News & issues

East Timor's legislative bully

Global Journalist - March 2006

Sonny Inbaraj – The current media landscape in East Timor, the world's newest nation, is not a pretty one.

Journalists could face a three-year jail sentence for defamation under the recently amended penal code, which Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri revised Dec. 6, 2005. The revisions call for up to three years' imprisonment and unlimited fines for publishing statements deemed defamatory of public officials. All that is needed for the decree to become law is the president's signature.

But international press freedom groups point out that criminal defamation laws are unnecessary in a democracy and that prison penalties would undercut the fundamental democratic principle of free expression.

"Criminal defamation is an affront to free speech in East Timor," said the Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists in a statement last month. "The steps to building a democracy are not paved with Draconian laws which punish journalists for doing their work," says IFJ President Christopher Warren.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists echoed IFJ's sentiments in a January letter to President Xanana Gusmao. CPJ said the bill threatens journalists whose reports on public officials or government institutions might be considered defamatory, even if the facts are fairly and accurately represented and are reported in good faith.

"Your nation's stated commitment to a free press and to democracy is undermined by measures that provide special protection to public officials," said Ann Cooper, CPJ's Executive Director, in the letter.

"We believe criminal defamation laws are unnecessary in a democracy and that prison penalties for such charges undercut the fundamental democratic principle of free expression." Cooper appealed directly to Gusmao not to sign the legislation.

Meanwhile, journalists in the direct line of fire are worried that the decree-law will have a chilling effect on more than just the individual involved.

"This decree-law threatens the fearless nature of a free press," says Jose Ximenes, the Timor Post news editor. "It has the frightening effect of silencing not only individual journalists charged but the media community as a whole."

Ximenes is worried that his reporters will be restrained in their efforts to criticize those in power. "My reporters, in particular the ones new to the profession, could be practicing self- censorship motivated by fear," he says.

The ball, however, now lies in the presidential court. On Feb. 17 Gusmao sent the draft decree back to the Ministry of Justice for reconsideration. Although he has yet to use his veto power, he is said to be awaiting a legal opinion from the Court of Appellate.

According to Lusitania Cornelia Lopes, the president's chief spokesperson, Gusmao is also considering public opinion on the articles in making his decision.

But signals from the Court of Appellate have not been encouraging.

In January, the president of the Appellate Court, Claudio Ximenes, told reporters that the defamation articles in the penal code "are not dangerous to democracy" in East Timor. "The situation in East Timor is different from other countries and this article will ensure social stability and democracy in the nation," he says.

Ximenes says that several European countries, such as Spain, Germany and Italy, also have similar laws criminalizing defamation. "And these are advanced democracies," says Ximenes. "So we do not have grounds to say these defamation articles will endanger democracy."

Virgilio da Silva Guterres, president of the Timor Lorosae Journalists Association, disagrees. Guterres says the law favors public officials and government leaders and protects them from criticism. In his opinion, it offers little protection for reporting facts that may be construed as defamation. He feels that the sanctions would be a setback for the dream of a democratic East Timor.

"The chilling effect of this law will prevent people, particularly journalists, to pursue the truth because of the three years' imprisonment as stipulated in this decree-law," Guterres says.

Local legal experts also point out that this decree-law goes against the country's constitution and certain international laws signed by East Timor.

"This decree-law violates the East Timor constitution," says Tiago Sarmento, director of the Judicial System Monitoring Program, a Dili-based legal watchdog. "[It violates] Article 6, which speaks about the goals of the state, Article 40 about freedom of expression and information and also Article 41 about freedom of the press and other communications media. It also goes against the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, which has also been ratified by the East Timor government."

East Timor's road to independence, which was achieved on May 20, 2002, was long and traumatic. After a forced 25-year occupation, Indonesia agreed in August 1999 to let the East Timorese choose between independence and local autonomy. Militia loyal to Indonesia tried in vain to use terror to discourage a vote for independence.

When the referendum showed overwhelming support for independence, the loyalists went on the rampage, murdering hundreds and reducing towns to ruins. The media was not spared. The territory's only newspaper office was burned to the ground and all printing machines in the capital, Dili, were destroyed.

An international peacekeeping force eventually halted the mayhem and paved the way for a United Nations mission that helped East Timor back onto its feet.

The rebuilding of East Timor has been one of the UN's biggest success stories. It has helped to revive independent media outlets in the militia-destroyed territory. Yet today the reconstructed media in East Timor grapples with the challenges of rebuilding a nation and its increasingly important role in developing the new democracy.

But with the impending wind-down of the UN mission here and trickling donor support for media development, many are worried that the lack of a legal and legislative infrastructure supportive of public access to information and free speech will only make things worse in East Timor.

"Without a media-supportive infrastructure, Timorese journalists are not protected against intimidation," says Aderito Hugo da Costa, director of Timor Post. "In addition, state interference in media rights is likely to go uncontrolled and people could withdraw their faith in the media as an impartial source of information."

According to da Costa, a media-supportive infrastructure needs time to develop and also needs donor support. "These are long- term objectives and they need international support," he says.

East Timor's economic conditions are also beginning to thwart viable and professional media. According to World Bank figures, East Timor is among the poorest countries in the world, with a per capita gross domestic product of $366. 2001 figures also indicated that one in five people lived on less than one dollar a day and two in five lived below the national poverty line.

"Regardless of the number of journalistic competency programs, East Timor's low-functioning economy generates miniscule advertising and little revenue for independent media operators," says da Costa. "It's a daily struggle to survive."

Yet in spite of the obstacles faced by the East Timorese media, Paul McGeough, Sydney Morning Herald's veteran foreign correspondent, believes that the ultimate reward will be well worth the effort.

"If people in post-conflict societies can set up newspapers that are independent and not locked in with local political parties or interests, it's a huge asset," says McGeough.

"To get openness, to get newspapers working as they have to work to play their part in a democracy, they need to be funded. They need money; they need resources; they need guidance; they need training."

[Sonny Inbaraj is the East Timor country director of Internews, a US-based media development agency. He was the 2005 runner-up in the 'Reporting from Dangerous Places' category for IPS' "Richard De Zoysa" Award for Excellence in Independent Journalism.]

Captivates of peace in Timor island

Kompas - March 21, 2006

'The Government no longer pays attention to us. Some local officials have even asked us why we have not repatriated and returned to Timtim. We don't think about going back to Timtim. We're here not only for the sights. We are legal citizens. I'm surprised that officials ask us this,' said Salem Nimran (49)

P. Bambang Wisudo – Indonesia's occupation in East Timor (Timtim) has been a grey period which inherits sadness to this day. Thousands of ex refugees still live in temporary barracks, with no access to education and adequate health facilities. The fate of ex Timtim citizens is still unknown and remains a neglected agenda for post conflict handling.

In 2005, the central government in Jakarta had ended its assistance to refugees in the form of housing material (BBR) and termination funds. Refugees are considered gone. Nimran no longer has the right to receive BBR or termination funds as he does not own land.

'How can we buy land when we don't even have enough for food,' said Nimran, a father of three children. He lives in a makeshift home with tin roofing and hard-packed ground as flooring. Bits of tarpaulin are joined here and there to cover parts of his wall which is made of lontar leaves. He occupies land owned by the local people in front of the Loloa terminal complex in Atambua. He makes a living by seeking and breaking up stones into gravel. Other times he works as construction labor. 'People don't give us land to farm on,' said Nimran.

Nimran was often asked to leave by the land owners, however he, and some 42 families living in that block had refused. He still hoped to receive some fuel compensation funds for the poor. The funds will be used by the people to buy land for living. However, they don't have the cards. Their names were not included as recipients for the fuel compensation fund as announced by the Statistics Office in Atambua, so they all stormed on the Statistics Office in Atambua on 3 March.

'We have no hopes for the government,' said Nimran not knowing what to do.

Nimran had once been offered to transmigrate to other parts of Indonesia. He had refused the offer. Like most of the other ex East Timor citizens, they prefer to stay on Timor Island. They want to stay close to their birthplace so they can easily visit their families in Timor Leste whenever they want.

Coaxing them to move is not an easy matter as the decision to stay or not is a group decision. Customs require them to live within the same location with other families of the same bloodline which can amount to tens of people. The problem is that Timor Island does not have the resources to accommodate the thousands of people hungry for land.

Forests are destroyed as wood are felled for firewood and building material and its land is used for farming.

'The locals had once confronted the ex refugees living in Wemer forest. The people in Timor have always refrained from touching the forest as it provides water for the people of Belu,' said Wendilinus Inta (31), an NGO activist in Atambua.

In the end of 2005, the government had removed the refugee status of ex East Timor citizens living in West Timor. However, thousands of ex East Timorese are still living in refugee camps concentrated in Belu district and Atambua.

According to NGO data, the number of refugees in Belu district amount to around 10,000 families. The local government mentions 12,000. The number of neglected ex East Timor refugees still amount to around 30,000 to 40,000 families. This different amount becomes a point of argument and prejudices. The Camp Coordinator is often charged of adding the amount to gain more contributions. However, the fact remains that the numbers of people and refugee families continue to grow naturally and will become harder to resolve.

'Data is a big problem. The government claims that all refugees have been assisted and all refugee assistance has been stopped in 2000.

The fact is, thousand of refugees are still living in refugee camps,' said Winston Rondo, Coordinator for the Timor CIS Volunteer Group.

Repatriation, said Winston, is still open to them. However, the number of people actually returning to East Timor is too small. Only five families do so after long periods. A problem that prevents repatriation is the fear of retaliation. Although they may not be directly connected to acts of violence, they are afraid they might be connected with members of families involved with the pro-integration militia. Some people still live in refugee camps, said Winston, still unsure whether to go home, stay, or go home later.

'Some continue to stay on the idea that the government must take care of them,' said Winston.

If not thoroughly resolved, the refugee problem may not only withhold efforts to develop peaceful and friendly relations with Timor Leste, but also may become sources of conflict in the future. Currently, several community groups have initiated to ask refugees to leave land they are occupying. West Timor's natural resources are too limited to be further divided with thousands of ex refugees. Informal jobs in the district are mostly taken by the refugees. This burden is too great for West Timor which is categorized as one of the poorest areas in Indonesia is now like a dry piece of straw, easily combustible.

The Coordinator for the Timor People's Advocacy Information Centre (PIAR), Sarah Lery Mbooik said the central government cannot leave the burden of handling refugees to NTT Province alone. NTT is too poor and cannot be saddled with this problem. 'Moreover, since the occupation of East Timor till today, the people of NTT have always remained as bystanders,' said Lery.

First lady fights for her country torn

Melbourne Age - March 12, 2006

Tom Hyland – Outside, the autumn sun glistens on the Yarra. Inside the swish restaurant at Federation Square there's the clink of cutlery as hundreds of Melbourne women lawyers listen to a lunchtime speech by the woman who is billed to speak on her life, "from Melbourne arts student to the first lady of East Timor".

Kirsty Sword Gusmao, wife of East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao, tells the gathering that a profound sense of anger over an injustice compelled her to join East Timor's fight for independence.

But she's not here to reminisce about her undercover role in winning that fight. She is here to raise money and awareness about East Timor's new battle. It might be free, but it's the poorest country in the Asia-Pacific region and it's getting poorer.

Ms Sword Gusmao silences the clink of cutlery when she tells what that poverty means. In East Timor 800 out of every 100,000 women die in childbirth. New UN figures show 88 out of every 1000 babies die at birth (the equivalent Australian figure is about four). A third of women suffer malnutrition. Only 8 per cent have access to contraception.

She tells how the director of Dili's main hospital complains his staff are ripping up sheets to give mothers something to wrap their babies in. When women leave hospital with their babies their departure is often marked by a trail of blood, as they can't afford sanitary napkins.

In 2001 Ms Sword Gusmao helped set up the Alola Foundation, which she now chairs and which aims to improve the lot of East Timor's women.

Alola is the nickname of Juliana dos Santos, who was kidnapped, at age 15, by a notorious militia leader after the 1999 vote for independence and taken as a "war trophy" to Indonesian West Timor, where she remains today.

Her story has served to personalise the plight of East Timorese who have been taken to Indonesia and are unable to return home. The extent of such separations was revealed in The Sunday Age last month.

Ms Sword Gusmao has taken up Juliana's case, lobbying Indonesian officials for her return and helping her family establish contact with her. If she is allowed back it will offer hope for other families torn apart during East Timor's upheaval.

But, Ms Sword Gusmao tells The Sunday Age, the obstacles are many. Violence and intimidation mean Juliana is in no position to make a free choice.

There are other obstacles, too, in reuniting families, including a lack of resources on East Timor's part and, perhaps, a lack of will on the part of Indonesia. On this issue Ms Sword Gusmao is diplomatic. "I'd like to think we'd be able to reach a solution to this with the co-operation of the Indonesian authorities," she says.

"But ... given the very complex psychological aspects of this problem and the intimidation and coercion aspects of it, I don't think there's been an adequate recognition from the Indonesian side that she's a young woman unable to make a free decision."

She says the issue of divided families is on the agenda of both countries. But she is cautious: "We have some concerns that this is not on the top of the priority list for Indonesia ... I'd like to think it's not a case of indifference."

Women's equality still only a dream for many

The Advertiser - March 9, 2006

Cara Jenkin – In Adelaide, Kirsty Sword Gusmao can see that women, young and old, enjoy equal opportunities. At her home in East Timor, they still struggle for even basic gains.

In her position as First Lady of East Timor, Ms Sword Gusmao was guest speaker at the UNIFEM Adelaide Breakfast at the Adelaide Convention Centre yesterday.

She said while some people might not think International Women's Day was necessary, the plight of other women in Australia's own low socio-economic areas could go unnoticed.

Ms Sword Gusmao told the gathering, which included Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, 51 per cent of East Timorese women felt unsafe in relationships because of domestic violence issues.

The information was "a real eye opener" for Adelaide High School students, who represented the new generation of women at the conference. Year 12 student Eleftheria Apostolidis said it was inspirational to hear how other women survived through hardship.

"We think it can be a pretty hard place here in Australia but it is even harder for women in East Timor," she said.

Political crisis

No links between recent violence and troop sackings: Horta

Lusa - March 30, 2006

Dili – East Timor's foreign minister said Thursday that recent street disturbances in the capital were not related to a military crisis in the new nation, criticizing media reporting of the violence as "irresponsible, alarmist and completely false".

In a statement, Josi Ramos Horta said inaccurate coverage and analysis of the weekend disturbances in Dili by Lusa, AFP and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation had "caused significant damage to Timor".

"Only 50 youths were involved in the incidents" in suburban Dili, which resulted in damage to "no more than 20 stores", said the statement from Timor's top diplomat.

The Dili street disturbances were in no way connected to the recent sacking of around a third of the troops in the East Timor Defense Force and only two of the 600 sacked soldiers "were involved in the incidents", said Ramos Horta.

In an interview published in Thursday's Sydney Morning Herald, Ramos Horta described the situation in Timor as "largely calm".

"I do not say that there isn't tension or a climate of fear among the people of Dili", he told the Australian daily, adding that "most of the 600 sacked troops are behaving reasonably well and are not involved in acts of violence or vandalism".

The weekend disturbances were caused by criminal "opportunists" who spread rumors to fuel panic, said Dili's foreign minister.

Earlier, Prime Minister Alkatiri, speaking to reporters after his regular weekly meeting with President Xanana Gusmco, predicted that the disturbances would not negatively impact an international donors' conference in Dili next week.

Describing the tense situation as "improving", Alkatiri said donors would "see this government's capacity to manage delicate situations and seek solutions".

A police official told Lusa Wednesday that 34 people, including 13 of the fired soldiers, had been detained since Friday.

Four suspects in the stabbing of a riot police officer in Dili Tuesday had also been arrested, the official said, adding, however, that that incident was not related to the army crisis.

East Timor tense as soldiers desert barracks

Sydney Morning Herald - March 30, 2006

Lindsay Murdoch, Dili – Gastao Salsinha thought he would be a hero of East Timor's independence. "I fought the Indonesians in the bush but instead of being a hero I'm now being treated like a dog," he says.

Mr Salsinha became a lieutenant in the Australian-backed army that was formed after East Timor became the world's newest nation in 2002.

But yesterday he was in hiding, fearing arrest, in a house in an outer suburb of Dili after sporadic rioting and looting in the East Timorese capital since last weekend. "It's too late to solve the crisis... the Government had two months to solve it but did nothing," he told the Herald.

Mr Salsinha and 590 other soldiers – more than one-third of East Timor's army – were recently dismissed for deserting their barracks. Their grievances and treatment have been linked to the unrest in Dili that has panicked some residents.

But East Timor's Foreign Minister, Jose Ramos Horta, signalled late yesterday that the Government would consider setting up a special commission of inquiry to look into the grievances of the soldiers, which include claims they were discriminated against because most of them are from towns and villages in western parts of Timor.

Mr Ramos Horta described the situation around the country yesterday as "largely very calm". "I'm not saying there is not tension or a climate of fear among people in Dili," he said. "So far most of the 600 military men who were dismissed have behaved reasonably well – they have not been involved in any acts of violence or vandalism."

Mr Ramos Horta blamed the violence on "opportunistic" criminals who were spreading rumours to fuel panic among civilians. He said only two of the dismissed soldiers had been arrested for alleged crimes that related to a domestic dispute in which a policeman had been stabbed.

"Rumours spread fast – more than official news," Mr Ramos Horta said. "And people who remain traumatised by past events, every time they hear rumours they panic. There has not been one single death – maybe altogether some 20 or so houses on Dili's outskirts have been attacked."

Mr Ramos Horta said he would discuss setting up the commission of inquiry when he meets the Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, and President Xanana Gusmao today.

"We, the leadership, have to acknowledge that 600 former soldiers did not leave their barracks out of the blue," Mr Ramos Horta said. "There has been mismanagement of the situation for a long time.

"As leaders we have to take collective responsibility and take collective leadership in addressing this issue." Mr Ramos Horta said he supported the dismissed soldiers being allowed to rejoin the army pending the outcome of any new investigation.

Surrounded by 13 of the dismissed soldiers, Mr Salsinha, 32, said that East Timor would not have gained its independence without the fight put up by the men who are now out of jobs.

He said that people from the eastern parts of the country, including top military officers, had often accused the dismissed men of being more closely aligned to the pro-Indonesian militia that rampaged through the country, killing an estimated 1200 people, after the East Timorese voted for independence in 1999.

"Why do they think like that?" he said. "Like them we are heroes of the struggle." Asked whether he thought the recent unrest would continue in Dili, Mr Salsinha said: "Of course it will – nobody has listened to us until now and I can't see that changing."

Mr Salsinha said that some of the people from eastern parts of the country who had made accusations against his men had been given rifles. "What are they for? We are worried about this," he said.

Michael Gallagher, the Northern Territories government representative in Dili, said last night that businesses were still operating as normal in Dili and that so far there had not been any indication that foreigners had been targeted in any of the unrest.

"The problem is with local staff being able to get to and from work – they are worried because they hear all the gossip and rumours," he said.

East Timorese capital in lockdown after weekend riot

Agence France Presse - March 28, 2006

Dili – East Timor's capital was under tight security Tuesday as shops shut, public transport dwindled and some people sought refuge in a church after mobs went on a weekend rampage.

