 years and 41 per cent of the population below the poverty line.

On May 20, the UN peacekeeping operation officially ends, and most of the remaining Australian troops are due to come home. But UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is calling for an extension of the mandate. Timorese Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta has asked for a company of Australian combat troops to stay on and for an international "gendarmerie" of about 300 to 400 well-armed, mobile police.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has said he supports a successor mission, but ruled out further substantial Australian troop commitment. He says a 120-strong UN police force with military and police observers would suffice.

Such a policy is risky. The last thing we want is another failed, anarchic state on our doorstep. Australia intervened in the Solomon Islands at its Government's request, for humanitarian reasons and because a collapsing country could become a terrorist haven for banking and passports. After the initial deployment, 600 soldiers were kept on.

If the Timorese Government wants continued support, Australia should back it. Apart from the military component, Australia should provide targeted, project-based aid. The $42.5 million aid package for this financial year is quite sparing compared to the overall investment so far. Along with other UN members, Australia should make available a range of technical advisers. It will require delicate handling of Indonesian sensitivities, but now is not the time to back down.

Australia in East Timor: A sense of duty

The Australian - January 3, 2004

Patrick Walters -- From the rocky, tree-shaded summit of "Mount Everest", 1980m up in the cool, moist highlands of the Bobinaro ranges in East Timor, Lieutenant-Colonel Glen Babington surveys his domain.

The view from this Australian-manned mountain redoubt sweeps dramatically down a precipitous slope towards the great green gorge of the Maliana pass and away to a broad flood plain stretching away to the northern coast of East Timor.

Far below in the hazy middle distance, beyond the rusty crimson roofs of the town of Maliana, surrounded by green paddy fields, you can see the regular lines of the Australian base at Moleana -- the main military base for operations in the western sector of East Timor.

Babington, the tall, lean, youthful commander of the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), his short-barrelled Steyr automatic rifle slung from his right shoulder, commands the last battalion of Australian peacekeeping troops in East Timor.

In less than 20 weeks Australia's great military adventure in East Timor will be over. From a high of 5700 in late 1999, fewer than 500 Australian servicemen and women remain in the country. At midnight on May 20, when the UN peacekeeping operation officially ends, Australia's largest overseas military commitment since Vietnam will wind up.

A few dozen Australian military trainers and observers will remain in the country, together with police and civilian advisers.

The Moleana base, a small township in itself, with its long lines of prefab cabins, helicopter airfield, massive heavy equipment sheds, electricity generators and sewage system, will be deserted but remain -- a physical testament to the $2 billion Australia has spent supporting East Timor since late 1999.

As midwife at the birth of a new nation and principal guardian of the infant East Timor, Australia's military commitment has been fundamental. About 16,000 Australians will have served in East Timor by the time the UN's remaining 1750-strong peace-keeping force withdraws in May.

The all-round capability and professionalism of Australia's defence force has been crucial to the success of the UN Mission of Support for East Timor (UNMISET). Australian troops, which still make up 25 per cent of the total UN peacekeeping force, have earned the gratitude of the Government in Dili and gained the affection of local villagers.

Australia has been the mainstay of East Timor's security since 1999 and the prospective withdrawal of UN peacekeepers has left many Timorese, particularly village communities close to the border with Indonesian-controlled West Timor, deeply apprehensive.

There are still 28,000 Timorese in camps across the border in West Timor, including an estimated 3000 who once belonged to the militia groups that wrought mayhem in East Timor during 1999.

Australia's long-term relationship with East Timor, the UN's 191st member state, promises to be the acid test of Australia's re-found strategic ambition and the Howard Government's expressed willingness to play a more decisive role in regional affairs.

An equivalent challenge requiring skilful, subtle diplomacy will be the management of Indonesia-Australia relations as they affect East Timor. Without the genuine goodwill and co-operation of Jakarta, East Timor's future as an independent state cannot be guaranteed.

The Howard Government's key policy advisers favour a full withdrawal of combat forces. The prevailing wisdom is that Australia has fully discharged its military commitment to East Timor and that the primary security task is internal law and order, regarded as a police task.

An unspoken concern is that maintaining Australian combat troops in East Timor will reinforce perceptions among Jakarta's political elite that Australia wants a permanent military base in the country.

But for the foreseeable future, whether we like it or not, East Timor will rely on Australia as the implicit guarantor of its security. Full membership of ASEAN for East Timor would transform its security outlook, but that essential goal is still years away. For some senior members of ASEAN, East Timor is seen as largely Australia's problem.

Exactly what kind of international security presence will remain beyond the peacekeeping force's withdrawal in May is the subject of a review by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. UN Security Council members take the view that East Timor's security forces -- its planned 3000-strong police and 1500-member defence force -- will be able to meet the looming security challenges. But, in the view of many well-placed security experts, East Timor remains manifestly incapable of managing its security challenges -- internal and external. Both the police and the defence force require far more training to reach minimum levels of competence.

The people of East Timor remain a deeply divided polity with longstanding communal feuds exacerbated by the bitter, divisive legacy of 25 years of Indonesian rule.

The new 500-strong border police and a planned rapid deployment squad conspicuously lack the necessary resources, training and equipment to adequately patrol the still undefined international boundary with West Timor.

"I think we have engineered ourselves into trouble ahead. We simply don't have all the pieces in place," observes a senior Western military source in Dili.

"You are going to put untried and extremely poorly led police along the border without good leadership and proper training. They are going to be quick on the trigger and it could lead to very destabilising situations."

"If we don't have [an international] stabilisation force to demonstrate rapid response, they [the militias] won't hesitate. Anybody who thinks the TNI [the Indonesian army] controls the militias is mistaken."

Regional defence expert Allan Behm argues that Australia has no option but to maintain a substantial combat force in East Timor for an indefinite period. This force, Behm says, should act not only as a deterrent against public disorder but also should be capable of dealing with popular unrest.

"What we can't be seen to be doing is simply walking away. We have created a situation where our presence is a palpable guarantee of public safety and the ability of people to go about their daily lives." Behm says Australia must work towards a broadly based agreement with Jakarta that will guarantee the newly independent nation's long-term security.

In contrast to Indonesia, which will retain a militarised border, East Timor is determined to demilitarise its side, leaving border security in the hands of border police backed up by a small police ready-reaction squad. Military experts cite tensions between the police and military as another cause for concern about what will happen when the UN departs. A fear is that criminal gangs backed by armed militias based in West Timor will take advantage of the May pullout to establish new fiefdoms across one of the most porous land borders in the world.

East Timor's Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta told The Weekend Australian a fortnight ago that he would like to see at least a company-size Australian combat unit remain in East Timor for another two years in addition to a UN-sponsored international gendarmerie consisting of 300 to 400 highly mobile, well-armed police -- a much bigger force than that being contemplated by the UN.

"That essentially would be a psychological element and work as a deterrent," Ramos-Horta says. Although he remains cautiously optimistic about border security and Indonesia's ability to control the militias, Ramos-Horta argues that a continuing UN deterrent force will be vital to ensure national stability and the consolidation of the new Government in Dili.

The governing apparatus of East Timor, less than two years old, remains fragile. The civil service administration and ruling institutions, notably the judiciary, are just beginning.

Worryingly, on the eve of the UN troop pullout, the economy is estimated to have declined by 3 per cent in 2003, with per capita gross domestic product estimated at about $545 -- making East Timor one of Asia's poorest nations. Unemployment among urban youth is close to 50 per cent.

East Timor faces a revenue shortfall of $167 million during the next three years before oil and gas revenues start to flow from 2007. The puny $9 million defence budget has just been cut and the withdrawal of UN personnel will also hurt the economy.

"There's still a high degree of optimism about independence. The real challenge is managing diminishing expectations," notes one senior diplomatic observer.

Patrick Burgess, the UN's longest serving senior civil servant in East Timor, says although the country has come a long way since 1999, a continuing UN presence will be vital for the next few years.

"The East Timorese have done incredibly well but they have a long way to go," he says. "It is of great symbolic importance to them that the UN remains as an anchor of security. That symbolism is very important."

Burgess warns that the promising security outlook situation on the border could be undone by a premature UN withdrawal and advocates a continuing presence of international peacekeepers along the border for another two years.

"Personally, I would like to see armed troops on the border as a deterrent and also engaged in training their East Timorese counterparts," he says.

The UN Security Council is expected to extend UNMISET beyond the May deadline. A team from New York is due in Dili next week to prepare final recommendations on the exact size and shape of the new mission for Annan. The early indications are that some working assumptions about the UN's security presence may have to be rethought.

Australia is pushing hard in the Security Council for a revised UN mandate beyond May that allows for the deployment of an international gendarmerie (police) as a rapid-reaction force instead of military peacekeepers. The plan would also include up to 60 military observers to assist with border security, together with a core of UN civilian advisers to assist the Government in Dili.

A more enduring Australian army presence will be the trainers of the new East Timor Defence Force. There are 28 defence personnel based in East Timor supporting the new army's two battalions and providing language training. In addition to the army's investment, the Australian Federal Police and AusAID are spending $40million over four years to help train a new Timorese police force.

The Howard Government expects the UN Security Council to sign up to the police gendarmerie but won't accept an extension of the military peacekeeping operation.

"We are happy with some military observers and a police gendarmerie component. But we think there is little need for the peacekeeping force to remain," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told The Weekend Australian.

Downer is confident about the border security issue, which he discussed with his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirayuda in Jakarta last month.

"One of the points I made is that we cannot afford to have a resurgence of militia activity," he says. "The Indonesian military have to be vigilant in stopping militia activity from taking place. There does not seem to be any sign of that at all." Downer says Australia does not want to deploy troops outside the UN framework, which he acknowledges would not be well regarded in Indonesia. If things go bad, he says, Darwin is only an hour away from Dili.

"To get a consensus in the Security Council to do more than what is currently being proposed would be extremely difficult," he says. "It has been pretty difficult to get the Security Council to agree to do anything more in East Timor."

Japan has also strongly backed an extension of UNMISET beyond May 20 and sees the deployment of its 400-strong army engineering group as a great success story. The Japanese have worked closely with Australian troops in the western sector, building and maintaining roads and water supply points.

In the run-up to May 20, John Howard will keep a close watch on developments on the island of Timor. As the principal architect of Australia's fateful late 1998 volte-face on East Timor, and with his own re-election in the offing, the Prime Minister is keeping an open mind on the extent of Australia's military commitment.

"Our general position is that we will keep forces in East Timor while ever it is necessary," Howard said last week. "We made a big investment of people, a very strong investment in terms of taking a political stand in East Timor, and we don't intend to leave until we are confident that we are leaving behind a stable, united country that has a strong future."

Security & boarder issues

Moesanif warns of chaos in East Timor

Jakarta Post - January 28, 2004

Kupang -- Wirasakti military commander Col. Moeswarno Moesanif accused an East Timor opposition group on Tuesday of infiltrating the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara to invite former militiamen to create chaos in the new country.

Based on intelligence information, the opposition group called Kolimau 2000 and ex-militias want to destabilize East Timor after the UN peacekeeping force leaves in May, he said.

Moesanif, whose command oversees security in East Nusa Tenggara, said the number of border-crossers from and to neighboring East Timor had increased to more than 100 per day. Some of them are suspected of being members of the Kolimau 2000 led by Dr. Bruno, he added.

"Intelligence officers have reported that Kolimau members have been roaming around border areas and refugee camps," Moesanif said.

Kolimau was one of the clandestine groups that fought for East Timor's independence from Indonesia for decades. But after it voted to break away in August 1999, Kolimau members were not accommodated in government offices or the legislature.

Military to bar East Timor opposition group

Agence France Presse - January 29, 2004

The military chief in Indonesian West Timor has promised that members of an opposition group in neighbouring East Timor, an independent state, will be barred from crossing the border into West Timor.

Colonel M. Musanip, quoted Thursday by the state Antara news agency, said the military would not allow members of the "Kolimau 2000" group to enter West Timor where many former East Timorese refugees still live.

"If members of Kolimau 2000 opposition group enter our territory and then ask ex-Timorese residents living in camps to carry out a rebellious movement in East Timor, we will take stern action against them," Musanip said.

"There will be no leniency for them." News reports have said the leader of Kolimau 2000, indentified as Bruno, had entered West Timor to ask former East Timorese militiamen to help them create chaos in East Timor after the withdrawal of United Nations troops this May.

East Timorese officials have said Kolimau 2000 was apparently led by disgruntled former resistance fighters, disillusioned by a lack of jobs.

Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 and ruled it for 24 years. The Indonesian military in 1999 supported the formation of pro- Jakarta militias, who waged a bloody but futile campaign to thwart a vote by East Timorese in August that year to break away from Indonesia.

West Timor is still home to thousands of militiamen who fled the arrival of foreign peacekeeping troops in September 1999. Tens of thousands of other East Timorese who were forcibly moved across the border by militias at the time have now returned home.

East Timor became independent in May 2002 after a period of UN stewardship and the two countries have vowed to improve relations.

East Timorese police mimic violence of ex-masters

Asia Times - January 28, 2004

Jill Jolliffe, Bobonaro -- As the world's youngest nation battles to repress rebel groups, the harshness of the crackdown risks provoking the very instability the government seeks to prevent, critics charge. The problem, says a priest who is trying to mediate an end to the violence, is that the Timorese police learned their methods from their former masters: the Indonesian authorities who ruled East Timor with an iron fist for 24 years.

"There is a deep-seated belief that violence is normal," said Father Cyrus Banque, a priest in the border town of Bobonaro. "East Timor has been reared in violence, in the home and in the school, and has been traumatized by the militia and the Indonesian army. I believe many of these police officers need trauma counseling."

As Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri reaffirmed his commitment to repressing the rebel Committee to Defend the Democratic Republic of East Timor (CPD-RDTL) last week, Bobonaro was reeling from the effects of violent police raids that have divided the community and sown fear.

The nationwide raids against CPD-RDTL supporters began before Christmas, reportedly on the prime minister's orders, and have affected the sensitive border districts of Suai, Bobonaro and Maliana. The operation is scheduled to continue until March. Motivated by fear, the residents of some communities now sleep in the mountains rather than in their villages.

Father Cyrus has been trying to mediate between CPD-RDTL sympathizers and police since the violence began. He said the rebel movement had previously engaged in violent confrontation with local people, but has lived peaceably since 2001. He blames the police for creating fear and tension. "The police have provoked instability by heavy-handedness in dealing with suspects, aggravated by the local administrator," he said.

In Liquica last Wednesday the prime minister confirmed his commitment to the crackdown campaign. "They have been told to stop their activities but this hasn't worked, so they will be captured by the police," Alkatiri said, adding that United Nations and human-rights workers who object should "go back to their own countries".

East Timor has been plagued by rural-based rebel movements of millenarian outlook since independence. They flourish particularly among jobless ex-resistance fighters, promising the return from the jungles of dead guerrilla heroes and living from a mix of cooperative farming, extortion of money from fellow villagers by menace and, occasionally, highway robbery.

Groups other than CPD-RDTL are also targets of the police. These include the Sacred Family movement, led by ex-guerrilla commander Eli Foho Rai Bot, an animist group called Colimau 2000, and people known simply as isolados ("isolated ones" in Portuguese) who live in small groups high in the mountains.

Last week seven men from the Maubere Mountain Peaks group at Bazartete, near Dili, were captured in raids by police and jailed pending investigation of charges of rebellion, insulting public authority and extortion. The first two charges were laid under articles of the old Indonesian penal code used by the Suharto dictatorship to silence critics.

Of these groups, the CPD-RDTL is the most troublesome. It originated from a split in the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor's (Fretilin's) guerrilla command in the 1980s, and is led by Antonio Ai-tahan Matak, a former resistance courier crippled by torture during a year's imprisonment in Kupang, West Timor, in 1983.

CPD-RDTL has aroused anger by rejecting the elected Fretilin government, refusing to register as a political party, and claiming to be the real Fretilin. It is considered short on ideology and high on nuisance value, but it has a considerable -- and possibly growing -- following. It opposes the use of Portuguese as an official language, and believes the government is unrepresentative because it is drawn from Fretilin leaders who lived in exile during the 24-year rule by Indonesia.

Since independence, CPD-RDTL members have been jailed sporadically for acts of petty violence. A few arms, radios and uniforms have been seized, but no credible evidence has yet emerged of external financial or military backing, despite Fretilin government attempts to link it to militia groups in West Timor.

Brigadier-General Paul Retter, the Australian deputy commander of UN peacekeeping forces, denied that any serious security threat exists in the border area. "There are no armed criminal groups in the western districts of East Timor that we know of," he asserted.

Ai-tahan Matak has hinted that CPD-RDTL will take power after May when the current UN mission leaves, and the movement is now producing a "national identity card" to compete with the government one. The present operation was launched to seize the cards, although international observers claim it has no basis in Timorese law.

A week ago he presented evidence that there had been police beatings of his supporters during raids.

On their own admission, Bobonaro administrator Ernesto do Oliveira Barreto, three Timorese policemen and two private security guards moved through outlying hamlets on January 5-6, seizing rebel identity cards. CPD-RDTL claims that they systematically attacked its activists and that, in the village of Masop on January 6, a two-year-old child in its mother's arms was killed by a police blow directed at its mother, Joana Guterres, after she attempted to stop them beating her husband Xavier.

Father Cyrus said he had been informed separately that an elderly woman in Masop had also been beaten by Barreto and the policemen, who whipped her with a knotted blanket.

They were among the few people left in the village after news of the imminent police arrival spread. The rest had fled to the mountains, leaving only the sick and elderly. Other beatings were alleged to have occurred in the villages of Oalgomo and Holmesel.

Human-rights workers had to retreat from Oalgomo on January 16 after a CPD-RDTL complainant was beaten up by pro-government villagers in their presence, and no independent observers have succeeded in entering Masop.

The Timorese police remain under UN authority until May, but UN commanders, already weighed down by the problems of the troubled national force, have not intervened so far. Asked about the complaints in Bobonaro, UN commissioner Sandi Peisley asserted: "There is a lot of rumor in relation to police, and the issue of the two-year-old child is rumor, not fact."

Rights workers have no illusions about the unpopularity CPD-RDTL has earned from its stand-over tactics, but stress that this is no justification for government forces to act outside the law or to whip up hatred against its supporters.

"CPD-RDTL feels left out, its followers are frustrated because ex-fighters are not given recognition, and the government lacks the persuasive approach," Father Cyrus asserted. "Most CPD members are just simple, poor people, easily convinced by others."

Their Bobonaro supporters, about 350 clansfolk in two villages outside town, meet the priest's description -- they are mostly old people, women and children, all poor. Masop can be seen in the distance. A request by Asia Times Online for a guide to walk there was denied. "If we take you, we'll be beaten up by government supporters," aging chief Carlos de Jesus said, "and if you go alone you may be attacked." There is fear in their faces. They have not been harassed during the current campaign only because the priest has protected them.

