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East Timor News Digest 12 – December 1-31, 2006
Democracy Now - December 27, 2006
Former President Gerald Ford died last night at the age of 93. We
begin our coverage of Ford's time in office with a look at his
support for the Indonesian invasion of East Timor that killed
one-third of the Timorese population. We're joined by Brad
Simpson of the National Security Archives and journalist Alan
Nairn. [rush transcript included]
Former President Gerald Ford died last night at the age of 93. He
became president in 1974 following the resignation of Richard
Nixon. Ford is the only person to become president that was never
elected president or vice president. Some described him as the
Accidental President. At his inauguration he famously declared
"the long national nightmare is over." But a month later Ford
granted Richard Nixon a full and absolute pardon for all federal
crimes that he committed when he was in the White House –
including for crimes connected to the Watergate scandal. The
decision stunned the country.
Gerald Ford served as president until he lost to Jimmy Carter in
the 1976 election. In 1975 He ordered the final pullout of US
troops from Vietnam. He later offered amnesty to Vietman era
draft resisters. Gerald Ford surrounded himself by advisers who
would later play key roles in the current Bush administration and
in shaping Bush's Iraq war policy. Donald Rumsfeld served first
as his chief of staff and then as Secretary of Defense. Dick
Cheney also served as Ford's chief of staff. Paul Wolfowitz
served in the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.
Less well known is President Ford involvement in East Timor. Both
the New York Times and Washington Post failed to mention in their
obituaries today that Ford and Henry Kissinger, his Secretary of
State, offered advance approval of Indonesia's brutal invasion of
East Timor.
This is clip of the documentary "Massacre: the Story of East
Timor" that I produced with journalist Alan Nairn. Excerpt of
"Massacre: the Story of East Timor." Brad Simpson. Research
Fellow at the National Security Archives. Alan Nairn.
Investigative Journalist.
Amy Goodman: An excerpt of the documentary Massacre: The Story of
East Timor which I produced with journalist Alan Nairn who'll be
joining us in a minute. But first to talk more about President
Ford's legacy and his role in East Timor, we are joined by Brad
Simpson. Brad Simpson works for the National Security Archives
and is a Professor at the University of Maryland.
Brad, welcome to Democracy Now!.
Brad Simpson: Thank you, very much, for having me on.
Amy Goodman: Brad, you recently got documents declassified about
President Ford and his role in 1975, in meeting with the long
reigning dictator of Indonesia, Suharto. Can you explain what you
learned?
Brad Simpson: Yes. Gerald Ford actually met twice with Suharto,
first in July of 1975 when Suharto came to the United States. And
later in December of 1975, of course, on the eve of his invasion
of East Timor. And we now know that for more than a year
Indonesia had been planning its armed takeover of East Timor, and
the United States had of course been aware of Indonesian military
plans. In July of 1975, the National Security Council first
informed Henry Kissinger and Gerald Ford of Indonesia's plans to
take over East Timor by force. And Suharto of course raised this
with Gerald Ford in July when he met with Gerald Ford at Camp
David on a trip to the United States. And then in December of
1975 on a trip through Southeast Asia, Gerald Ford met again with
Suharto on the eve of the invasion, more than two weeks after the
National Security Council, CIA, other intelligence agencies had
concluded that an Indonesian invasion was eminent. And that the
only thing delaying the invasion was the fear that US disapproval
might lead to a cut-off of weapons and military supplies to the
regime.
Amy Goodman: How knowledgeable was President Ford at the time of
the situation?
Brad Simpson: Well, Ford was very much aware. He was receiving
hourly briefings, as was Henry Kissinger, as his plane lifted off
from Indonesia, as the invasion indeed commenced. And immediately
afterwards Gerald Ford flew to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, or to Guam-
excuse me, where he gave a speech saying that never again should
the United States allow another nation to strike in the middle of
the night, to attack another defenseless nation. This was on
Pearl Harbor Day, of course. Realizing full well that another day
of infamy was unfolding in Dili, East Timor. As thousands of
Indonesian paratroopers, trained by the United States, using US
supplied weapons, indeed jumping from United States supplied
airplanes, were descending upon the capital city of Dili and
massacring literally thousands of people in the hours and days
after December 7, 1975.
Amy Goodman: Brad, how difficult was it to get this declassified?
The memos that you got? And how long were these memos about Ford
and Kissinger's meeting with the long reigning Suharto? How long
were they kept classified?
Brad Simpson: Well, they are kept classified until the fall of
2002. We now know, actually, that a Congressman from Minnesota,
Donald Fraser, had actually attempted to declassify the memo, the
so-called Smoking Gun Memo, the transcript of General Suharto's
conversation with Gerald Ford, in December of 1975. Congressman
Fraser actually tried to declassify this in document in 1978
during the Suharto adm – or during the Carter years and Carter's
National Security Adviser, Zbigniew Brzezinski, realizing full
well the explosive nature of this cable would show that the
United States had been an accomplice in an international act of
aggression, recommended that the State Department refuse to
declassify the memo, a mere three years after the invasion.