Police fanned out across the capital after the gangs – thought to be drawn from nearly 600 recently dismissed soldiers – ran amok Saturday night, looting shops and battling opposing groups of soldiers in several areas.

Shop owners were seen packing their goods and leaving for other districts while more than 60 people sought refuge at a church in Comoro on the outskirts of Dili, citing fears for their safety.

"We left our homes because they threatened to harm us if we stay," one of the refugees at Santa Auxilia Dora church, who refused to give his name, told AFP.

One patrolling policeman was stabbed and seriously wounded at Comoro but the attacker fled despite police firing shots, a witness who gave his name as Anthony told AFP.

Dili was tense with many students stranded and unable to sit mid-term exams.

Two people were arrested for possessing crude weapons in a security sweep led directly by Home Affairs Minister Rogerio Lobato.

Gastao Salsinha, the leader of the 591 soldiers dismissed after they deserted claiming nepotism and poor working conditions, accused police of arresting 12 of his comrades arbitrarily.

"The PNTL (East Timor police) have arrested 12 of my colleagues even though they were not involved in the riots," Salsinha, who accused those still in the military of instigating the unrest, told AFP.

"I want to assure you that until now we still have discipline and have no intention of creating instability in the country," he added.

East Timorese police commissioner Paulo Fatima Martins said only four people had been arrested, two of whom were dismissed soldiers.

The 591 sacked soldiers, more than a third of the country's regular armed forces, are mainly former resistance fighters. About 840 regular soldiers remain in the fledgling army, plus 1,500 reservists.

Guerrilla forces fought Indonesian troops during almost 24 years of occupation of the former Portuguese colony. The country became the world's youngest nation in May 2002.

Seven arrested after riots in East Timor

Voice of America - March 27, 2006

Nancy-Amelia Collins, Jakarta – East Timorese police have arrested seven people two days after rioters rampaged through Dili, the capital of the world's youngest nation. Many of those involved in the violence were recently fired soldiers.

Police announced the seven arrests Monday in connection with riots by hundreds of soldiers, who rampaged through Dili throwing rocks and looting shops Saturday night.

Police also said four people were injured in the violence and several houses were damaged.

The authorities say the rioters included many of the nearly 600 soldiers who were fired earlier this month after deserting their posts in a protest against working conditions and unfair promotion practices within the military.

East Timor's Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri has called for calm, saying the government and the security forces would try to resolve the problem.

But Joaquin Fonseca from the East Timorese human rights group Yayasan Hak says the mood in the country is tense.

"There are problems, but we've already had these problems for some time. I mean the social tension is quite high," Fonseca says. Fonseca added that the problems need to be addressed not only within the military, but also within society.

East Timor, which only became a nation in 2002, was occupied for over two decades by Indonesia. Many of the dismissed soldiers are former resistance fighters.

The former Portuguese colony voted for independence from Indonesia in a United Nations sponsored vote in 1999, but pro- Jakarta militias, many backed by the Indonesian military, went on a rampage destroying large swathes of the country and killing over one thousand people.

The tiny country is now struggling to get on its feet. Infrastructure is poor, and the majority of people live in poverty.

The fledgling military has only about 840 full-time soldiers remaining after the 600 were dismissed, although the country has around 1500 reservists.

Alkatiri calls for calm

Weekend Australian - March 26, 2006

Dili – East Timor's Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri today called for calm a day after sacked soldiers rampaged through the capital looting shops and pelting opponents with stones.

"I ask that all people in Timor Leste remain calm and not be provoked by rumours," Alkatiri said shortly after returning from a visit to Japan. "The Government and the security forces will try to solve the problem that has arisen," he said.

His appeal followed a night of violence blamed on soldiers who were sacked last week after deserting their barracks.

Residents in Dili reported that shops had been looted and opposing groups of soldiers had fought pitched battles in various parts of the city.

Alkatiri foresees rapid pacification of ethnic tensions

Lusa - March 27, 2006

Dili – Authorities expect to pacify tensions pitting East Timor's ethnic groups that led to rioting in Dili at the weekend within days, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said Monday.

Authorities "will continue to manage the situation with calm", Alkatiri told Lusa, saying the government was encouraging people from the east who fled the capital to return home.

The country's top police officer, Superintendent Paulo Martins, said seven people, including two soldiers recently expelled from the army, had been arrested in the wake of rioting in Dili overnight Saturday.

The violence directed at the capital's "lorosae" community, or easterners, had resulted in damage to 16 houses, stonings and assaults, Martins said.

Tensions between the "lorosae" and Dili's predominantly "loromonou" population, or westerners, began building last week after President Xanana Gusmco publicly criticized on Thursday the decision by Defense Minister Roque Rodrigues and army chief Brig. Gen. Taur Matan Ruak to sack nearly 600 mostly "loromonou" soldiers – about one-third of the country's fledgling Self- Defense Force.

Since mid-week, many easterners abandoned the capital fearing ethnic violence and bus links from Dili eastwards have been largely paralyzed.

East-west ethnic and linguistic tensions have simmered since several hundred mostly "loromonou" soldiers held demonstrations around the presidential palace early last month to protest what they alleged was discrimination within the military.

The 591 soldiers who were recently sacked had refused to report to barracks as ordered.

Sacking of nearly 600 troops 'unfair and wrong' - Gusmao

Lusa - March 23, 2006

Dili – The decision announced last week to dismiss nearly 600 East Timorese troops who went on strike over conditions and promotion rules was "unfair" and "wrong", President Xanana Gusmao said Thursday.

In an address to the nation broadcast on television and radio, Gusmao said he had decided to speak to the Timorese people because many believed he would be able to intervene to resolve the problems caused by the firing of a third of the East Timor Defense Force (FDTL).

In his message, the Timorese leader underscored that the decision to sack the protesting servicemen had been taken by the FDTL commander, Brig. Gen. Taur Matan Ruak. "I do not see the decision as correct", said Gusmao.

Officials had announced March 16 that 591 members of the FDTL, who had been on strike over working conditions and promotion rules, had been given a March 1 ultimatum to return to barracks, or be dismissed from the military.

On the same day as the announcement of the troops' sacking, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri had told Lusa the decision was "the only legally and politically permissible solution" to a military crisis that erupted early February.

Earlier this week, Alkatiri reiterated that the action had been taken by the military high command, "which has the power to take such decisions".

About 400 rebel troops from Timor's 1,600-strong defense force had begun a month-long standoff with the Dili authorities when they went AWOL Feb. 8. They were later joined by another 200 protestors.

Leaders of the rebellion said they wanted to end "nepotism and injustice" in the FDTL and refused to call off the protest, despite the offer of an inquiry into their grievances by President Gusmao.

Many of Timor's armed forces are drawn from the ranks of a guerilla force that fought against Indonesia's 24-year occupation of the territory.

Dili's leaders have repeatedly said that it is proving a thorny problem to turn a former guerilla force into a professional Armed Force.

President Gusmao was a former commander of the same guerilla force until his capture in 1992 by the Indonesian Army and subsequent seven-year imprisonment in Jakarta.

Disorder among Timor forces

Straits Times - March 23, 2006

Loro Horta – On February 8, some 350 officers and soldiers from Timor Leste's small defence force abandoned their posts and marched to the presidential palace. The unarmed soldiers were protesting against ill treatment, discriminatory practices and poor conditions within the Timorese Defence Forces (FDTL).

After two unsuccessful attempts at mediating the crisis, the young nation's charismatic and widely respected President, Mr Xanana Gusmao, gave the mutineers an ultimatum: 'Return to your posts and you shall not face court martial, or face the consequences of doing otherwise.' Only 25 of them accepted the offer.

Since its creation in 2002, the FDTL, or Forcas Armadas de Defesa de Timor Leste, has faced serious disciplinary problems. Before the Feb 8 incident, 60 other personnel, including a major, had been charged for indiscipline.

Most observers explain the current problem as something to be expected when a 24-year-old guerilla force is transformed into a regular army. While this explanation may have some merit, it fails to address far more fundamental issues.

First of all, most of the disciplinary cases involved young soldiers who have had little or no participation in the war of national liberation. Most of them are new conscripts, having joined only in 2002. Therefore, the causes of the current military crisis in Timor Leste are far deeper and may have severe consequences for the young nation if not properly addressed.

Regionalism is one such cause fuelling the crisis. During the war for national liberation against the Suharto regime of Indonesia, most of the military campaigns took place on the eastern side of the island.

This was due to the geographical conditions favourable to guerilla warfare and to the fact that the western part of the country was too close to the Indonesian border.

As a result, most of the guerilla forces were made up of people from the east, or Loro Sae. Indeed, almost all of the new army's high-ranking officers are easterners.

This situation has led many to accuse the FDTL of being a firaku, or eastern-dominated force. Soldiers originating from the western part of the country have accused those from the east of favouritism in promotion and double standards when it comes to discipline.

To complicate matters further, Timor's National Police Force, the PNTL, has a high number of western personnel, particularly among its senior officers. Once again, it was the demands of the war of national liberation that created this situation. The more educated and urbanised people, suited for police work, came from the western side of the island and many had served previously in the Indonesian bureaucracy, giving them the advantage of experience.

President Gusmao's strategy of promoting national reconciliation allowed for the integration of many former Indonesian functionaries and pro-autonomy elements into the security forces, especially the police force. PNTL'S current commander, Commissioner Paulo Martins, was a former colonel in the Indonesian police.

This has led many in the military to see the 3,500-strong police force as illegitimate and western-dominated. The need to focus on internal security, rather than external threats, due to remarkable improvements in relations with Jakarta, means that the police force rather than the military has benefited from government attention. The international donor community's reluctance to fund the military further exacerbates the problem.

As a result, the PNTL is a far larger and better equipped force, perceived to enjoy a higher standing within Timorese society, while the military, which claims – and rightly so – to have made the most sacrifices in the struggle for national liberation, is being marginalised.

The rivalry between the military and the police is clearly demonstrated by the type of disciplinary cases reported in the FDTL. Nearly 70 per cent of the cases involved confrontations of one type or another, between police officers and military personnel and invariably, the regionalism element was a contributing factor.

The root causes of the current military crisis in Timor Leste are deep and not easy to solve overnight. Confidence-building measures between the two forces – the police and the military – are critically needed, particularly among the rank and file.

Nearly four years after independence, Timor Leste does not yet possess a military disciplinary code, let alone a defence policy.

Addressing some of these deficiencies may go some way in taming Timor Leste's young and wild military. But, above all, there is a need to recognise that the current military crisis is more than just a problem of transition from a guerilla force to a regular one.

[The writer is concluding his Master's degree in Strategic and Defence Studies at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Nanyang Technological University. He previously worked for the United Nations and was an adviser to the Timor Leste Defence Department.]

No mercy for sacked Timor soldiers: military chief

Agence France Presse - March 17, 2006

Dili – East Timor's military commander said Friday he would not accept the return of 591 soldiers who deserted from the tiny nation's military last month even if the country's president asked him to.

"They have been officially terminated and even if President Xanana Gusmao asked them to return, they will not be accepted," Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak told a ceremony held to dismiss the soldiers.

None of the soldiers, who represent more than one-third of the country's regular armed forces, turned up. The men deserted last month in protest against alleged nepotism and over-zealous surveillance.

They had taken their grievances to Gusmao, a former guerrilla leader and returned to their barracks, but then deserted again shortly afterwards.

About 840 regular soldiers remain in the fledgling East Timorese army, Ruak said. There are also approximately 1,500 reservists. Many of the deserters were former resistance fighters unused to the discipline of a regular military force.

East Timorese guerrilla forces fought against Indonesian troops during their almost 24 years of occupation of the former Portuguese colony. The country became the world's youngest nation in May 2002.

Dismissed soldiers ask Xanana to mediate

Associated Press - March 17, 2006

Dili – The leader of a group of nearly 600 East Timorese soldiers dismissed from the armed forces for going on strike appealed Friday to President Xanana Gusmao to mediate in their row with the military leadership.

On Thursday, army commander Brig. Gen. Taur Matan Ruak announced that 593 soldiers who began a strike on Feb. 8 had been fired from the service. "This is a completely unjust decision by the commander," said Lt. Gastao Salsinha, who coordinated the strike.

The strikers, who were protesting working conditions and promotion rules, have demanded that commanders eliminate "nepotism and injustice" from the service.

The dismissals of the soldiers is a serious blow to the 1,600- strong East Timor Defense Force, which was set up after East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia in 1999.

Gastao said the firings were contrary to Xanans's instructions for both sides to compromise. "We want our president to solve this problem," Gastao said in an interview. "President Gusmao is abroad now and I hope he will return soon and solve our problem."

Xanana is currently in Africa, visiting Angola and Mozambique, officials said.

East Timor fires 500 soldiers

The Advertiser - March 16, 2006

Dili – East Timor's military commander today said he had fired about 500 soldiers, or about a third of the country's regular armed forces, for deserting last month.

"As of March 1, the soldiers have been declared civilians. The door has been closed for them," Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak said.

About 500 East Timorese soldiers deserted last month in protest against alleged discrimination and over-zealous surveillance. The fledgling East Timorese army has about 1500 regular soldiers and 1500 reservists.

"We don't mind being fired as long as our complaints are being addressed. But our dismissal is not the best way to solve the problems," one of the officers, Lieutenant Gastao Salvinha, told reporters.

Around 200 more Timor soldiers join strike

Associated Press - March 2, 2006

Dili – Around 200 more soldiers from East Timor's 1,500-strong army have joined a strike over poor conditions and selective promotions, officials said Thursday.

The troops walked out of their barracks to join the 400 who have been on strike since Feb. 8, said Gastao Salsinha, a coordinator of the strike.

The soldiers have refused to return to duty, demanding an independent investigation into their complaints about working conditions and promotion rules. They delivered a petition to President Xanana Gusmao, who urged them to return to barracks and promised a government inquiry.

"We demand the government and President Gusmao set up a good mechanism to solve our problem because more and more soldiers are on strike," said Salsinha, adding that a total of 593 troops had now joined the action.

A military spokesman said he could not confirm that the strike was spreading. "I have not heard that. We will need to investigate the report," said Col. Lere Anan Timor, deputy chief of the East Timor Defense Force.

The defense force was formed six years ago, when the UN took over control of the nascent country following an independence referendum that ended Indonesia's 24-year occupation. Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 after local leaders proclaimed independence following the end of Portuguese colonial rule. The force currently consists of two light infantry battalions and two reserve battalions. It also has a small naval component numbering about 100 men and equipped with two patrol boats supplied by Portugal.

The army – which was trained by Australian and Portuguese instructors – is designed to deal with border incursions from Indonesia or, in the case of another full-scale invasion, to slow down the attackers until outside help arrives.

Most of the soldiers involved in the protest are said to be former insurgents who fought against Indonesia's occupation forces during the 24-year war in which nearly 200,000 Timorese perished.

Justice & reconciliation

Horta 'saddened' by upholding of jail term on militia boss

Lusa - March 15, 2006

Coimbra, Portugal – East Timor's foreign minister says that he is "very saddened" at the decision by Indonesia's top court this week to reinstate a 10-year jail term on former pro-Jakarta militia chief Eurico Guterres.

"I am very sad because again it is a Timorese who is paying for all the others", Josi Ramos Horta told an audience of students and teachers at Portugal's prestigious Coimbra University on Tuesday.

Guterres, ethnically East Timorese and ex-leader of the notorious Aitarak militia, was given a 10-year prison term by an ad hoc Jakarta court for war crimes committed in Timor around the time of Dili's 1999 independence vote.

His jail term was halved on appeal in 2003, but reinstated Monday by the Indonesian Supreme Court.

He has remained at liberty in West Timor since his original sentencing and is reported as having being elected as a regional leader of one of Indonesia's main political forces.

The ex-Aitarak boss is one of only two among 18 people, both East Timorese, indicted by the Jakarta ad hoc court to have had their convictions upheld.

"I run the risk of being criticized in Timor by NGOs and by Amnesty International, but this is my sincere and genuine opinion", said Ramos Horta on his unease at the prison term handed down to Guterres.

Ramos Horta, who observers say could either enter the race to become the UN's new secretary general or stand for election as his country's president next year, also called for the Dili Parliament to consider an amnesty for convicted and imprisoned Timorese militiamen.

"If it is not possible to punish the true culprits – the Indonesian military – why should Timorese militiamen be tried and sentenced?" asked Ramos Horta.

Court rules Guterres must serve jail term

Jakarta Post - March 14, 2006

Jakarta/Kupang – The Supreme Court reinstated a 10 year-jail term for former pro-Jakarta militia leader Eurico Guterres on Monday for committing crimes against humanity before East Timor's vote for independence from Indonesia in 1999.

Guterres is the second civilian convicted by the Supreme Court of involvement in the 1999 atrocities in the country's former province.

In April 2004, the court sentenced former East Timor governor Abilio Soares to three years' imprisonment but later acquitted him in November of all charges because of new evidence.

In 2002, Indonesia's ad hoc human rights court sentenced Guterres to 10 years in prison for crimes against humanity. The jail term was later reduced to five years on appeal. Guterres, who is now an Indonesian citizen, had remained free pending appeal.

He headed the Aitarak, or Thorn militia, which terrorized residents of the East Timor capital, Dili, ahead of a 1999 UN- backed referendum on independence.

Four of the five judges found Guterres guilty, with one judge Masyhur Effendi, dissenting and asking the court to exonerate Guterres from all charges and restore his good name.

The militia leader was found guilty of failing to stop an attack by his militia members on East Timorese refugees who were taking shelter at a house belonging to Manuel Viegas Carrascalao, a pro-independence figure, on April 17, 1999, four months before the independence ballot. Fourteen people died in the attack.

Masyhur said he based his ruling that Guterres was innocent on witness testimonies, including Carrascalao's. Witnesses had said Indonesian security forces had joined the mob as they ransacked Carrascalo's house in Liquica regency.

"I had a different opinion from the other justices because I believe that Guterres was not the only one who should take responsibility for the attack," Masyhur told Antara.

In a different session, another judicial panel upheld a verdict issued by a lower court releasing Brig. Gen. A. Noer Muis, a former commander of the now-defunct Wira Dharma Military Command, which oversaw the East Timor territory.

The court ruled Muis was not responsible for violence committed against pro-independence groups in two attacks on Sept. 5 and Sept. 6 of 1999. Muis had been ordered to assist the police to maintain order in the province in the months leading up to the ballot.

Previous judicial panels trying gross human rights violations in East Timor have acquitted all high- and middle-ranking police and military officers accused of responsibility for the atrocities.

After the Supreme Court verdict, prosecutors vowed to arrest Guterres, who is living in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara.

Speaking from his house in Kupang, Guterres said he would file a case review request with the court. "I am innocent. The East Timor problems are not solely mine and I will ask the court to review this verdict," he told The Jakarta Post by phone.

East Timor militia chief to be jailed

The Australian - March 14, 2006

Sian Powell, Jakarta – The militia leader who incited his followers to kill East Timorese independence supporters in 1999 will be the first person punished over the violence after Indonesia's Supreme Court upheld his conviction for crimes against humanity yesterday.