Administrator Barreto and Bobonaro police commander Atanasio Barreto admitted for the first time, in separate interviews, that the child in Masop had died. They claimed, however, that it died of illness "three or four days" after the raid.

Ernesto Barreto spoke nervously about events of January 6. Commander Atanasio Barreto had said earlier that the toddler was buried in Masop cemetery. But both men insist Joana Guterres' daughter was sick before they arrived and that -- implausibly -- knowing this, they had brought medicines for her on the police raid.

"I told them if they didn't give results they should take the baby to hospital ... she died because they didn't," Barreto said.

He denied that anyone struck Joana, but admitted ordering police to handcuff her husband Xavier so he would confess to having CPD-RDTL cards. "He's just a short, illiterate, worthless person who has left off farming to get mixed up in politics," he claimed.

The real issue is not the conflict with the troublesome rural rebels, but the problem of building a police force that respects human rights in the new East Timor. The international community has invested millions of dollars in this objective since 1999. The UN is unhappy about the general security situation in East Timor and, after May, will probably substitute its current mission with another, but its final chance to apply corrective measures to the police is in the next four months.

Father Cyrus argues that the Timorese government "should be firm in building the foundations of a good police for East Timor -- it is key to the future".

Rebels threaten Timor peace

Melbourne Age - January 24, 2004

Jill Jolliffe, Bobonaro -- There is a palpable fear in the town of Bobonaro, which sits on the Timorese side of the border with Indonesia.

It is not apprehension at the possibility of invasion, but rather a brewing conflict between the Timorese authorities and a band of locals set on creating their own field of influence.

The stress has triggered violent police actions against the rebel Committee to Defend the Democratic Republic of East Timor (CPD). Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri confirmed his commitment to repressing the group this week, saying: "They have been told to stop their activities but this hasn't worked, so they will be captured by the police." He has pledged to neutralise CPD by March, ordering police to seize identity cards the group has issued in competition with government cards. But the ferment created by the campaign may create the instability the Government seeks to prevent.

CPD is detested by many for its fanatical rejection of the new Government. It is seen as short on ideology and high on nuisance value, preying on jobless former resistance fighters.

But there is no credible evidence the CPD has external backing, despite Government attempts to link it to militia groups in West Timor.

Observers fear repression may drive the dissidents into armed anti-government rebellion. A fortnight ago, Bobonaro police, led by local administrator Ernesto Barreto, raided outlying villages. CPD said its supporters were beaten and that a two-year-old child died in its mother's arms in the village of Masop, the victim of a blow directed at her.

Mr Barreto and Bobonaro police chief Atanasio Barreto have admitted, in separate interviews with The Age, that the child had died. However, they claimed that it died of illness, days after the police raid.

Town priest Cyrus Banque blames police for the fear overhanging Bobonaro. Police had provoked instability by heavy-handedness in dealing with suspects, he said. Father Cyrus said CPD members felt frustrated because ex-fighters were not given recognition.

The group's Bobonaro supporters, about 350 people in two hamlets, meet the priest's description. A request for a guide to walk to Masop was denied.

"If we take you, we'll be beaten up by government supporters," ageing chief Carlos de Jesus said.

People on border areas don't care about UN troop withdrawl

Antara - January 26, 2004

Atambua -- The people living in border areas shared by Indonesia's province of East Nusa Tenggara and East Timor did not care about the UN Peacekeeping Force (UNPKF)'s plan to withdraw its troops from East Timor in May.

Chairman of the Belu district legislative council, Herman J Loe Mau, made the remark here Sunday in response to worries of people in East Timor about possible security problems following the planned withdrawal of the UNPKF troops, especially those deployed in East Timor's districts of Bobonaro and Covalima which directly border on Belu district.

"Since September, 1999, the UNPKF troops have been deployed in East Timor, especially in Bobonaro and Covalima districts which directly border on Belu district in East Nusa Tenggara. Their duties will expire in May," Herman said.

Meanwhile, the people living on the border areas in East Nusa Tenggara did not mind the UNPKF's plan to pull out its troops, he said.

Herman further said the people in East Nusa Tenggara did not care about the UNPKF's plan to withdraw its troops because it was East Timor's business.

The important thing is that the people in East Timor would remain living in peace and could prevent new conflicts following the upcoming withdrawal of the UNPKF troops, he said.

The Indonesian people did not want new conflict in East Timor as it would prompt a great number of people from the nascent state to take refuge in border areas in East Nusa Tenggara, he added.

"Empirically, the wave of East Timorese refugees had created problems in border areas in East Nusa Tenggara. It had disrupted the security situation there," he disclosed, adding that the refugee problem had also disrupted development programs in East Nusa Tenggara.

In addition to security problems, the flow of refugees also posed health and sanitation problems and the refugees lived on land owned by the local people, Herman said.

He expressed hope the people in East Timor would not repeat political conflicts and physical clashes like those occurring in 1975 and 1999 that had claimed many lives and caused material losses.

"The East Timorese government and people should not fear that security in the country would be disrupted following the withdrawal of the UNPKF troops from the border areas, while the people in East Nusa Tenggara worry about new conflict and many East Timorese would take refuge to the province," he said.

On a plan of the United Nations Security Coordination (UNSECOORD) officials to visit border areas in East Nusa Tenggara in February to evaluate the security condition there, he said it would also not affect the life dynamism in the province.

So far the people have been living in peace and not influenced by the alert status in border areas, while they considered that the UNSECOORD officials' visit would be the UN affair, he said.

"The UN officials' visit would not disrupt development programs which have been carried out by the East Nusa Tenggara administration and people," Herman said.

East Timor officially seceded from Indonesia in October, 1999, as a consequence of the proindependence camp's victory in the UN- organized popular consultation held on August 30, 1999.

The territory integrated into Indonesia in 1976 but the United Nations never recognized the integration process.

TNI rejects reports on militia infiltration

Jakarta Post - January 16, 2004

Yemris Fointuna, Kupang -- A senior Indonesian Military (TNI) commander in Kupang denied on Thursday recent reports in several local media that 78 armed pro-Indonesia militiamen have infiltrated Timor Leste (formerly East Timor) and were ready to stir up chaos there after UN troops have pulled out of the neighboring country in May.

"The reports are baseless, as no militiamen have infiltrated Timor Leste. The militia organization does not even exist.

"In the past, the militia were indeed organized by the Prointegration Forces [PPI], but the militia organization has already been disbanded," said Col. Moeswarno Moesanip, chief of Wirasakti Military Command, which oversees East Nusa Tenggara.

A similar comment was also expressed by Florencio Mario Viera, a prointegration figure. He alleged that the reports were merely part of a media campaign aimed at extending the presence of the UN Peace Keeping Force (UNPKF) in Timor Leste.

"It is a cheap attempt to misinform the world that the situation in Timor Leste is not secure yet, so that the presence of UNPKF troops has to be extended," said Florencio, a former spokesman of Uni Timor Aswain, the now-defunct prointegration organization.

Quoting information from intelligence sources, he said that two big camps were now battling for power. The first was headed by Marie Alkatiri, the prime minister of Timor Leste, who supported the presence of UNPKF. The second was an opposition camp, led by leaders of Timor Leste freedom fighters, who failed to secure positions in the Timor Leste government after Timor Leste separated from Indonesia.

"Apparently, both sides will try to make us a scapegoat if chaos does occur in Timor Leste," he said.

Meanwhile, deputy Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Peter Rowe and senior Australian military officer Col. Ian Ernington visited on Wednesday several refugee camps in Atambua, which borders Timor Leste.

Chief of Belu police precinct Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Nugroho said that, during the visit, they sought information on the activities of former militiamen in the refugee camps.

It raised suspicions that the Australian government might doubt the security situation in Timor Leste after UN troops were pulled out of the country, he said. "I have told them that the militia did not exist anymore," said Agus.

The TNI helped establish the militias before Timor Leste separated from Indonesia in 1999; they were aimed at helping the TNI to curb armed resistance in East Timor, led by Xanana Gusmao.

After the independence of Timor Leste in 1999 pro-Indonesia militia and other Timor Leste refugees fled to East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, which borders the neighboring country.

TNI mulling reopening of markets on Timor border

Antara - January 10, 2004

Atambua -- The Indonesian Defence Forces (TNI) is mulling the reopening of traditional markets on the Indonesian-East Timor border, a local military official said.

East Nusatenggara Military Commander Col Moeswarno Moesanip said here Saturday the markets were closed down after an incident in which a former East Timorese refugee, Vegas Biliatu, was shot dead last October 19.

"We are considering the possibility of reopening the markets within the framework of a program to empower people living in the border regions economically," Moeswarno said.

He made the statement in response to the local community's wish that the traditional markets be reopened to preclude illegal trading.

Moeswarno said the traditional markets at several locations on the border were closed in October last year by the TNI and police.

"The TNI deemed it necessary to close down the markets to anticipate the possible negative impact of the shooting of Vegas Biliatu," he said.

But he admitted the plan to reactivate the markets had to do with a planned visit to the border area by Indonesian Trade and Industry Minister Rini Soewandi either in late January or early February.

Meanwhile, East Nusatenggara Police Chief Brig Gen Edward Aritonang said the police had no authority to close or open any traditional market on the Indonesia-East Timor border.

"We did not close down the markets. Please ask the TNI whether there had been any special reason for the closure," Aritonang said.

Asked to comment on the shooting of Vegas Biliato, he said the case was being handled by the central government because it was an international issue.

West Timor/refugees

Timor more dangerous than Iraq

The Australian - January 19, 2004

Sian Powell -- A delegation of senior Australian diplomats last week toured an Indonesian region considered by the UN to be more dangerous than Baghdad.

Australian deputy ambassador in Indonesia Peter Rowe and several other diplomats made an official visit to West Timor, an impoverished half-island in eastern Indonesia.

West Timor is rated phase 5 by the UN, the highest danger-level alert, warranting immediate evacuation. Phase 5 bars UN officials from working without extraordinary security clearance, stifling aid to a dirt-poor district now home to thousands of East Timorese refugees.

The Australian delegation met local officials, toured the area and visited the squalid refugee camps on the border with East Timor.

"It [the trip] was designed to get a better understanding of the security situation there," Mr Rowe told The Australian.

The Australians, who took no extraordinary security measures, were repeatedly told of West Timor's struggle.

"A constant thing we got from people in West Timor was their concern about the phase 5 rating," Mr Rowe said. "It's a very poor place and they have had the burden of all those refugees." Many aid workers dismiss the UN's security assessment, describing it as overblown and saying its impact on West Timor is disastrous.

It is understood Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri raised West Timor's dilemma with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan when she visited New York last year.

A quarter of a million East Timorese were forced over the border to West Timor after East Timor's bloody independence referendum in 1999. Most later returned to their homeland of their own accord but a stubborn core has remained in West Timor, some of them former militia members or supporters.

West Timor has been rated phase 5 since three UN officials were murdered by militia thugs in the town of Atambua in September 2000. While it is true the district is still home to many of the militia hoodlums who wrought such havoc after East Timor's 1999 independence referendum, experts say there has been no organised violence for some time.

Tensions have eased considerably since infamous militia leader Joao Tavares left the border region last September, for a more comfortable life in the Javan city of Yogyakarta.

The head of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees office in Jakarta, Robert Ashe, has been to West Timor many times in the past 12 months.

UNHCR has been trying to resettle the thousands of East Timorese refugees living near the border, with some success despite the restrictions of phase 5. "We can go in on short missions, but we have to get prior approval from a UN security officer in New York," Mr Ashe said.

"Then I send our own security officer to West Timor, and he discusses the situation with security officers there." While in West Timor, Mr Ashe is accompanied by a police escort everywhere he goes.

The UN's field security officer in Indonesia, Bill Simpson, said the phase alerts were an internal system, and "not for the public".

Mr Simpson said areas were designated phase 5 "if some incident has happened and people were in danger".

He added that he had no information that a review of the West Timor rating was planned. "If there's any intention, they will be discussing it in New York," he said.

Gregorius Maubili, deputy regent of Belu, next to the East Timor border, said the UN should rethink its assessment of West Timor as a matter of priority.

"Maybe to withdraw it is not an easy matter, but at least the status should be adjusted to reflect the current situation," Dr Maubili said.

"With the phase 5 alert, the lives of the people are disrupted because international aid is not able to come here -- this applies especially to handling the East Timorese refugees," he said. "We have been punished by this rating." Dr Maubili said the burden of the East Timorese refugees had been borne for four years in a district with limited means. "We have tried to contact the UN in order to get an evaluation of conditions at this time," he added.

Embassies often take the UN's rating into account for their travel advisories, markedly depressing tourism.

The military district commander in Belu, Lieutenant-Colonel Ganip Warsito said the embassies were wrong and the impoverished district was entirely safe.

"Even though there is phase 5 in Belu, the people's lives run normally. There is no problem," he said. Conceding that some individual militia members still lived in refugee camps in the area, he said the militias as organisations were defunct.

Thousands of Timorese get their own homes in West Timor

Agence France Presse - January 18, 2004

Ian Timberlake, Jakarta -- Thousands of former East Timorese refugees have been given homes of their own in Indonesian West Timor after more than four years of living in decrepit refugee camps and other temporary accommodation.

The 850 houses funded by the European Union have provided accommodation for 4,000-5,000 of the former refugees, said Robert Ashe, regional representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

"The majority moved toward the end of December," Ashe told AFP in a recent interview.

They are among about 28,000 East Timorese estimated by Indonesian officials to have remained across the border early last year, when they ceased to be officially considered refugees.

At that time, Ashe said UNHCR preferred the East Timorese be resettled away from the border "to avoid potential problems in the future". But things have changed since then, he says.

"I think it's true to say that we feel the conditions in West Timor have improved quite a bit. The tension has reduced," he said.

Most of the refugees were linked to the former Indonesian regime that occupied East Timor -- former militia, military, police, government officials and their followers.

Those still in West Timor are the last of more than 250,000 East Timorese who fled or were forced from their homeland 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.

"We're trying to get a handle on how many remain," Ashe told AFP in a recent interview.

Jhon Atet, chairman of the local legislative Committee for People's Welfare in the West Timor border district of Belu, said few of the remaining refugees had shown an interest in going home or being resettled to other parts of Indonesia, as the government had originally planned.

However, a lot are interested in the housing program, he was quoted by the state Antara news agency as saying.

"If the international community which cares about the future of the former East Timor refugees helps in the way the UNHCR and EU have with these 850 units, it's not impossible that in 2004 the problem of the former refugees is dealt with," Atet said.

Ashe said some of the remaining East Timorese were moved to Kalimantan, some to the eastern Indonesia island of Sumba, while a few hundred went home to East Timor, which has been independent since May 2002 after a period of UN stewardship.

Those who have moved into the new houses get a space six-by-six metres divided into two rooms with a tin roof and glass windows, Ashe said. "Each house comes with a latrine out the back as well," he said.

Nine housing settlements have been built, five of them in the border city of Atambua, Ashe said. "Because of the resettlement funded by the UNHCR and European Union, the biggest refugee camp at Tulamalae, Atambua, has been taken apart," Maksimus Murrah, a Belu legislator, told Antara.

Many West Timorese had become fed up with the lengthy presence of East Timorese, blaming them for violence, theft and other problems like deforestation.

Agio Pereira, chief of staff for East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao, told AFP that moving the former refugees into more solid homes did not necessarily mean they would stay over the border permanently.

"I think it's more in the context of resolving local conflicts," he said. He said Gusmao did "not at this stage" see potential security problems by keeping the former refugees near the border.

East Timor's Nobel Peace Prize winner Bishop Carlos Belo this month urged the United Nations to extend its mandate in the fledgling nation beyond June 2004 because armed militias still posed a threat to the territory. Speaking in Portugal, he said the militias were still active in areas just across the border with former occupier Indonesia.

Ashe said more housing may be built but that that was not the only option. It was still possible, he said, for the East Timorese to move elsewhere in Indonesia -- or to return home.

UN lawyers barred from entering East Nusatenggara

Antara - January 16, 2004

Atambua -- Indonesian immigration officers in Mota'ain, a town on the Indonesia-East Timor border, on Friday turned away a group of UN lawyers who intended to visit Atambua because the latter lacked the necessary visa.

"We had to bar them from visiting Atambua, as they did not have visa on their passports," the head of the immigration office in Atambua, Drs Slamet Santoso, said.

The UN lawyers' team was on its way to Atambua where it had intended to collect testimonies from witnesses in a murder allegedly committed by Beny Ludji, a former member of the pro- integration paramilitary Aitarak group.

They wanted to obtain information from witnesses, especially ex- East Timoreses, who had gained Indonesian nationality.

Beny Ludji, who was accused of having murdered a child of a former village head in Dili, East Timor, in 1999, was arrested by UN peace-keeping soldiers in the Mota'ain-Batugade border region last April.

Slamet said his office had to apply immigration rules indiscriminately even if the border crossers happened to be UN officers.

"Whoever they are, we must ask them to complete their travel documents with visa. The Indonesian representative office in Dili will be able to help them obtain the visa," he said.

Because they were turned away by the Indonesian immgration office at Mota'ain, the UN lawyers failed to visit Atambua in their effort to gain more data from witnesses in the serious crime.

They were disappointed but reportdely decided to try to come to Atambua again on Monday next week.

In the meantime, Belu district police head Adjunct Senior Commissioner said his side supported the intention of the UN lawyers' team to visit Atambua.

UN lawyers had previously often visited Belu to obtain more information from witnesses that could help mitigate their client.

In fact, Nugroho had been waiting for the arrival of the UN lawyers' team since Friday (Jan 16) at 7am local time. "I didn't know that they were denied entry by immigration for lacking visit visa," Nugroho said.

East Timor refugee aid case heats up

Jakarta Post - January 15, 2004

Yemris Fointuna, Kupang -- Pessure has been placed on the relevant authorities to investigate alleged irregularities in the use of Rp 53 billion (US$6.3 million) in aid for East Timorese refugees in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province.

The provincial office of the Development Finance Controller (BPKP) should move quickly to audit the financial aid, director of the province's Center for Information and People's Advocacy (PIAR) Sarah Lei Mbuik said on Tuesday.

She said that the disbursement of Rp 5 billion of Japanese aid should also be investigated. The aid was allegedly used by the Wirasakti military command to build houses for soldiers who were among the refugees.

"If the project to develop a settlement at Naibonat village in Kupang regency was managed by the Indonesian Military (TNI), the BPKP should perform an audit to ensure transparency," Sarah said.