And it took another 25 years after this episode before the cables
were finally declassified and of course much more has come out.
And I think it's incontrovertible that the United States played
the crucial role in enabling the Indonesian invasion of East
Timor. And I think it's wrong to say that Gerald Ford was
completely unconcerned with the aftermath of the invasion. We now
know that just a few days after the invasion Gerald Ford sent a
telegram to the State Department asking that an emergency
diplomatic cable be sent to General Suharto, in response to his
recent visit. And inside the cable, which was sent by diplomatic
pouch from the US Embassy, was a set of golf balls from Gerald
Ford.
Amy Goodman: As we wrap up, the – you have a large body of
declassified documents surrounding Indonesia and East Timor, of
which this is a part, at the National Security Archive. If people
want to look, where do they go online, Brad Simpson?
Brad Simpson: They can go to www.nsarchive.org. And there is a
link to the Indonesia and East Timor document case and project on
that website.
Amy Goodman: Brad Simpson, I want to thank you for being with us.
Of the National Security Archive and Professor of History at the
University of Maryland, College Park.
Amy Goodman: To talk more about President Ford's legacy and his
role in Indonesia and East Timor, joined by colleague and
Independent Journalist Allen Nairn, who Co-produced the
Documentary Massacre: The Story Of East Timor. Alan, welcome to
Democracy Now!
Allan Nairn: Thanks.
Amy Goodman: We just talked to Professor Brad Simpson who got
the document declassified on the National Security Archive
website, of President Ford and Secretary of State Henry
Kissinger's role in giving the green light for the invasion of
Timor, December 7, 1975. Can you talk about your interview with
President Ford, and the significance of the information that has
come out since?
Allan Nairn: Well, I interviewed Ford by phone, and beforehand
had told his assistant that I wanted to discuss his meeting with
General Suharto, the Indonesian Dictator, on December 5th. So
coming into the interview Ford knew the topic. And when I asked
Ford whether he did in fact authorize the invasion of East Timor,
he said, "Frankly, I don't recall." He didn't remember. And I
believed him.
What Ford said was that there were many topics on the agenda that
day with Suharto. Timor was not very high on the agenda. It was
one of the lesser topics, and he just couldn't remember whether
he had authorized this invasion, which ended up killing 1/3 of
the Timorese population. And it's kind of an illustration of the
fact that when, like the United States, you're a global power
with regimes everywhere dependant on your weapons, you can start
wars, authorize wars, take actions that result in mass deaths in
a fairly casual way.
In this case, the US didn't have a great interest in East Timor.
All the evidence suggests that they didn't particularly care one
way or the other whether Timor became independent. But as a favor
to Suharto, who was close to Washington, who was their protigie,
they decided to let him go ahead with the invasion. So, for just
a marginal, fleeting gain – or, out of doing a favor for a buddy
– they ended up causing a mass murder that proportionally was
the most intensive killing since the Nazis, a third of the
population killed.
Amy Goodman: Now documents, Allan Nairn that you did get
declassified were a memo that involved Henry Kissinger, again, it
was Kissinger and Ford that gave the go ahead for the invasion
when they visited Suharto, the long-reigning dictator. And that
was information they were getting as they flew out of Indonesia
through to Guam and Pearl Harbor, as Brad Simpson described. But
what about those documents and Kissinger's reaction?
Allan Nairn: Well, Kissinger, and Ford, they, one of the points
they made to Suharto, was that you have to try to get this
invasion over with quickly. And Kissinger when he – they wanted
them to go in intensively, presumably kill as many Timorese as
they could quickly. So that it wouldn't get international
attention, and also, apparently they were worried that it could
get attention in Congress. Because Ford and Kissinger knew that
by authorizing this invasion, they were technically violating US
law. Because the US weapons laws at the time stated US weapons
given to foreign clients could not be used for purposes of
aggression. And this was in the judgment of the State
Department's own legal analysts, this looked like it would be an
act of aggression if Indonesia were to invade East Timor, and
that could, technically, if Congress got wind of it and started
to pay attention to it, be grounds for stopping, cutting off US
weapons supply to Indonesia.
That would have been devastating for the invasion of Timor
because about 90% of the Indonesian weapons were coming from the
US and they needed spare parts, they needed ammunition, they
needed a re-supply. And it also would have been dangerous for the
regime of Suharto which was based on repression within Indonesia
and needed those weapons to keep their own population down.
So Kissinger, in his internal discussions within the state
department, was pressing his people to make sure that all
information about Timor be kept under wraps. They didn't want the
US Congress paying too much attention to it. As it turned out, I
think Kissinger was giving Congress a little too much credit
because there was not much evidence at the time that apart from a
few members like then-Congressman Tom Harkin, that there was much
interest in probing what the US was doing. But Kissinger knew
this was an illegal operation so he was trying to keep it quiet.