In a surprise decision that may indicate a change of thinking at the highest levels in Indonesia, the court found Eurico Guterres guilty and increased his sentence to 10 years in jail.

Having been free pending his appeal, Guterres, 34, who led the feared Aitarak (Thorn) militia, could be jailed within weeks, officials said.

Informed of the decision, Guterres admitted yesterday he was involved in crushing the independence movement in East Timor. "But I am not the one who created the situation," he said. "Everyone who was there, the police, the military, everyone was charged. But in the process everyone was freed. It only left me."

Guterres and his supporters had been confident the judiciary would continue its earlier trend of overturning convictions and upholding acquittals.

Yet a 2500-page UN-sanctioned report on East Timor released earlier this year, which found the Indonesian invasion responsible for as many as 180,000 East Timorese deaths, has again focused international attention on Indonesia's lacklustre approach to crimes against humanity in East Timor.

Indonesia and East Timor have also launched a Truth and Friendship Commission to investigate the atrocities of 1999, but it will have no power to punish the guilty.

Convicted by the ad hoc East Timor war crimes tribunal that Indonesia was forced to establish following intense inter- national pressure, Guterres was first sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2002. On appeal to the High Court, the sentence was reduced to five years, but the Supreme Court yesterday re- instated the original sentence.

The native East Timorese has also been indicted for crimes against humanity by the UN-backed Serious Crimes Unit in East Timor.

As the chief militia leader in East Timor's capital, Dili, in 1999, Guterres's orders were followed with gusto. Immediately after his vicious speech at a pro-autonomy rally, he led his gang to attack the house of pro-independence leader Manuel Carrascalao. Twelve people were killed, including Carrascalao's 17-year-old son.

At the Supreme Court yesterday, Mansyur Effendi, one of the five judges on the Guterres case, said he had dissented because he believed the militia leader should be found innocent. "In front of the Carrascalao house there were also soldiers and police," he said. "And there were also people who said Guterres's speech wasn't as harsh as it has been quoted."

Professor Effendi said the state bore some responsibility, and the judges should have taken into account the fact that all the others accused of crimes against humanity in East Timor had been acquitted.

As the chief of one of the most savage militias in East Timor, Guterres was directly involved in the carnage in the months before and after the independence ballot.

Lauded as a nationalist hero by some prominent Indonesians, and elected last month as regional chairman of one Indonesia's larger political parties, Guterres has in the past said his conviction for war crimes was "no problem".

More than 1500 East Timorese died in the violence. East Timorese towns were razed and as many as 250,000 people were forcibly transported to Indonesia. None of the militia leaders have been punished for the crimes of 1999.

In 2001, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Indonesia should move "quickly and decisively against Guterres". The Supreme Court also upheld the acquittal of General Noer Muis, the former military chief in East Timor in 1999.

Court's East Timor verdicts under fire

Jakarta Post - March 15, 2006

Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta – The Supreme Court has come under fire for its decision to release an Army general charged with atrocities before East Timor's independence vote in 1999, with observers saying the verdict once again discriminated in favor of the security forces.

The court reinstated a 10-year jail term for former pro-Jakarta militia leader Eurico Guterres on Monday for his role in the atrocities. Guterres had been found guilty by an ad hoc human rights court of crimes against humanity in the former province.

However, the court acquitted from similar charges Brig. Gen. A. Nur Muis, a former chief of the now-defunct Wira Dharma military command that oversaw East Timor during the ballot. The court has never found any middle- or high-ranking military and police officers guilty of involvement in the atrocities.

Andi Widjajanto, a military analyst from the University of Indonesia (UI), said Tuesday the country's judicial system had again failed to bring security personnel to justice over the East Timor violence.

The latest verdict would give human rights activists new impetus to push for the prosecution of Indonesian security officials through the International Criminal Court, he said.

"It has become a big question as to whether the prosecutors intentionally created such weak charges against the servicemen in a bid to provide 'legal loopholes' for the judicial panels to free them," Andi told The Jakarta Post. "If the prosecutors are serious about giving East Timorese victims of the violence justice... they must review all the reports on the East Timor crimes to find out whether there is still a possibility of bringing the servicemen back to court by charging them under the 2000 Law on the ad hoc human rights tribunal."

Separately, noted human rights lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis sarcastically wondered why the judges did not simply acquit all the suspects in the East Timor violence, including the civilians, instead of "unfairly giving legal privileges to the servicemen".

The panel of judges ruled Muis was not responsible for two attacks on pro-independence supporters on Sept. 5 and 6, 1999, despite being responsible for keeping order during the months in the lead up to the ballot.

However in the verdict against Guterres, four of the five panel judges reinstated a 10-year jail term earlier issued by the ad hoc human rights tribunal in 2002.

Guterres, who headed the Aitarak, or thorn militia, was convicted for an attack on East Timor refugees taking shelter at a house belonging to pro-independence figure Manuel Viegas Carrascalao on April 17, 1999, four months before the independence ballot. Twelve people, not 14 as reported by the Post on Tuesday, were killed in the attack, including Carrascalao's son.

Guterres was the second civilian convicted for the human rights violations, which took place around the vote. In April 2004, another – former East Timor governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares – was sentenced to three years in prison by the Supreme Court. Eight months later he was acquitted of all charges because of new evidence.

Indonesia, Timor agree to settle problems through TFC

Antara News - March 20, 2006

Jakarta – Foreign Affairs Minister Hassan Wirajuda said Indonesia and Timor Leste have agreed to settle their problems in the past through the Truth and Friendship Commission (TFC) and focus on pursuing restorative justice.

Hassan made the statement in response to legislators' questions in a working meeting with the House of Representatives' commission on foreign affairs here Monday.

He quoted Timor Leste President Xanana Gusmao as saying that he recently was at the UN headquarters to attend a Security Council session and submit a report on human rights violations in Timor Leste.

President Xanana had strongly criticized his cuntry's parliament over the report, which he said was unrealistic and had ignored the future interest of Timor Leste.

"President Xanana Gusmao strongly disagreed with the content and recommendation of the report, which he said was unreconciliative, disturbing Indonesia-Timor Leste good relations, and insupportive of Timor Leste's development in the future," Hassan said.

On a meeting with Indonesian Permanent Representatives to the UN in January, Timor Leste Foreign Affairs Minister Ramos Horta had said the submission of the report to the UN Secretary General was a courtesy as required by the law in the country.

"But the Timor Leste government would not take follow up measures but stick to its agreement with Indonesia to settle the problems through the TFC," Hassan said.

On February 17, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his Timor Leste counterpart held a meeting in Bali where they reiterated their countries' commitment to continue reconciliation through the TFC.

"Both leaders have a strong will to encourage and give support to the implementation of TFC tasks transparently and credibly, thus the TFC can get support from people in both countries as well as from the international community," Hassan said.

Transition & development

A free East Timor struggles on

Sydney Morning Herald - April 1, 2006

Lindsay Murdoch – Dan Murphy says he used to "stack the bodies" in his clinic in Dili in 1999 when he was one of only a few doctors in then Indonesian controlled East Timor.

Four years after the tiny territory gained its independence, the American doctor says he has not seen much change in the health of the Timorese.

"I still see malnourished children. I still see tuberculosis, malaria, and the spread of HIV is unimaginable," he says. "I'd like to say that the health of the people has improved, but in some areas it actually got worse."

The sick start queueing to see the tall, bearded man they call "Dr Dan" in Dili's misty pre-dawn outside a cluster of ramshackle buildings that serve as his clinic. By nightfall, 61-year-old Dr Murphy and several volunteer doctors will have seen up to 500 people.

"Are people happier now? Yes. In the Indonesian time people were frightened ... numb with fright," Dr Murphy says. "Now people go to the drinking wells and talk.

Even though they don't have a lot and life is a struggle they are not under anybody's boot. But the problems continue despite people gaining their freedom."

Dr Murphy says one of the biggest concerns is a population explosion – 5 per cent last year.

"More and more people are sleeping in little houses with poor ventilation and hygiene – these are perfect conditions for the spread of infectious diseases," he says. "Not much has changed in the mountain villages. And in Dili and the towns, people still can't find jobs. Only an elite few get to work for the foreign companies."

United Nations statistics show that freedom has not alleviated widespread poverty in the world's newest nation and, in fact, it might be worsening.

The UN Development Program's National Human Development Report 2006 reveals that half the population lacks safe drinking water, 60 of 1000 infants born alive die before their first birthday. Life expectancy is only 55 years of age and per capita income – at $US1 ($A1.40) a day – is declining.

But the report says that East Timor can still achieve its goal of reducing poverty by one-third, largely by raising production in agricultural areas where most of the population still lives.

The country's poverty is not deepening because of a lack of money. Existing oil and gas projects in Timor Sea will deliver an estimated $US8 billion by 2030.

But the problem is that government departments, built from ashes since 1999, do not have the human or institutional capacity to spend the money on desperately needed services.

This will be the main focus of representatives of donor countries, including Australia, who meet in Dili next week.

Dr Murphy says that health services are improving. "There are doctors in rural areas where they never have been before," he says. "But the problems are so immense."

Government ministers, diplomats and business people interviewed by The Age in Dili this week were adamant that despite growing tension and sporadic violence in the capital since last weekend, the country is not entering a period of prolong instability.

The trouble was linked to the recent sacking of 591 soldiers – more than one-third of the fledgling army. "The glamour that came with independence is gone," a diplomat said.

"The pillars of democracy are in place but now it's down to the hard grind. The false economic boom that came with the huge influx of United Nations personnel and aid workers has troughed as they have gradually left."

In the mountains and valleys outside Dili, people struggle to find enough food, just as their ancestors did during 400 years of rule by the Portuguese and 25 years under Indonesia's often brutal occupation.

Antonio Soares, 45, collects wood along the road that hugs the coast east of Dili. "Life is just as hard as it was during the Indonesian time," says Mr Soares.

"The difference between now and the Indonesian time is that I have the freedom to do whatever I want whenever I want to ... that is important to me."

East Timor four years on

• Life expectancy 55 - not improving.
• Half the population do not have enough access to safe drinking water.
• 60 per cent do not have adequate sanitation.
• 60 out of every 1000 babies die before their first birthday.
• 56 per cent of men and 43 per cent of women are illiterate.
• Between 10 and 30 per cent of primary school age children do not go to school.
• Per capita income – at $1.40 a day – is declining.

[Source: United Nations Development Program's Timor Leste Union Development Report 2006]

East Timor: The cost of neoliberal advice

Green Left Weekly - March 22, 2006

Vannessa Hearman – East Timor's 2006 Human Development Report prepared by the United Nations Development Program and the Timorese government shows the country is suffering from deep structural poverty. The report argues for "integrated rural development" to be initiated by public investment as the "path out of poverty".

The key findings of the report include that:

• East Timor has the lowest standard of living in the region.
• Life expectancy in 2004 was 55.5 years.
• 60% of the population does not have access to adequate sanitation facilities.
• Half of the population does not have access to safe drinking water.
• Diseases to which the population is at risk from include tuberculosis, leprosy and diarrhoeal and respiratory illnesses.
• Only 50% of the population is literate.

The report shows that there is income disparity between the urban and rural areas in East Timor. Poverty is particularly severe for those with less education who are engaged in agriculture and for vulnerable categories such as war widows and orphans.

The report found that there is significant discrimination against women in areas such as education and employment. Half of women in intimate relationships reported being victims of some form of violence. Maternal mortality rates are as high as 800 per 100,000 live births.

In the rural areas, 64% of the population still suffers from food insecurity, or lack of access to food due to poor production methods, seasonal factors and crop failure.

Problems in agriculture have been compounded by the lack of infrastructure. The report points out that while having a "reasonable network of principal roads", secondary and access roads are barely existent and many areas are cut off during the wet season. Electricity supplies and telecommunications hardly reach areas outside of the capital, Dili. In some rural areas, access to the erratic electricity supply falls to only 10% of households. Both electricity and telecommunications are run by private, foreign companies.

The solutions to poverty recommended by the report focus on jump-starting the agricultural sector. The report acknowledges that the government has avoided key economic activities in this sector, "in the expectation that the private sector will move in to fill the gaps". Yet as this "waiting" has proven fruitless, the HDR urges massive public investment in the agricultural sector.

The Timorese government's agricultural policies have been drafted in line with advice from international financial institutions that have been integrally involved in the country's reconstruction. Institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank have provided policy advice to the Timorese government in all sectors of the economy. In agriculture (largely the World Bank's area) and infrastructure (the ADB's area), public-private partnerships have been advocated and public provision has been discouraged.

According to Sydney University political economist Tim Anderson, the World Bank has rejected a number of Timorese government proposals for setting up public facilities, such as abattoirs and grain processing mills. The Human Development Report highlights the price that the Timorese have had to pay for the economic orthodoxy of these institutions.

The HDR also recommends the mobilisation of local networks and organisations in the agricultural sector, including farmers' organisations and cooperatives. The HDR recommends cooperatives in production and marketing, as well as transport to carry produce to the market. In 1975, Fretilin experimented with rural cooperatives. Cooperatives also existed under Indonesian rule, though were often used as a method of control. Local networks around the clandestine pro-independence movement and the National Council for Timorese Resistance flourished, but these were not utilised effectively to mobilise or resource the population after independence.

The role of cooperatives is recognised in East Timor's constitution. Progressive organisations like the Socialist Party of Timor recognised the value of cooperatives, which it set up in 1999-2000 in rural areas around Dili, Liquica and Manatuto to encourage the sharing of resources and produce among farmers. With precious little land, equipment and inputs among individual farmers, cooperatives are one way of sharing resources, but significant government funding is needed to provide seed grants in the first place to increase the farmers' resources.

Any expansion in agriculture must first tackle the issue of food insecurity, rather than to prepare East Timor for cash crop cultivation.

To meet the costs of public investment, the HDR identifies Timor Sea oil and gas revenues as key, in the face of declining international donor support for the country. Oil and gas revenues are expected to cover more than half of the public investment needed to tackle poverty. Yet Australia has unilaterally profited out of disputed oilfields. The Timor-based aid monitoring organisation La'o Hamutuk estimates that based on "very conservative calculations", Australia received "at least $2.2 billion in government revenues from Laminaria-Corallina [field] through the end of 2005".

On January 12, East Timor and Australia signed a new treaty that promises greater revenue to East Timor from the Greater Sunrise oilfield, in exchange for East Timor not campaigning for a change to the maritime boundaries between the two countries. East Timor, the region's poorest country, has ceded much of its desperately needed revenues to Australia, a wealthy imperialist country on its doorstep. Clearly East Timor has been the loser in this agreement.

While East Timor struggles to provide basic health care, with only 45 doctors in the whole country, socialist Cuba has contributed 60 doctors, as well as up to 600 medical scholarships, dwarfing Australia's official scholarship program. Two-hundred Timorese have already begun studying medicine in Cuba. This is an example of the kind of solidarity East Timor needs today.

[A copy of the East Timor Human Development Report 2006 is available from .]

New state still suffers after difficult birth

The Times (UK) - March 10, 2006

Richard Lloyd Parry – Five years after being liberated from Indonesian occupation, the tiny country of East Timor is in a downward spiral of poverty, poor health and illiteracy, according to a grim report by the United Nations.

East Timorese die on average 15 years younger than other East Asians and four out of ten of them survive on less than 30 pence a day.

One child in a hundred dies before its first birthday, and only half the population can read and write, says the UN Development Programme, which launched the report in the capital, Dili, yesterday.

"This is the poorest country in the region, with a per capita income of only $370 (#213) per year," says the report. "And it is getting poorer: following the withdrawal of the UN personnel and other aid workers the economy has continued to shrink."

In September 1999, East Timorese became the object of international sympathy after shocking violence was perpetrated by the Indonesian military. In the previous month, the UN had supervised a referendum on independence.

After 80 per cent of Timorese voted for independence from Indonesia, the occupying army went on a rampage of violence, killing 1,500 people, deporting hundreds of thousands more and burning down 70 per cent of the territory's buildings.

An multinational peacekeeping force eventually restored order, and East Timor became independent in 2002, under the leadership of Xanana Gusmao, a poet and former guerrilla leader who spent years as a prisoner of Indonesia.

Since then international attention has turned elsewhere, and the world's newest country has struggled to overcome the handicaps of meagre natural resources and a poor, uneducated population traumatised by decades of oppression.

Even the prospect of oil and natural gas in the seas south of East Timor have failed to stimulate investment in the country.

"Poverty and chronic deprivation continue to tragically affect more than 40 per cent of our society," President Gusmao writes in the introduction to the report. "The poor continue to be chained by what is called 'poverty trap'."

Life expectancy is estimated at only 55.5 years, compared with 70.5 years for East Asia as a whole. Half the population lack access to safe drinking water, and 90 children out of 1,000 die in their first twelve months of life. "Health standards are still very low," the UNDP reports.

"The people of Timor-Leste remain vulnerable to respiratory and diarrhoeal diseases as well as malaria, dengue fever, TB and leprosy."

Literacy is only 50 per cent, and as many as three out of ten children do not attend primary school. Only 60 per cent live above the poverty line – which is defined as an income of 30 pence a day. The poorest East Timorese are people living in the countryside and the victims of the Indonesian occupation, widows and orphans of former resistance fighters, veterans and former child soldiers.

East Timor's great hope lies in the Timor Sea where oil and gas reserves in the Great Sunrise Field are expected to bring in billions of pounds of revenue over the long term. After months of contentious negotiations a treaty was signed with Australia in January to share income from the oil and gas.

But many Timorese and their advocates have accused Australia of taking advantage of East Timor's desperate need for cash to negotiate an unequal treaty.

"You've got the poorest country in Asia, one of the smallest countries in the world, and then you have Australia, which is a very wealthy country,", said Tom Clarke, of the Timor Sea Justice Campaign. "It's a bit like if someone was dying of thirst in the desert, you're not going to be in a good position to negotiate the price of a glass of water."

Poverty a threat to Timor's stability

Sydney Morning Herald - March 8, 2006

Craig Skehan – Entrenched poverty could destabilise East Timor unless earnings from oil and gas are fairly distributed, a United Nations report has found.

Half the estimated population of 1 million lacks safe drinking water and 60 in every 1000 infants die before their first birthday. Life expectancy is only 55, while the average yearly income of $500 has been falling.

The report, written by the UN Development Program in collaboration with the East Timorese Government, says that to tackle poverty, East Timor will need to achieve economic growth of 5 to 7 per cent a year.

The signs of pitfalls ahead reinforce a World Bank warning last year that an estimated $19.5 billion in oil and gas revenue over 20 years from the Timor Sea could fuel corruption.

Last month more than 400 soldiers – nearly a quarter of the defence force – protested over pay and conditions as well as alleged favouritism.

Australia agreed to East Timor receiving 90 per cent of revenues from a joint energy development area 400 kilometres north of Darwin, but there are still local critics of the deal.

East Timor's President, Xanana Gusmao, acknowledges in the UN report that Timor Sea royalties do not necessarily guarantee a bright future.

"Poverty can potentially act as a breeding ground for social instability and civil disorder, and it can trigger crime and strife," said Mr Gusmao, a veteran of the resistance to Indonesia's occupation.

Poverty is most severe among the 80 per cent of households who earn a living from agriculture. A male-dominated culture puts additional pressures on women.