She was responding to the Timor Express (Timex) daily's recent report, which criticized the military for its involvement in developing a settlement for East Timorese refugees.

The article, published last Friday, quoted Karel Yani Mbuik, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) for the East Nusa Tenggara chapter.

Karel in the report claimed that there had been irregularities in the project and urged the BPKP to immediately investigate the case.

Responding to the report, Wirasakti military commander Col. Moeswarno Moesanif -- whose command oversees security in Kupang -- accused the newspaper and Karel of tarnishing both his and the military's image. Last Friday, the commander filed a complaint with the Kupang Police, over what he claimed was libel .

On Monday, the Kupang Police questioned Timex's chief editor Yusak Riwu Rohi.

Yusak later criticized Moesanif's action, saying that his right to reply, and clarify the report, as stipulated by Press Law No. 40/1999 had been overlooked.

The editor's team of nine lawyers denied that the report had been an attack on the local military.

"If the local military commander said that it (the article) tarnished his good name, he must indicate which part of the article was defamatory," lawyer Marsel Radja said on Tuesday.

He urged the police to investigate the case under Press Law No. 40/1999 rather than the Criminal Code.

Timor Gap

Tough talks ahead over marine boundaries

Radio Australia - January 16, 2004

Australia and East Timor are set to begin tough negotiations over marine boundaries this year, although Australia has refused to set a deadline. East Timor is contesting the boundaries set under a 1972 agreement between Australia and Indonesia, when East Timor was ruled by Portugal. Now, the young country wants new borders and a bigger share of the rich oil and gas fields which lie between them.

Presenter/Interviewer: Karon Snowdon Speakers: Peter Phipps, Globalism Institute, RMIT; Professor Gillian Triggs, Direector of Comparative and International Law at Melbourne University; Marie Alkatiri, Prime Minister of East Timor.

Snowdon: There's a lot at stake in the talks to settle once and for all the borders in the sea between the two countries. For East Timor, finalising maritime boundaries will also set much of its economic future.

Phipps: Currently East Timor is classified as the fourth poorest country in the world.

Peter Phipps is from the Globalism Institute at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. The Institute is a signatory to a letter to Australia's Prime Minister John Howard urging a resolution before the resources are depleted and worthless to Timor. One hundred other non-government organisations worldwide also signed the letter.

Phipps: Basically we see that Australia has some policy choices to make in relation to East Timor. And that what's desirable for Australia's interests is really a stable and prosperous East Timor.

Snowdon: And so basically the letter is urging a quick resolution to the issue?

Phipps: Yeah, there are fears that the Australian government might use sort of procedural delays as a way of avoiding addressing this until after the revenue stream from the gas and the oil fields is really finished.

Snowdon: Under the Timor Sea Treaty and other agreements signed last year with Australia, East Timor's share of the earnings from the oil and gas fields of Bayu Undan in the joint development zone was increased to 90 per cent, from the previous 50/50 split.

That's worth maybe 3-billion US dollars over 17 years and is effectively the country's only income, unless it can develop other industries. (Bayu Undan falls within the jointly managed area of the Timor Gap formed during the disputes in the '70's.)

Worth a great deal more are other fields such as Greater Sunrise, the bulk of which are claimed by Australia, which is sticking to boundaries based on the continental shelf.

East Timor wants new boundaries drawn mid-way between the two countries -- and it has international practice on its side. The median line is now most commonly used.

Anticipating a fight, Australia withdrew from the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea and the International Court of Justice which might have mediated the dispute, leaving tough bilateral negotiations the only option.

And having said its been generous to increase East Timor's share of Bayu Undan when it was under no obligation to, Australia is loathe to go any further.

Because according to international law expert, Professor Gillian Triggs, a change of boundaries with little East Timor just might not be worth the effort. She says it could jepardise not only billions of resource dollars for Australia but its borders with New Zealand, Indonesia and its Antartic claims. But she adds there could be some room to compromise a little.

Triggs: It seems clear that Australia wants to reach an agreement with ET. And while I'm not privy to those negotiations, to acahive that outcome it may be that Australia will have to move a little closer to a median line.

Snowdon: So it might be that ET is given something of a concession but Australia's unlikely to go all the way and give it what it wants, the median line.

Triggs: I think the way you've stated it is a fair enough summation but there's another ingredient to this that at least couldn't be ignored. And that is that Indonesia could very well say that well look just a moment, we've got a boundary with you which is not a median line and which recognises Australia's full continental shelf claim, we want to renegotiate the boundary. Now that's pretty unusual in international law but Indonesia may feel that its entitled to renegotiation if Australia's made a concession to East Timor.

Snowdon: And there have certainly been comments to that effect by the Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda . It was some tiome ago but he is on the record sayin gthat he would expect a seat at the table if things were to change at all.

Triggs; Well that's correct and the consequences of that could be quite momentous.

Snowdon: Professsor Gillian Triggs, Director of the Institute of Comparative and International Law from Melbourne University.

Neither side is talking publicly today but East Timor' Prime MInister, Marie Alkatiri has had recent talks with Indonesia which a spokesperson, while declining to reveal the details says, have "gone well".

The one day confidential talks in Darwin involve only senior officials, and are to lay the guidelines for future negotiations, which could take years.

In an ABC interview earlier this week, Prime Minister Marie Alkatiri told Mark Bowling, he wants a deadline of between three and five years for the talks with Australia to be finished.

Alkatiri: I hope that Howard and Downer don't start thinking that I am hostile to Australia. I am here to defend the interests of my people as they are hgere to defend the interests of the people of Australia. I have been trying to be polite, I've been trying to be friends with all politicians in Australia but I can never give up everything just to be friends. I can give up boundaries and on the other hand I can give up resources. I cannot really give up both.

Government & politics

Pro-integration group becomes scapegoat in East Timor

Antara -- January 16, 2004

Kupang -- The struggle of factions in East Timor to grab power in the government and political elite are viewed as having made the pro-integration group as the scapegoat.

An expert on East Timor, Mario Florensio Vieira, in an interview with Antara here on Friday said the accusation of a certain group in East Timor over the finding of around 74 firearms in a border area and the infiltration of former members of pro-integration group was actually a groundless political statement.

The target of that political statement was only designed at cornering members of the pro-integration group who preferred to become legitimate Indonesian nationals.

According to Mario, in East Timor there are two groups which have different political and economic interest in their mission.

The first was the group in East Timor who wanted to maintain the presence of UN troops, as it gained benefit in form of projects from the presence of UN troops there.

Politically, the presence of UN troops is seen as being able to guarantee the stability of the country's security in addition to maintain the status quo of Mari Alkatiri government formed under the UN supervised general election in the past.

Mario was of the view that Alkatiri's government had lost credibility in the eyes of East Timor's people.

The second was the group who was not accommodated in the power of Alkatiri's government. It (the group concerned) wanted the UN troop to immediately complete their mission in East Timor.

If the UN troops abandoned this newly independent country, members of this group will be able to make use of the existing opportunity to take over the power inconstitutionally by creating a chaostic condition in their mission to topple Prime Minister Alkatiri.

This group gained no economic benefit from the presence of UN troops in a long time in East Timor.

Mario concluded that members of the pro-integration group who had recently tended to choose Indonesian citizenship and to live in Indonesia were made as the scapegoat of the two groups' controvercy in East Timor.

According to him, East Timorese government would feel embarrashed if they let that country in a state of chaos, as the cause of riot had been so far directed at pro-integration group.

In fact, he added, the real facts showed that after Indonesia abandoned East Timor, the impact could be seen in a rift in the anti-Indonesia coalition group in that country.

The coalition dissolved and returned to militancy of their respective group to struggle for their own interest by using violance which had so far come up as the characteristic of East Timor, he said.

Justice & reconciliation

Skeleton find may solve Timor riddle

Sydney Morning Herald - January 17, 2004

Jill Jolliffe, Dili -- A headless skeleton discovered by workmen digging in the yard of East Timorese Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri is believed to be the remains of Nicolau Lobato, the charismatic resistance leader killed by the Indonesian army in 1978.

The find, made just before Christmas, has triggered a high- priority police investigation. United Nations police working under Australian officer Suzanne MacDonald will help with the inquiry.

However, East Timorese chief prosecutor Longuinhos Monteiro has stressed that identifying the bones will be difficult. "They are incomplete and of poor quality," he said, "and investigators could not find the pelvic bone, so we haven't even established the gender yet."

The skeleton is believed to be that of Lobato because the skull has not been found. Police will speak to witnesses in the hope of learning the fate of Lobato's body.

They will also investigate claims made to prosecutor Monteiro that Lobato's head was severed after former Indonesian president Soeharto demanded it be sent to Jakarta as proof of his death. The investigation could take at least a year.

In 1978, the prime minister's house was occupied by Colonel Dading Kalbuadi, the Indonesian army chief in East Timor. He was the man behind the October 1975 attack on Balibo in which five journalists were killed. Such was his reputation that in 1977 he warned one reporter: "Don't call me the butcher of Balibo."

At that time Lobato was wanted by Indonesian troops. His wife Isabel had been executed publicly in Dili in 1975. On the last day of 1978 they caught up with him. In Kopassus, a book by Ken Conboy based on interviews with former Indonesian special force troops, Lobato's last moments are detailed. The book says two platoons spotted him with a seven-man escort near the town of Maubisse.

"A withering amount of fire was directed [at] the Fretilin chief," it says. "Hit in the stomach, Lobato attempted to cross a stream; too weak to do so, he collapsed near a tree." He bled to death before Indonesian troops reached him.

In Conboy's version, the field operation was commanded by Major Yunus Yosfiah (since identified as the man who also led the Balibo attack under Colonel Dading), with a unit led by Soeharto's son-in-law, Lieutenant Prabowo Subianto. Both men rose to become powerful figures in the last years of the Soeharto dictatorship.

In Dili, Colonel Dading arranged a triumphant ceremony for the arrival by helicopter of Lobato's body. The event was filmed for army propaganda. Timorese governor Guilherme Goncalves, now dead, and former Fretilin leader Xavier do Amaral, now deputy speaker of the East Timorese parliament, who had been captured by Dading, were taken to identify the corpse at the airport.

"I had been with Nicolau just two months before," the 69-year-old politician said from his home on the Dili waterfront, "and I had no doubt it was him. There were two bullet wounds, in the stomach and thigh."

At that time he was being held in Dading's house, and was brought out and returned under escort. He has no idea what happened to the body after that. If it went into the house, he didn't see it. Dading Kalbuadi died in 1998, taking with him the secrets of the Balibo and Lobato killings.

The fate of Lobato's body has remained a mystery and may remain so if forensic pathologists cannot find enough evidence from the bones.

Two close relatives, Lobato's son Jose, now a parliamentarian, and his brother Rogerio, now Minister for the Interior, are available to undergo DNA testing if preliminary evidence points to the remains being those of Lobato, a tragic hero the Timorese are anxious to reclaim.

Human rights trials

Top prosecutor to ask court for help in Wiranto warrant

Agence France Presse - January 22, 2004

Jakarta -- East Timor's top prosecutor says he will ask an appeals court for help in securing arrest warrants for Indonesian presidential candidate Wiranto and five other senior Indonesian army officers indicted for crimes against humanity.

Almost one year after prosecutors in East Timor indicted the retired general Wiranto and six other senior Indonesian officers for the 1999 violence in East Timor, judges have issued a warrant for only one of them, said Longuinhos Monteiro, the country's prosecutor general. "Soon I will make an appeal," Monteiro told AFP in a telephone interview on Tuesday.

Monteiro, an employee of the East Timorese administration, accused international judges working in the East Timor capital, Dili, of hindering his efforts to get the warrants. "From my point of view the problem is with the judges," he said. "I don't understand because I've been waiting for almost one year."

Monteiro heads a staff of 11 international prosecutors in the serious crimes unit which, on February 25 last year, indicted Wiranto and the other six for murder, deportation and persecution of independence supporters before and after East Timorese voted in August 1999 to break away from Indonesia.

East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao strongly criticised the indictments. He said peace, stability and progress "greatly depend on the relationship we will forge with the Republic of Indonesia" and such indictments were not in the national interest.

Monteiro said the panel of judges, just one of whom is East Timorese, issued the first warrant for the key suspects only in early December.

That warrant is for Lieutenant Colonel Yayat Sudrajat, a former task force commander. Asked whether it has been forwarded to international police agency Interpol, Monteiro said: "We are working on it." Forwarding the warrant means the suspect is liable to be arrested abroad.

Monteiro said the judicial panel only last week advised him that they would issue subsequent warrants one-by-one after he executes the warrant against Sudrajat. "They didn't have any right to do so," he said. "It means that they want to interfere."

In an effort to speed up the warrants, Monteiro said he will ask an appeals court to clarify the legal basis on which the lower court set its conditions for the warrants. A majority of judges on the appeals panel are also from abroad, said Monteiro, who accused the international prosecutors working under him of siding with the judges. "Because they also tried to convince me to do what the judges want and I will not do it," he said.

Nicholas Koumjian, the deputy prosecutor general, declined to comment Thursday except to say that the international prosecutors are actively working "to cooperate with the court to speed up the process."

A small United Nations mission has continued to support East Timor in areas such as justice and law enforcement since the country became independent in May 2002. Agio Pereira, Gusmao's chief of staff, told AFP that East Timor's courts are still "in a very embryonic stage." Asked about the delay in the warrants, Pereira said the courts are an independent institution and as such, Gusmao does not get involved.

Wiranto headed the Indonesian armed forces during the 1999 violence. A report from Washington last Friday said the US State Department had put Wiranto and five former military officers on a visa watchlist barring them from entering the United States.

Wiranto shrugged off the report and suggested it was linked to his candidacy in Indonesia's first direct presidential election scheduled in July.

UN accused of blocking East Timor warrants

Melbourne Age - January 14, 2004

Jill Jolliffe, Dili -- East Timor's chief prosecutor has accused the United Nations of blocking an arrest warrant for war crimes against Indonesia's General Wiranto, a frontrunner for presidential elections in July.

"There are no legal obstacles, only political obstacles, both in Indonesia and East Timor," Longuinhos Monteiro said.

But Mr Monteiro said he was closer to obtaining the warrant, and an Interpol warrant, for the former military chief, which would lead to his arrest if he travelled abroad.

General Wiranto is one of eight senior officers charged with directing crimes against humanity during Indonesia's bloody exit from East Timor in 1999.

UN-hired international judges in Dili refused to issue the warrants when asked last February, but the prosecutor appealed, recently obtaining one for Wiranto henchman Colonel Yayat Sudrajat.

Mr Monteiro said the same UN-funded judges were now delaying the other seven cases. They were saying they could only issue them one at a time, he said, and were demanding that each Interpol warrant must be issued before they approved the next one, without basis in law.

UN spokeswoman Marcia Poole said she would not comment on matters before the courts.

Since trials began in 1999, special international panels in Dili have indicted 369 people for crimes against humanity, of whom 281 remain at large in Indonesia. Prosecutors had been stymied by Jakarta's refusal to extradite -- but adopted a new strategy after East Timor joined Interpol last year. New Interpol warrants are issued regularly for Indonesian military officers.

General Wiranto is seeking Golkar Party nomination for the presidential poll. If he wins this month, he could defeat President Megawati Soekarnoputri on July 5. But an Interpol warrant would scuttle his ambition.

Nicholas Koumjian, head of the UN-financed Serious Crimes Unit, denied that his department was obstructing the warrants. "We have always been concerned with the delay in these cases, and have approached the judges to see what can be done to help them proceed faster," he said.

Some East Timorese leaders, notably President Xanana Gusmao and Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta, have loudly opposed General Wiranto's indictment, saying it harms the new relationship they are trying to build with Jakarta.

Indonesian court dismisses East Timor rights abuses

ABC News - January 14, 2004

Indonesia's highest court has confirmed the acquittal of a senior policeman accused of human rights abuses in the last days of Indonesian rule over East Timor. The decision clears the way for the inspector to take up another controversial appointment.

Nearly all of the Indonesian police and army figures charged with human rights abuses before a special tribunal in Jakarta were acquitted and police Inspector Timbul Silaen has become the first to have that acquittal confirmed after an appeal against it failed in the Supreme Court.

Inspector Timbul Silaen was originally charged over his failure to prevent police under his command and pro-Indonesia militia men from launching several deadly attacks against East Timorese civilians.

Now cleared, Timbul Silaen has commenced his new position in Jayapura as the head of police in the troubled province of Papua, formerly known as Irian Jaya.

The Indonesian Government has struggled with the separatist movement there, expressing concerns that the province could follow the same path as East Timor.

Aid and development

Doubt on long-term effects of Timor Aid

Australian Financial Review - January 6, 2004

Allesandra Fabro -- The sustainability of Australian aid activities in East Timor is at risk despite the significant contribution made by bilateral aid programs, an Audit Office report has found.

The report assesses AusAID's planning and management of aid programs to East Timor, which has continued since the independence ballot in 1999.

Australian aid has cost about $235 million since 1999, and is expected to continue in the near future. Other components of Australian government assistance include security and policing.

The Australian National Audit Office found that AusAID had made a "significant and timely contribution" to the humanitarian crisis that followed the independence ballot, including key planning and logistical support in addition to financial contributions.

But it also found there were administrative shortcomings in AusAID's interim strategy for the delivery of post-crisis assistance, particularly in risk management.

"Risk management did not include an assessment of the likelihood and consequences of individual risks, to assist in prioritising risks and their treatment," the report said.

"Identified risks were not regularly updated to reflect changing conditions ... in addition, limitations in performance management at the country program level hampered AusAID's ability to assess whether overall desired aid objectives had been met."

On a longer-term basis, the Audit Office found improvements could be made to some of the supporting structures for the design and implementation of bilateral aid activities, although it said general management had been sound.

It raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of projects -- the likelihood that benefits would continue after donor assistance had ended.

"A number of project staff and experts expressed the view that their projects or technical assistance would require longer time frames than are currently approved to ensure sustainable outcomes," the report said.

"The audit visit to East Timor indicated that East Timor government agencies and assisted communities have limited organisational, financial and human resources, and this is likely to be a significant constraint on their capacity to maintain the ongoing benefits from Australian bilateral assistance."

Indonesia

Sword Gusmao: better relations with Indonesia pose dilemma

East-West Center (Hawaii) - January 27, 2004

Honolulu -- Although East Timor leaders know that building a constructive relationship with Indonesia is essential for a more secure future, the new nation's first lady said this poses a dilemma for a country badly scarred by violence under Indonesian rule.

East Timorese want to see justice for the human rights violations they suffered at the hands of Indonesia. "Women have been at the forefront of the push for justice," said Kirsty Sword Gusmao, who founded the Alola Foundation to address the needs of East Timorese women.