Amy Goodman: And the information about Suharto's role in
general, in Indonesia at the time, as you mentioned both the
invasion of East Timor, but Suharto – what happened, how he came
to power? The man that eventually Ford and Kissinger would meet
with in the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta?
Allan Nairn: Well, Suharto came to power on the back of
essentially a military coup which overthrew Sukarno who was the
founding President of Indonesia. And from the period of 1965 to
67, when General Suharto was consolidating his power, his army
and groups working with the army carried out a mass slaughter of
Indonesian civilians. It's not clear exactly how many were
killed, but anywhere from 400,000 to perhaps more than a million
Indonesians were massacred as the Suharto regime gained power.
And they did this, the military did this with US weaponry. And in
fact, the US CIA station even gave a list of 5,000 names of
people who they had identified as communists and potential
opponents of the army, and they turned this list over to Suharto
and his military intelligence people and many of those people
were subsequently assassinated.
Amy Goodman: Well, Allan Nairn, I want to thank you, very much
for being with us. Allan Nairn, a journalist who interviewed
President Ford roughly a decade and a half ago about Ford's
involvement in the invasion of East Timor. That was December 7th,
1975 that the invasion occurred.
Agence France Presse - December 25, 2006
Dili – East Timorese celebrated a peaceful Christmas on Sunday
as church and political leaders called on them to reject violence
which earlier this year forced 15 percent of the population to
flee their homes.
"At Christmas this year, everyone should start leading a better
life... there are too many problems in Timor. Leave bad habits
and live God's way as a true Catholic," Dili Bishop Monsignor
Alberto Ricardo da Silva told the congregation said as he
celebrated Midnight Mass.
"With the suffering and darkness that we are experiencing, we
need to purify ourselves to get back peace and love," he told
3,000 Roman Catholic worshippers who packed Dili's cathedral.
Around 90 percent of the population of East Timor is Catholic.
The bishop's appeal did not dampen the holiday spirit as Timorese
used the traditional Portuguese greeting to wish each other "Boas
festas do Natal de 2006".
President Xanana Gusmao in his Christmas message called on
everyone to join the national reconciliation process he
initiated.
"In the spirit of Christmas, we all should make the effort to
love each other and participate in the national reconciliation
process... we should all have one spirit, thoughts... and
objective to work together for the sake of our country," he said.
Youths gathered at street corners to celebrate under the
decorations and dance along to festive tunes but there were none
of the convoys of cars and motorcycles around the city which have
been a regular feature of previous Christmases. Fireworks also
intermittently illuminated the sky.
Thousands of people who fled the violence earlier this year spent
Christmas in temporary camps. Many have no homes to return to as
their houses were destroyed while others feel the security
situation remains precarious.
In a refugee camp in Colmera district of Dili, youths danced to a
song calling for an end to the regional discrimination which had
triggered the April and May violence.
UN Police spokeswoman Monica Rodrigues said Dili was relatively
peaceful during Christmas, despite some isolated incidents.
East Timor was rocked in April and May by clashes between
security force factions which quickly degenerated into street
violence involving youth gangs.
At least 37 people died in the bloodshed which prompted the
deployment of 3,200 Australian-led peacekeepers to restore calm.
Their numbers have since been reduced to around 1,100, bolstered
by the presence of about 1,000 UN police.
Political/social crisis
Balibo inquiry
Communal/social conflicts
West Timor/refugees
Daily media reviews - December 1-28
News & issues
President Gerald Ford dies at 93, supported invasion of Timor
Troubled East Timor celebrates peaceful Christmas
Shipment of aid for impoverished Timorese arrives 3 years late
Associated Press - December 22, 2006
Dili – A shipment of emergency clothing, food and wheelchairs intended for impoverished residents of East Timor was unloaded from a port in the capital Friday, three years after it was sent by Australian donors.
A statement issued by the government apologized for the hold up, apparently caused by excessive bureaucracy, saying "only the intervention of Prime Minister Ramos-Horta led to the 'liberation'" of the container.
"It is a totally unacceptable delay," Ramos-Horta said. "Many of the goods, including cooking oil, sugar... have now deteriorated."
Unrest in East Timor earlier this year killed dozens and drove 155,000 people from their homes, just seven years after gaining independence from 24-years of bloody Indonesian rule.
Tens of thousands remain in overcrowded tent camps and shelters in one of the world's poorest nations even as conditions worsen due to the start of the rainy season.
| Political/social crisis |
Reuters - December 21, 2006
Dili – An army rebel who played a key role in the revolt that sent East Timor into chaos earlier this year held reconciliation talks with the defence chief on Thursday on the crisis that has beset the country and its security forces.
It was the first public appearance by Major Alfredo Reinado in the capital since he escaped from a city prison along with 50 others in August in the wake of the violence that broke out in the Southeast Asian state in May.