There is a petroleum fund to finance development projects, but the departure of many international assistance personnel is exacerbating skills shortages. There have been media reports of foreign businessmen complaining about government officials demanding bribes.

The UN report praises the embrace of democracy by the East Timorese and cites scope for future exploitation of hydrocarbon reserves to underwrite improved living standards.

The total requirement for public expenditure during the next four years has been estimated at $1.1 billion. But even with projected oil and gas revenues, foreign aid will be required to fill a shortfall of about $160 million a year. Australia contributes $40 million.

Despite oil and gas, Timor at poverty tipping point

Australian Associated Press - March 9, 2006

Rob Taylor, Jakarta – East Timor is at a tipping point and must use billions of dollars from the carve-up of undersea oil and gas reserves wisely or continue its downward spiral into poverty, a new report has warned.

Four years after winning independence and a bloody retaliatory rampage by pro-Indonesia militiamen, the tiny nation is still one of the world's poorest, with an average yearly income of only $US370 ($A505) and falling – the lowest in Asia.

Amid chronic unemployment, the average life expectancy of Timorese is flat at only 55.5 years of age and 60 babies out of every 1,000 die before their first birthday, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) said in its "Path out of Poverty" report.

The country also faces security challenges after 600 soldiers – almost half East Timor's 1,500-strong army – went on strike over poor conditions and discriminatory promotions.

But a crucial Timor Sea oil-and-gas deal struck with Australia in January after a bitter and long-running dispute was a potential saviour. Under the deal East Timor will get half the tax and royalty revenues from the $A40 billion Greater Sunrise Field, which lies in disputed waters to Australia's north.

To get the project started after developer Woodside Petroleum threatened to pull out, both countries agreed to defer a row over maritime borders which give Australia two-thirds of the sea area between the two nations under a 1972 agreement struck with Indonesia.

The UNDP said while the reserves would be difficult to tap, the revenues would be key to East Timor meeting UN development goals to cut poverty by a third by 2015.

"Given the likely revenues from oil and gas, (the poverty goal) is technically feasible and financially affordable, so it would be difficult to justify any plan that did not aim to achieve the poverty goal," the report said.

While the snapshot steered clear of the military strike, the UNDP said the government had to pay more attention to working conditions for public servants "including promotion opportunities and incentive structures".

Half East Timor's population did not have access to safe drinking water, while malnutrition affected 46 per cent of children, it said.

International investment and spending was overly concentrated in Dili, leaving the majority of rural people living outside the capital living on less than $US1 ($A1.35) a day.

Oil and gas revenues, which East Timor's government has promised to place in a national Petroleum Fund, would only lower poverty if they were channeled towards rural development, education, healthcare, and job training, the UNDP said.

It called for the government to set up a Rural Development Bank to help farmers and provide more help to the country's budding entrepreneurs.

It also called for land reform and for more of the country's widely spread communities to be brought together to improve access to education and health services.

"It is vital for us to ensure that these funds are managed in a way that benefits all communities in Timor-Leste," Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said. "This includes widening opportunities for the poorest populations in rural areas."

Economy & investment

More than 6% growth needed to reach development goals

Lusa - March 15, 2006

Dili – East Timor's economy needs to grow by more than 6% annually from 2007 if the new nation is to meet the UN's Millennium Development Goals by 2015, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said Wednesday.

At a briefing on the findings of the latest visit to Timor by officials from the International Monetary Fund, Alkatiri said his government hoped to achieve the required GDP expansion through sustained social and economic growth.

Boosted private and public investment will fuel growth in coming years, said Alkatiri, adding that public spending in the next state budget, coming into force June 1, would reach a total USD 70 million compared to USD 8 million in the current financial year.

The Dili government's budget plan is still under preparation, said Alkatiri, adding that the proposals forecast expenditure of over USD 200 million.

Budget support from Timor's donor community will be reduced in next year's fiscal blueprint, as in previous years, and this international assistance will drop to only USD 10 million in the 2007 budget, said Alaktiri.

A crucial factor to the success, or otherwise, of Dili's future macroeconomic performance and targets will be the quality of work and services provided by national firms contracted to build infrastructure projects, the Timorese leader concluded.

East Timor's natural resources enormous, says CSIS

Antara - March 10, 2006

Executive director of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Hadi Soesastro said East Timor has abundant natural resources.

"Moreover, after negotiations between East Timorese and Australian last January on the Timor Gap, there were high expectations about the wealth of the country's natural resources," he said at the launching of a new book titled "Developing New Country of Timor Lorosae" here on Friday.

According to him, the wealth of the country's natural resources at the moment was waiting for being used to improve East Timorese living standard, which were still one of the poorest countries in the world.

He said the poverty of East Timorese could be seen from their average income per day which was only 50 US dollar cents. "At least, through the available natural resources, it can ive expectation to improve East Timorese's welfare," he said.

Apart from that, Hadi also considered that Indonesia's attention to its former province was so little. He said Indonesia was only paid its attention to the little country when there was incident such as shooting each other so that all parties would comment on the case.

Therefore, he said that non-governmental organisation (NGO) "United in Diversity" (UID) cooperated with "Central for Strategis and International Studies" (CSIS) launched a new book titled "Developing New Country of Timor Lorosae" by Hal Hill and Joao Mariano Saldanha.

The book was contained by 21 chapters and it was actually a translation from the original book in English titled "East Timor: Development Challanges for the World's Newest Nation".

The book gave a comprehensive assesment on challenging faced by east Timor carrying out its development.

Apart from that, the book was also contained with articles of wellknown international academicies such as Anne Booth, Peter Timmer, Jay Rosengard, Ross McLeaod, and Gavin Jones.

East Timor activist pushing for fair trade

Daily News (New Zealand) - March 10, 2006

Virginia Winder – East Timor needs fair trade to turn its economy around, says peace and environmental activist Ego Lemos.

The Timorese man arrived in Taranaki yesterday for the Parihaka International Peace Festival.

East Timor's main cash crop was coffee, he said. "But if you look at the real situation, the coffee is monopolised by an American company, selling to Starbucks. They buy the raw bean for (US) 18 cents per kilo... we are very, very exploited.

"These companies, they just want to rape the people," he said. "Sometime we really want to have fair trade, for example coffee. If we want to sell to New Zealand people, we could sell to a community organisation here."

Mr Lemos spoke at the G8 conference in Scotland last year as part of the "making poverty history" campaign. After that, he spoke to England's Parliament about the need for Western countries not only to send aid to Third World nations, but also allow them to decide how to spend that money to build up their own economies.

There had also been a major issue concerning oil and gas resources in the Timor Sea being taken by Australia.

Mr Lemos said the governments of East Timor and Australia had just signed a treaty to share the revenue 50-50. Part of that treaty meant the issue of maritime boundaries would not be revisited for 50 years.

"It's a very long time," he said. "I'm not worried about the gas, but where is the sovereignty?"

The country's independence, gained in 1999 after 24 years of Indonesian military rule, was not total because East Timor did not have control of its surrounding waters. "So that means East Timor has only half independence," he said.

Mr Legos is also a permaculture trainer and community worker, who teaches East Timorese about agriculture and making home gardens.

At the three-day Parihaka festival, which begins today, he will be part of the peace forum and also play acoustic music from his band, 5 Do Oriente.

Daily media reviews

March 1-31, 2006

Alkatiri: Soldiers petition still to be considered

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri has said that even though F-FDTL Commander Taur Matan Ruak has taken the decision to expel the 591 soldiers from the F-FDTL, it does not mean that the matter is finished. He stated that the petition presented by the soldiers, and therefore the problem within the institution, is still an issue.

Speaking outside the Government-Private Sector National Congress on Thursday, Alkatiri said that the government maintains its position in supporting Ruak's decision to expel the soldiers, while the State will contain to maintain its position that the decision was wrong and unjust. He clarified that even though the two positions are contradictory, efforts will be made to resolve the issues within the F-FDTL institution as presented in the petition. However the expelled soldiers will not have the opportunity again to be soldiers, as "we do not want the military institution to be treated lightly", emphasized Alkatiri. According to Alkatiri, in other countries the petitioners would not only be expelled from the Force, but would be taken to a military court to be tried. PNTL Commander Paulo de Fatima Martins has confirmed that police have arrested twenty people, including one petitioner, since Tuesday. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Martins explained that many of the people who had contributed to the destruction of houses have managed to escape.

Among those who have been arrested, those for whom there is evidence of involvement will be taken to court, and those for whom there is no such evidence will be released. (TP, STL)

Horta rejects foreign media reports

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Jose Ramos Horta has reacted strongly to, and rejected, the news reports currently being aired in the international media regarding the Timor-Leste domestic situation. According to Horta, the reports from the Internews, Lusa, Antara, AFP and ABC news media are untrue, irresponsible, biased, bombastic and exaggerated. Speaking to reporters on Thursday after meeting with President Xanana, Horta said that he strongly rejects the news reports and particularly criticized Internews for the false reporting, especially in the context of the journalistic training that they, with financial support from the US Embassy, are currently providing to Timorese journalists. He advised Timorese journalists participating in the training to boycott, as "we Timorese are not stupid, and will not accept teaching from those who demonstrate such bad behaviour". He criticized Internews' teaching of "honest reporting" when it is they who are engaging in dishonest reporting on the current situation in Timor-Leste. Horta recommended that the Police Commissioner brief the media and the Foreign Ambassadors on the situation every day, so that this kind of false reporting does not occur. He expressed his irritation that the false reporting will be a disincentive for foreign investors to invest in Timor- Leste.

Parliamentarians have responded in favour of Ramos-Horta's request to the National Parliament to urgently prepare a law dealing with the matter of amnesty. Fretilin MP Francisco Branco and UDT MP Alexandre Corte-Real affirmed their opinion that the time has come to provide amnesty to imprisoned former militia members. Branco said that the as the government's reconciliation policy with Indonesia has already been established, it is now time to consider amnesty for the ex-militia who are themselves Timorese. He explained that the proposal for the amnesty law has been pending discussion in the parliament for close to three years already, and that it would now be up to the Parliament as a whole to discuss and weigh up the law, to ascertain whether it is in the national interest. Meanwhile, Member of Commission A Elizario Ferreira warned that the granting of amnesty to imprisoned ex-militia could incite a form of "social jealousy", and in particular criticisms from the victims and victims families.

He said that when the proposal for the Amnesty Law was received by the Parliament several years ago, it was never possible to discuss it in depth because of the number of strong opinions either in support of or against the law. (TP, STL)

Portuguese GNR will give training to PNTL

The Vice Minister of Interior, Mr Alcino Barris said that GNR from Portugal will train PNTL. The equipment for training has arrived, Mr Bariis told reporters yesterday after attending the first formation ceremony of Process Penal code at the Police Academy in Comoro. "Everyone knows that we are facing many problems and the police has a responsibility to maintain security". The Minister of Interior of Timor-Leste has asked the Minister of Administration Interior of Portugal to send GNR to train PNTL so that the latter can build capacity to deal with problems especially related to UIR and Special Police at the border of Timor-Leste. (TP, STL)

March 30, 2006

Population feel threatened day and night

Majority party Fretilin has for the first time stated its position on the F-FDTL case, with a declaration from its President Francisco Guterres (Lu-Olo) on Wednesday. Lu-Olo stated that Fretilin does not agree with the behaviour displayed by the "591" group of petitioners, and that there is no justification for such behaviour. He said that such actions could establish a dangerous precedent, and that this could cause future problems for the F-FDTL and other institutions that are trying to resolve the problems that exist within the F-FDTL. Meanwhile, feeling the threat to their security related to the current situation, residents from a number of Dili suburbs on Wednesday presented a complaint to Commission B for Defence and Security of the National Parliament, stating that they have felt uneasy ever since the President's declaration on the matter. One of the complainants, Domingos da Costa, said that in his area of residence there have been frequent recent attacks on resident's houses. (TP, STL)

President's personal security a national responsibility

President Xanana's statement that his personal safety is at stake must be taken seriously, with a subsequent tightening of his personal security, because if something did happen to the President there would be major implications both domestically and internationally. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Democratic Party spokesperson Rui Menezes said that the security of a Head of State is always very important, as it concerns national stability, as the President is a symbol of national unity.

Minister of Interior Rogerio Lobato and PNTL Commander Paulo de Fatima Martins have said that they will guarantee security for President Xanana, with Lobato stating that threats toward the President are a very serious matter. He assured the community that the security forces are doing everything they can to provide the security that the President requires. He reminded people that the independence that Timor-Leste now enjoys is a result of a joint struggle, and not something that was gained by the East or West alone. Therefore he asked the people not to use the polemic as a means to influence the break down of national unity. (STL)

Media important for dissemination of CAVR report

President Xanana has stated that the media has an important role to play in the dissemination of the CAVR Report. However he requested that the Report be disseminated in an accurate and professional manner, to avoid confusion or false understandings. Speaking at the handover ceremony of funds from the Government of Japan specifically earmarked for the dissemination of the Report, the President asked the Director of the Post-CAVR Technical Secretariat to invite all journalists to discuss the Report. He also thanked the Japanese Government profusely for their donation in the amount of US $79,663, which will contribute to the reconciliation process. Director of the Post-CAVR Secretariat Reverend Agustinho Vasconcelas said that the Report will not be closed to public access as is rumoured. The Reverend explained the purpose of the Post-CAVR Secretariat, stating that its role is to finalise CAVR documents, in particular materials that will be used for the dissemination of the Report, to archive documents and to assist the President's Cabinet in the dissemination of the Report. (STL)

Horta asks parliament to make amnesty law for ex-militia

It is reported that Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta has asked the National Parliament to make an urgent amnesty law for ex- militia who were involved in violence in 1999 and who are still in Becora prison.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with President Xanana, Mr Horta said that the decision made by the Indonesian Supreme Court to capture Eurico Guterres for crimes committed in 1999 is the responsibility of the Indonesian authority. But, he added that in believing in justice and human rights, we should give amnesty to those already facing court. (STL, TP)

I did not provoke the situation: Gusmao

President Xanana Gusmao met with Leaders of some Political Parties and Groups on Wednesday, reportedly to discuss the current situation.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, President Gusmao stated that he did not provoke the situation, arguing instead that he need not remain silent when he sees something going wrong. Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the leaders, Cornelio "L-7" reportedly told journalists that the meeting was aimed at expressing their concerns and opinions about the situation. (RTTL News)

Xavier do Amaral rejects the accusation against FRETILIN

President of ASDT, Francisco Xavier do Amaral, held a press conference at his party's office in Licedere, Dili, to reject the accusation made against him by FRETILIN. As reported in RTTL previously, the Vice-Secretary General of FRETILIN, Jose Maria dos Reis, accused Amaral as a traitor. Speaking during the conference, Xavier do Amaral reportedly renounced the accusations as false and misleading, saying he regretted the fact that the political mentality of the past actually still lives on with current political cadres. (RTTL News)

March 29, 2006

UIR officer stabbed and pistol stolen

A member of the PNTL's Rapid Response Unit (UIR) was yesterday stabbed twice in he stomach while attending an assault on a home in Fatuhada. The group involved managed to escape with the officer's pistol, and to date the group have not been found. It is reported that in attempting to find the person/s responsible for the attack the police threatened some uninvolved people, including an apparent assault on some youths sitting along the foreshore. Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri paid a visit to the victim at the National Hospital yesterday evening, and while there appealed to all people but in particular the Fatuhada community and the "591 petitioners" to turn over the suspect. He stated that it is pointless in trying to defy the authorities, because the police have already identified the suspect. He reiterated however that this particular case remains an isolated incident and that it is not the "591" who are causing problems in general. Meanwhile, ASDT President Francisco Xavier do Amaral has criticized the decision to expel the 591 petitioners from the F- FDTL, saying that the decision demonstrates to the people that its current leaders are weak and make arbitrary decisions. He stated that although the leaders do not have the vision or the courage to resolve domestic problems, they also refuse to give up their positions of authority and continue to try to fool the people. (TP, STL, DN)

Xanana expresses sadness

President Xanana has expressed his sadness on hearing about the various violent and intimidating incidents that have been occurring in Dili. Speaking on Tuesday, the President said that the kind of behaviour he has been hearing about is wrong, and requested that it ceases. He questioned the authority of the police and military to be carrying out night patrols, as he said that it is only the President that may declare a state of emergency, with final authorization from the Parliament. He reminded the people that the "591" group are not criminals, as upon being expelled from the F-FDTL they surrendered their weapons, and that in any case it is not members of this group who have been involved in the majority of recent incidents. Related to the F-FDTL Commander's decision to expel the 591 soldiers, some Members of Parliament yesterday demanded that Legal Advisor to the Council of Ministers Domingos Tristao should leave Timor- Leste. According to these MP's, the UNOTIL Advisor focused unnecessarily on the disciplinary as opposed to political nature of the matter. PSD MP Lucia Lobato stated that in her opinion Tristao should leave the country, as the decision that he took in relation to the F-FDTL matter has contributed to the current domestic instability. MP Leandro Isaac said that Tristao should advise the relevant leaders that there is no judicial basis for the decision that was taken. (TP, STL, DN)

Police action a threat to democracy

In disagreement with the F-FDTL Commander's decision to expel the 591 petitioners from the F-FDTL, the Mankodo Kuluhun Youth Group organized a protest action which was then shut down by the police. The police action has been criticized by Joao Choque, a member of the group, who stated that as Timorese citizens they have the moral responsibility to be concerned about domestic issues. He explained that the group had established their protest in Becora for only three hours when the police arrived to cancel the peaceful protest, and expressed his concern that such police action is a threat to democracy.