Although East Timor's leadership has "called for forgiveness" in building relations with Indonesia, Gusmao said "this is an ongoing battle the government will have to wage. It is a dilemma. I see both points of view."

Gusmao, who spoke at a recent lunch at the East-West Center, was in Honolulu to participate in a workshop on East Timor sponsored by the Center of Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Hawaii. A native Australian, she met her husband, President Xanana Gusmao, while she was a human rights campaigner and he was imprisoned in Jakarta for his leadership in the pro-independence movement. East Timor became an independent nation in 1999.

Gusmao said she holds a strong interest in developments in Aceh, where the Free Aceh Movement and Indonesian military forces have been battling. She said some of the same Indonesian military leaders accused of human rights abuses in East Timor are now serving in Aceh. "East Timor people feel sympathy," she said.

Calling herself the "first lady of the poorest country in Asia," she said that "every area seems to be a priority" in terms of needing basic government services. With 40 percent of the population under the age of 19, the government faces huge challenges. "There are great expectations [among the people] for economic development."

She said the country's civil servants face a "very sharp learning curve" in developing a sense of civic duty and "defending against the new enemies -- poverty and ignorance." With leadership for the first time in the hands of East Timorese, corruption and collusion mustB end to "make sure the blood of the past was not shed in vain."

Indonesia flexes military muscle in border dispute

ETAN Press Statement - January 21, 2004

The East Timor Action Network (ETAN) today urged the United Nations and United States to strongly condemn Indonesia's use of military force in a territorial dispute with East Timor. ETAN called on Indonesia to negotiate claims through normal diplomatic channels according to international law. Indonesia recently bombed a small contested island to establish its claim.

"Unless the US, UN and other nations take a strong stance now, East Timor's border will remain volatile and real security a distant dream for the long-suffering East Timorese," said John M. Miller, spokesperson for ETAN. "The world must act to prevent Indonesia from chipping away at East Timor's sovereignty."

"Indonesia should sit down with East Timor and negotiate conflicting claims in good faith, rather than unilaterally assert them through military force," added Miller. "We fear that without strong international involvement, Indonesia will not do this."

"There remain a large number of land disputes along the border, particularly involving the enclave of Oecussi. Will the world stand by when Indonesia asserts those claims militarily?" asked Miller. "The UN must remain active in pursuing negotiated solutions to any disagreements. Both nations must be willing to use international mechanisms such as the World Court if necessary."

The Indonesian military (TNI) plans to permanently deploy troops on the uninhabited island called Fatu Sinai by East Timor and Pulau Batek by Indonesia.

Australian newspapers described a UN report on a December 14 Indonesian military exercise in which a "camouflaged helicopter bearing Indonesian markings fired a missile into the disputed outcrop&before a warship pounded the tiny uninhabited island with heavy gunfire." Two hours later an Indonesian fighter jet, believed to be a US-built F-16, flew just above the island.

"The US government should strongly protest the use of US-supplied military equipment in this hostile act against East Timor," said Miller.

The coral island lies five kilometers off the western edge of East Timor's Oecussi enclave, which is surrounded on three sides by Indonesian West Timor and is especially vulnerable. Fatu Sinai has special spiritual significance to people of Oecussi; its bombing is seen as deeply offensive.

Border negotiations between East Timor, represented by the UN prior to independence, and Indonesia began in September 2000. East Timor has called for a demilitarized border and has only placed police there. However, Indonesia maintains 1500 soldiers along the border.

East Timor's leadership has called for extending the UN security presence once the current UN peacekeeping mission ends in May. UN peacekeepers withdrew from Oecussi in October 2003 as part of a planned draw-down of UN forces.

The East Timor Action Network/US supports sovereignty and human dignity for the people of East Timor and Indonesia by advocating for democracy, economic justice and human rights.

Jakarta has no 'concrete plans' to place troops on islet

Lusa - January 22, 2004

Jakarta -- A senior Indonesian army officer denied Wednesday that Jakarta had any "concrete plans" to station security forces on an islet disputed with East Timor, but reaffirmed Indonesia's claim to it.

"We have no concrete plans to station troops on the island near East Timor ... it is not an urgent necessity", Indonesia's Antara news agency quoted Major-General Sufiadin Yusuf as saying.

The general's comment came one day after the "Jakarta Post" cited the commander of West Timor, Col. Moeswarno Moesanip, as saying 10 to 15 soldiers and police would be stationed on Sinai islet, dubbed Batek by Indonesia, as soon as appropriate shelters were built.

East Timorese Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta reacted Tuesday to the initial report describing any Indonesian military deployment on Sinai as a "provocation" both to Dili and the United Nations.

Earlier, Ramos Horta issued a protest over Jakarta's having held military maneuvers on the uninhabited, football field-sized islet late last year.

Antara quoted Gen. Yusuf, the com region, which includes West Timor, as saying Dili had "no basis" for protests because "the island is ours" and "whatever use we make of it is our business".

The general added that Jakarta did not want the islet to "suffer the same destiny" as two other small islands that the International Court of Justice attributed to Malaysia in a dispute with Indonesia.

TNI to send troops to disputed island of Batek

Jakarta Post - January 20, 2004

Yemris Fointuna, Kupang -- The Indonesian Military (TNI) says it will soon deploy troops to the disputed island of Batek, which is close to East Nusa Tenggara province and East Timor.

Wirasakti military commander Col. Moeswarno Moesanip, who is responsible for military affairs in East Nusa Tenggara, claimed the stationing of troops on the island was aimed at preventing the island being used for illegal activities, such as people trafficking or smuggling.

"Batek island is part of Indonesian territory, so we have to guard it. We plan to send around a combined unit of 10 to 15 personnel from the Navy, Army and police," he told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

Nevertheless, he could not give a definite date when the troops would be sent to Batek, saying the TNI had yet to complete the development of various facilities there, including accommodation for the troops.

The issue of Batek Island, near Kupang regency in East Nusa Tenggara, became a hot potato after the East Timor government claimed that it was part of Oecusi, the new nation's enclave in West Timor.

Responding to the claim, the Indonesian government said East Timor had never controlled the island and that the national red- and-white flag had been raised there since December 2002.

The dispute heated up further recently after East Timor's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ramos Horta criticized the TNI for holding military exercises on the disputed island at the end of last year.

Based on data from the Kupang administration, the island, which is uninhabited, is part of Oepoli village in North Amfoang subdistrict. It is located near international waters.

Due to its strategic location, fishermen from both Indonesia and East Timor often rest on the island. Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation and Communication erected a beacon on the island that benefits fishermen from both countries. Moesanif, however, said the island has no any economic value because most of it is made of coral.

Indonesia, a country of more than 13,000 islands, had to relinquish its claim over Sipadan and Ligitan islands last year after the International Court of Justice ruled in favor of neighboring Malaysia.

The dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia over the two islands came to the fore in 1969 when both countries started initial talks on delineating their common borders.

In 1989, the leaders of both countries started diplomatic efforts to settle the issue and in 1996 turned to international arbitration.

TNI pooh-poohs East Timor war games fears

Jakarta Post - January 17, 2004

Yemris Fointuna, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara A senior Navy officer denied on Friday that a military exercise, held recently on Batek island that borders East Timor, was a display of military might aimed at instilling fear in the neighboring country.

Lt. Col. Sutrisno Sandy, the commander of Naval Base III in East Nusa Tenggara, asserted that Batek island was part of Indonesia and not a disputed island, therefore Indonesia had the right to conduct a military exercise in the area.

"Why can't we hold a training exercise on an island which is rightfully ours. I think the remarks of East Timor's foreign minister are very disturbing," he told The Jakarta Post.

The military officer was commenting on a remark by Ramos Horta, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of East Timor, reported in the media, which questioned the military exercise held on Batek island at the end of last year.

Sutrisno, in response said that East Timor residents should not worry about the military exercise, as no heavy weapons, heavy artillery or fighter planes were used.

The military personnel only practiced individual shooting and dynamite blasting, he said. Indeed, the military personnel flew a Cassa airplane, but it was merely used for aerial photography, he added.

"There was no large-scale deployment of heavy combat machinery or bombardment to intimidate any parties," he said, adding that Indonesia, the giant East Timor neighbor, no longer had territorial ambitions in East Timor.

He further lambasted the statement by Ramos Horta, saying that the statement came from an exaggerated fear, and it was merely aimed at winning international support against the Indonesian Military (TNI).

East Timor separated from Indonesia after a popular ballot in 1999. The popular ballot ended more than 20 years of Indonesian occupation in East Timor.

Separately, commander of the Wirasakti 161 Military Command overseeing East Nusa Tenggara, Col. Moeswarno Moesanip, said that the protest was evidence that East Timor felt overly insecure considering that the United Nations troops may be pulled out of the country in May.

He reiterated that East Timor should not be suspicious about the military exercise held on Batek island. Military exercises had been held on the island for a long time, he stressed, therefore it was just a routine exercise.

East Timor concerned over military exercise: official

Agence France Presse - January 15, 2004

Jakarta -- East Timor has expressed concern after Indonesian troops fired on an uninhabited island whose ownership has not yet been determined, a senior East Timor foreign ministry official said.

Nelson Santos, foreign ministry secretary general, told AFP he sent a letter at the beginning of January to his Indonesian counterpart over the December 14 incident on Fatu Sinai, known in Indonesian as Pulau Batek.

"We just want to convey our concern," Santos said. "They expressed regret that they did not inform [us] in advance," he said. "I would not say that it is a problem," Santos added.

Ownership of the uninhabited rocky island, about the size of a football field, is "not in dispute" because its status has not yet been discussed, Santos said. However, he added that East Timor wants talks on the status of the outcrop to be held after the land border between the two countries is settled.

East Timor gained independence in May 2002 after 31 months of United Nations stewardship that followed a bloody 1999 vote for independence from Indonesia, which invaded the former Portuguese colony in 1975.

The outcrop is about eight kilometres off the western edge of Oecussi, an East Timorese enclave surrounded by Indonesian West Timor.

Indonesia's foreign ministry says there is no question about who has sovereignty over the outcrop. "The sovereign government of Timor Leste, time and again, has said it is not a disputed island," Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa told AFP.

"There is no multiple or dual claim to the island of Batek and to say otherwise doesn't have any truth whatsoever."

Indonesian naval spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Guntur Wahyudi had a different perspective. "After they separated, they claimed it," he said from the eastern city Surabaya. "For the moment, we don't accept it because we don't know what the basis for it is."

Wahyudi said that on December 14 about 11 naval personnel including frogmen were deployed to the island for rifle training using rubber bullets. He said that as far as he knew no heavy weapons were used.

Santos said reports from military observers, officials and residents on the Oecussi mainland said "they fired toward the island" where Indonesia has built a lighthouse.

Indonesian warship blasts island

Herald Sun - January 12, 2004

Mark Dodd and Ian McPhedran -- In a dramatic show of military muscle, an Indonesian warship has blasted a contested island near East Timor with gunfire and a missile just weeks after peacekeepers left the area.

A UN military report dated December 14, 2003, and seen by the says a camouflaged helicopter bearing Indonesian markings fired a missile into the disputed outcrop, known locally as Fatu Sinai, before a warship pounded the tiny uninhabited island with heavy gunfire.

The classified report says the shelling was witnessed by more than 150 terrified villagers living in Baoknana village on the Oecussi enclave, a pocket of East Timorese territory on the north coast of Indonesian West Timor.

Security analysts say the show of force marks Jakarta's determination to stamp its sovereignty on the disputed island it calls Pulau Batek.

The outcrop lies just 5km off East Timor's coastline at the western tip of the enclave. Since September 2000, the UN and East Timor Government have been negotiating with Indonesia over matters relating to border demarcation.

A senior UN security analyst familiar with Oecussi said the shelling was a show of strength. "The Indonesian side has not fulfilled any of its commitments and within 60 days of the withdrawal of UN troops the Indonesian military flexed its muscles with this display," the analyst said.

A spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer said the Government was aware of the incident, but regarded it as a matter between Indonesia and East Timor.

"We are pleased that the unresolved issues are being handled in constructive discussions between the two countries concerned," the spokesman said.

Indonesia and East Timor are discussing land border issues, but maritime borders have not yet been raised. The December incident underscores the vulnerability of East Timor's ill-defined maritime borders.

East Timor seceded from Indonesia after a bloody UN-brokered ballot in 1999 that saw a massive majority of the population vote in favour of independence.

The brash display of gunboat diplomacy raises fresh concerns over the timing of a planned withdrawal of Australian peacekeepers maintaining security along East Timor's main frontier with Indonesia.

East Timorese witnesses interviewed by UN observers said about noon on December 14 an Indonesian warship carrying a camouflaged helicopter approached the island, stopping within 100m of its southern tip.

The helicopter then took off and the warship withdrew to a new position facing the island but about 200m offshore. The helicopter fired what is believed to be a missile that exploded on impact, creating a pall of smoke.

Then the warship sailed to within 400m northeast of the outcrop and fired 13 rounds of high explosive from what the UN said was a 40mm cannon. Two hours later an Indonesian jet fighter believed to be a US-built F-16 flew over the island at just 200m.

Witnesses said that during the two-hour incident the people of Baoknana were terrified, with some fleeing into the hills. "People could smell smoke and fumes from the gunfire and were very concerned about possible poisoning from the gases," the report said.

While the report does not identify the type of warship involved, Indonesia has three classes of frigate capable of carrying an armed helicopter. The most likely culprit was one of six ex-Dutch built frigates based on the British Leander class.

According to diplomats, several motives could lie behind the display of firepower, but Jakarta's determination not to lose any more territory is the most likely explanation.

Indonesia has built four houses on the disputed island to accommodate lighthouse workers, according to West Timor military commander Colonel M. Moesanip. Col. Moesanip confirmed the navy exercise was carried out to assert sovereignty on the island.

News & issues

A cruel history for East Timorese women

Voices Unabridged - January 19, 2004

Sophie Boudre -- As violence against women is recognized as a major health concern worldwide, Timor-Leste is struggling to overcome domestic violence, which has been growing at an alarming rate. While the tiny new independent country is recovering from the wounds of a long fight for freedom, 51 percent of married East-Timorese women say they feel unsafe in their relationship.

Rosa(1) is scared. Her father, who has been beating her mother repeatedly, has been released from prison for the second time. Once again, the 20-year-old girl must seek refuge in her grandmother's tiny house, a shack made of corrugated iron sheets and naked concrete floors. "Mom is in the community safe house, but I can't contact her or tell my sisters, otherwise my father will beat us too to find out where she is," Rosa says. Domestic violence in Timor-Leste accounts for some 45 percent of all crime cases in the young country and makes up 67 percent of the cases reported to the police. But authorities say almost all Timorese families are affected by it.

Timor-Leste's women have long borne the burden of a cruel history. The tiny half-island country became independent on May 20, 2002, after 25 years of forced occupation by its Indonesian neighbor. One quarter of its population is believed to have been lost throughout the conflict, which reached a dramatic climax following a United Nations-sponsored referendum in August of 1999 in favor of independence. Over a few weeks, pro-Indonesia militias went on a rampage, driving 500,000 people from their homes, half of them out of the territory. When they were done, the once bustling capital of Dili, had been reduced to ashes.

Bela Galhos has returned to her country of origin after years of exile in Canada. The brisk little woman still bears the emotional and physical scars of the struggle for independence. On top of the killings, the rapes and the constant threats carried out by militias and the Indonesian military, the government pared down the population by limiting the reproductive rights of women in the territory. Bela says an estimated 95,000 women had received sterilizing injections since 1975. She remembers soldiers coming to her school and asking all the young women to line up. All the young boys were told to leave. "They told us we needed to be injected to stay healthy. I was frightened; five of them had to hold me down. Then they came to my home the same week and injected me again."

'Wife beating' part of a culture of violence

The trauma of the recent years, according to some, has helped shape a culture of violence, in which "wife beating" has become one of the most common forms. Ex-guerrillas who spent 25 years in hiding learned little but survival skills. "Maybe because we have suffered for so long with the conflict, people became brutal" speculates a social worker in Dili. Many also placed high hopes in the hardly-fought freedom, expecting jobs and money for all once the United Nations handed over power to the new government. Mica Baretto, a young Timorese woman living in New York, asserts, "Independence is a password to freedom but it can't guarantee everything. Frustration and dissatisfaction are normal for a newborn country."

If women are the ones to suffer the most, it is because the men in Timor-Leste are traditionally seen as breadwinners of the household while women are subjected to them as stipulated in the Indonesian Civil Code. "My business is everybody's business, then when I get married, it's my husband's business and then his whole family's," sighs Mica. "Being a girl, you never get out of the chain of control." Moreover, the increased price of dowry (Barlake), although it is part of the Timorese culture, has only led to more violence. The husband and its family have to pay up to 2,500 US dollars and 70 buffaloes for the daughter of a Liurai, a traditional king. "So they see themselves as being in the right to demand bridal obligations," explains Ana Graca, a domestic violence adviser with the Government of Timor-Leste.

Despite efforts from NGOs and United Nations bodies, Graca says that physical structures to assist victims of violence are very scarce in Timor. Two safe houses have been set up for women who seek shelter and counseling, and the police now have a special unit that deals with domestic violence cases. Nevertheless, a lot of women, especially in rural areas, still prefer to deal with violence within the family or close friend circles. According to Dan Baker, Chief of Operations at the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) in Dili, "It is a result of deeply held cultural beliefs." In a recent survey, 84 percent of women said family problems should be discussed with people in the family, "which is one reason it is so hard to combat domestic violence here," says Baker. Moreover, in this overwhelming Catholic and former Portuguese colony, divorce is a last option. "Priests are the main mediators in Timor-Leste, that's why divorce hasn't really come up here because they always end up saying: that's a fork and spoon colliding. It's considered a domestic matter," says Baretto.

Setting up a legal framework to deal with a pressing issue that hinders social development remains a challenge for the new democracy. "For the time being, criminal cases are regulated by the Indonesian Penal Code, which is very weak regarding protecting women against violence. Domestic violence is not recognized or codified. The scope of offenses committed within the family is very restricted. Rape within marital relations is not considered and there are no specific mechanisms of protection," explains Graca, who has helped draft a specific law on domestic violence. "Once approved, it will be the biggest achievement after ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)," she adds. Graca has high hopes for Timorese women, who also took part, in their own ways, in making Timor what it is today. "I hope they can stay united and speak with one voice regarding their future. They have done it in the past and I hope they can continue to do it," Graca says. After all, Timor Lorosae, the traditional name of the country, means "where the sun rises".

1. Name has been changed

[Voices Unabridged is an e-Magazine on Women and Human Rights Worldwide.]