Reinado, who retreated to the jungle after his escape, was flown by helicopter from his hideout by Australian peacekeepers to meet Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak at the military headquarters in Dili. "I want the freedom to find a solution (to East Timor's crisis)," Reinado told reporters after the meeting.
Matan Ruak said he had been given a mandate by the government to hold a dialogue with Reinado.
"We both have the willingness to contribute to solving Timor Leste's problems," he told reporters after meeting President Xanana Gusmao. "We all agree that we have to talk and this is a good thing. We will see other steps to be taken in the coming days," he added.
At least 30 people were killed and around 100,000 displaced in the violence, sparked by the sacking of 600 mutinous members of East Timor's 1,400-strong army. Reinado deserted the military in sympathy with the sacked soldiers, who complained of discrimination, and led a revolt against the government.
The chaos led to the deployment of an international peacekeeping force which currently numbers 2,500 troops and police.
Authorities were reluctant to recapture Reinado after he escaped jail where he was held on murder and weapons charges. They had instead called for dialogue with him.
Violence breaks out in the tiny nation sporadically, and some Timorese say gangs often fight one another with stones and homemade weapons.
East Timor voted in a 1999 referendum for independence from Indonesia, which annexed it after Portugal ended its colonial rule in 1975. The country became fully independent in 2002 after a period of UN administration.
Australian Associated Press - December 17, 2006
Karen Michelmore, Jakarta – The world had been too optimistic about the early achievement of East Timor, the new boss of the United Nations mission in the tiny nation says.
Veteran Indian diplomat Dr Atul Khare begins his new job in Dili today as the head of the UN Integrated Mission in Timor Leste (East Timor). He has no illusions about the tough job he faces, with the world's newest nation beset by continuing sporadic violence, 25,000 of its citizens still in refugee camps as the wet season begins and major democratic elections just a few months away.
"It's quite a challenge because I think the people and the country have gone through a difficult period... in the last few months," he said in a telephone interview. "We have the forthcoming elections, which I hope will prove to be a step in the process of political dialogue and reconciliation.
"I trust, with the assistance of international partners,... that the Timorese people will rise up to the challenge to ensure that the elections which are held are independent, free and fair, and an expression of the democratic will of the people."
Khare, who worked in East Timor for three years until 2005, most recently as deputy special representative of the secretary general to the previous UN peacekeeping mission, says he feels saddened by the recent violence, which has killed dozens of people since April.
"When UNMISET (the previous UN mission) concluded its operations in May 2005, at that point in time I and several others were convinced that the country had been reasonably securely anchored on the path towards sustainable development as a peaceful democratic state," he said. "But that belief has been shaken by the events of the last few months.
"I have a previous association with the people of Timor Leste... whom I regard very highly... and in some ways I feel very pleased that I'm going back there, I'm very grateful... for the confidence they (hold) in me.
"But at the same point in time I must also say that... this happiness has been tinged with a bit of sadness on account of the reason which has prompted my return.
"I would have been far happier if I had returned there a few years down the line as a pure tourist to a peaceful democratic country to enjoy the beaches."
One of Khare's first meetings in Dili will be with Australia's Justice Minister Chris Ellison and Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty tomorrow.
The UN shepherded East Timor to independence in 2002, through a violent period after its citizens overwhelmingly voted in 1999 for independence from Indonesia. However, fresh violence erupted in April this year after a third of the army was sacked.
Dozens of people were killed and more than 150,000 were driven from their homes. Khare believed one of the lessons from the violence was that the international community, the UN and himself personally were "too optimistic about the level of systems building and institution building and the development of competencies of individual officers of the... Timorese police that had taken place".
The UN's peacekeeping mission UNMISET withdrew in May 2005 and was replaced by a smaller political mission, the United Nations Office in Timor Leste (UNOTIL).
"Obviously, the events have clearly demonstrated that our optimism was somewhat misplaced," he said. "The long-term challenge to build the PNTL (Timorese police) into a strong police force that works to international standards is the immediate lesson to be drawn from those events."
The new UN mission has been without a head since September, after former Cape Verde president Antonio Macarenhas Monteiro was briefly appointed to the job, but apparently changed his mind.
Agence France Presse - December 10, 2006
Dili – The political leaders of unrest-plagued East Timor on Sunday pledged to work together to return peace and order to the fledgling nation.
In a traditional ceremony in front of the seaside government palace, President Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta, House Speaker Fransisco "Lu Olo" Guterres and members of the cabinet were joined by tribal leaders from the country's 13 districts.
"We representatives of the sovereign organs of the state, political leaders and elders, we solemnly pledge to work together and open our hearts to peace and order," the leaders said, repeating a pledge read out in the local Tetum language by a tribal chief dressed in colorful native clothes.
Also present were former prime minister Mari Alkatiri and former president Fransiscus Xavier Amaral.
The leaders added they would work for peace, love and wisdom for the next generations and "to not speak badly of each other so that we may support and care for our people in peace and stability."