In other news, Baucau Diocese Bishop Basilio do Nascimento has expressed his non-surprise at the rise in poverty quoted in the recent UNDP Report on Timor-Leste, stating that poverty in this country is not a new phenomenon. He said that since Timor-Leste gained its independence, every report printed about the country has clearly presented Timor-Leste as the poorest country in Asia. He stated however that we should question why Timor-Leste is moving backwards when it should be moving forwards. (TP, STL)

Lobato and Martins make visit

It is reported that the Minister of Interior, Mr Rogerio Lobato, and Commander of PNTL, Paulo de Fatima Martins, yesterday visited sites where disturbances occurred due to rumours of an east/west conflict. More than 17 houses have been destroyed. The newspaper reports that Commander Martins stated that the police is maintaining security in Dili, with 10 policemen stationed in every Suco, so people should not panic. Mr Lobato appealed to the population to not panic and leave their homes. (DN)

March 28, 2006

Police arrest two F-FDTL petitioners

Police have arrested two F-FDTL petitioners due to their involvement in an assault in which two people were gravely injured. PNTL General Commander Paulo de Fatima Martins told reporters that the petitioners were arrested in relation to an assault in the Matadouro (Dili) area on Sunday evening. Police have made several other arrests also related to a number of assaults that occurred over the weekend. Martins said that the general situation in Dili is still tense, and he requested the people of Dili to remain calm, particularly appealing to Dili youth to refrain from violence. He said that all people should be viewed as members of the general population, and not differentiated on a racial basis. PSD MP Lucia Lobato has told reporters that the National Parliament is currently debating whether to call F-FDTL General Commander Taur Matan Ruak to Parliament to clarify the current situation. She said that there is some contradiction between what Ruak has said compared to the President's appeal, and therefore it is necessary for Ruak to clarify to the people's representatives. She praised the patience demonstrated by the general public and their willingness to maintain a situation of calm, but said that this does not mean that the leaders should be complacent. (STL)

61 evacuated to Comoro Parish because of rumours

61 people from Comoro evacuated to the Comoro Parish facility to avoid assault from groups of youths who are using rumours of East/West conflict to break down the unity of the population. The Comoro village chief Eurico da Costa told STL that in order to quell the panic in his village, he requests all village chiefs and church leaders to make a recommendation to the government to resolve the problem, so that the situation can return to normal. He said that the only ones who become victims of the rumours are the people themselves, when actually the matter is one of elite politics. (STL)

Maria Paixao on PNTL's sixth anniversary

In the context of the PNTL's sixth anniversary yesterday, some Members of Parliament have requested the PNTL to further improve their performance. PSD MP Maria Paixao told journalists that there remain many deficiencies within the PNTL including limitations of capacity, and for this reason she congratulated them on their work to date. She appealed to their maturity in handling the problem that the nation is currently facing, as well as any other matters that become a threat to the nation's stability. (DN)

We will never give opportunity to those who create instability

STL reports that Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri stated in his speech during the 6th anniversary of PNTL in Liquica district yesterday, that the government will never give an opportunity to those who create instability and destroy peace in this country. "In April 2005, when demonstrations were held by the Catholic Church for 19 days, PNTL co-operated with the Military Police and did a really good job and at the end everyone was happy", added Alkatiri. PNTL has demonstrated to the international community that they have the ability to control the situation so people can feel confident to work and develop this country, Mr. Alkatiri further stated. (STL)

March 25 & 27, 2006

Seven arrested, 16 houses attacked

Police have arrested seven people accused of creating instability on Saturday evening in the Dili suburbs of Tasi Tolu, Bairopite and Taibessi, including attacks on 16 houses in the Manleuana area. Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the PNTL General Commander Paulo de Fatima Martins confirmed that the problems occurred due to the East/West issue related to the expulsion of the 591 soldiers from the F-FDTL. He stated that it was not the concerned soldiers themselves who were involved in the disturbances, but rather groups who are taking advantage of the issue to provoke a situation of instability. The Commander explained that some members of the population are spreading rumours about disturbances, with the result that many people did not leave their houses as they normally would over the weekend. It is reported that some business owners also closed their businesses early, and market vendors packed up their goods early on Saturday morning, worried about purported attacks that evening.

Coordinator of the petitioners Gastao Salsinha said that if the population feel that there is currently a tense situation, they should question the F-FDTL General Commander Taur Matan Ruak, as he is the one who took the decision to expel the soldiers. (TP, DN)

Alkatiri: Decision of F-FDTL commander is correct

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri has expressed his support for the decision taken by the F-FDTL Commander to expel the 591 soldiers, stating that he believes the decision is correct and just. He said that it was not possible to let the situation remain as it was, with such a large number of soldiers absent from their jobs for nearly two months now. Speaking on Sunday upon return from his visit to Japan, Alkatiri stated that the expulsion of the soldiers is not an attempt to forget the problems within the F- FDTL.

Human rights lawyer Aderito de Jesus Soares when contacted by TP reaffirmed his earlier opinion that the state institutions of the Presidency, the Government and the National Parliament as well as the F-FDTL itself do not yet possess the political maturity to resolve the problem, with the result that the problem is beginning to concern the population.

The Prime Minister meanwhile congratulated the 591 soldiers who continue to maintain the discipline expected of them by not causing any problems, and asked them to continue to display such discipline. He said that any problems caused recently are the work of other groups, because the "petitioners" group has maintained its discipline to date. He reiterated that Timor-Leste is one country, and asked people not to dwell on the East/West divide. He also appealed to the people to remain calm and to place their trust in the state institutions so the 4 December 2002 incident will not be repeated. (TP, DN)

Nascimento: President's opinion a criticism, not a decision

Baucau Diocese Bishop Basilio do Nascimento has stated that he senses discord between the opinions of President Xanana and F- FDTL Commander Taur Matan Ruak on the expulsion of the 591 soldiers. He said that he believes the opinion expressed by the President was a criticism, and it would be incorrect to view it as a decision. (TP)

Ximenes: Political leaders should be careful with statements

Responding to Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri's statement that only Fretilin can ensure stability, Dean of the Political and Philosophy Department of the Timor-Leste National University Alarico da Costa Ximenes said that such a statement could have a negative effect on the country. He said that political leaders should think before they speak, and analyse the current political situation, because their statements can influence possible conflicts. In his opinion, leaders should be focusing on politically educating the people, rather than issuing statements that incite conflict. (TP)

Need to find the right time to submit the Sunrise agreement

The Minister of Presidential Council of Ministers and Spokesperson, Mr Antonio Bianco, said that the government has not submitted the Greater Sunrise agreement to the National Parliament for ratification because the "right time" needs to be sought. The government is now preparing the national budget for fiscal year 200- 2007 which will be discussed at the donor partners' meeting in April. (TP)

March 24, 2006

Xanana: Expulsion decision erroneous & unjust

President Xanana Gusmao has declared that as President of the Republic he believes that F-FDTL Commander Taur Matan Ruak's decision to expel almost 600 F-FDTL soldiers is erroneous and unjust. He stated that the matter is being treated as a matter of indiscipline without considering the root of the problem within the F-FDTL institution. However, he said that as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces he would respect the FDTL Commander's decision, as it is within his competency to make such a decision.

Responding to the President's declaration, human rights lawyer Aderito de Jesus Soares said that it is too late for such a statement. He stated that if the National Parliament and the Government were serious in resolving the matter, then the issue would not have become such a big problem. He criticized the attitude of prioritizing foreign visits over and above issues of domestic concern, and stated that the President should have made a statement on the F-FDTL case before leaving for his overseas visit, only to now return and regret the decision of the F-FDTL Commander.

Meanwhile, spokesperson for the 591 expelled soldiers Gastao Salsinha has expressed his disappointment with President Xanana's decision not to intervene in the expulsion decision taken by F- FDTL Headquarters.

He stated that this shows that the petition presented by the soldiers has no value, which reinforces the impression that the general population continues to be oppressed, while the leaders make efforts to help each other. (TP, STL, Diario)

Xavier declaration hurts Fretilin members

Vice-Secretary General of Fretilin Jose Reis has stated that ASDT President Francisco Xavier do Amaral's declaration that all Fretilin members are traitors because they elected Mari Alkatiri as Fretilin Secretary General, has hurt the feelings of all Fretilin members. He declared that such a statement is unconstitutional, racist and a violation of Fretilin political principles. He regretted the declaration also because it poses a bad example to Timorese youth. He questioned whether as the first Fretilin President, Amaral actually knows anything at all about Fretilin political principles. (TP)

Fretilin worried about illegal collections

Fretilin party leaders are very concerned with the behavior of some groups who are taking advantage of the population through illegal money collections. In a press conference on Thursday, Fretilin Vice-Secretary General Jose Reis asked all Fretilin members to monitor the activities of such illegal groups, as Fretilin has not requested any groups to carry out such collections, and therefore the collections are considered illegal. (STL)

March 23, 2006

Security tightens upon president's arrival

President Xanana Gusmao arrived in Dili on Wednesday amid tight security due to rumours of protest by former members of the Armed Forces recently dismissed. The Special Task Force and the Rapid Response Unit of PNTL and the Military Police were present at the airport to anticipate any demonstration against the President, the media reported. He spoke briefly to the media about his overseas trip and announced that he would make a statement today on the F-FDTL members that were dismissed.

On a separate note, President Gusmao said the reason for delaying distribution of CAVR's report is due to lack of funding for printing. He said he's seeking funding for this purpose and people should think before making any accusations that it is being distributed overseas but not in Timor-Leste where the eyewitness and the victims lives. The President added that Japan and America have shown interest in support of this project and that Secretary General Kofi Annan will also discuss this issue with UNDP. Gusmao emphasized that the report will be made public before he concludes his mandate.

In the meantime, Gastco Salsinha told the media that he has been encouraging his colleagues to continue to maintain discipline and await the decision of the Supreme Commander, Xanana Gusmao.

Salsinha also made clear that the soldiers who signed the petition had no intention of holding a protest against Gusmao as speculated.

Proof needed on who is involved in F-FDTL case

Referring to the statement made by Cornelio "L-7 " Gama that some leaders are instigating the problems behind F-FDTL, MP Lucia Lobato (PSD) reportedly said " if we say some leaders are provoking, we have to have proof. It is easier to name the leaders responsible, rather than speak in the air". Lobato said there are numerous leaders and if one is trying to destroy the nation it would be better to name this person.

She added that the same goes for some commanders of F-FDTL who are saying that some opposition parties are behind the problem but not mentioning names.

President Gusmao to look into penal code

President Gusmao also told the media upon his arrival from an official overseas trip on Wednesday that he is going to look into the Penal Code presented by the Government. Gusmao said he would then make a decision on whether to promulgate or veto it, especially the article on defamation, which has raised intense debate. (STL, TP, DN)

March 22, 2006

Horta prefers to become president than UNSG

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Josi Ramos-Horta told the media on Tuesday that if he has to choose between becoming Secretary-General of the UN and President of the Republic, the priority would be Timor-Leste. "If the nation needs me, I'll give priority to Timor-Leste, but President Xanana Gusmao is the one making the decision as he has already said that he doesn't want to candidate for second term," Ramos-Horta said before departing to Japan with Prime Minister Alkatiri on an official visit. Responding to remarks by some that he knows more of the world than of Timor-Leste, Ramos-Horta said these are remarks made by the misinformed adding "when I'm in Timor-Leste I travel to many places that the Ministers and Members of the National Parliament have not yet been to, such as Laklubar, Atsabe, Letefoho, and the village of Rualala where there are many poor people with whom I've visited". He stressed that the visit to these remote areas is not with the purpose to campaign for the Presidency, but for the personal satisfaction of meeting and speaking with the people who live in these places. On another note, the Minister said it is too soon to make a decision to candidate for the UN Secretary-General position although many nations have already presented his name as one of the candidates. Ramos-Horta also emphasized that Timor-Leste's current Government policy is to support a candidate from the ASEAN, especially the former Minister of Thailand. (DN, TP STL)

F-FDTL case

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said the decision made by Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak to dismiss the 591 soldiers from F-FDTL cannot be reversed. "The decision came from the commander of F- FDTL, following consultation with me and I agreed and fully support the decision of the commando who has the capacity to make that decision," Alkatiri said. He added that the soldiers have been out of the Armed Force Headquarters for over two months and such a case does not exist in any other country, therefore they should no longer be considered soldiers.

President of the National Parliament, Francisco Guterres is of the same opinion that even President Gusmao cannot reverse the decision by Brigadier General Taur.

In a separate article in STL, former commander of Falintil for Region III, Cornelio Gama, also known as L-7, suspect that some leaders are behind the problem within F-FDTL with the aim of destroying it. "During our time in the jungle there was no talk about East and West but now that we are independent, this issue is emerging," said Gama who is also the President of the political party UNDERTIM.

Brigadier General Taur reportedly dismisses comments by some people that his decision shows a lack of leadership, by remarking that the people making such remarks need further education.

Regarding allegations that there is no law for the armed force, Taur said they are currently following UNTAET's law and can always resort to Indonesia law but they do not wish to as the penalties are much more severe. (DN, TP, STL) President of parliament says Amaral must resign

Francisco Lu'Olo Guterres, President of the National Parliament asked Amaral to resign as Vice-President of the Parliament based on the demands by the majority of Fretilin MPs who presented their decision to the Parliament plenary session on Tuesday, March 21. Fretilin MPs have withdrawn their vote of trust to the President of the political party ASDT and Vice-President of the Parliament due to a statement as reported by the media, [on 16 March] in which Amaral said, "If we choose an Islamic person to govern this nation, this means we are anti-Christ". MP Francisco Branco (Fretilin) said Amaral's statement is racist, anti- democratic and unconstitutional. "The decision is just because our nation is based on pluralism, and we don't discriminate based on race, religion or class. A leader of a sovereign institution is jumping on our constitution. This is serious for us," Branco said. He added, "We are not questioning whether names have been mentioned. We are questioning his discrimination against one religion." He said that such an attitude must be combated for Timor-Leste to continue to be a pluralistic nation. In the meantime, Francisco Xavier Amaral reportedly said that he doesn't need a vote of trust to be elevated. According to the media, Amaral acknowledges that he made the statement with the intention of pointing out that if people vote for Fretilin, Mari Alkatiri will continue to be the Prime Minister and that means they are choosing an Islamic person. Therefore Alkatiri will defend Islam and not Catholicism. He cited as an example remarks made by Mari Alkatiri that priests are politically active but hiding behind their cassocks. The President of ASDT added that Alkatiri's comments are an insulting to nuns, priests and bishops who gave their lives for the struggle during the 24-year period. (STL, TP, DN)

Timor, Indonesia to jointly investigate alleged rape

The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste is reported in the national media as stating that a joint Timor-Leste- Indonesia bilateral investigation has been established to investigate the alleged gang rape of a woman from Oecussi by TNI soldiers in Kefamanu, West Timor on 12 January 2006. The Timor- Leste team will be headed by the Prosecutor-General and will be comprised of the Human Rights Adviser to the Prime Minister, the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Gender Equality, two PNTL commanders and one representative of civil society. The Vice Minister reportedly said that the two teams would hold a meeting in the near future. (STL, TP)

March 21, 2006

Alkatiri and Hasegawa discusses UN assistance for 2007

Speaking to the media following his meeting with Prime Minister Alkatiri, SRSG Hasegawa reportedly said one of the topics discussed during the meeting was UN technical assistance to STAE and CNE for 2007 elections. Hasegawa also said that based on the recent UNDP report, Ainaro is considered one of the poorest districts of Timor-Leste and the two discussed possible means of alleviating poverty in that area. With this in mind, the Prime Minister will visit Ainaro on April 12. In relation to the problem within F-FDTL, the SRSG is quoted as saying that although the dismissal involves around 500 members of the armed forces, The decision to dismiss them is based on the institutional regulations. SRSG said that according to information received from Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, the leader of the soldiers who signed the petition was previously involved in illegal activities but that the SRSG is not aware of what type of illegal activity and has, therefore, requested an explanation from Brigadier General Taur. (TP, DN)

Mari destroying Fretilin: Menezes and Lobato

MPs from Partido Democratico (PD) and Partido Social Democrata (PSD) rejects the statements made by Fretilin Secretary General, Mari Alkatiri, that "people from the opposition, outside Fretilin are trying to destroy Fretilin". In response, representatives of these two major opposition parties in the National Parliament said Alkatiri's statements should not be directed at their parties but at the opposition within Fretilin that are against Alkatiri as a Prime Minister, claiming he does not have the capacity to govern a country which continues to rank among the poorest in the Asia Pacific region and the world. In the meantime, Fretilin MP Francisco Branco said the whole process of pros and cons within the party shows that the party is 'robust', and can provide a new dynamic for the future. Branco stressed that, after all, that's how a normal democratic society operates. (TP)

Priests entitled to criticize government: Lobato and Tilman

MP Lucia Lobato (PSD) and Manuel Tilman (KOTA) are of the opinion that priests are entitled to criticize the Government if they are not performing well as they are the voice of the people. Lucia Lobato (PSD) said the Prime Minister must accept criticism of the Government as it is meant to better the Government and not to denigrate it.

Lobato remarked that the Government will be stronger when the critics rally against activities that are not correct. " If the Government is strong, our nation will be a success. Development will prosper as will democracy and that will make us all very happy," Lobato said, adding that one must praise Timorese intelligence for expressing their opinion and if the Prime Minister disagrees with the opinion of the priests he should do so through a letter rather than speaking through the media. She also said that the Prime Minister's statement disregards the role nuns and priests played during the resistance period for the liberation of Timor-Leste. Tilman is also of the opinion that in a true democracy, priests and nuns are national citizens and therefore entitled to speak on politics. He pointed out that the church is closely allied with the people in the villages and sucos and are therefore speaking on their behalf. But Jacinto from Fretilin said some priests are constantly criticizing the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Alkatiri. Jacinto also reportedly said that some of the priest are providing or withholding support to the people based on their political party affiliations. He appealed to the priests to avoid exploiting their title and the church for such activities, as they will loose followers in the future.

Youth must prepare for new recruitment: Rauk

F-FDTL Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak appealed to the youth to prepare themselves if they want to join the military to serve the nation and the people. Ruak said new recruitment will take place soon and those wishing to be part of the Armed Forces must keep in mind that their mission will be to serve the nation and the people just as those before them who have served for 30 years into old age

In a separate article, Joao Mariano Saldanha, political analyses reportedly said that the Government must establish a specific development program for the 591 dismissed from the Armed Force.

Saldanda said the Government must assist these former soldiers in this transition period from military to civilian. He is of the opinion that the Ministry of Defence together with the Ministry of Labour and Solidarity must work on this transition. (TP)

March 18-20, 2006

No compromise in decision: Ruak

F-FDTL Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak reportedly told the media that there are no more compromises following the decision to sack the 591 soldiers even if President Gusmao, Supreme Commanders of F-FDTL, disagrees.

Taur said the decision not to accept them back is to avoid setting a bad precedent in the future. "Look at the conditions of the war veterans; many of them are still bad off. If we admit them back, the same can be repeated.

It is better not to readmit them, because our intention is, whomever joins F-FDTL is meant to serve the nation and the people. F-FDTL's high-ranking position is not a suitable one for anyone to get rich," Ruak said.

He emphasized that the officers were expelled for leaving the institution's headquarters and not for signing the petition, adding that the army is composed of volunteers. F-FDTL Brigadier General explained that on January 11 he received an anonymous petition to which President Gusmao responded by way of a letter that the matter should be dealt with as soon as possible.

According to Rauk, on 2-3 February he called a meeting with soldiers and sergeants in Baucau headquarters to discuss the petition but when the issue was raised some of the soldiers said it was a matter that only the President had the competence to resolve. The Chief of the Armed Forces insisted that it be dealt with within the institution but he added that upon his return to Dili on 4 February, many of the members had fled Baucau headquarters and Metinaro Training Centre to meet with President Gusmao on 8 February. He added that ever since, he made several proposals for those who signed the petition such as establishing a platoon or a program. Ruak said that they have refused to cooperate with the investigation process and when they were allowed out of the headquarters on 18 February and scheduled to return on 20 February they did not return. STL reported the Brigadier General as saying that those who have been dismissed should spare using all sorts of measures to put pressure on him as it will not work. Instead, he suggested, they present better ideas for a solution.

In a separate article, Prime Minister Alkatiri reportedly said that he does not believe that the 591 soldiers will create instability. "The Government is in control of the situation. The party presently in charge is a big party and therefore has the power to go to the base to control the situation. While this party is in power there won't be any instability," Alkatiri stated. He said that overall the situation will be a disadvantage to the Government as it has already spent a lot of money for the 591 soldiers and more will be required for new recruits, adding that those who have left have learned a lot in the years with the Armed Forces.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Ramos-Horta reportedly said that there is no democracy within the Armed Forces as they are expected only to follow orders from the command. Ramos-Horta said Timor-Leste is trying to establish a professional defence force to serve the nation and the people and they are not expected to behave like students who decide to take to the streets to protest if they disagree with the Government. He agrees with the dismissal saying it is a tough but just decision.