Army winning the battle with words in Timor

Herald Sun (Melbourne) - January 10, 2004

Gerard McManus -- Don't run over the chooks or goats ... that's unofficial rule No. 1 in the Australian Defence Co-operation Group's manual for troops operating in the villages and remote mountainous regions of East Timor.

The directive has an obvious practical purpose in an economy that still mostly operates at near-subsistence levels.

But it may yet weave its way into a new ethos in the Australian Defence Force, in its continuing confrontations with anti-western terrorist groups and their sponsor nations which sprout up in South-East Asia and elsewhere.

"You accidentally kill a chicken and you deprive a family of eggs, creating unnecessary resentment and unhappiness," Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm McGregor said.

"We are trying very hard to build good relations with the local people in their own country, but this also serves a wider purpose in gaining their confidence and co-operation."

Lt-Col McGregor is in charge of the small but important ADCG, whose job since 2001 has been to build and train the fledgling East Timorese army.

Based at Metinaro outside the capital Dili, the Australians have been embedded inside the army on a long-term mission to "raise, train and then transfer responsibility" to the Falantil FDTL.

According to Lt-Col McGregor, the modern model Australian soldier is going to have to be part-warrior, part-aid worker, part- linguist and part-diplomat.

"The nature of warfare has changed dramatically and the days of large, conventional forces fighting one on one are virtually redundant," he said.

"Today's battles take place in far more complex environments. In one cluttered space you can have armed insurgents, conventional military, global media, through to sometimes dozens of aid groups like Medicins Sans Frontiers and Caritas."

While the United Nations Peacekeeping Force (with more than 1500 troops, including many Australians) is due to pull out of East Timor in May, the quite separate ADCG will remain indefinitely in the new nation working alongside the East Timorese.

In just three years it has helped transform the country's defence force from a loosely organised but effective group of jungle guerillas into a modern, disciplined and well-trained army of two battalions.

Young Falantil soldiers who have done platoon commander courses at Canungra, in Queensland, are now training their own troops back in East Timor. And soon, select Timorese soldiers will be sent on officer training courses in Australia.

After helping to train the new army in modern warfare techniques and communications skills, the ADCG is broadening its role to help Falantil provide medical assistance in villages, water purification programs, and minor engineering such as small bridge building.

But there have been spin-offs for Australia as well. Lt-Col McGregor says the experience has taught the army many valuable lessons about military operations in foreign countries.

"We have had to make sure that we have the right language and cultural skills when we go into places like East Timor," he said. "Otherwise, our effectiveness will be undermined.

"You can't count on interpreters because they filter out important subtleties, and they are often unreliable. But apart from anything, we are operating in a sovereign country and it is plain good manners to make an effort to speak in their own tongue."

The unstated but unsubtle inference in the ADF's linguistic and cultural efforts in East Timor is a determination to avoid the mistakes of the "Ugly American".

Despite all the official goodwill in the world, the United States has managed to accumulate many enemies over recent decades and alienate the very people they have intended to help.

The conflict in Somalia, for example, was originally a humanitarian mission to deliver food to starving Somalis, but which went completely off the rails.

More recently in Iraq, the US appears to have been singularly unsuccessful at winning the so-called hearts-and-minds battle. The initial welcome from Iraqis has in places turned to rancour and demands for them to leave.

"In modern warfare you have to use soft and hard power," Lt-Col McGregor said. "You've still got to be able to fight when required, but you often achieve more when you don't fight. If you kill a person who is trying to tell you something because you can't understand what he is saying, you can quickly turn normality into a completely unmanageable situation."

All Australian soldiers in the ADCG are under orders to learn the local Tetun language and/or Portuguese -- no matter how brief their posting in East Timor.

After several months many have become extremely proficient and Australian soldiers from other units are reputed to speak better Bahasa (Indonesian) than most diplomats. "It is extraordinary how much the people appreciate it if you even make an attempt to talk to them in their own language," Lt-Col McGregor said.

Soldiers have also been taught to understand and respect the local culture. But respect and empathy also pays secondary dividends, as friendships result in the exchange of valuable local gossip, information and intelligence.

The new country, which had 400 years of Portuguese colonial rule and 24 years of Indonesian occupation, has had less than two years of independence and faces many security problems. It remains one of the poorest nations in the world.

It will take years before Timor Sea oil revenues come on stream; the departure of the peacekeeping force is likely to pop a bubble economy created by large amounts of artificial UN cash; infrastructure is still being rebuilt after the torching and trashing by the Indonesian Army; youth unemployment is huge; and there is permanent fear of retaliation from Indonesian militia.

Consequently, while East Timor remains an unstable country from both serious internal and external threats, Australia is likely to be obliged to maintain a long-term military presence there.

But it is almost as certain Australian troops will be operating in other countries in our region over the coming years as well, hopefully in co-operation with host nations.

It is often forgotten that most of the serious planning for the September 11 attacks were done, not in Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia, but in the Philippines -- virtually our own back yard.

The East Timor experience, however, and the "new way of warfare", combined with the Australians' natural easy-going and egalitarian personalities, should hold them in good stead to face the challenges ahead.

International solidarity

Hundreds honour late Timor activist McNaughtan

Radio Australia - January 3, 2004

Hundreds of people have marked the death of the East Timor independence activist Andrew McNaughtan at a memorial service in the Australian city of Sydney.

Dr McNaughtan was the convenor of the Australia East Timor Association in New South Wales. He died in Sydney on December 22, aged 49.

Among those attending was East Timor's foreign minister, Jose Ramos-Horta, who described Dr McNaughtan as a man of immense compassion who recognised injustice.

"He began to try to go to Timor, which he did at risk of his own life," Dr Ramos-Horta said. "He was arrested, deported a few times [to] publicise the truth about what was happening back in East Timor, and he has done tremendous educational work, educating people about the plight of the people of East Timor," he said.

Righting East Timor's 'unrightable wrong'

Melbourne Age - January 2, 2004

[Obituary - Dr Andrew Ian, McNaughtan, campaigner for East Timorese Independence, 21-2-1953 -- 22-12-2003.]

John Martinkus -- Dr Andrew McNaughtan, who has died in Sydney, was an outstanding human rights activist who devoted himself to changing the situation in East Timor throughout the 1990s and to improve the lives of ordinary East Timorese living under theIndonesians.

Many years before it was politically acceptable to mainstream Australia to be involved with the East Timorese issue, Andrew worked with the Timorese community in Australia and visited East Timor to try to focus attention on the issue. He was deported several times by the Indonesian authorities.

Andrew's experiences in the mid-'90s in East Timor only strengthened his resolve to reverse what he saw as a great historical wrong being perpetrated by Indonesia and ignored by Australia.

Andrew McNaughtan was born in 1953 in Sydney, the only son of June Gram, a dedicated environmentalist who helped save bushland in Mosman. Andrew went to Sydney Grammar. After training as a welder and racing cross-country motorcycles he enrolled at the University of NSW.

He recalled that in 1975 he heard Gough Whitlam talking about East Timor, sparking his interest. After graduating in medicine in 1983 he spent a year as a volunteer doctor in Nicaragua.

Hearing news of the Dili massacre in November 1991, Andrew moved to the Northern Territory, working at the Katherine hospital. He began to be involved with the East Timorese community and campaign based in Darwin. In 1995 he returned to Sydney to care for his mother who, on her death, left Andrew the family home in Mosman, which he often made available to those involved in the East Timor campaign.

When Indonesian president Soeharto fell in May 1998, Andrew returned to Dili for several months despite having been deported before. It was an exciting time with the East Timorese testing the limits of their freedom of speech, and a dangerous place, preceding the bloody militia campaign of 1999. Impervious to the threatening atmosphere, Andrew filmed the demonstrations, gave medical aid and collected evidence of the Indonesian military's attempts to re-impose their will on East Timor.

In September 1998 Andrew got hold of the pay records of the Indonesian military in East Timor that proved that they were lying about having withdrawn personnel from East Timor.

I remember opening the document on my laptop in Dili. I was nervous about being caught with such sensitive information, but Andrew carried the document out and publicised the contents. It was a significant story. The revelations added substantially to the momentum that finally forced the Indonesians to accept a referendum.

For most of 1999 Andrew was in and out of East Timor. He facilitated the flow of donated funds to the people who really needed them in Dili, often by taking them there himself, or giving from his own pocket. He campaigned continuously, writing, interviewing and collecting evidence of the violence of the militia crackdown.

Just before the referendum, Andrew was arrested by the Indonesians in Suai, on the south coast. It was an extremely violent part of East Timor, where most foreigners would not go. He sought to assist those who would later be killed by the militia after the UN pulled out.

I interviewed him for AAP when he was held in Dili by the police. As always, Andrew laughed at the situation, saying he felt safer inside the police station, before launching into a detailed assessment of the situation in the south. Typically, there was no thought for his own safety or comfort. The information was important, not minor problems such as being accused of espionage and being thrown in jail.

When the InterFET force finally arrived, Andrew was straight back in Timor delivering food and medical care to risky areas where Australian troops did not go. In the central towns of Ainaro and Aileu, he directed Timor aid shipments to the population that was often too fearful to venture into towns even where the Indonesians had withdrawn.

It was on one of these trips that Andrew visited the site of the massacre at the church in Suai. He left a record of his impressions with ABC journalist Di Martin and it may be the clearest assessment of events at the church where Andrew's friend Father Hilario Madeira was killed in front of his people before they too were killed.

Andrew kept working on Timor after independence: campaigning for a fair deal for the Timorese in the Timor Gap; lobbying for the Indonesian military officers who directed the slaughter he witnessed in 1999 to face an International Tribunal. He argued that the Indonesians would not punish their own people and the international community must be responsible.

In a nation such as Australia, where most heroes are sporting legends or servants of the state, Dr Andrew McNaughtan exemplified the qualities of self-sacrifice, integrity and courage to which we should aspire. He fought selflessly for what he believed to be right; he knew a great wrong was taking place and he couldn't just sit back and let it happen.

He is survived by two first cousins, Donald McNaughtan and Nigel Stewart, who both live in Sydney.

A memorial service is being held today at the Mary MacKillop Chapel in North Sydney at 1pm, attended by East Timor's Foreign Minister and Nobel laureate Jose Ramos Horta.

[John Martinkus is a journalist and author who covered East Timor from 1997 until 2000 for Fairfax, AAP and The Bulletin.]

Media monitoring

East Timor media monitoring

World Bank - January 5-29, 2004

Suara Timur Lorosae -- A Member of the National Parliament, Alexandre de Araujo Cortereal, said that the recent problems that occurred in Timor-Leste are caused by frustration and lack of job opportunities for the people. he added that the Government should accelerate the adoption of the investment law. Mr Cortereal said that it is also important that the Government gives guarantee to the investor in terms of security for them to be able to invest and create jobs that are desperately needed.

A midwife from Aileu Hospital, Manuela Antonia Ximenes, said that since the beginning of December last year until now the hospital administration cannot afford to buy food to be able to feed the patients, because there is no money for it. Mrs Ximenes also said that at the moment the food is delivered by a restaurant in Aileu but so far they have not paid the bills. The administration finds it very difficult to find ways to finance their needs at the Hospital.

The District Administrator of Lautem, Olavio da Costa, said that he's ready to start setting up meetings with members of population at the Aldeia and Suco level, to discuss broadly and find out their views and concerns to be able to set up the RESPECT programs. He added that priority will be given to those at the Suco level as an incentive for them to develop their capacity.

The National Police Officer in the Sub-District of Bobonaro, Atanasio Barreto, said that the CPD-RDTL has started making and distributing their personal ID cards to the population, by saying that their ID card is the national one and not the one given during UNTAET time. Mr Barreto also said that the CPD-RDTL have said to the population that if they do not register through them they will not be considered as Timorese in future and will be labeled as traitors. He added that members of the Police Force have started an investigation and have already confiscated few cards from the population. (no mention if any arrests had been made).

From the rocky, tree-shaded summit of "Mount Everest", 1980m up in the cool, moist highlands of Bobonaro ranges in East Timor, Lieutenant-Colonel Glen Babington surveys his domain. The view from this Australian manned mountain redoubts sweeps dramatically down a precipitous slope towards the great green gorge of Maliana pass and away to a broad flood plain stretching away to the northern coast of East Timor. Far below in the hazy middle distance, beyond the rusty crimson roofs of the town of Maliana, surrounded by green paddy fields, you can see the regular lines of the Australian base at Moleana ? the main military base for operations in the western sector of East Timor. The Moleana base, a small township in itself, with its long lines of prefab cabins, helicopter airfield, massive heavy equipment sheds, electricity generators and sewage system, will be deserted but remain a physical testament to the $2 billion Australia has spent supporting East Timor since late 1999. In less than 20 weeks Australia's great military adventure in East Timor will be over. From a high of 5,700 in late 1999, fewer than 500 Australian servicemen and women remain in the country. At midnight on May 20, when the UN peacekeeping operations officially ends, Australia's largest overseas military commitment since Vietnam will wind up. A few dozen Australian military trainers and observers will remain in the country, together with police and civilian advisers. But for the foreseeable future, whether we like it or not, East Timor will rely on Australia as the implicit guarantor of its security. Full membership of ASEAN for East Timor would transform its security outlook, but that essential goal is still years away. For some senior members of ASEAN, East Timor is seen as largely Australia's problem.

No relevant stories in the Timor Post today

January 6, 2004

Suara Timur Lorosae -- Australian Catholic University Vice- Chancellor Professor Peter Sheehan has led a delegation to welcome the first group of 53 enrolling students at the opening of the Catholic Teachers College at Baucau, East Timor in November. The students will study a three year Bachelor of Teaching degree, validated by ACU National.

Affirming ACU's commitment to education in East Timor, he said: "Education is at the heart of nation-building and will lay the foundations for the future peace and prosperity of East Timor." "Support for the Bachelor of Teaching program is a contribuition from ACU National to Australia's aid program which focuses building the capacity of the people of East Timor to run an effective, democratic government and administration," he said. The Catholic Teachers College at Baucau, sponsored by the Marist Brothers from the province of Melbourne, was officially opened by the President of East Timor, Mr Xanana Gusmao and the Bishop, D. Basilio do Nascimento.

East Timor has called for Australian troops to remain in Dili beyond May next year to increase the capital's security forces. East Timor's Foreign Minister, Jose Ramos Horta, has reportedly called for a two year extension of the United Nations mandate, which expires in May 2004. But East Timor is yet to formally request and extension from Canberra. East Timor has also called for the UN to send a 400 strong paramilitary force, 50 military observers to assist in border security, and 70 civilian advisers for Government ministries to the nation.

A member of the community in the Sub-District of Hatobuilico, Antonio Soares, said that the population cannot afford to pay the electricity bills because they are poor and the economy is not sustainable. Mr Soares also said that the Government demands that everyone should pay their bills but they don't know the difficulties people are facing. He added that before any decision is made they should pay a visit and see it with their own eyes.

The Coordinator of the Department of Agriculture in the District of Lautem, Valerio Ximenes, said that people are unhappy because it has been a long and dry summer for them in the fields. He added that the Government should pay close attention to the people's needs because they cannot afford to buy food at the market.

A member of the Human Rights Association in Timor-Leste (Yayasan Hak), Fernando da Costa, said that the National Police Force cannot create problems for the people otherwise they will be compared with the Police during Indonesian time.

Mr da Costa also said that the Police in any conflict that arises, just arrest people without any investigation and keep them in jail more then 48 hours which violates the law. He added that the Police have violated and disrespected the law of Human Rights many times.

The Brigadier General of F-FDTL, Taur Matan Ruak, said people should not pay any attention to the rumours circulating about Firaku against the Kaladi, because it is done with the purpose to divide the community. He added that the dispute between the two groups (Kaladi and Firaku) has existed since the Portuguese time.

Timor Post -- A Member of the National Parliament, Rui Menezes, said that only last year members of the Government spent nearly USD $500,000 in trips abroad and it seems that it was not enough for them. He added that the Government needs to explain to the Parliament about these overhead expenditures just in trips. Mr Menezes also said that the USD$500,000 spend in trips was allocated for one year and the Government was able to spent it in just three months. He added that it's an appalling to see that they have included on the budget for this year an additional USD$250,000 just for trips. Mr Menezes also said that the Government should invest more on programs established by them and pay a close attention to the necessities of the people in rural areas.

During a Plenary Session in the National Parliament a Member of Fretilin Member, Elizario Ferreira, said that in the District of Ermera 70 armed militia members, who that have infiltrated from Cailaco, Maliana, Bobonaro, Hatolia and Atsabe were sighted. He added that this information was collected and put together by the local authorities in Atsabe and Ermera. Mr Ferreira also said that the militias were well armed and came from Atambua and have asked the population food. He added that the militias are concentrating in the areas of Cailaco, Hatolia and Atsabe, and so far the Police have not taken any action since the information was passed on to them November last year.

A Member of the Parliament, Joao Goncalves, said that the irrigation system in the Sub-District of Atabae is in danger of being washed away due to the strong water caused by heavy rain that has lasted for a few days. He added that the Ministry of Agriculture should solve the irrigation system problem as soon as possible before 230 hectares of rice fields potentially go underwater. Mr Goncalves also said that 50 meters of the irrigation wall has been washed away by the strong current from Mota Loes river.

The President of the Timor's Popular Party (PPT), Jacob Xavier, said that CPD-RDTL has said to the population in Ainaro that as soon the UNMISET mission ends they will take over the Government. He added that CPD-RDTL must have backing to state that publicly. Mr Xavier said that CPD-RDTL members in Ainaro have said that they have already established their own Government and that they do not believe in the President of Timor-Leste.

January 7, 2004

Timor Post -- A press release published on today's edition says that the Government of USA will donate 1.000 tonnes of rice to people of Timor-Leste in desperate need of food assistance. The paper also reports that the Government of USA contribution is channelled through the Emergency Food Assistance to East Timor which the World Food Program (WFP) will deploy it to the needy. The rice is destined for 25.000 families who hardly had anything to eat during the months of November till March. (The Paper does not mention where and when the rice will be delivered).

The Vice-Director of the National Police Force, Ismael da Costa Babo, said that the Police Force always complies with the law during and after an arrest of a suspect. He added that the recent criticism done by members of the Parliament does not correspond the truth. Mr Babo said that any arrest is always done after a warrant is issued.

The President of the ASSET Loro Sa'e, Oscar Lima, said that Timor Telecom has already set up plans to establish telephone lines for the people close to the border region of Timor-Leste. He added that TT also has plans to establish lines to Atauro, Com, Tutuala and Lospalos because they are very important areas for the tourism industry.