They added that the spirits of the country's dead heroes were witnesses, and that they would be cursed if they went back on their word.
As part of ceremony, attended by some 500 people, tribal leaders smeared a large flag mast in front of the office with a mixture of coconut water and blood drawn from a cut made on one ear of a pig.
Ramos-Horta has said that the ceremony, tightly guarded by UNpol members, was to mark the 10th anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to then Dili Bishop Carlos Belo and to himself, then foreign minister of the resistance movement.
The tiny nation, which achieved independence in 2002, was rocked in April and May by clashes between security force factions which quickly degenerated into street violence involving youth gangs.
At least 37 people died in the bloodshed, which prompted the deployment of 3,200 Australian-led peacekeepers to restore calm.
| Balibo inquiry |
Daily Telegraph - December 21, 2006
Janet Fyfe-Yeomans – Crack SAS troops were poised to launch a secret mission into East Timor to rescue the five Australians three days before their deaths, but were ordered to stand down.
Special forces soldiers were disgusted when the operation was called off and they learned that the five – all journalists – had been killed, according to sources.
It is the first confirmation that the Australian Government considered moves to rescue the newsmen – a shocking secret held since they were killed by Indonesian invasion forces in Balibo in October 1975.
It will put further pressure on an inquest to be held in Sydney next year into the death of one of the five men, Brian Peters, to call former prime minister Gough Whitlam and his senior ministers and public servants to give evidence.
Channel 9 cameraman Peters, 24, and reporter Malcolm Rennie, 29, and Channel 7 reporter Greg Shackleton, 29, cameraman Gary Cunningham, 27, and sound recordist Tony Stewart, 21, died while covering the Indonesian invasion of East Timor.
The fresh claims of an aborted SAS rescue mission will further embarrass the government over its relationship with Indonesia.
The troops were virtually on the tarmac at Darwin awaiting the signal to sneak into East Timor and bring out the five newsmen, although the SAS soldiers did not know they were journalists until later, according to sources.
"They were denied ministerial approval, turned around and sent back to the barracks in Perth," said one source. "As a result, there was a lot of dissatisfaction within the unit.
"They had done countless jobs around the world for their country, known or unknown to the general public and this was the kind of operation they were trained for."
NSW deputy state coroner Dorelle Pinch, who will conduct the inquest, was told at a preliminary hearing last week of evidence that the government "at a high level" knew the invasion was to take place and that the Australian journalists would be targeted.
"It is clear that this was going to be a deniable, or black, operation," Mr Peters' solicitor Rodney Lewis told the court.
Previously-hidden intelligence intercepts have revealed the newsmen were assassinated on the orders of Indonesian generals.
Mr Lewis said yesterday that he was unable to comment on these fresh matters.
Australian Associated Press - December 15, 2006
Lisa Allan, Sydney – A NSW coroner says former intelligence workers may have important information about the deaths of the Balibo Five journalists in East Timor 30 years ago.
Official reports maintain the men – Greg Shackleton, 27, Gary Cunningham, 27, Tony Stewart, 21, Malcolm Rennie, 28, and Brian Peters, 29, – were killed in crossfire in the East Timorese town of Balibo in 1975, but their families insist they were murdered by Indonesian troops.
Deputy State Coroner Dorelle Pinch today appealed for help from former workers from the Shoal Bay Receiving Station, a defence intelligence-gathering station near Darwin, who provided information to Hope Royal Commission officer George Brownbill in 1977.
Mr Brownbill last week reportedly said a top secret document showed the five Australian journalists were executed on the orders of Indonesian military chiefs.
Ms Pinch today said she wanted to hear from staff working at the receiving station on March 4, 1977, who "provided a document to George Brownbill and Ian Cunliffe, then officers with the Hope Royal Commission into Intelligence and Security."
Ms Pinch believed the information "could assist the inquest into the death of cameraman Brian Raymond Peters," according to a statement.
Ms Pinch also called for more information from radio operators who worked for the Defence Signals Directorate at Shoal Bay between October 14 and October 20, 1975.
Also today, Ms Pinch dismissed an application to force former government officials to disclose exactly what they knew about the killings.
The family of Mr Peters, a cameraman, sought to have former prime minister Gough Whitlam give evidence at an inquest into his death.
The coroner dismissed the application to subpoena Mr Whitlam and other former government officials to determine whether they discharged their obligations to the journalists.
But Mr Whitlam may still be called to testify, with Ms Pinch saying she would not rule out the former Labor leader giving evidence on the "intentions of the Indonesian government". She told Glebe Coroners Court it was not in the scope of the inquest to include the knowledge of the Australian government at the time.
"It seems to me that there are patent national security implications involved in assessing whether the Australian government should have approached the Indonesian government on the basis of information received via intelligence intercepts," she said.
Ms Pinch said journalists reporting from unstable areas are "incredibly brave" and additional security information may not have altered their plans.