MP Riak Leman (PSD) said the soldiers' abandonment of F-FDTL headquarters shows a lack of leadership capacity. Leman pointed out that according to military regulations, it is incorrect for a soldier to abandon headquarters without justification and the decision to dismiss them is correct although there may be repercussions. "The decision does not resolve the problem, but it can lead to many other problems. For example, when F-FDTL starts the recruitment process, the youth from the west might be reluctant to apply, based on these recent events," Riak Leman said. He added that the problems with F-FDTL institution began in Aileu, Remexio and other parts, but each problem was never examined and resolved.

Aderito de Jesus, Human Rights lawyer, is of the opinion that President Gusmao as the Supreme Commander of the National Armed Forced is aware and in agreement with Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak in dismissing the soldiers. (STL, TP, DN)

Priests politically active behind cassock: Alkatiri

Fretilin's Secretary General, Mari Alkatiri said he doesn't need to hide behind a cassock to practice politics like some priests. "Now it's not only Xavier [ASDT President]. Some priests are also involved in this thing.

I'm not a Catholic but my faith in religion is above that of some priests. I don't hide behind the cassock. I'm not hiding," Mari reportedly said during a ceremony held at Fretilin's Central Committee (CCF) on Saturday when five youth groups decided to affiliate with Fretilin. Alkatiri said not only certain people within Fretilin are trying to destroy it, but some priests as well as they do not want to see the party get stronger.

Referring to allegations that some members of CCF are buying votes not to elect Lu'Olo as President and Alkatiri as Secretary General, Mari refused to comment about it saying to wait until the congress. "Dispose of Lu'Olo or Mari, and if there is a replacement, that's good, provided they take the party forward. If not, we will go to the base of the population," Mari Alkatiri stressed.

Fretilin's President Lu'Olo was also reported as saying that the statements made by a few priests in asking the population not to vote for Fretilin because it doesn't believe in God, are not statements from the Catholic Church but from priests acting as individuals. "As a religious institution, I respect the Catholic Church, but I say this is the priest's politics," Lu'Olo said adding that politics should not be mixed with each person's choice of religion. (STL, TP, DN) Provedor's office opens door to public

The Office of the Provedor for Justice and Human Rights is open to the public as of today. Speaking to the media during a press conference on Friday, Sebastiao Dias said that his office will start receiving complaints from citizens on any matter relating to public domain. The office of the Provedor is being supported by UNOTIL, World Bank and USAID. (STL, DN)

Xanana's replacement must have his charisma

Dom Basilio do Nascimento said the person who is going to replace Xanana as the next President must have the same charisma because he is an important figure national and internationally. Dom Basilio said Timor-Leste still needs him to candidate for the 2007 Presidential elections, but if he no longer wants to candidate he should not be forced to. The Bishop said Xanana is a charismatic person for the world and that's important for this nation. He added that whoever is replacing Gusmao must know the suffering of the people, adding that Xanana is a person with history in Timor-Leste and the world and when he became President the international community valued him greatly for holding on to the independence process which he has done up to present day.

March 17, 2006

Political parties must maintain national unity

Dili Diocese Bishop Alberto Ricardo da Silva has called for all political parties to work to maintain national unity as the nation approaches the 2007 elections. Head of the Millennium Democratic Party Hermenegildo Lopes alias Cupa informed journalists after meeting with the Bishop on Thursday that the Bishop has also asked political parties not to split the community by promoting the forming of disparate groups. He referred to the crisis in various countries in Africa and Latin America where society has been split due to political violence, and made an appeal that the same not occur in Timor-Leste.

The Bishop said that he hopes political leaders will always keep the national interest in mind as opposed to individual and group interests, since the only victims of such a strategy will be the people themselves. In his meeting with the Bishop, Cupa invited the Church to join with all political parties in maintaining a situation of peace and stability which he considers the most important factor to guarantee democratic elections as the nation gets closer to the event. (STL)

Region III secretary of state criticizes PD appeal

Secretary of State for Region III, Egidio de Jesus, has strongly criticized the statement issued by the Democratic Party that "if there is to be development, the people must leave Fretilin". He said that such a statement shows that PD is "just lying to themselves". The small parties should be making efforts to learn from Fretilin, he said. Using a metaphor to demonstrate Fretilin's strength and steadfastness, de Jesus stated that Fretilin's legs are made of steel and its cord is a chain, so anyone that tries to hit Fretilin will end up with an amputated hand. He emphasized that his criticisms of PD's statement are in his capacity as a member of the Fretilin Central Committee and not as Secretary for Region III, and reiterated that the PD appeal is without basis. (STL)

If I were the rector I would dismiss: Alkatiri

Prime Minister Alkatiri is of the opinion that a certain economic lecturer who said that birth rate does not influence the economic growth is silly. Alkatiri added that if he were the Rector of the university he would of dismiss such a teacher. Referring to recent comments from various political parties, economists and civil society, the Prime Minister said that in order to have progressive economic growth the birth rate must decrease. (TP)

Christopher will be deported if he falsified documents

Justice Minister Domingos Sarmento reportedly said if Christopher Henry Samson is not a Timorese citizen, there is no other option but to have him deported. Christopher Samson, the Director of NGO Lalenok Ba Ema Hotu (LABEH), has been investigated by the immigration police regarding his citizenship status.

In a separate article in Diario Nacional, Vice-Minister of Interior Alcino Barris said claims by Samson that he is Timorese have no evidence behind them and that Samson has not presented correct evidence to prove that he is Timorese. He added that the identification documents presented by Samson have only been produced recently and that his claim that he is from Bobonaro must be backed up with evidence. (TP, DN)

March 16, 2006

UNDP report contradictory: Alkatiri

Alkatiri Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri has said that the recent UNDP report on Timor-Leste is contradictory because it states that poverty has both been reduced and increased in this country.

Speaking at a press conference outside the Government Palace on Wednesday, Alkatiri said that the IMF provided data for 2005, while UNDP supplied the 2004 data, thereby arriving at different conclusions. In particular he criticized the fact that the UNDP report does not explain the claimed increase in the incidence of poverty. He expressed his appreciation, however, for the IMF's positive take on the current situation in Timor-Leste, with the institution welcoming the steps that the Government has taken toward increasing capacity in areas such as infrastructure.

Alkatiri explained that the Government has already identified the weaknesses in the economic development process that has been implemented so far, and will therefore implement a new program in the 2006/7 fiscal year. He said that one of the aspects of this new program is massive public investment in the realm of US $70 million, with the objective of increasing national income by seven to eight percent, which according to the PM, will be instrumental in the creation of new job opportunities. The Government is taking these measures because it cannot rely on the still weak private sector, Alkatiri asserted, adding that he expects these measures will significantly reduce poverty in Timor-Leste by 2015. (DN, TP)

Portuguese labour minister arrives

The Portuguese Minister for Labour Dr. Jose Antonio Vieira da Silva has accepted an invitation extended by the Timor-Leste Minister for Labour and Reinsertion Arsenio Paixco Bano, officially arriving in Timor-Leste on Wednesday for a six-day visit. According to Bano, the objective of da Silva's visit is to witness examples of the cooperation between Portugal and Timor- Leste in the area of Labour and Solidarity.

The Minister will visit projects in a number of districts, and will also hold meetings with various community figures and political leaders, including the Dili Diocese Bishop, the Prime Minister, and President of the National Parliament. He will also pay a visit to the National Employment and Training Centre at Tibar. (TP)

Taur to present F-FDTL case in parliament

F-FDTL Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak reportedly told the media on Wednesday that he is scheduled to meet Members of the Parliament on Thursday to brief them on the ongoing problem within the institution. Ruak said time is up for "F-FDTL Petition" soldiers who have refused to participate in the investigation, as they do not want to resolve the problem and have left the Armed Forces Headquarters. He underlined that a team was established to listen to their problems but they do not want to participate in the process. " They have been outside a long time now, for one month already. Militaries must remain in headquarters but they are outside," F-FDTL said.

In the meantime, Vice-President of the Parliament Francisco Xavier do Amaral said that if the problem is not resolved, it could lead to instability in the country, adding that discrimination is slowly dividing the Timorese and no one can do anything now.

In a separate article, Member of Parliament, Leandro Isac (Independent) reportedly asked that the Minister of Defence, Roque Rodrigues, to resign because he cannot discipline the soldiers and this is the reason for the problems. Isac added that his resignation would be a way to guarantee moral politics and hope for the soldiers that, after all, this is a democratic country. (TP, STL)

Guterres asks supporters 'not to panic'

In the Indonesian media, Eurico Guterres is quoted as having reportedly told supporters in Kupang and Atambua not to 'panic' over his confirmed sentence – he is ready to face justice though it is unjust as he did not 'create' the conflict and that it his will not end the ET issue.

He is understood to have traveled from Kupang to Atambua yesterday to meet with supporters and also the Bishop of Atambua for spiritual guidance. It is reported he will return to Jakarta to be arrested as it is the wish of the State. Former PPI (national umbrella militia group) militia, however, are reportedly rejecting his return to Jakarta according to the Indonesian media. (TP/Indonesia Media)

CTF Commissioners from Indonesian and Timor-Leste held a meeting with SRSG Sukehiro Hasegawa. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Indonesian Co-Chairman, Benjamin Mangkudilaga stated that the SRSG was very appreciative and that the International Community awaits for Commission's results. Meanwhile SRSG Hasegawa told journalists that "UNOTIL is very much interested in how they carry out, and of course the International Community is also very much interested in their outcomes. Now, they'd like to know how they'll go about, which will meet the International standard. And this is the discussion we had. Of course, we'd like to ensure that no amnesty is given to those who have committed crimes against humanity and genocide. Of course, this principle should be maintained, but at the same time it is very important that 'truth seeking' exercise be carried out. So we are very much interested in that and we will continue to have dialogue with them."

CTF commissioners from Indonesia and Timor meet

CTF commissioners from Indonesian and Timor-Leste held a meeting with SRSG Sukehiro Hasegawa.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Indonesian Co- Chairman, Benjamin Mangkudilaga stated that the SRSG was very appreciative and that the International Community awaits for Commission's results. Meanwhile SRSG Hasegawa told journalists that "UNOTIL is very much interested in how they carry out, and of course the International Community is also very much interested in their outcomes. Now, they'd like to know how they'll go about, which will meet the International standard. And this is the discussion we had. Of course, we'd like to ensure that no amnesty is given to those who have committed crimes against humanity and genocide.

Of course, this principle should be maintained, but at the same time it is very important that 'truth seeking' exercise be carried out. So we are very much interested in that and we will continue to have dialogue with them."

March 15, 2006

F-FDTL members will not join PNTL

Minister of Interior Rogerio Lobato has rejected the rumour that the more than 600 expelled F-FDTL soldiers will join the PNTL, and has asked the public to stop believing this rumour. Speaking to journalists at his office on Tuesday, Rogerio stated that if someone is not serving in the F-FDTL then automatically they will not serve in the PNTL. He said that it is very important that the media do not take up the rumour, which will only contribute to further confusion, as the policy of the Minister of Interior is clear. He explained that the soldiers have the right to leave the F-FDTL, but when conducting recruitment the PNTL will be sure to take note if any of those names appear in enrollment. (DN, STL, TP)

Discrimination by president of NP: Sabino

Head of the PD Bench in the National Parliament Mariano Sabino has complained that the President of the Plenary Session in the National Parliament has discriminated against the PD Bench by cancelling the presentation of a report from the Quelicai Sub- district branch of PD. Coordinator of the branch, Agapito Ribeiro, Cabral was to read the report in yesterday's plenary session, the objective of which was to refute claims by the village and sub-village chief that PD had raised its flag in their village without first informing the local community leaders. According to Sabino, the President of the Parliament is its spokesperson and the one who should facilitate the work of the Parliament by allowing the MPs to speak, as they are instruments of information. He stated that by limiting the opportunities for MPs to speak, the Parliament is also preventing the people's wishes from being voiced. (TP)

PMD will fight to include gender program in curriculum

The Millennium Democratic Party (PMD) has stated that it will fight to include gender teachings in the school curriculum, to be taught at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, and also to become a factor inherent in all institutions.

According to a press release issued on Tuesday, PMD wishes to respond to the current reality by advancing a change in Timor- Leste society. PMD has established a 35 percent quota for women candidates for the legislature, in support of women's involvement in politics. PMD considers women's rights to be fundamental, and they will continue to facilitate and promote Timorese women via training and capacity building. They maintain however that women who are to become involved in politics must be well trained, and able to problem-solve to become good leaders. (TP)

UNDP politicizes poverty in Timor

Head of ASDT party bench, Feliciano de Fatima Alves also known as Mausiri, stated that UNDP report on poverty in TL tended to politicize rather than describing the reality of this country. It was acknowledged that the people of Timor-Leste had faced a very difficult situation after the referendum in 1999, however, after the establishment of the transitional Government under the UN the situation was neutralized and back to normal. "We are indeed poor, but we don't live under the poverty line. This is proven by the fact that the people still live in healthy conditions and no one is thin due to malnutrition. In front of the shops and streets we don't find beggars as you find in other countries in the world," Alves said. (STL)

Community considers police as enemy

Members of the community in Balide have complained that an operation carried out by members of the police on Sunday night did not follow standard procedures. According to the people in the area, police detained youths at random when a fight erupted between two groups, Rumbia Kaikoli and Rebal Mascarenhas. PNTL Commander, Paulo Martins said he himself received complaints saying the police actions were excessive because the community considers police the enemy. He said that some members of the community pelted the police when they arrived in the area. "If police are considered the enemy, then imagine if the police did not turn up. What would have happened? Now the police show up and the people start throwing rocks at the police car. How can it be?" Martins asked.

According to Timor Post, the incident left two houses damaged after a police officer supported the group Rebal in damaging the house of a member of a one of the rival groups. The owner of the house said that although her son was involved, the police should have just detained him rather than helping to destroy her house. In the meantime, PNTL Commander Martins said he has met with the two women who have claimed to have suffered damage to their properties abetted by the police during the melee. Martins added that if the investigation proves any members of the police behaved as accused, measures will be taken according to the police disciplinary regulations. (TP)

March 14, 2006

Ximenes nominates for Fretilin general secretary

It is reported that Fretilin Central Committee (CCF) member Abel Ximenes will nominate himself for Fretilin Secretary General at the upcoming National Congress.

Responding to this, President of the National Parliament Lu-Olo has stated that whomever wishes to nominate him or herself for the Secretary General or President's position must be 100% Fretilin. However, he claimed that as yet he does not have any information regarding who will be nominated for either position.

Speaking at the National Parliament after voting for the Veterans Law, Lu-Olo expressed his satisfaction that the law has been approved, as finally those who fought for the liberation of this country will be acknowledged. This includes not just those who were guerrillas in the mountains, but also members of the clandestine and diplomatic fronts. Lu-Olo dismissed concerns of some parties that the law is too politicised, saying that 63 MPs voted in favour of the law, which is a significant number. The proposed bill has been in debate in Parliament for the past three months. (STL, TP)

Food supply companies income decreases

The absence of hundreds of F-FDTL from their headquarters has caused the income of those companies who supply food to the armed forces to decline from US $5000 to US $3000 per week. Manager of Jor & Cos Co. Ltd Juviano Cabral speaking to STL yesterday evening explained that his company has been supplying food for hundreds of F-FDTL personnel from Battalion I in Baucau. He likened his company to a food stall, whereby the income increases or decreases depending on the amount of customers. (STL) Branco comments on UNDP report

In reference to the recent UNDP report on Human Development and responding to an appeal from the PD Bench's spokesperson Rui Menezes that the Timorese people should be experiencing "favourable" development, Head of the Fretilin Bench in the National Parliament Francisco Branco has stated that sometimes such reports do not follow reality. He reminded journalists that the report is based on 2004 data, and that since then, there have been changes, of which he is sure UNDP recognizes. He also criticized the attitude of the economics lecturer who commented on the report without taking into account the population increase that has occurred since then, among other factors.

Timor Post reported Branco as saying that the analysis made by Aristides Afonso on the UNDP Human Development Report for 2006, as too narrow. On Saturday, Timor Post reported Aristides Afonso, a lecturer on economics at the National University, as saying that the report shows that the Government does not have the capacity to implement living conditions necessary for development. "I admire the capacity of an economic docent when it comes to doing an analysis on the economy of Timor-Leste. He doesn't consider the fundamental points of the population growth," Branco said pointing out that one of the difficulties facing development is the increase in birth rates. In regards to the capacity of the Government, the MP for Fretilin added that the Government is focusing on development, slowly but steadily.

He cited examples such as the construction of bridges, the increase in the number of health centers, an increase in student capacity in the education sector. He said, "We must consider this part of development. In 2007, we will enter a new phase, and the development will be better established because we can see that the last four years have been too short to focus on everything". (STL, TP)

Up to five years for turtle catchers

According a Government decree law, turtles are classified as a Protected Animal Species in Timor-Leste. Therefore, anyone catching turtles or turtle eggs will be sentenced from one to five years imprisonment and a penalty between US$500- $500,000. The media reported that a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries says 2006 is declared "Year of the Turtle" because it is a species protected throughout the world. The document also says that information will be disseminated at the grassroots level to make the public aware of the importance of protecting the riches as defined in the decree-law. Timor- Leste for the third time participated in the International Forum for Conservation and Management of Sea Water Turtles in Bangkok as observers. The last forum was in March 2005. (TP, DN)

March 11-13, 2006

Expulsion of soldiers will create problems

PSD MP Riak Leman has said that F-FDTL's plans to expel 400 soldiers at once is not a good move because it will set a bad precedent in terms of future recruitment of soldiers. Responding to the news that the more than 400 soldiers who have refused to return to their barracks after their February protest will be expelled from the F-FDTL, Leman stated that if they are indeed expelled, future candidates for the F-FDTL who are from the West of the country may decide not to join, based on this precedent. He said that the case is not one of indiscipline, for which expulsion could be considered necessary, but that this is a much bigger issue that should be resolved properly.

Political and economic observer Aristides Afonso has criticized President Xanana's handling of the issue, saying that he has erred in trying to handle the issue from a philosophical point of view. "I very much respect President Xanana, however, if he really did have an interest in resolving the case, then it would not have been blown out as it has", stated Afonso to TP last Friday. He stated that in his opinion, the President should identify who was the instigator of the action, and who were just the followers. He said that these followers could then be ordered to re-join the institution, so that the case could be resolved.

In an interview with DN, Coordinator of the CPD-RDTL Antonio "Aitahan Matak" has stated that the more than 400 soldiers who have not yet returned to their barracks have violated the discipline expected of military personnel. He explained that as soldiers who belong to a military institution, whether the leader is an imperialist, capitalist, a socialist or a communist, the military institution has rules that must be followed. "If a soldier leaves his post for even one hour when he has been ordered to remain, then he has violated the discipline required of him", according to Matak. (TP, DN, STL)

Two bishops to be government advisors if PD wins election

If the Democratic Party wins the 2007 elections, they will recruit the two Timor-Leste Bishops, Alberto Ricardo of Dili and Basilio do Nascimento of Baucau, to be Government Advisors, Vice-Secretary-General of the Democratic Party Francisco Berlaku told party followers during a mini Congress in Aileu on Saturday. He stated that PD looks on the Timor-Leste church as a development partner for Timor-Leste's future.