The minister of Planning and Finance, Madalena Boavida, said that the Government has reviewed the budget for 2004 and made a decision to reduce finance allocation throughout the Ministries. She added that the cuts will range from 5% to 10% to reduce service expenditures throughout the Ministries. Responding to criticism about the overspending in trips the Minister said that the critics need to know that any money that is spent in trips is not only for the Ministers but also for staff that need to attend seminars or courses abroad. Mrs Boavida also said that the budget for trips is divided into three categories: one for the President and that alone costs USD$400,000 a year, secondly for Members of the Parliament and thirdly for Members of the Government and it's workers. And the money is taken out only from one special fund. She added that the 2004 budget has been presented to the Parliament to debate, approve or rectify.

A Member of the National Parliament, Clementino dos Reis Amaral, said that the Government has to repair the Comoro market (in the outskirts of Dili) and better the conditions for the benefit of vendors and consumers, especially to prevent foreigners from despising the marketplace. Mr Amaral also said that it's appalling to see vendor selling their products amongst rubbish and mud, and the Government must educate them in how to maintain cleanliness in the marketplace.

Suara Timur Lorosae -- The District Administrator of Lautem, Olavio da Costa, said that the road condition to the sub- Districts and Aldeias are deteriorating and with an urgent need for repairs for the local vendors to be able to transport their products and sell them in the nearby market places. Mr da Costa said that it's important for the local's sustainability and the Government should take this into consideration and make it one of their priorities for this year.

The head of the village in the Sub-District of Maubisse, Fernando Magno, said that the population has presented proposal and aspirations to the local government numerous times, but with no result until now. Mr Magno said that the aspirations presented by the people are as simple as having clean water, electricity and better road conditions that the Government promised them. (does not say where and when was promised).

The Secretary of CPD-RDTL in Bobonaro, Jose Teki Liras, said that CPD-RDTL is not making or issuing any registry cards, but what we are doing is National ID cards for Timor-Leste. Mr Liras also said that CPD-RDTL had informed the Department of Politic Affairs of UNATET, the UN Secretary General and the rest of the world about their intension to issue National ID cards to the people. He added that CPD-RDTL will continue distributing cards throughout 13 Districts without any concern at all.

A Member of the National Parliament, Maria Paixao, said that some of the Timorese students in Indonesia without any legal documentation will be sent back to Timor-Leste. She added that on a recent trip to Indonesia, Malang, she was able to meet the students and was told that they are experience some difficulties and will not be able to sit for exams. Mrs Paixao also said that she suggested the students should contact the Timorese embassy in Jakarta to try and get visas for their return, but so far they had no answer from the Ambassador Arlindo Marcal. She added that the students are not receiving any support and thus cannot afford their trip back home.

The Director of the National Hospital Guido Valadares, Antonio Caleres Junior, said that the National Hospital has plans to set up and open an acupuncture clinic before the end of January, 2004. He added that the hospital will seek permission for a Chinese specialist to assist and run the acupuncture clinic. Mr Caleres also said that the National Hospital will also benefit with the arrival of eight specialist doctors from China, which will help them to set up the Intensive Care Unit.

In today's edition the paper reports that the Government of Timor-Leste has made available USD$ 1,600,000 from TFET budget for road repairs. The paper reports that the money will be used to repair part of the road that has been washed away in Lareguto, District of Baucau. A member of the Council in Baucau, Jose Cornelio, said that just for road repairs this year they will need USD$559,000 and 40% of it has been spent already in repairs. (The paper is not clear when the money was made available by the Government).

January 8, 2004

Suara Timur Lorosae -- The Minister of Interior, RogerioTiago Lobato, said that the National Police Force have confirmed to him that militia have infiltrated and they are in the Sub-District of Atsabe and District of Ermera. He added that this infiltration was done months ago in the sub-district of Kailaco and District of Bobonaro. Mr Lobato also said that the information that the Police Force were able to collect indicates two illegal groups (Osnaco and Kolimau 2000) who are using militia as an excuse to intimidate the population. Mr Lobato also said that he has requested the Australian PKF and the Fijian battalion to double their patrols in isolated areas of the border.

The Head of the Police Investigation Unit in the District of Bobonaro, Jacinta Udu Mau, said that since January until December 2003, 101 out of 334 cases reported was related to domestic violence. She added that most of the domestic violence cases that were reported were solved by the National Police without the need for further investigation.

The Administrator of the Sub-District of Vera Cruz, Dili, Arthur Henrique, said that the EDTL in coordination with the District and Sub-District Administrators of Dili, have started socializing pre-paid meters in 11 sucos around Dili. He added that the socialization is important because most of the population are unfamiliar with the pre-paid meters.

After a meeting with the UNMISET deputy, Sukehiro Hasegawa, the President of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, said that he conveyed to Mr Hagesawa that Timor-Leste still needs the UN presence in the country. He added that he also asked for a special team to be deployed to the country as an observer.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Jose Ramos Horta, said that he has appointed Nelson Santos as the General Secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Vicky Tchong as the Vice Secretary.

The secretary of CPD-RDTL in Bobonaro, Jose Teki Liras, said that the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) of National Police have arrested, beaten and kicked seven of his members, including a woman, during the festive period. He added that the UIR threatened the woman with a pistol when she refused to give her body. Mr Liras also said that the UIR said that with UNMISET end of mission the UIR and the Americans will start a war against the CPD-RDTL.

Residents of suco Lobobibo have requested the UNHCR to repatriate their relatives currently living in West Timor. A local resident said she would also like to see the government putting more effort into working with UNHCR to bring back their relatives who fled Timor-Leste during the 1999 crisis.

The Commander of the National Police Force in Balibo, Mateus Fernandes, said that the Police are still investigating to find who was responsible for the hoisting of the Mera Putih (red and white) flag in the District of Bobonaro. Mr Fernades also said that the population has given full support for the investigation of this incident.

The Vice President of Community, Media and Culture group in the District of Baucau, Albino Xavier da Silva, said that the Community Radio Lian Mate Bian has not broadcast for three months and has left many people unhappy with the Community Radio station. Mr da Silva said that the CEP have continuously delayed their financial support to the Community Radio. He added that many promises were made but no avail.

A Member of the National Parliament, Rui Menezes, said that one of the most negative things for the economy of this country is corruption. He added that for this reason the Government has to double their effort to control corruption.Mr Menezes said that one of the topics being discussed around at the moment is whether or not the Government should borrow from the World Bank or IMF. He added that this topic has been discussed amongst intellectuals and politicians. Mr Menezes also said that one of the stumbling blocks that makes the Government not want to borrow from International Institutions is a lack of management.

January 9, 2004

Suara Timur Lorosae -- During a meeting with civil servants yesterday the Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that all civil servants need to have the spirit of a big family and be responsible to make this country take a leap forward. Dr Alkatiri also said that as a big family with difficulties they have to face many challenges but the most important thing is to have responsibility. Dr Alkatiri said that the Department of Education also needs to have discipline because they are the guarantors of our kids future. He added that the civil servants are the most undisciplined by creating problems within their work environment by using their political affiliation and making copies of confidential Government documents and giving them to their party. The Prime Minister also said that many are talking freely about corruption within institutions and departments of the Government, it has become like one of their favorite past times song. He added that KKN (corruption) is just about everywhere you turn. (6000 civil servants attended the meeting organized by the State Department under Minister Ana Pessoa)

The Minister of Interior, Rogerio Tiago Lobato, said that the Special Police Force still needs people, but those who were involved in criminal acts during the resistance time will not be accepted. He added that opportunities will be given to the youth with qualifications and a clean record. Mr Lobato also said that all those that served during Indonesian time as Policemen will not be accepted for the Special Police Force. He added that the Special Police Force will have 300 members.

The President of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, said that people should not pay much attention to the rumors circulating saying that militia have infiltrated in the Districts of Atsabe and Ermera. He added that no investigations have been carried out to determine whether or not the militia have infiltrated and people are making it into a big issue. Mr Gusmao also said that he had met the Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri about militia infiltration and both agreed to ignore it because they are only rumors.

The Director of the NGO Boaventura in the District of Maufahe, Luis Pereira, said that the Government of Australia has financially supported the rehabilitation of the Primary School in Turon. He added that an amount of $USD 534 in financial support was given to the NGO Boaventura for the rehabilitation.

Mr Pereira also said that the rehabilitation took two months and thanks the Australian Government for the financial support.

The Dili District Administrator, Ruben Joao Braz de Carvalho, said that during this month Dili District will start planting trees around the city area and the surrounding mountains that are bare without any trees. He added that after two years, people are still without any responsibilities, and continue to burn and cut down tress. Mr da Carvalho said that the Department of Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries already has small trees for us to start planting while it's raining. (The paper does not say how many plants or where they will start planting)

During the socialization of pre-paid meters the Sub-District Administrator of Vera Cruz, Arthur Henrique, said that the pre- paid meters is not only for the public in general but also for the civil servants to use. Mr Henrique said that the donors have supported us and they are willing to continue with their support but as Timorese we should meet our responsibilities and pay the electricity bill, otherwise we will have a nation in the dark.

The director of the National Hospital, Antonio Caleres Junior, said that since month of December, 20 patients have been bed ridden with malaria but so far none have appeared with dengue. He added that this month alone many people have sought medical assistance for malaria and unfortunately 2 of the patients died due to the advanced state of their illness.

Timor Post -- The Director of the Department of Agriculture in Baucau, Lourenco Borges Fontes, said that lady bugs will be released in May after the wet season is over to combat the disease that is killing most of the coconut trees in Baucau. He added that the reason for this delay is because the lady bugs will not survive in the rain. Mr Fontes also said that the lady bugs have been identified by a laboratory expert from France. He already has 400 lady bugs to be released in two sites where the coconuts were most affected by the disease.

A technical staff member of the EDTL in Baucau, Paulino, said that technical problems with the power generator and the high demand for electricity in Baucau caused the breakdown and left the consumers without power since January 2 until yesterday.

Members of the National Parliament have joined in support of the appeal made to the UN by the Bishop D. Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, urging the UN to modify their strategy to withdraw all its forces by May 30. A member of the Parliament, Francisco Branco, said that the international community has shown that they are concerned with the security situation in Timor-Leste after the end of UNMISET mission.

January 12, 2004

Antara -- Indonesian immigration authorities deported two East Timorese nationals, on Sunday and the East Timorese side deported Indonesian citizens through the Mota'ain immigration checkpoint, Belu district, East Nusa Tenggara.

The Atambua immigration office deported Jose Filipe Freitas da Carvalho (30) from Comoro, Dili, and Rogerio Amaral (25) from Viqueque district, East Timor, for violating immigration regulations. The office said Carvalho was deported for overstaying his permit, while Amaral was deported after he was sentenced to 11 months in jail for illegally entering the Indonesian territory in February 2003.

During a workshop organized by International Institute for Asian Studies (IASI) in Lisbon the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Ramos Horta, said that the Government of Timor- Leste has set a priority for people with technical studies and medicine that is much needed in Timor-Leste.

A member of the Reconciliation Committee from the cabinet of the President, Feliciano da Costa, said that the first six months of 2003 was a very difficult for the reconciliation committee. He added however that after the meeting in Salele everything went smoothly as they planned. Mr da Costa also said that the most difficult reconciliation meeting was after the incident at where the National Police shot and killed a member of the militia in Batugade. He added that intimidation at the refugees camp was one of the major causes for the people not to return.

The Coordinator of CPD-RDTL, Antonio Ai-Tahan Matak, said that he does not accept the recommendation given by the Secretary General to the Security Council to extend the current UNMISET mission mandate until 2007. He added that the agreement was to end its mission in May 2004.

A Member of the National Parliament, Joao Goncalves, said that false information and rumours circulating in Timor-Leste about militia infiltration are generated by the illegal groups in the country. He added that these groups are showing no moral responsibility and he said they are not nationalists. Mr Goncalves also said that such talk of militias is dangerous and the Government needs to take urgent and concrete measures to stop these illegal groups' activities.

The Sub-District Administrator of Baucau, Olivio Freitas, said that there are some "hard headed" fishermen who have been warned, but who are still using home made bombs to catch fish and destroying the coral reefs. He added that those who continually used this method will not get any support from him.

The Director of the Aituha Primary School in the District of Manufahe, Pedro da Costa, said that for the last four years, the school has been operating with very limited chairs and tables to accommodate one hundred students and three teachers. Mr da Costa also said that in the only three class rooms in operation, the floors are not even cemented and the walls are made of planks. He added that the school does not have text books for the pupils.

The Dili District Administrator, Ruben Joao Braz de Carvalho, said that after five years of independence, people are still not penning up their animals. He added that something needs to be done to stop the animals running freely throughout the city.

Mr de Carvalho said that he is giving the owners an opportunity to pen their animals before his operation team start catching the wandering pigs and goats.

Captured animals will be delivered to hospitals, the police, orphanages and the F-FDTL.

She said it straight: "I present my words of condolence to you on behalf of the people of East Timor, and my husband, the President of East Timor." So said East Timor's first lady Kirsty Sword Gusmao, who arrived in Korea on Friday and visited the home of the late Sergeant Choi Hee, who died in East Timor while performing peacekeeping duties. In March 2003, Choi was swept away while he was fording a river with four other soldiers. When visiting the dead soldier's family Gusmao said their son died while serving for the development of East Timor and would be long remembered in the hearts of the East Timorese.

Timor Post -- The Vice Minister of Development and Environment, Abel Ximenes, said that the fattening program for cows and buffalos has been a successful with 25% of them getting fatter. He added that the program has been implemented in Loes with 50 of his men looking after 101 cows and buffalos. Mr Ximenes said that in three to four months the farmers will be able to sell the rest 75% of cows and buffalos who are getting considerable weight.

The Bishop Belo's appeal for a continued UN presence in Timor- Leste reflects a consensus which has been reached by the Government, the President and the Parliament said Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri. Dr Alkatiri said that the question now is to determine a model for the UN role for the future support. He added that the new mission would not be like UNMISET, in which the UN had authority over PNTL and F-FDTL. Dr Alkatiri also said that the new mission would focus in supporting the Government in areas that still need assistance.

January 13, 2004

Timor Post -- The President of the National Parliament, Lu Olo, said that with the end of UNMISET mission, a group has emerged that appears and trying to destabilised the current situation in Timor-Leste by scaring the population. He said this group dislikes the Government. He added that they distributing ID cards, creating rumours and dressing as ninjas just to scare people. Lu Olo said that these people are outlaws, and he made an appeal to the population not to fall into the trap of listening to false rumours and spreading.

The Chief of Staff of F-FDTL, Colonel Lere Anan Timur, said that with UNMISET's end of mission in May, F-FDTL has no doubt about the security in Timor-Leste. He also said that only the National Police Force can guarantee peace and stability in the country. Colonel Lere also said if there is an external threat or provocation F-FDTL are ready with 24 years of experience to confront any external treat.

During a Police ceremony the National Police Commissioner, Paulo de Fatima Martins, said that the Police have to strengthening solidarity amongst themselves to guarantee peace and stability in this country. He added that 2004 is the year of discipline for his men.

Suara Timur Lorosae -- The RDTL's Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri stressed yesterday the need for members of PNTL's Rapid Deployment Service elite unit (RDS) to be highly disciplined as they will be more heavily armed than regular police. He added that they also need to earn the public's trust and the best way to do it for RDS to strictly observe human rights. UNPOL Commissioner Sandi Peisley echoed the Prime Minister's comments and added that only those trainees who performed well and displayed the highest standards of professional behaviour during training would be selected for RDS deployment. The first batch of aspirants (120) started the first eliminatory stage of the 3 month training programme being run by UNPOL in cooperation with PNTL instructors. The RDS will be the specialist unit within PNTL, supporting the Border Patrol Unit or deploying in other rural areas of Timor-Leste when there is a threat level, especially from armed groups, that cannot be met by regular police.

The Head of the Institution Maun ho Alin iha Kristu (IMAK), Irma Lourdes, said that the International Non Governmental Organisations (NGO's) who are operating in Timor-Leste have destroyed the Timorese mentality by giving them money. She added that the NGO's used the Timorese poor status to be able to seek donations from international funders. Irma Lourdes said that the NGO's were able to create discrimination with money amongst the Timorese society and thus people lost trust in one another. She added that the NGO's are only supporting and recruiting those Timorese who can speak English and Portuguese, and because of this, the majority of Timorese people see it as injustice and unfair.

The National Police Commissioner, Paulo de Fatima Martins, said that he has not received any report about Ninjas operating in Ainaro and added that the stories are only rumours. Mr Martins said that people who are creating these rumours are doing it with an intention to scare the population.

The Vice-Director of the Aileu Hospital, Manuela Ximenes, said that the hospital cannot afford to cook food for the patients because the budget allocated for the hospital was not enough. She added that food has been delivered by a restaurant but they have not been able to pay the restaurant owner. Mrs Ximenes also said that they had reported the situation to the Ministry of Health but they still waiting for an answer.

The Chefe de Suco of Kaibada-Uaimua, Sub-District of Baucau, Carlos da Costa, said that people in his region are not happy with the poor quality of service that is provided by EDTL in Baucau. He added that until now they have not been informed of the reason for the daily power blackouts.

January 14, 2004

Timor Post -- The National Parliament approved yesterday the budget for FY03/04 presented by the Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, where 66 members of the Parliament voted in favour, seven against, and 10 abstained. The Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that an amount of USD$74,615,078 is not 100% sure and secure yet as the FY03/04 the budget figure. He said that the Government depends on donors' financial support, and sometimes pledges are only promises. Dr Alkatiri said that the reason for this tight budget is because the Government was expecting revenues from the Timor Sea, but because of technical problems, Timor Sea revenues have been delayed.

The Commanderr of F-FDTL Brigadier General, Taur Matan Ruak, said that is not up to him to request an extension of the UNMISET mandate in Timor-Leste and only UN can make this decision. He added that as an international institution the UN has to come up with a solution to this situation.

The Vice-President of the Parliamentary C Commission for Economy, Manuel Tilman, said that the budget revision for the FY03/04 left him with no other alternative than to vote against it. He said he did not accept the drastic cut for the Court of Appeal in the budget. Mr Tilman said that if he was the Prime Minister he would borrow money from the World Bank instead of making drastic cuts in the budget.

The State Secretary for Public Works, Joao Alves, said that the Government has allocated an amount of USD$ 20 million to repair and upgrade the road that connects Lospalos to Iliomar and Viqueque. He added that the money was allocated from the TFET programs for road repair. Mr Alves said this road repair program is important to help the local population and also to help develop the rural economy.

The Vice-Director for the Department of Education in Baucau, Rodolfo Aparicio, said that to improve the quality of education in Baucau his department has committed to continuing with its program for the development of better teachers and students. Mr Aparicio said that his Department had scheduled a meeting with members of six Sub-Districts of Baucau to discuss the best way to implement the program.