"It is a matter of speculation as to whether any additional warning issued by the Australian government would have impacted on the actions of the journalists," she said.
"The evidence indicates that they chose to remain in the Balibo area after other journalists had left."
Melbourne Age - December 17, 2006
Tom Hyland – Two mysteries have shrouded the deaths of five Australia-based newsmen, killed while reporting the Indonesian attack on the East Timorese town of Balibo 31 years ago.
The first – the broad circumstances of the killings – has largely been resolved, most recently by witness testimony to East Timor's Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation.
In summary, Indonesian officers knew the five were there before they attacked; the five clearly identified themselves as being from Australia; and the five were deliberately killed by Indonesian troops who then burnt their bodies.
The second mystery – how much Australian intelligence agencies knew about the killings – is more enduring.
It is an uncertainty that has compounded the suffering of the dead men's families and raised suspicion about the willingness of Australian authorities to cover up the murder of Australian citizens and Australian residents.
A Sydney inquest into the death of one of the five is the latest attempt to solve that mystery. In February, it is due to hear testimony from two former government lawyers, George Brownbill and Ian Cunliffe, who were on the staff of the Hope Royal Commission into the intelligence services when they visited the Defence Signals Directorate listening station near Darwin in 1977.
They say a DSD officer showed them the text of an intercepted Indonesian military signal, which stated, in effect, that the five had been killed on orders from Jakarta.
While Brownbill and Cunliffe may be credible, their evidence can be dismissed as hearsay unless the cable still exists. If it doesn't, the question is who destroyed it and why? If it does, the question is, will the Government release it?
Early signs are not promising. Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has already indicated it is unlikely any classified material will be released.
There are three possible arguments for this secrecy. One is that release would compromise our intelligence-gathering methods. If this ever held weight, it doesn't now. The Indonesians knew then, and know now, that DSD listens to their communications. A second argument – that release of the intelligence could jeopardise relations with Jakarta – is equally untenable. After all, Jakarta's generals masterminded the destruction of East Timor in 1999, indifferent to warnings from Australia that the extent of their complicity was known in detail to Australian intelligence.
A third rationale – that release of the information would reveal the scope of the Indonesian conspiracy to win control of East Timor and our connivance in an illegal invasion that officials believed was in our national interests – was morally and strategically questionable at the time and is untenable now. The inescapable conclusion, as veteran Timor watcher Jim Dunn puts it, is that "the continuing cover-up is more about honour amongst thieves than pragmatism".
[Tom Hyland is The Sunday Age's international editor.]
Herald Sun - December 15, 2006
Janet Fife-Yeomans – Former prime minister Gough Whitlam should be forced to finally tell the truth about what his government knew of the fate of five young Australians killed in East Timor, an inquest heard yesterday.
At least one secret intelligence report that the five journalists were executed on the orders of Indonesian generals would have crossed his desk, solicitor Rodney Lewis said.
He said the inference was that Mr Whitlam would have seen any earlier message ordering their execution and a third message telling Indonesian soldiers in Balibo what to do with their bodies. Mr Lewis urged Deputy NSW Coroner Dorelle Pinch to subpoena Mr Whitlam to the inquest on one of the five journalists, Brian Peters.
Channel 9's cameraman Mr Peters, 24, and reporter Malcolm Rennie, 29, and Channel 7's reporter Greg Shackleton, 29, cameraman Gary Cunningham, 27, and sound recordist Tony Stewart, 21, died at Balibo on October 16, 1975.
The official line has been that they were caught in crossfire while covering Indonesia's invasion of East Timor. But a secret Indonesian radio intercept, which came to light this year (as revealed in last Saturday's Herald Sun), indicated they were Indonesian targets.
The intercept was picked up by the top-secret Defence Signals Directorate near Darwin on the day of the deaths.
"The prime minister is at the apex of government and there is a reasonable inference that this highly sensitive material would have come to rest on his desk at some point, and we say that happened before (the deaths)," Mr Lewis said.
He told the court the government's failure to warn the journalists of the danger they were in or to take any action should be central to the inquest.
After three decades of rumours, claim and counter-claim, this was the opportunity to settle the matter once and for all, Mr Lewis said.
He asked Ms Pinch to subpoena Mr Whitlam; his defence minister, Bill Morrison; the then head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, John Menadue; and the head of Foreign Affairs, Alan Renouf. "The people whose duty it was to act or warn happen to be the people at the top of the Commonwealth government," Mr Lewis said.
Counsel assisting the coroner, Naomi Sharp, opposed the application, saying it could not be taken as a given that Australia had an obligation to secure the journalists' safety.
"How is the duty of the government to protect its intelligence sources to be weighed against the protection of the journalists?" Ms Sharp said. Ms Pinch will give her decision today.
ABC News - December 11, 2006
East Timor activists are calling on Australian authorities to cooperate with an inquiry into the deaths of five journalists in Timor more than 30 years ago.