In his speech, Berlaku touched on some aspects of PD's program planning which will be discussed at their National Congress, including a focus on democracy, the economy, agriculture, health and education. (TP)

UNDP report shows government lacks capacity

Aristides Afonso, an economic lecturer at the National University, said indications by UNDP Human Report that poverty has increased in Timor-Leste, shows that the Government does not yet have the capacity to better the lives and development here. Afonso says that the Government must be open to all ideas and welcome all investment. He pointed out that when people invest a lot of money in this country they also want benefits and security for their money in the future. He added that whether the Government does or doesn't have the capacity depends on which aspects one looks at and in considering some of them, it has the capacity to proceed, but in terms of economic development of the nation, he said the Government is lacking. Aristides Afonso said it could also be either lack of capacity or interest to carry the nation forward, pointing out that members of the Government are more interested in their personal business and trying to gain control rather than developing the economy of Timor-Leste. He said that to reduce poverty, conditions must be created for economic political changes, noting that the world is evolving and if Timor-Leste cannot adjust and adapt to the development process it will forever be poor. Afonso says there's a yearly increment in the Government budget for development but the money is not used at all because the projects do not create conditions for employment opportunities. He added that whenever the budget increases, it should favor the living conditions of the people and the development process. (TP)

UN: Timor one step forward

Timor Post reported Saturday that following the launch of UNDP Human Development Report for Timor-Leste, SRSG Hasegawa told the media that in the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections, parties must have credible plans to reduce poverty and establish a sustainable development plan for the nation. " The political leaders cannot disregard the wishes of the people to choose who they want. In reality, they must not only provide freedom but create better living conditions and develop human resources," Hasegawa reportedly said. He also said that the presence of the United Nations in Timor-Leste is important to secure that the first election is free, peaceful and fair and is really committed, as a member of the UN, of putting in the effort to build a democratic society.

Leave Fretilin if want development: Menezes

Partido Democratico spokesperson, Rui Menezes, appealed to the people of Timor-Leste to quit Fretilin if they want a better life and development. "Before, the people won the war against the Indonesian military because they left Fretilin and joined the organisation Resistance CNRT (National Council of Timorese Resistance).

Now if the people want to have a better life and development in this nation, once more they have to decide to leave Fretilin," Menezes said. He added that the people have put their faith in Fretilin to govern Timor-Leste but in the last four years the people still have not seen any development. (STL)

Fretilin has big responsibility to the nation

Secretary-General of Fretilin, Mari Alkatiri reportedly said that having a big party means those selected to lead it must be conscious and have a clear perspective to carry it forwards. Speaking at the opening of Oecussi District conference on the weekend, he reminded participants that the role of the leadership during the war is finished and those selected must be the correct people for the appropriate time, adding that a good commander during the war doesn't necessarily mean a good minister or qualified to become the President or the Secretary-General of a party. Alkatiri added that a large party has the responsibility to strengthen peace, stability and democracy for the nation. Oecussi was the last leg of district conferences in preparation for the national congress scheduled in Dili for mid-May.

March 10, 2006

I've decided not to nominate: Xanana

President Xanana Gusmao, speaking from Lisbon on Wednesday, has said that he will not nominate himself for a second term as President, because this will be better for the people. He stated that he would not be swayed from his decision, as he feels that it is not good for somebody to become indispensable. When asked who he imagines may be his successor, Xanana answered that the name on everybody's lips at the moment is that of Jose Ramos- Horta. Ramos-Horta himself however has defended Xanana's right to nominate himself for a second term. (STL)

Update on F-FDTL case

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri has recommended that those F-FDTL members who have an incorrect understanding (of the F-FDTL situation) should retire. Speaking to journalists after launching the 2006 Human Development Report at the Hotel Timor on Thursday, Alkatiri explained that it is not that he does not want to resolve the F-FDTL matter, but that a commission has been set up for this purpose. Therefore, he said, it would be up to the Commission to work together with the concerned institution to find the best solution. He asserted that it would not be right for the Prime Minister or the President to be directly involved with resolving the matter, as this would be seen as too centralist.

Coordinator of the petitioners, Lieutenant Gastao Salsinha, has contested the rumour that if he and his colleagues are dismissed by the F-FDTL, they will apply for employment with the Timor- Leste National Police, in particular the Border Patrol Unit. "We are military personnel and we do not have any intention of leaving the military and applying to the BPU. It is not possible", Salsinha told STL yesterday. He stated that he and his colleagues have a high sense of nationalism, therefore they would never do such a thing. He reiterated that the reason for last month's protest and petition was to push for a resolution to some of the problems and injustices within the F-FDTL, and not because the petitioners want to apply to the PNTL. (STL)

Political parties must present programs before 2007

SRSG Sukehiro Hasegawa said political parties must present their programs as the nation nears the 2007 elections. In a briefing note to the media, Hasegawa stressed that it is the voters' right to know the party programs and it is the responsibilities of the parties to present their political plans and strategies in the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections. He added that the political parties should provide the details as soon as possible of their economic, social and political policies as well as their intended programs in the areas of education and health.

Timor Post reported SRSG Hasegawa as saying that when the United Nations mission ends in Timor-Leste it might have an impact on the development here," Speaking to the media following the launch of UNDP Human Development Report for Timor-Leste 2006, Sukehiro Hasegawa underscored that it is imperative for the Government to bring together everybody's effort to look into the challenges the nation is facing, especially in the rural areas. He added that the Government must also work with the private sector to create jobs and pay greater attention to the areas of agriculture, health and education which are crucial areas. "The Government and the international community must focus further on agriculture and unemployment in the rural areas," said Hasegawa, pointing to the advantage that Timor-Leste has with its oil and gas of the Timor Sea which could help reduce poverty and provide a better budget.

Hasegawa happy with government food program

SRSG Sukehiro Hasegawa commended the Government's decision to provide food to students. Speaking at the launch of the 2006 Human Development Report at the Hotel Timor on Thursday, Hasegawa stated that providing food to schools is a means of reducing poverty, as is the new Government policy of abolishing school fees. Hasegawa emphasized the importance of building on human resources, and recommended that the Government improve the educational system by introducing science and technology studies, as well as placing a greater emphasis on students' health. He added that the best means of reducing poverty in Timor-Leste is to focus on improving the infrastructure, agriculture and education, as well as the creation of income-generating activities. Hasegawa also reaffirmed the necessity of finding solutions to long-term demands, stating that one of these means is through education, thereby building on available human resources. (STL)

Independence of CNE and STAE not an independent vision

In relation to the demands by the opposition parties and civil society for CNE and STAE to be independent bodies to carry out their work better, Prime Minister Alkatiri responded by saying that "these demands are not the country's independent vision because the same people want outsiders to organize the general elections. "We are already a sovereign country but people from the outside are coming to organize the elections because we do not trust each other," Prime Minister Alkatiri said. Alkatiri said the function of STAE is different from CNE which is independent. He noted that those people making such demands are not accustomed to living as a sovereign country and that during the Portuguese and Indonesian period they did not want to think about a sovereign and independent state. Alkatiri said that is precisely why his party, Fretilin, fought to be independent, have dignity and think as a sovereign independent state. (TP)

Norms required to control groups: Martins

PNTL Commander, Paulo Fatima Martins, said in order to avoid problems with the martial arts groups, norms must be established. As a mechanism, police have invited all martial arts groups to sit together and dialogue. The police are already conducting patrol rounds and detaining those who create problems. Martins said it is the Government that must create these norms for the people to follow.

Asked for information on the fight between two martial groups recently in Baucau in which two people were injured, PNTL commander said he had not received any information yet on those injuries. In a separate article Timor Post reported that 6 people have been detained in relation to the Baucau fight.

March 9, 2006

International Women's Day comments

SRSG Sukehiro Hasegawa has recommended that Timorese women nominate themselves for President of the Republic, as many women possess the necessary intellectual capacity. Speaking on International Women's Day yesterday in a ceremony held for the occasion at the Memorial Hall in Farol, Hasegawa relayed the UN Secretary General's message that the theme for this year's Women's Day is "Increasing Women's Decision-Making Capacity". He said that this is essential for the advancement of all women, as well as humanity's progress in general. "Full participation of women, including participation in decision making and access to power are fundamental to the development of equality and peace", stated Hasegawa.

Also speaking on the occasion of Women's Day 2006, Head of the Women's Network Maria Olandina Cairo said that many women are victims of prostitution through no fault of their own, as they are being sold for the benefit of others.

She said that it is therefore necessary for the state to create mechanisms to deal with such people, and that it is also the responsibility of the state to create the conditions whereby all citizens, including women, can participate in all sectors.

Meanwhile, PSD MP Fernando Gusmao confirmed his party's support for the establishment of quotas to increase women's still minimum participation in politics. He said that current female MP's in Timor-Leste have demonstrated their political capacity with many of them becoming Heads of Factions, and Presidents and Secretaries of the Commissions. However, according to Gusmao, it is still necessary to bring many other women into the system.

Two women MP's have also conveyed their opinion on International Women's Day. Josefa Soares Pereira and Quiteria da Costa have asked Timorese women's organizations to focus their efforts on women at the grassroots level of society.

Pereira told journalists that she feels a little sad that only women in Dili are involved in the commemorations, while women at the district and village level are completely unaware of the significance of the day. UDT MP da Costa expressed her opinion that it would be useful to hold a workshop or seminar at that level and not just in Dili, to enable village women to also be involved. (DN, STL, TP)

Shortage of Fretilin leadership: Rogerio

Minister of Interior Rogerio Lobato has said that Fretilin is currently suffering a shortage of leaders, as many of its leaders died in the war. Speaking to journalists outside the International Women's Day celebrations at the Memorial Hall in Farol yesterday, Lobato explained that these days it is difficult to find leaders of the calibre of party President Lu-Olo or Secretary General Mari Alkatiri. He said that it has now become necessary to begin preparing some of the youth members to take over, but that this would take time. He explained that such preparations are not just in the professional field but that moral integrity and behaviour are also very important. Lobato will not nominate himself for President of the party at the upcoming National Congress, as he said that he still believes in the continuing capabilities of Lu-Olo and Alkatiri. (TP)

NGO director will be deported if not Timorese citizen

Minister of Interior Rogerio Lobato has said that the Department of Immigration will deport the Director of the NGO LABEH, Christopher Henry Samson, if it turns out that he is not a Timorese citizen. Lobato said that as far as the Government understands, Samson is a citizen of Angola and not Timor-Leste. For this reason the Government is making efforts to confirm this with the Angolan Government. He stated that the Baptism Certificate that Samson has from the Bobonaro Parish could be a fake. Responding to questions from journalists, Samson said that before investigating him, the government should investigate Minister Ana Pessoa, as during UNTAET it was the Minister herself in her role as Minister of Justice who gave him his registration card and birth certificate. He stated that he is suspicious that there is a game of dirty politics being played regarding his case, and that he is not worried because he has all the relevant documents. Samson claims that his mother is from Bobonaro and his father from Angola. Even though he grew up in Angola, he was born in Timor-Leste. He also claims that Minister Ana Pessoa is his cousin, due to familial relations between his mother and the Minister. (DN)

MPs speaking foolishness: Alkatiri

Responding to MP Xavier do Amaral's declaration (ASDT) that as head of state, the Prime Minister should resign if he doesn't want to resolve the problem of F-FDTL, the PM said, " some MPs speak foolishness". Amaral believes that although Alkatiri did not receive copy of the petition from members of F-FDTL, as Prime Minister, he must follow what is happening and try to resolve the problem. MP Isac (Independent) says he disagrees with the Prime Minister's decision as the problem involves hundreds of people and the Prime Minister has the power to make a decision. Isac added that if the Government cannot find a solution to the problem, it could be accused later of incompetence. MP Branco (Fretilin) said the armed forces institution is legally under the competence of the President and the problem should be resolved within F-FDTL structures and it is not a good idea to have interventions from every institution. (STL) Xanana has forgotten victim's family

Edio Saldanha, of Human Rights and Justice Association (Yayasan Hak) reportedly said the CAVR report should be made available now in Timor-Leste, since this is the locale of the eyewitness and the victims. Saldanha said that the fact that the report has not yet been published in Timor-Leste, shows that President Gusmao has forgotten and does not value the victims' families by prioritising the publications in other countries.

"It is not fair that the report has been distributed to the rest of the world except for Timor-Leste and it's not fair especially to the families of the victims who have given their testimonies,' Edio Saldanha added.

Referring to concerns that many NGOs only criticizes Prime Minister Alkatiri, Timor Post reported that the Director of the Yayasan Hak, Jose Luis Oliveira as saying that NGO's are not frightened to criticize leaders of Timor-Leste including President Gusmao. Oliveira pointed out that many times NGOs have held demonstrations against President Gusmao one of them being his return from Jakarta following his meeting with Wiranto.

He added that they have also written the President letters regarding the International Tribunal. The Director of Yayasan Hak said that it is important to know the politics that Xanana is using and any political decision that does not follow the rules and principles of human rights, the NGO must take a stand on and be critical according to facts and ethics. He noted that some politicians makes political critiques without substance and that it is more of a personal critique but he hopes that things will slowly change. (TP, DN)

March 8, 2006

Alkatiri should resign if won't resolve F-FDTL problem

ASDT President Francisco Xavier do Amaral has recommended that Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri resign if he does not want to assist in resolving the F-FDTL problem. He stated that he does not agree with the PM's statement that he (the PM) does not want to be involved with resolving the problem because his name was not included on the petition presented by the F-FDTL soldiers. "If this is the case, then he should not be in the position of Prime Minister. As the Prime Minister, it is necessary to become involved with such matters, and not use the excuse of not having been informed", said Amaral, speaking to journalists after leading the plenary session of the National Parliament on Tuesday. He stated that it is not important whether the PM was informed of the matter or not, as the role of the PM should be to take a role, by working with the President and the military in identifying a solution to the problem. MP Leandro Isaac also expressed his opinion that Alkatiri should not have made such a statement, because as head of the Government, he should become involved whether the petition was directed to him or not. (STL, TP)

Comments on IWD and women's quota

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri has stated that International Women's Day, celebrated today, is important for all of us to join in solidarity with women. He said that there should be no competition between women and men, but that men should also join in solidarity with women in supporting their rights. He extended his congratulations to women on this day, both Timorese women and women the world over. He also guaranteed that the struggle for women's rights in Timor-Leste will continue to progress. Also relaying his message on the occasion, President Xanana Gusmao said that the Government has become stronger in discussing women's issues in Timor-Leste.

To commemorate the day, the women's organization Rede Feto will be carrying out some special activities, including an exhibition which will be held at the Memorial Hall Farol, with the objective of promoting women's participation in their respective sectors including design, photography, infrastructure, construction and hospitality.

PSD and KOTA have supported the establishment of quotas for women in gaining parliamentary seats, while PDC and Fretilin have rejected the idea. Speaking yesterday at the National Parliament, PDC MP Antonio Ximenes said that assigning quotas for women would be a form of discrimination. He stated that he believes that individual capacity must be taken into account, and that women should not be given an advantage just because they are women. MP Manuel Tilman affirmed that KOTA will set a minimum number so that women can gain representation in Parliament. However, he doubted that this would be possible in the end, because Fretilin will not be accepting any quotas. He said that it would therefore be necessary for women's organizations to lobby Fretilin MP's so that the law will be passed. PSD MP Fernando Diaz Gusmao also confirmed PSD's position that it is necessary to set quotas to ensure women's participation in politics, because even though women have the capacity, their numbers in politics are still few compared to men. He said that if in the future, women's capacity increases, then it will then no longer be necessary to have quotas. (STL, TP, DN)

New independent election commission needed

The Members of Parliament for Partido Democratico Cristao (PDC) and Partido Social Democratico (PSD) are of the opinion that a new independent commission must be established for the 2007 elections. Antonio Ximenes of PDC said "I would prefer and it would be better, a body that is independent like a court because the court makes decisions based on facts and the on the Constitution. Therefore, another commission should be created without the current structures of CNE". He underscored that the CNE and STAE have performed a good job with the recent elections of the chiefs and head of villages but claims that there were failures and manipulation within these bodies as they were established by the Government. Fernando Diaz Gusmao of PSD said the structures of the two organizations must be clearly defined.

According to Diaz Gusmao, apart from being responsible to the State Ministry, STAE is also responsible for CNE and that's where the problem lies. He added that whether or not another commission should be established depends on the electoral law which is still unavailable.

Meanwhile, MP Joaquin dos Santos from Fretilin said the STAE is not an independent body as it is an instrument of the Government designed to provide technical assistance to the recent election process of chief and council villages. Santos pointed out that even if the law says that another national electorate commission must be established, STAE would continue to function as it is the Government administration and technical support to the national electoral commission. He added that both STAE and CNE are not the same as one is technical and the other is political. Diario Nacional reported that the Secretary General, Francisco Guterres of the political party, UNDERTIM requested the State to urgently approve the electoral bill before the month of August. This, said Guterres, would allow the parties to study the law and stop the problems presently in the country. Guterres is of the opinion that the elections should be during the dry season, like the month of August and September to facilitate the activities of the small parties.

Japanese government assists health sector

The Government of Japan donated another over 1.7 million USD to Timor-Leste's health sector which would be facilitated by UNICEF for the women and children health programs for 2007. UNICEF representative Vathinee Jitjaturunt and the Japanese Ambassador for Timor-Leste, Kenji Shimizu, signed the agreement on Tuesday in Dili for According to Diario Nacional, in 2003 Japan also donated 4.5million USD for the health sector. Therefore a total of 6.2 million USD has been donated to Timor-Leste Health sector. (STL, TP, DN)

Gusmao participates in swearing-in Portuguese president

Speaking to the media before departing for Portugal on Tuesday, President Gusmao said that Timor-Leste would maintain external political ties with Portugal and the new Portuguese President, Cavaco Silva. President Gusmao is heading the Timorese delegation that integrates the Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Ramos-Horta to the swearing in ceremony of Cavaco Silva scheduled for March 9. He will then proceed to Switzerland where he will participate in the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Commission. From Switzerland, the President of Timor-Leste will continue to Angola and Guinea-Bissau and will return to Dili on March 28. (Lusa)

March 7, 2006

Workshop on women's political participation

To discuss women's participation in the 2007 General Elections, a joint one-day workshop on the subject coordinated by the office of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister's office for Promotion of Equality, UNIFEM and the local NGO Fokupers was held yesterday at the Hotel Timor. The workshop entitled "Ensuring Women's Participation and Representation in the Political Life of the Nation Via the 2007 Legislative and Presidential Elections" was opened by Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, with statements by President Xanana Gusmao, Vice-President of the National Parliament Jacob Fernandes, and SRSG Hasegawa. Workshop participants included representatives of political parties, the diplomatic corps, members of parliament, and civil society. Organizing Committee member Manuela Leong told journalists that this is the second such workshop of this nature, the objective being to ensure that decision makers take into account women's participation in the electoral process and in the 2007 elections, as well as being useful to gather ideas for the promotion of women's participation.

Spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party in the National Parliament Joao Goncalves stated that PSD has always paid great attention to women's political participation, noting the current distribution of parliamentary seats for PSD MP's consists of three men and three women. In his speech at the workshop, SRSG Hasegawa declared that he hopes that women's political participation will increase in the upcoming elections, and that the role of the Cabinet for the Promotion of Equality together with UNIFEM will be instrumental in assisting with this through their civic education programs. The SRSG stated that it is important not just to increase the number of women in politics, but more importantly, to increase the number of both men and women who understand the importance of women's participation in the decision-making process of politics. (STL)

Delegation on millennium challenges visits

A delegation on Millennium Challenges Cooperation (MCC) which is assisting Timor-Leste in increasing economic growth and reducing poverty, has for the second time paid a visit to Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste is one of 24 countries that belong to the Millennium Challenge Account, an initiative of the Bush Administration, becoming a member in November last year. According to a press release from the US Ambassador to Timor-Leste, the objective of the four-day visit is to explain to various segments of the population the purpose of the MCC. US Ambassador Joseph Grover Rees stated that he feels very enthusiastic about the visit, and that he sees the visit as an affirmation of the progress that Timor-Leste has made toward the implementation of a free-market economy, as well as a mature and participative democratic system. The purpose of the MCC is to work with developing countries to reduce poverty and provide incentives for sustainable economic growth.

Speaking to journalists after receiving the delegation, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said that reducing poverty cannot only be achieved just by distributing food, but also via the health care system. He said that he very much appreciates the assistance provided by the MCC, as Timor-Leste is one of only a few countries in the world to receive such support. (STL)

Some foreigners dislike Fretilin: Alkatiri

Secretary General of Fretilin, Mari Alkatiri, reportedly said during a speech in Liquica District on Saturday that many foreigners, including some parties dislike Fretilin' governance.

According to Timor Post, Alkatiri said they pick on many things of this democracy, but that democracy is more than just elections. He added that small political parties must also respect the majority party. "The foreigners want to divide Fretilin during its congress, but we will see. They will not sit peacefully," the Prime Minister said. He pointed out that he has sat many times with Mario Carrascalao (PSD) and signed many proposals together with him but in the end the opposition votes against it, noting that in reality they don't want development but they want Fretilin to form a government of national unity. (TP)

I'll not resolve F-FDTL problem: Alkatiri

Prime Minister Alkatiri said he does not want to resolve F-FDTL problem because the petition forgot all about the Prime Minister. "If they have forgotten me, I cannot do anything. Let them keep forgetting me," added Prime Minister Alkatiri. He noted that the petition is addressed to almost everybody except the Prime Minister but warned them to be careful as many have already left the headquarters. "They have already made a mistake for leaving the headquarters. If they held a demonstration, it's even worse because the armed forces and the police cannot hold demonstrations," Alkatiri said. (STL)

Bishop Basilio: They must have a reason

The Bishop of Baucau Basilio do Nascimento said there must be a reason for the problem with the F-FDTL members that presented the petition to President Gusmao.

The Bishop said he does not know a solution as he is not aware of the reasons that led to the problem. But he added that as a Timorese, he is concerned that the demonstrators involved the armed forces. Nascimento stressed that he is confident that the interest of the nation is above any group's interest and he believes it won't have negative impact on the nation.

Diario Nacional first anniversary Today's edition of Diario Nacional dedicated most of its space to various comments on its first anniversary. Following are some of the comments: President Gusmao was reported as saying that the newspaper is good and its orientation does not provoke polemics.

President of PSD, Mario Carrascalao, reportedly said he does not like Diaro because it constantly publishes photographs of Mari Alkatiri and Xanana Gusmao and that more space should be allocated to the civil society. President of the Parliament, Francisco "Lu'Olo" Guterres congratulated the newspaper and said it publishes the correct information. Prime Minister Alkatiri pointed out that regardless of its difficulties Diario Nacional is growing bigger. Abilio Araujo, President of PNT said, "Jornal Diario is independent, pluralist and objective". The Secretary General of PD, Mariano Sabino said this newspaper is like one from the government. President of the Court of Appeals, Claudio Ximenes said Jornal Diario contributes to the official languages, Tetum and Portuguese. (DN)

UNDERTIM asks police to stop group actions

Vice-President of the Political Party, UNDERTIM has condemned the actions of groups using the party's name to create instability in Liquica District. Jose Galucito told the media that two groups by the name of Ninja Land Owners and Ninja America are using his party name to steal, attack people and pelt houses in that District. Galucito said UNDETIM coordinator in Liquica already requested the police to stop the actions of these groups. He also appealed for people who have joined his party to follow the party's structure. (DN)

March 4-6, 2006

Fretilin will not lose in 2007

President of the National Parliament Francisco Guterres (Lu Olo) has said that while Fretilin will face a challenge in the 2007 elections, there is no doubt that they will win. Speaking on Saturday upon opening the Fretilin District Conference in Dili, Lu Olo said that some people are saying that Fretilin will soon die out, "who then will take over?" he asked. Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said that hoping that Fretilin will die out is futile, because Fretilin just continues to grow. He explained that the District Conference is intended to choose the delegates who will attend the second Fretilin National Congress which will be held from 17-19 May. After the Congress, the party will then move to concentrate on the upcoming general elections. (D, STL )

There will be no coup d'etat

President of the National Parliament Francisco Guterres has said that although the number of F-FDTL members who have deserted the institution has risen to 500, there will be no coup d'etat, because Timor-Leste does not want to go to war again. Speaking to journalists on Friday last week, Guterres explained that if there are problems in the F-FDTL, the institution has the capacity to resolve them.

Responding to the statement from the Chief of Staff of the F-FDTL that some political parties are behind the problem, Guterres stated that the issue is not of a political nature but a military one, therefore the military should be the institution that takes the lead in resolving the matter and political elements should not be involved. (DN)

Members of F-FDTL Have Not Been Intimidated Members of the Superior Council for Defence and Security Gregorio Saldanha and Paul Assis have declared that the F-FDTL soldiers who have been investigated have not been subjected to any intimidation and that statements to that effect are just rumours. The two confirmed that so far seventeen people have been questioned, but that the investigations are currently suspended as some soldiers have not yet returned to their barracks. Related to the claim that some political parties are behind the matter, Saldanha stated that if there is no evidence to prove this, it is better not to declare as such. He confirmed that the case would be resolved in due course, and that there are no indications of a coup d'etat. In Monday's edition, STL reported that 14 soldiers have already taking part in the investigation process and, according to Saldanha, the investigation process might take one month to complete. (DN, STL)

F-FDTL Crisis Would Not Affect Elections: Lu'Olo President of the National Parliament, Francisco "Lu Olo", said that the crisis within F-FDTL would not affect the elections in 2007. "The F-FDTL crisis is an institutional problem therefore it will not have implications for the election processes in 2007," Guterres said. In regards to reports that some commanders of the Armed Forces have alleged that the problem has been instigated by some political parties, Lu'Olo said he would not comment. He added that the problem is a military technical one and should be resolved within that institution.

Fretilin did not participate in UNOTIL meeting

UNOTIL's meeting on the UN support for the National Elections was participated by all the political parties except Fretilin, reported Suara Timor Lorosae newspaper on Saturday.

According to STL's Saturday's edition, the Head of Fretilin in the National Parliament, Francisco Branco, said his party was not represented in the meeting because they are busy preparing for the national congress, scheduled for May 20.

This newspaper also reported that representatives of all political parties present at the meeting extended their opinion that the Technical Secretariat for Election Administration (STAE) and National Electoral Commission (CNE) should not be under the government. They said that the two commissions should be independent to guarantee impartial elections. Partido Social Democrata Chairman Mario Carrascalao stated that UNOTIL's assistance on the upcoming elections is crucial for a free and independent election.

Carrascalao said he doubts the impartiality of STAE and CNE if they are under the government.

STL reported today that Fretilin's Liquica District Coordinator declared that members of the party have decided to elect Francisco Lu'Olo Guterres as President and Mari Alkatiri as Prime Minister for the 2007 elections. (STL)

International support not a waste: Ximenes

Claudio Ximenes, President of the Courts of Appeal said the support of the international community is not a waste of money, as the Timorese would receive required training to do work throughout the country. Ximenes said the training is now in the second phase and presently 11 candidates out of 27 have been selected to be judges, 9 for prosecutors and 7 for public defenders. He added that many people did not believe that the training would be successful. "But whoever has been following the training up until now can see with their own eyes that the Timorese participating in this training have been putting in effort and they have gained skills in Timor-Leste legislation and of the official language," the President of the Court of Appeals said. He said that Timor-Leste still requires international assistance especially in the judicial area noting, "there might be a lot of difficulties but we have reason to trust in the Timorese currently receiving training. This is our reality, and our necessity, to prepare properly our human resources for positions in the court, as prosecutors and defenders. Timor-Leste still requires international judges, prosecutor, defenders and official jurists to do the work and the training up to its completion. And, if we carry on the same road we have up to now, our Timorese will have better training to do the work and it will not be a waste for the international support," Claudio Ximenes said. (STL)

March 3, 2006

Gusmao asks government to help resolve F-FDTL case

President Xanana Gusmao has asked Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri to nominate Government representatives to sit on the Investigating Commission for the F-FDTL case. Speaking to journalists after his weekly meeting with the President on Thursday, Alkatiri explained that the main issue discussed in this week's meeting was the F- FDTL case, and that the President expressed his desire for the Government to also sit on the Commission to assist in finding a solution to the case. He said that the intention of the Government involvement would not be to question the competency of the F-FDTL Commanders, but to consider the political issues involved. He reiterated that the Commanders would still deal with the technical matters concerned, such as disciplinary actions.

Related to the claim made by Chief of Staff Colonel Lere Anan Timor that some political parties are behind the F-FDTL case, MP's Francisco Xavier do Amaral and Maria Paixao have requested that Timor identify which parties he means. Amaral said that his party is not interested in such matters and stated also that the ethnic conflict between the East and the West of the country has existed for a long time. He said that the issue is one of some concern, because "where there is smoke there is fire", and that the fire should be put out quickly. Paixao also said that she would like to know which parties in particular are involved, but stated on behalf of her party that PSD is not interested in becoming involved in the issue because they trust that the F-FDTL Commanders will be able to resolve the situation. (DN) F-FDTL cannot leave headquarters: Alkatiri

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri reportedly said using the term lorosae-loromonu (east-west) is a big mistake. Speaking to the media following his meeting with President Gusmao, Alkatiri stressed that F-FDTL would not affect Fretilin as people from the East died in the West and vice-versa. "This is not against Fretilin, but it is against the state politics and against this constitution,"

STL also reported the President of Timor Lorosae Lawyers Association, Benevides Correira Barros as saying that the investigation commission should include the UN and expatriates because F-FDTL is still working with international advisors. Barros is of the opinion that the "independent investigation team should be composed of the President of the Republic, members of the church, international advisors and the UN". (TP, STL)

I'll nominate for president: Amaral

ASDT President Francisco Xavier do Amaral has stated that he will nominate himself for President of the Republic in the 2007 elections because Timor-Leste needs to show to the world that it has many able people.

Amaral told journalists on Thursday that he will run for President if there is only one candidate and that he will also push for a female candidate if only to show to the world that there are many Timorese who are keen to promote democracy in their country and that women are just as able as men. (DN)

Timor still needs UN assistance: Alkatiri

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri reportedly said that Timor-Leste still needs the technical assistance of the United Nations and that money alone is not enough. Alkatiri added that discussion is still taking place on the type of assistance regardless of the size of the mission. "This mission is already small. If there is another mission, it'll be smaller than this one.

Therefore they are not coming to govern Timor, no, but to provide assistance," Alkatiri said.

Timor-Leste Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Ramos-Horta is currently in the USA and met with the congress on Wednesday to discuss the future mission of the United Nations for Timor-Leste and the possibility of his candidature for the UN Secretary- General, reported Lusa. According to this news agency, Ramos- Horta told the Portuguese radio program, Voice of America that "I am reflecting about the possibility of candidature". He added, "I am listening to friends in the congress; I'll continue my consultations in New York, Lisbon and Paris," indicating that he would have to make a decision by the end of April or beginning the month of May.

Xanana will nominate new prosecutor: Alkatiri

President of the Republic, Xanana Gusmao is scheduled to nominate another Prosecutor-General to replace Longuinhos Monteiro, who has already completed his mandate, reported STL on Friday. Prime Minister Alkatiri said the President will nominate a person he trusts for the position and propose it to the Government. The Minister also said that the Government is planning to establish a Superior Council from the public servants that would be in charge of the proposals for the Government to carry out its duties. (STL)

Lack of Participants In Re-Elections The third phase for re- elections in two villages in Ermera District had not taken place according to the scheduled date due to the lack of voter turn out. According to Tomas do RosC!rio Cabral, STAE Director, the polling stations were open but people from the two villages did not turn up to vote. Cabral also said that the re-elections in Viqueque has been a little confusing as the candidate decided not to run. The third phase of the re-election for the village of Betis in Suai will be on Saturday. He said the results will be announced during a press conference in the coming days. (TP)

March 2, 2006

Discussion on women's participation in elections

President Gusmao, Prime Minister Alkatiri and the organizing committees, Fokupers and UNIFEM, will hold a discussion on women's participation in the 2007 election. The Advisor for the Office of Gender, Promotion and Equality, Maria Domingas Fernandez (Micato) told the media following a meeting with the President on Wednesday.

Fernandez said that the seminar will be held on March 6 in Dili. She added that it is important for the political parties, especially those contesting the election, to be informed about the women's platform and the importance of their vote. Political parties and women's organization will be invited to take part in the seminar, reported STL.

In a separate article, Timor Post reported that the women's organisation, OPMT (Organizao Popular Mulher Timor) held a District meeting in Baucau to establish a Coordinating Council body and Judiciary Commission and to select 11 delegates for the national congress scheduled for March 24-26. (STL, TP)

Office of Provedor opens door to public

The Office of the Provedor for Human Rights will be open to the public on March 20. The President of the Provedor, Sebastiao Dias Ximenes, reportedly said that as of this date, each citizen can present their complaints which will be followed up with an investigation.

Speaking in an information session in Baucau Ximenes said, "we already told the public that our door would be open on March 20. We would like to hold a mini campaign especially for the administrators and those in charge of the administration not only in Baucau but also in the other 12 districts. The last district would be Dili. Apart from activities like this one in Baucau, the other two groups have gone to the districts in the South and West". He added that in order to better serve the public, the Provedor Office for Human Rights has plans to open offices in the East to cover the districts of Baucau, Lospalos, Viqueque and Manatuto as well as to cover the areas in the South. (TP)

'I will not be presidential candidate': Belo

The former Bishop of Dili, Dom Carlos Ximenes Belo said he had not made an agreement with a political party regarding his candidature for the 2007 President of the Republic. Belo said he would not run for the Presidential elections but he leaves the door open for other people to be the candidate.

"I am not ready to become a candidate and I am not a candidate for the political parties. Up to now I have not made an agreement with a political party or anyone for the President of the Republic candidature," Belo said. (DN)

Timorese in West Timor want to return

Timor-Leste Consul General for Kupang, West Timor, Caetano Guterres, said many Timorese currently living there want to return to Timor-Leste. Caetano Guterres said he was warmly greeted when he visited the areas of Noelbaki and the refugee camp in Naibonat. He said many of them cried, saying they want to return to Timor-Leste. The Timorese Consul General said the living conditions of some of the Timorese in Naibonat are really poor. He asked them for a list of names of those who wish to return, saying he would discuss the matter with the Governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia. He added that those Timorese working in the police and military forces also wish to return when they complete their work. (TP)

Use of state facilities, soldiers can present complaints

Vice-President of KOTA Party, MP Clementino Amaral responded to claims by Fretilin MP Francisco Branco that Fretilin MPs use government facilities to carry out activities related to the national interest, saying that such a statement is "child politics". Speaking to journalists last Monday, Branco had said that the party in power has the right to make use of state facilities in the interests of national development. However, according to Amaral, such an argument does not make sense, because the kind of activities being carried out must first be considered and ascertained that such activities really are in the interests of the people at large and not just in the interest of party supporters.

Amaral stated that the reality is that MPs from majority party Fretilin use government facilities such as vehicles more often than MPs from the minority parties, and that this is unjust.

He said that there are many forms of discrimination practiced by the majority party, including bans on raising minority party flags in pro-Fretilin villages. He said that the KOTA party culture is not like this, as his party understands that minority parties must also participate in the development of this country.

Remarking on the F-FDTL case, Amaral said that those soldiers who believe that the investigating team is conducting an unfair investigation can submit a complaint to that effect. He said that the complaint would have to be in written form and addressed to their relevant commanders. He expressed his disagreement with the proposal to hold a national dialogue in an attempt to resolve the problem. (TP)

March 1, 2006

F-FDTL investigation not impartial

According to the F-FDTL soldiers who have been investigated in relation to the recent F-FDTL case, the investigation is focusing more on who organized the petition and who supported it, rather than the issues at hand, giving the impression that the Commission is blaming the soldiers for what happened, rather than attempting to resolve the problem. Speaking in the National Parliament, MP Antonio Ximenes protested the fact that the same people who have been accused of wrongdoing in the petition are the ones investigating the petitioners. He said that President Xanana is not using the right strategy, and that he should be creating conditions that the protestors can have confidence in.

Australia has temporarily transferred its F-FDTL Advisors from the training academy at Metinaro to Dili, in order to avoid any unwanted situation and in the interests of the safety of their citizens. According to the Australian Government, this will remain the case until the F-FDTL situation returns to normal. (STL)

Need for civic education for party supporters

Head of the Fretilin bench in the National Parliament Francisco Branco has said that political parties need to provide civic education to their supporters. Speaking to STL on Tuesday, in reference to the recent occurrence in a Same village in which the KOTA party flag was lowered, Branco said that there is a need to understand the people's mentality and the reality of their situation. He explained that it is not useful to compare this country to others, and that "we must consider problems such as these in relation to the concrete reality and mentality of our people". He also stated that the democracy that Timor-Leste implements must be in accordance with its own reality and not a copy of that of other more advanced countries. (STL)

Lawyers request halt on Lasama court case

Lawyers representing Fernando Lasamada Arajio, President of Partido Democratico (PD) have requested the Prosecutor General to halt the case, as Indonesian penal codes 310 and 316 are not valid and there is no legal basis to accuse him. Vital dos Santos, one of the lawyers and spokesperson for Araujo, reportedly said that the Prosecutor General knows that defamation is not a crime, based on the Executive Order No. 2/2000 from the then Administrator of Timor-Leste Sergio Vieira de Mello. The clause on the defamation had been decriminalized from penal to civil code.

PD held a mini conference in Same sub-districts to select delegates for the district conference with the aim to form youth structures. Mario de Araujo, PD's coordinator for that area said the recent desertion of members to other political party only shows that they are frustrated. According to reports, the number of party supporters has increased in Suai from 5,000 to 17,000. (STL)

[Compiled by the United Nations mission in Timor.]