Suara Timur Lorosae -- The first stage of Santos Ltd's $US 3,3 billion Bayu-Undan project in the Timor Sea is on schedule to start production in April this year. Santos managing director John Ellice-Flint said the project, operated by the US energy Company, ConocoPhillips, had successfully opened two wells for production as part of the project's commissioning and loaded 1000 metric tones each of propane and butane into a floating storage off-take vessel to pre-cool them in preparation for production. "Bayu-Undan remains on schedule for first liquids production in April 2004this laatest achievement we will successfully deliver commercial liquids production in coming weeks", said Mr Ellice- Flint.

During a session in the National Parliament a member of PSD party, Fernando Gusmao, questioned the Prime Minister on why the Government does not have control in the Timor Gap or the Timor Sea exploration. He asked whether the role of the Timor Sea Designated Authority was to defend or not the interest of the Timorese people. The Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, responded by saying just because the Government doesn't control the technical side of the exploration doesn't mean that the Government doesn't control the administration side. He added that on the technical side, only the investors know how many pipes they going to need in the project.

The Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that the Community Empowerment Project (CEP) has been established for a while and it was coming to an end, but is not the Government who is shutting it down. He added that CEP ends and leaves a very heavy load for the Government to carry. Dr Alkatiri said that the heavy load left behind by CEP is the Community Radios which he says have better facilities than the National Radio. He said to maintain local radios will require extra finance.

A patient in the Hospital of Baucau, Maria Dias Carvalho, said that doctors and nurses in Baucau Hospital are very professional and they care for the patients. She said the patients are very happy indeed.

A Member of the National Parliament, Antonio da Costa Lelan, said that people living near the beach in Sakato and Maquelab,Sub- District of Pante Makassar Vila are, lamenting the fact that they have hardly any food to eat. He added that people have appealed to the State Secretary of Solidarity to support them as has been done in the past.

The Clinic coordinator for TBC in the District of Bobonaro, Jose Manuel da Cruz, said that in Bobonaro alone in 2003 they registered 50% of patients infected with tuberculosis, and some of the patients have not been able to receive treatment. He added that the reason for them not receiving treatment was because they lived too far from the hospital. Mr da Cruz said that a program have been established in Bobonaro with support from Caritas, the Church and the Ministry of Health for treatment and prevention of tuberculosis.

During a plenaryy session at the National Parliament the Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that he will use a sledge hammer and knock down government schools that are not running properly and are only wasting Government money. He added that the did want to see money wasted on schools where teachers are not performing their duties well. Dr Alkatiri said that the Government is preparing a law that governs teachers' conducts and also another law for the nurses.

January 15, 2004

Timor Post -- The Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that members of F-FDTL who want to protest against a political decision taken by the Government to supply the Special Police Force with equipment from F-FDTL better leave the army. Dr Alkatiri said that the F-FDTL and the National Police Force are working together in cooperation. The Prime Minister added that he!&s happy to see that the training program is well underway. In the same story the Prime Minister is quoted as saying that the Government has plans to replace the current ID cards for all citizens provided by UNTAET with new ones. He added that before any ID card can be issued, the Government needs a draft law to regulate and implement citizens registration. Dr Alkatiri said that the Government has sent a draft law to regulate the political parties to the National Parliament for approval.

The Minister of Interior, Rogerio Tiago Lobato, said that the National Police have confiscated smuggled goods like prawns from people who have crossed the border without proper trading documentation. He added that those smuggling goods and who are now detained where seen in Dili selling goods. He has ordered an investigation. Mr Lobato also said that an investigation will clarify the situation but he suspects that some Police members are involved in smuggling goods. He said that his Ministry also has plans to increase the numbers of Border Patrol Units.

During a meeting yesterday with UNDP the Minister for Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr Armindo Maia, said that the community needs to participate in the development of Timor-Leste. He added the Government has reduced the total government budget but the necessities are there, and yet 25% of school children in Timor-Leste are still not attending school. Dr Maia also said that the meeting was to inform the donors about School Projects that are part of the second Phase of TFET program which is administered by the World Bank. He added that the money available will be spent on rehabilitation of pre-secondary and primary school buildings.

The General Director from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Fishery, Cesar Jose da Cruz, said that his department has set up plans to combat bugs that are destroying corn fields and prevent them from spreading with non-hazardous chemicals. He said the chemicals used by his department would not create any side ill affects to the ground. Mr da Cruz said that the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the FAO and an NGO from Germany were able to distribute new corn seeds to farmers in need. He said that to prevent the spread of the corn disease, the farmers need to clear weeds from their field. Mr da Cruz also said that the Department of Agriculture has started distributing outboard motors and nets to fishermen in Oe-Cussi and Viqueque and training them on how to repair broken outboard motors.

The Secretary of State for Public Works, Joao Alves, said that the project programme on clean water for the District of Dili was financed by the Government of Japan. He added that the value of the project was an amount of USD 11 million dollars. Mr Alves said that bilateral projects are usually run by donor countries and the project is going well and is on schedule.

The commander of ex-combatants Falintil, Labarik Maia, said that the decision by the ex-combatants to plant trees in bare areas of Aileu was made without support or sponsors. It was designed to keep the country !'green!(. Mr Labarik said that so far 192 ex- Falintil members have volunteered to participate in the rejuvenation of the environment.

The Director of Health and Sanitation, Carlos Boavida, said that from December to January, 25% of patients registered in Dili and Baucau have shown symptoms of dengue. He added that people need to be aware and take precautions by cleaning their backyard. Mr Boavida also said that the Health Department will soon start a information campaign through the local newspapers and radio stations on how to prevent being infected with dengue.

Suara Timur Lorosae -- A Member of the National Parliament, Maria Paixao, said that the National Police Force must act according to the law because they are an institution that guarantee security in Timor-Leste. She added that the Police cannot exhibit undisciplined behaviour by kicking and beating people they arrest. Mrs Paixao also said that most times, the National Police Force arrest people without any evidence on whether they have committed a crime or not. She added that there are a few members of the National Police that lack professionalism.

The Administrator of the District of Dili, Ruben Joao Braz de Carvalho, said that to develop the capacity of farmers to produce better quality of goods, the District Administration will conduct a training program for farmers. He added that he will closely monitor the program and his staff will also supply corn and vegetable seeds for farmers.

The head of the village in Rai Merah, District of Maubisse, Bento Mendonca, said that everyday the population have to travel five kilometres just to fetch drinking water because they don!&t have access to clean water. Mr Mendonca also said that many promises were made by the local government and NGO!&s including the Red Cross, but until now, they are still waiting.

The Vice-Director of the pre-secondary school in Maliana, Domingos da Costa, said that the heavy rain flooded the Maliana pre-secondary school and the children were not able to attend school. He added that the problem was caused by lack of drainage so the water just ran through the school building. Mr da Costa said that the 1,400 students were now back at school but had to sit through their classes with water under their feet because there is no other alternative.

January 16, 2004

Suara Timur Lorosae -- The Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that he fully supports an extension of the UN mission in Timor- Leste, and he says it is desirable to have continued UN support in areas that need further assistance. He said the new UN presence would not to make decisions but would help maintain peace and stability.

A Member of the National Parliament, Maria Fatima Vaz, said that some judges in the District Court of Dili are discriminating against "small people", by not giving priority for rape cases. Mrs Vaz said that a civil servant in the Sub-District of Bobonaro raped a girl in 2001 and the judges have still not sentenced the culprit. PSD not happy with Vice-Minister of Finance report

A member of PSD from the National Parliament, Fernando Gusmao, said that his party is not happy with the budget report presented by theVice-Minister of Planning and Finance, Aicha Basarewan. He said that the budget presented for FY04 is the same one from FY03. Mr Gusmao said that he does not accept the Vice-minister's explanation associated with her budget presentation.

The representative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Timor- Leste, Armanath Hinduja, said that in FY04, the ABD will continue with its implementation of the capacity building program and human resources that started in FY03. Mr Hinduja said that the ADB program will focus on the area of administration at suco and aldeia level. He said that ADB will also continue supporting the Government on the development of human resources. Mr Hinduja also said that ADB would concentrated on working closely with the Ministry of Planning and Finance to help reduce expenditure, and will continue to support the micro-finance project.

The Liaison Officer for the Community Water Supply and Sanitation Project (CWSSP) in the District of Bobonaro, Diamantino dos Reis, said that the project has concluded its works on many water wells for the people in the Districts of Bobonaro, Maliana and Kailaco and they now have clean drinking water. Mr dos Reis said that the bilateral project was financed by the Government of Australia who has now plans to continue with similar works in the Districts of Viqueque and Suai.

A member of the village in the Sub-District of Maubisse, Olandino Araujo, said that people cannot afford to pay their electricity bill because they don't have the financial means. He said that the Government should understand that the people have many difficulties. Confronted with the situation, the Administrator of the Sub-District of Maubisse, Jose Mendonca Koto Moruk, said that people are always complaining and saying that they cannot afford to pay their bills. He said however that they manage to buy buffalos, pigs and goats for parties. He added that for the benefit of their children who need electricity to study, and become the future generation of this country, the parents need to act.

Timor Post -- Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that Timor-Leste still needs UN assistance for another year or two. He said that Timor-Leste needs with theto work for UN to continue learning from the UN's technical assistance, as well as supporting the economy and security. Dr Alkatiri said that in general, he thinks that UN is willing to continue with their assistance.

The Head of the Information Unit of F-FDTL, Mau Nana, said that an ex-Falintil member known as Loro Dias left the Falintil cantonment in 2001, with a rifle AK-47 and revolver and never returned. He said that F-FDTL have requested the National Police Force to seek, arrest and disarm Loro. Mr Nana said that Loro deserted from Falintil because he was not happy with the decision taken by UN to change Falintil to F-FDTL. He said that Loro deserted together with Commander L7, Seregia 7 and Fernando the group that belongs to the Sacred Family Religion.

The State Secretary for Electricity and Water, Egidio de Jesus, said that after four campaigns of public information carried out by his department throughout the 13 Districts people, now know they have to pay their electricity bills but few are doing so. Mr de Jesus said that in FY03-04 his department spent over USD $ 6 million dollars in salaries, management and maintenance of generators. He said that USD$ 364, 000 was spent on uniforms, USD$ 7, 600 on diesel and car maintenance.

The Government of Timor-Leste designated Mr Roberto Soares Cabral, Director of Regional Affairs Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, to attend the Preparatory Meeting on Counter-terrorism, which held in Jakarta yesterday. Mr Cabral said that the Preparatory Meeting is being held to discuss administrative arrangement for the forthcoming Bali Regional Ministerial Meeting on Counter-Terrorism, as well as possible solutions to combat terrorism in the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr Jose Antonio Amorin Dias, the Ambassador designate of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the EU presented his letter of credentials to H.E. Dr Romano Prodi, the President of the European Commission. (the story does not say where it took place) Mr Amorin now becomes the first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the European Community.

January 20, 2004

Timor Post -- The National Police Commissioner, Paulo Fatima Martins, said that after the concerns presented by the National Parliament on traffic accidents in Dili, he has decided to set up an special traffic patrol unit to observe and report the reasons for so many traffic accidents. He said that the team will monitor the traffic and the numbers of cars and motorbikes using the roads. Mr Martins said that the team will make an evaluation of the traffic changes in Dili new traffic signs and zebra crossings. He said he will present a report to the Minister of Interior after the traffic evaluation.

A Member of the National Parliament, Pedro Gomes, said that the Government needs to pay urgent attention to the situation in Dili as it is very dirty with animals all over the city as well as garbage and grass growing all over. He said the condition of the city needs to improve and to avoid it becoming breading ground for sickness.

The Vice-Director of Education Department in the District of Bobonaro, Domingos da Costa Tavares, said that in 2003 members of CPD-RDTL have threatened Vasco da Conceicao, a school teacher at the Primary School in Anapal, suco Molop, Sub-District of Bobonaro. He said that CPD-RDTL used a machete and destroyed several tables and chairs in various classrooms. Mr Tavares said that CPD-RDTL does not agree and accept the Government's Policy on Education.

The Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Francisco Benevides, said that the German Technical Cooperation NGO (GTZ) based in Baucau has financially supported the acquisition of 80 tons of seeds to replace the poor quality rice seeds being used by farmers. He said that the new rice seeds will be distributed to farmers and GTZ will help them with better harvesting and improve the quality of rice in Timor-Leste. The GTZ coordinator in Timor-Leste, Gunter Kohl, said that the 80 tons of rice seeds were bought in Surabaya for USD$40,000 and will be distributed throughout four districts in Baucau.

January 21, 2004

Suara Timur Lorosae -- During the book launch written by Kirsty Sword Gusmao entitled "A Woman of Independence" the Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that the First Lady Kirsty Gusmao is a woman to be reckoned with because she supported the resistance and was a committed militant in the struggle for independence. He said that Kirsty today continues with her legacy by establishing the Alola Foundation to help reduce poverty and reduce suffering in this country. The First Lady said that when she found the time to write the book the first thing that crossed her mind was to share the experience that she gained while working with the clandestine movement. She also said everyone can see the changes that are taking place in Timor-Leste, especially the new freedom without any type of violence and intimidation.

A Member of the National Parliament, Armando da Silva, said that the Government of Timor-Leste has to give priority to the issue of border security due to the illegal smuggling and crossing. He said that when there is no tight control people just smuggle goods whenever they want.

The Australian Ambassador, Paul Foley, speaking on behalf of the diplomatic corps in Timor-Leste said that the Government has made a great progress in 2003 but needs to implement the National Development Plan even better. He said that the Government achievements have been in the areas of most need. Mr Foley said that the most important achievements for Timor-Leste are in the areas of health, education and development for the country's future. Mr Foley also said that is very encouraging to see the registry and identification of the ex-combatants and veterans of Falintil that is taking place because they need to be recognized.

During a national workshop about the climate change, international advisor, Ian Fry, said that electricity is the basic necessity for development and 60% of electricity infrastructure was completely destroyed during 1999. He added that from 2001 until now, 60 power stations have been built and people in the villages have access to electricity 13 hours a day 6 days a week. Mr Fry said that the Government is spending USD$ 70,000 a month just in diesel for the generators to supply electricity to Dili.

The National Police Commissioner, Paulo de Fatima Martins, said that some members of UNPOL are behaving irresponsibly and are creating problems. He added that in some instances when UNPOL are carrying out an investigation, never reach a conclusion and just leave it. Mr Martins said that many criticisms have been made against the National Police Force for violating human rights, but none about members of UNPOL who he says have also violated human rights. He said that he will be revealing more on UNPOL when time is right.

The head of the village in Babulo, Sub-District of Same, Domingos da Silva, said that people are unhappy about the method used by the Government to recruit people to work in Dili. He said that Government members are distributing application forms only to people who live in the districts and not in the Sub-districts. (The paper does not specify the type of jobs available)

Thousands of former East Timorese refugees have been given homes of their own in Indonesia in West Timor after more than four years of living in decrepit refugees camps and other temporary accommodation. The 850 houses funded by the European Union have provided accommodation for 4,000 ? 5,000 of the former refugees, said Robert Ashe, regional representative of the UN High Commissioner for refugees (UNHCR). Most of the refugees were linked to the former Indonesian regime that occupied East Timor, former militia, military, police, government officials and their followers. Those who have moved into the new houses get a space six-by-six metres (20 by 20 feet) divided into two rooms with a tin roof and glass windows. Ashe said more housing may be build but that was not only option. It was still possible, he said, for the East Timorese to move elsewhere in Indonesia or to return home.

Timor Post -- The Head of the National Police for Communities, Joao Belo, said that the National Police Force have been engaged in a public information and consultation campaign with people in 10 different districts about the law for the past few months. He said that the National Police have not started "socializing" with people in the Districts of Ermera, Aileu and Dili.

During an inauguration ceremony in Mehara, Sub-District of Lautem, the Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that the request for the clinic was made by the population during an Open Government and has now been delivered. He said now that the clinic is ready, people should use the facilities to seek treatment. Dr Alkatiri also said now is time for everyone to take care of their health and avoid sickness. On the same day the Prime Minister attended the inauguration ceremony for the opening of a health clinic at Wailili, District of Baucau. He said that his Government does not only make promises, but delivers them. He said the new clinic was part of the implementation of the National Development Plan.

Dr Alkatiri said that to implement the National Development Plan, the Government had asked donors for financial support through TFET programs. TFET, he said, is administered by World Bank and enables projects like the health clinic to be implemented.

January 22, 2004

Timor Post -- The National Police Commissioner, Paulo de Fatima Martins, said that ten candidates of the Special Police Unit pulled out from the training due to its strenuous demand of discipline and professionalism. He added that a total of 121 candidates, now 111 are undergoing training in Suai.

Following a meeting between President Xanana Gusmao and the US Ambassador the President said that the United States Ambassador, Grover Rees, had clearly stated his views on the end of the UNMISET mission, and his concerns about the current situation in the country. Mr Rees said that the President Xanana always has goods ideas and the international community have to listen to him.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Ramos Horta, accompanying by Mr Marciano da Silva, Director of Multilateral Directorate, has left to Lao PDR to hold an official visit for five days. The objective of this visit is to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. Dr Horta will also seize the opportunity to seek the support of the Lao PDR on Timor-Leste's intention to obtain the observer status in ASEAN. During the five day visit, the two countries will discuss various issues regarding bilateral relations and at the end of the visit, the two ministers will sign and Agreement on Exemption of Diplomatic and Official Passports Visas between the Lao PDR and Timor-Leste.

The Director of the Health Department in Kaikoli, Dili, Feliciano Pinto, said that from 2000 until 2003, 1148 patients have sought treatment for depression.

He added that the 1148 cases of depression were registered throughout all 13 districts. Mr Pinto said that it is difficult to give a proper care and attention to patients with mental depression because there is no special care hospital.

The former District Administrator of Baucau, Marito Reis, said that political maturity is needed from all the politicians in Timor-Leste for the country to have stability. He said that instead of just sitting in the Parliament, where all the political parties have representatives, why do these parliamentarians not go to the districts and do public information and consultation campaigns with people about the future of Timor-Leste.

Suara Timur Lorosae -- During the Open Government in Bazartete the Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that the Government of Timor-Leste will not fall when the UNMISET mission ends in May. He said that contrary to what people may think, his party will still be governing. Dr Alkatiri told the people in Bazartete not to believe rumours about the Government falling or being overthrown.

The Head of the Babulo Village in the Sub-District of Manufahe, Domingos da Silva, said that the power station in Manufahe has not been able to supply electricity for the last eight months. He said that people are not happy with the power situation and say it was better during Indonesian times. Confronted with the issue, the District Administrator of Manufahe,B Filomeno Tilman, said that the reason for not having electricity for the last eight months was because the generator is broken and needs repair. He said that he has met the State Secretary andB informed him about the situation. A new generator has been promised and until now they are waiting.