A Sydney newspaper has published what it claims to be an extract from an intelligence report, which says the journalists – known as the Balibo five – were executed by order of the Indonesian generals. A new inquest into the journalists' deaths will be held in New South Wales next year.
East Timor activist Rob Wesely-Smith says it is about time Australia put an end to the speculation.
"They have lied and they have obfuscated for 30 years on what they know and they have... tried to pretend that the men were killed in the crossfire of the war," he said. "That wasn't true – they were deliberately murdered."
Mr Wesely-Smith has challenged Labor leader Kevin Rudd to join a campaign to find out the truth behind the deaths of the Balibo five. He says Labor must make up for the actions the Whitlam Government took on the case.
"[I'm] not sure if they can require the Australian Government to hand over sensitive information," he said "They probably can't, it hasn't happened for 30 years. The fact that there will be the evidence given by the people who saw this intercept will be important."
Australian Associated Press - December 9, 2006
Canberra – New evidence claiming five journalists were executed by Indonesian troops in 1975 while working for Australian media was hearsay and might not be accepted in court, says an Indonesia expert.
A statement from a leading lawyer, George Brownbill, contravenes the official line that the five were killed inadvertently by crossfire while reporting on Indonesia's invasion of East Timor.
Mr Brownbill said that in 1977 he was shown an Australian intelligence report of monitored Indonesian military communications in which a senior Indonesian officer said the five had been shot in accordance with instructions.
Neither the original intelligence report, nor the Indonesian language intercepts have been found.
Indonesia expert and University of NSW Professor John Ingleson said today it had been known for some time, perhaps 20-25 years, that the journalists died under highly suspicious circumstances.
He said many believed the evidence pointed to cold-blooded murder rather than the journalists dying in cross-fire in the heat of battle.
"The idea that the journalists were killed by the Indonesian military is not new, nor is the notion that the Defence Signals organisation were actually monitoring the signals within the (Indonesian) military at the time," he told Sky News.
"The difficulty is going to be people saying they have seen a document – which is hearsay – and actually being able to table in a court the original documentation in Indonesian and the translation so it can be checked.
"It's highly unlikely that actual evidence a court will accept will be found. After 31 years it's highly unlikely, highly improbable, that the Indonesians themselves will reopen the case."
News Limited today reported Mr Brownbill's statement would be tabled in the inquest into the deaths of the five in the NSW Coroners Court next year.
Mr Brownbill had been secretary to the Hope Royal Commission into the intelligence services which visited the Shoal Bay monitoring station of the Defence Signals Directorate in 1977.
There, a young official showed him and royal commission investigator Ian Cunliffe the intelligence report. His statement to the inquest is based on his recollection of that report.
It's unclear whether the original still exists. A 2002 inquiry by then inspector-general of intelligence and security Bill Blick noted some DSD records had been destroyed, but nothing relevant to the death of the five newsmen remained unaccounted for.
Mr Blick's inquiry was prompted by the book Death in Balibo, Lies in Canberra by Des Ball and Hamish McDonald which suggested the government knew in advance from intelligence intercepts that the five would be killed.
Nine Network cameraman Brian Peters, 29, and reporter Malcolm Rennie, 28, Seven Network reporter Greg Shackleton, 27, cameraman Gary Cunningham, 27, and sound recordist Tony Stewart, 21, all died at Balibo on October 16, 1975.
Shirley Shackleton, the widow of Greg Shackleton, said there'd long been a coverup and she hoped the truth would come out at last. "It is not a surprise because this whole horrible incident has been surrounded by lies from our own politicians since day one," she said.
"This is a blot on successive Australian governments over 31 years of lies. I'd think they would want to wipe the record clean."
Sydney Morning Herald - December 9, 2006
Hamish McDonald – A dramatic new lead into the deaths of five Australia-based newsmen in Balibo, East Timor, 31 years ago suggests they were captured and executed on the orders of Indonesian generals.
Testimony by two former Australian government lawyers – hitherto suppressed by Canberra inquiries – will be presented at a Sydney inquest into the deaths starting in February.
The two lawyers, George Brownbill and Ian Cunliffe, were staff assisting the late Justice Robert Hope in his royal commission into the intelligence services when they visited the highly secret Defence Signals Directorate listening station at Shoal Bay, near Darwin, in 1977.
They were approached by a young DSD staff member who said: "I think you should see this." He showed them the decoded and translated text of an Indonesian military signal from the special forces group that captured the village of Balibo from pro- independence Fretilin forces on October 16, 1975.
Mr Brownbill recalled that the message was to the effect that "according to instructions" the five newsmen had been located and executed. The Indonesian officer asked Jakarta what should be done with their bodies and equipment.
Mr Cunliffe said the message made it clear the newsmen had not been killed inadvertently by crossfire "but rather that they were taken and executed".