During the Open Government in Bazartete the habitants reported to the Minister of Interior, Rogerio Tiago Lobato, that an illegal group called "Foho Leten" (Top of the Mountain) have threatened the population and sought donations to support their army in the mountains. In replay the Minister Lobato, said that six people have been arrested from this groupB and one of them had in his possession a letter from a militia member. The Minister said that the National Police are carrying out an investigation to determined the connections this group may have with Kolimau 2000, the Orsnaco group and the militias.

The President of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee (CAVR), Aniceto Guterres, said after a meeting the President of Timor- Leste that CAVR has been working full time for a year without any financial support. He said that the Prime Minister and the President have promised to help solve their financial problems.

During the Open Government in Bazartete a former member of F- FDTL, Leandro Lobato,B complained that he was discriminated against and was dismissed by F-FDTL. Responding to Leandro Lobato, the Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that he has stated before that no members of the F-FDTL will suffer discrimination by the institution. The Prime Minister said to Leandro Lobato that he was dismissed because of undisciplined behavior and for not showing up for military duties.

January 23, 2004

Timor Post -- The President of RDTL, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, said that he is very upset with the National Police for shooting and wounding Joao (story does not give surname) in the Suco Nahaek in Dare and has summoned the Police Commissioner, Paulo Fatima Martins and the General Prosecutor Longuinhos Monteiro. He said that he does not accept the brutal behavior of the Police to try and solve the dispute between two neighbors over a few meters of land. Mr Gusmao also said that he has called the General Inspector, Mariano Lopes da Cruz, and asked him to investigate the incident.

The Coordinator of the CPD-RDTL, Antonio ai-Tahan Matak, has requested the institutions of Timor stop blaming CPD-RDTL for any trouble that arises in Timor-Leste. He said that recently in Ainaro, militias were sighted and sought money from the people and CPD-RDTL was unfairly blamed for it. Mr Matak said that people are spreading rumors against CPD-RDTL with an intention to destroy the organization, but, he said they will not succed.

The Sub-District Administrator of Laga, Baltazar Belo, said that 20 hectares of rice fields have been destroyed by the strong current of the river that inundated the area. He said that 3 villages, Boudisi, Lugi and Herlala, were badly affected and 10 hectares of rice fields were completely destroyed. Mr Belo said that the International NGO's USAID and AUSAID have started repairing the river banks to avoid future flooding on the area.

The National Police Commander in the Sub-Dustrict of Venilale, Pedro Belo, said that a group of children playing had found a plastic bag hanging from a tree that contained a hand grenade. He said that when the children pulled the bag out of the tree, they found a string attached and another 3 grenades were buried under the tree. Mr Belo said that the grenades were old and rusty and he believed they had been left behind by the Indonesian soldiers.

The Deputy of the UNMISET, Dr Sukehiro Hasigawa, said that before the end of the UNMISET mission in May it's very important that the Government of Timor-Leste "fix" the economy, and implement a code to protect human rights. He said these things are important for the wellbeing of the people.

Suara Timur Lorosae -- In July, Indonesia is schedule to hold its first-ever direct election of a president. The incumbent, Megawati Sukarnoputri, is expected to seek another term. But she faces a challenge from a controversial figure. The former chief of the Indonesian armed forces is laying the groundwork for a presidential bid despite his indictment by a UN tribunal for war crimes in the former Indonesian colony of East Timor. General wiranto, who was forced into civilian life in 2000, is portraying the government of Megawati Sukarnoputri as failed and offering himself as a contender in the first direct presidential election.The one-time military chief and six other senior officers were charged by a UN Court with crimes against humanity in connection with the violence that accompanied a 1999 referendum on East Timor's independence.B But Indonesian courts have declined to charge him, and the government has refused to turn him and his colleagues over to the United Nations for trial.

The District Administrator of Ermera, Vitor dos Santos, said that as Timorese, we should not wait for the Government's help in everything, but we need to take control and set up our own activities. He added that people should support each other and be tolerant towards one another. Mr dos Santos said that the Government also needs to attend the people's emergency requests especially those who saw their house and cattle taken away by the strong current of the river caused by the monsoon rains.

The Director of PT, Rosario Julio Alfaro, said that the private sector has faced many difficulties since UNTAET's time because there is no law for investment and people are scared to invest. He said that the Government needs to support the private sector before UNMISET ends its mission or the private sector will be confronted with lots more problems. Mr Alfaro said a weak private sector is also a problem for the Government. He said urgent attention is needed to create jobs for the people.

During the Open Government in the the Sub-District of Maubara the Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that the development process for Timor-Leste is running according to the National Development Plan established by the Government. He said this process had started in May 2000. Dr Alkatiri also said that the development process can take three, five or even ten years to accomplish. He added that to implement National Development Plan, we all need to work hard, otherwise we will fail. Speaking about infrastructure, the Prime Minister said that electricity is important and a study is underway to see whether if its possible to generate electricity using water hydropower. He said that running generators with diesel isB expensive and costly to run. Dr Alkatiri said that if the people want electricity in their homes, they have to contribute and pay their bills because the Government cannot continue to pay USD 8 million a year in diesel.

January 26, 2004

Suara Timur Lorosae -- There is a palpable fear in the town of Bobonaro, which sits on the Timorese side of the border with Indonesia. It is not apprehension at the possibility of invasion, but rather a brewing conflict between the Timorese authorities and a band of locals set on creating their own field of influence. The stress has triggered violent police actions against the rebel Committee to Defend the Democratic Republic of East Timor (CPD). Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri confirmed his commitment to repressing the group this week, saying:" They have been told to stop their activities but this hasn't work, so they will be capture by the police". He has pledged to neutralise CPD by March, ordering police to seize identity cards the group has issued in competition with government cards. But the ferment created by the campaign may create the instability the Government seeks to prevent. (This story was written by an Australian Journalist Jill Jollife)

The Vice-commander of the National Police Force in Ainaro, Adriano Pereira, said that after receiving various reports from the community about Ninja activities at night in Ainaro, the Police have set up around the clock security to try and catch those involved. Mr Pereira said that there are no real "Ninjas" in Ainaro, but he said people who desperately in need are stealing and robbing people's houses dressed as Ninjas.

The Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri, said that journalists needs to be learn how to be independent and not act as if they are the Government Opposition. He said that journalists have a tendency to follow rumours without checking with sources.

Dr Alkatiri said that journalists need to have facts before any story can be published and they should not follow rumours which could create instability in the country.

Timor Post -- The FDTL Lieutenant Colonel, Mau Nana, said that the confrontation on Saturday between a group of youth's and FDTL soldiers in Lospalos was provoked by Juvenal da Costa, a former Portuguese army soldier. He said that a report was presented to the Police about the provocation, but no action was being taken. Lt Colonel Nana said that the incident resulted in several injures amongst the youth group and FDTL due to the misunderstanding that occurred between the two groups. He added that he regrets the FDTL action in firing their guns in front of the Police station and agreed it was a form of intimidation towards the population of Lospalos. Lt Colonel Nana said that a report has been presented to the Brigadier General, Taur Matan Ruak, about the incident and a team has left to go to Lospalos to try to calm the situation.

The district Administrator of Bobonaro, Leonel de Jesus Carvalho, said that members of the CPD-RDTL who in the past did not accept the Government's registry cards, and instead created their own, have started handing over their alternative cards to the local government. Mr Carvalho said that members of the population involved in the CPD-RDTL activities has been very cooperative and returned all the cards.

The Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Cesar Jose da Cruz, said that his Ministry has decided to establish the month of January 2004 as the National Month for Tree Planting. He said that an information campaign will start to educate people that when you cut down a tree you should plant one on his place. Mr Cesar said that the initiative is supported by an International NGO and trees will be planted in every district to rejuvenate the dying forests in Timor-Leste. Mr da Cruz said that he has requested the drafting of a law which would ban the cutting of trees and burning the fields.

January 27, 2004

Suara Timur Lorosae -- The President of RDTL, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, said as the Supreme Commander of the F-FDTL he will make a recommendation to the Government to open an investigation into the F-FDTL incident in Lospalos at the weekend. The President said that when the First Battalion stationed in Lospalos, goes out and starts shooting indiscriminately that's an error and a big mistake. President Gusmao said that he is sad about the undisciplined behavior shown by the F-FDTL members, and he will seek support from UNMISET to help set up a commission to investigate the incident.

The Priest from the Church in Lospalos, Manuel Fraille, said that elements from the two national institutions PNTL and F-FDTL have shown that they are undisciplined, with no control at all. He said that those who were involved have to face justice to avoid further mishaps in future.

The Deputy Commander of the National Police in the District of Bobonaro, Ismael da Costa Babo, said that he does not accept the accusation made by CPD-RDTL that the Rapid Response Unit stationed in Bobonaro has mistreated people. Mr Babo said that the Rapid Response Unit never assaulted anyone or took any action against members of the population in Bobonaro, as stated by CPD- RDTL in December. He said that what the CPD-RDTL are doing is trying to give a bad name to the Police Force.

The head of the Village in Mehara, Sub-District of Tutuala, District of Lautem, Amadoro Miguel, said that the population of Suco Mehara does not have access to clean water. He said that the population has being waiting for the past two years and every day the population has to walk seven kilometers to fetch water.

The Director of the Health center in Bobonaro, Jose Afranio do R. Santos, said that the health clinic has an average of 80 patients a day seeking medical assistance and treatment for skin infections. He said most of the patients also had flu. He said that the rainy season has made it difficult for the mobile clinic to visit patients in remote areas of the District.

The Administrator of the Sub-District of Iliomar, Joao Alves, said that the population has many times complained to him about the road condition that leads to Iliomar. He said there is no transportation available for the people to take their goods to the market. He said that a quick attention from the Government is needed to help solve the problem.

The Head of the Education Department in Ainaro, Sub-District of Maubisse, Filomeno de Araujo, said that the primary schools in Manetu, Manelobas and Suku Liurai do not have enough books for the children. He said that in Manetu alone, there are only three teachers to teach three hundred and forty children, divided into two classrooms. Mr de Araujo said that tables and chairs are urgently in need, and a place for the teachers to live. At present the teachers have to wake everyday at 4:30 in the morning to be on time for school. In the meantime, in the Sub-District of Maubisse, Suco Manelobas, the population has decided to build two schools to which they have contributed materials and labor. When the schools are finished they will be handed to the teachers so children can be taught in dry and safe conditions.

To mark the Australian National holiday, Australia Day, the East Timor Action Network/US (ETAN) demanded that the Australian government honor the national sovereigntyB and resource rights of East Timor. This week, East Timor's supporters around the world are phoning, faxing, and Emailing Australian diplomatic missions to urge a speedy and fair resolution of the maritime boundary between the two countries.

Timor Post -- The Head of the Operational Unit of the National Police, Mateus Fernandes, said that the lack of vehicles for the Police to patrol at night, means they cannot deliver better service to the community. He said that the National Police have established a plan to attend the areas where robberies are frequent. Mr Fernandes said that for the police to be able to provide better service the community has to assist police to identify suspects or suspect activities in their residential areas.

January 28, 2004

Timor Post -- A midwife from the Health Clinic in the Sub- District of Venilale, Francisca de Jesus, said that the health clinic in Venilale has more than 110 patients receiving treatment for dengue fever. She said the 80 adult patients receiving treatment from range in age from 10 to 80 years. Mrs de Jesus added said that 22 children under the age 5 have been hospitalized with dengue fever. She made an appeal to the population to use mosquito nets and maintain their yards clean.

The Head of the Health Department in Baucau, Luis da Cunha, said that his department treated 118 patients with mental disorders in 2003. He said that some of the patients who sought treatment were also suffering epilepsy. Mr da Cunha said that the treatment program for mental disorders in Baucau was financed and supported by AUSAID.

An electricity consumer in Baucau, Francisco Lopes, said that since January 2, the people in the District of Baucau have been sitting in the dark every night without electricity. He said that people are not happy with the situation and are afraid that their electrical appliances might also break. Responding to people's concerns, the Head of the EDTL in Baucau, Afonso Boavida, explained that the generator had broken down in Dcember and again in January. He said he has requested new parts for the generator, but Dili has not yet delivered them.

During an Open Government in Liquica, an ex-combatant, Graciano da Silva, said that people who don't want to work and who are waiting only for Government to give them everything, are like militias. He said that people with this kind of mentality do not see that the donors will look at us as a country with lazy people. Mr da Silva said that people with this "militia mentality" should be sent to Natarbora and Weberek (on the other side of the island in the District of Same) to work instead of waiting for the Government's support.

The Media Officer for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Kym Smithies, said that RESPECT is a National Program and is giving support to vulnerable people in civil society like widows, ex-combatant, youth and those who are seeking employment. Ms Smithies said that the program is very important and its objective to help vulnerable people in the area of agriculture development, forestry and infrastructure rehabilitation. STL

The Commander of F-FDTL Brigadier General, Taur Matan Ruak, said that in his opinion, the members of F-FDTL who were involved in the weekend incident in Lospalos made a big mistake. He said that he was waiting for the investigation results before any action can be taken against those involved. In the meantime, the President of the National Parliament, Lu Olo, said that the weekend incident was an act of crime. He said that it's important to know why it happened and what led F-FDTL to become involved in such an act of crime.

The Secretary of State for Public Works, Joao Alves, said that with the availability of finance to support the National Development Plan, we will see big changes in Timor-Leste from the Department of Public Works. He said that he can guarantee the community that by FY06/FY07 a lot will be accomplished. Mr Alves said that most of the projects from FY03/FY04 are underway and some are finished. For example, he said, roads are being repaired and bridge is being carried out by small local companies.

The Head of the Village of Mehara, Sub-District of Tutuala, Amadoro Miguel, said that the population has not received any electricity bills, and no staff from EDTL have come to explain how or where people should go to pay their bills.

Mr Miguel said that he has been without electricity for the last four months, and he does not know whether he has to pay or not to have access to electricity.

The Supervisor for EDTL in Ermera, Adolfo Inacio da Silva Maia, said that his staff to doing maintenance and electrical repairs in Gleno have to carry equipment and material on a cart. He said that sometimes they have to take the cart 8 kilometers to do their work. Mr Maia said that the staff patiently have done their work, but transportation is urgently needed for them to be able to continue with their work. He said that he has put a request for a car, but until now has not received a reply.

The Vice-Superintendent for Education in the District of Lautem, Alfredo de Araujo, said that for the world to respect and continue to help this nation get established, it is important not to forget education. He said for this to happen, parents have to take responsibility and assist with educating their children at home. Mr Araujo said that it is important for the parents to restrict their children's movements, ask for school reports, and supervise their children's homework.

The Head of Teacher's Department in the District of Manufahe, Vidal dos Santos, said that a primary school teacher in Wedauberek, Angelina da Costa, did not comply with the school regulation's and was transferred to another primary school in Wesusu. Mr dos Santos said that after receiving many complaints about the teacher from parents and students, he was left with no other alternative.

The Vice-Director of the Pre-Secondary School in Gleno, Alarico de Jesus Soares, said that the community is very happy with the Australian Battalion (AUSBAT) for building two pre-schools in Gleno. Both have three classrooms. He said that the population is very grateful for the Australian Army support not only for the buildings, but also for their donation of 20 chairs and 20 tables.

The National Police Force Commissioner, Paulo da Fatima Martins, said that the First Battalion Commander of F-FDTL, Falur Rate Laek, suffered minor injuries in a car accident while traveling to the District of Viqueque to visit his family.

Mr Martins said that when the local police received a call through the radio, they reacted promptly and helped evacuate the Commander.

January 29, 2004

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it is ready to help its member countries hit by the bird flu maintain their economic growth rate. In a press release in Jakarta Wednesday, the ADB said the assistance will be offered under three programs, covering enhancement in technical know-how and skills, equipment such as special clothing, control and monitoring of public health. ADB Director General Rajat Nag said this activity is linked to the program of the bank's member countries in Asia and several agents, on the basis of an WHO scheme. The people have asked the bird flu-ridden countries to work together and make regional approaches in eradicating the disease, also known as avian influenza.

Timor Post -- The Deputy of UNMISET, Sukehiro Hasegawa, said that with the end of UNMISET mission, its time for the people of Timor-Leste to stand alone and continue with the development of the country. Mr Hasegawa said that for the development to happen people have to participate and cooperate, and most importantly for the community to be involved in the development of the private sector.

The Minister of Health, Dr Rui Maria de Araujo, said that contrary to what the media said Timor-Leste has is only banned the importation of live birds. He said that the ban was imposed as a precaution against the deadly bird flu virus that is spreading throughout the countries in the region.

The draft law for the election of the "chefe sucos" has been approved by the National Parliament and sent to the President who has not promulgated, but people at suco level have started an information campaign. Confronted with the issue, the Chief Cabinet of the President, Agio Pereira, said that the reason the President has yet to promulgate is because he has doubts about certain articles on the draft law, and he will seek clarification from the Parliament.

During an inauguration of a Training Centre in Ainaro the Minister of Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries, Estanilau Aleixo da Silva, said that the Government hasB responsibilities to create better conditions, but farmers also have to change theirB mentality and habits in cultivating. He said that farmers should apply new methods for a better quality of rice, and to have better value at the market. Mr da Silva said that the know-how is very important and the Government of Japan is here to help develop human resources, and we all should benefit from it to help develop the country.

Suara Timur Lorosae -- The President for the Education Timor- Leste in Baucau, Januario Soares, said that one of the major problems that the Department of Education faces is the language barrier between teachers and students. He added that most of the school teachers face great difficulties because of their level of education and capacity to teach.B Mr Soares also said that out of the 7000 teachers throughout the country 25% of them speaks Portuguese, 5% speaks or understands English, and the rest Tetum and Bahasa Indonesia.

The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Armindo Maia, said that the Government of Timor-Leste has given top priority to Education, followed by public works for 2004. He said that for this reason the Department of Education needs to double its efforts in 2004. Dr Maia said that he already has plans to repair 150 schools throughout the country, and to solve the shortage of school teachers his department will make an announcement to recruit 300 additional teachers for primary and secondary schools.

The Minister of Health, Dr Rui Maria de Araujo, said that the best remedy to combat malaria in Timor-Leste is to clean and eradicate spots that can serve as breeding ground for mosquitoes. He added that one way for people to avoid malaria is to clean and maintain their yards and water channels and keep them free of rubbish. Dr Rui said that soon his department will start an information campaign for the population on how to avoid being bitten by malaria infected mosquitoes.

[Compiled by Jose Filipe External Affairs World Bank, Dili Office.]