The five newsmen – Greg Shackleton, 27, Tony Stewart, 21, and Gary Cunningham, 27, a New Zealander – all from Channel Seven – and Malcolm Rennie, 28, and Brian Peters, 29, both Britons, and from Channel Nine, were killed in the attack.
Mr Brownbill and Mr Cunliffe recalled the Indonesian message in statements to the Canberra-appointed investigator Tom Sherman in his second inquiry into the Balibo deaths, held in 1999 at the request of the Howard Government.
In his report Mr Sherman did not give the contents of the message, but mentioned it and played down its significance, suggesting it was a mistranslation.
The later inquiry by the former inspector-general of intelligence and security Bill Blick, in 2001-02, failed to locate a record of the message in the DSD archives or find the "young person" who showed it to the Hope commission lawyers.
However, the lawyers' testimony to Mr Sherman is understood to be among evidence about to be presented to the deputy NSW coroner Dorelle Pinch, who will open the new inquest.
The Brownbill-Cunliffe testimony, which has been partly disclosed by The Daily Telegraph today, will undercut the Sherman and Blick reports, raising suspicions that Canberra is trying to conceal evidence that Indonesian soldiers murdered the newsmen.
The inquest is the result of a campaign by Sydney lawyers, and is the first independent inquiry with powers to compel witnesses. It is being held in NSW because the lawyers argued successfully that the state's jurisdiction applied to the unexplained death of Brian Peters, as he was a Sydney resident, even though a British citizen.
Daily Telegraph - December 9, 2006
Five young Australians were executed on the orders of Indonesian military chiefs, according to sensational evidence omitted from official government reports.
The statement by a top lawyer, George Brownbill, contradicts the official line that the five men, all journalists, were caught in a crossfire in Balibo while covering Indonesia's invasion of East Timor in 1975.
The Saturday Daily Telegraph has learned that Mr Brownbill will be called as a key witness at the first inquest into the tragedy – to be held at the New South Wales Coroners Court early next year.
Mr Brownbill said he saw a telexed intelligence report, marked Top Secret, of covertly-intercepted radio traffic between an officer commanding Indonesian forces in East Timor and his bosses in Jakarta.
Intercepted just hours after the killings, it said: "In accordance with your instructions" the five had been located and shot. The officer then asked his superior for orders about what to do with the bodies and the journalists' personal effects. The bodies were looted and burned.
Channel 9 cameraman Brian Peters, 29, and reporter Malcolm Rennie, 28, Channel 7 reporter Greg Shackleton, 27, cameraman Gary Cunningham, 27, and sound recordist Tony Stewart, 21, all died at Balibo on October 16, 1975.
In evidence which will further embarrass the Australian Government over its relationship with Indonesia, investigators with the NSW coronial unit have been told the explosive intelligence cable may still exist.
Mr Brownbill made his statement reluctantly in 1999 to former National Crime Authority head Tom Sherman, who was conducting the second government inquiry into the deaths of the journalists.
While it backed up other evidence, Mr Sherman made no mention of Mr Brownbill's claims in his report, which concluded the men had died in a "monumental blunder" during fire between the invading Indonesians and East Timor's Fretelin forces.
Mr Brownbill was secretary to the Hope Royal Commission into the nation's intelligence and security when he visited the sensitive Defence Signals Directorate at Shoal Bay near Darwin in 1977.
He said in his statement that a young man handed a piece of paper to him and fellow royal commission investigator Ian Cunliffe, saying: "You people should know about this." Mr Cunliffe told Mr Sherman in 1999 that Mr Brownbill had not been happy about the cable being revealed because "his inclination is to let sleeping dogs lie".
While Mr Cunliffe's evidence was made public, the contents of the cable seen by Mr Brownbill was not. The Department of Defence and Defence Signals Directorate are refusing to hand over the secret documents to the inquest, claiming public interest immunity.
Lawyers for the families of the five men will ask NSW Deputy Coroner Dorelle Pinch on Thursday to overturn a decision and allow them to call former prime minister Gough Whitlam and senior ministers from 1975 to ask them what they knew.
"We want to be able to say when the inquest is finished that all reasonable questions have been asked and answered which will lead to the truth of the circumstances surrounding the deaths of these five journalists," solicitor Rodney Lewis said yesterday.
"These guys were simply bringing the news to us while we warmed our toes in the loungeroom watching TV. "They were our eyes and ears and yet people have said about them that they put themselves in danger. They were doing their job."
| Communal/social conflicts |
AdnKronos International - December 18, 2006
Dili – More than 400 Christians have been sheltered in East Timor's capital, Dili's largest mosque since Friday, when fighting between rival gangs forced them to flee.
Dili Annur Mosque coordinator, Anwar da Costa, told AdnKronos International (AKI) that the refugees live near the mosque, at the capital's 'kampung' [village] Alor. "We have received more than four hundred people. Most of them are women, children and elderly people. They are utterly terrified of the martial art gangs fighting near the mosque," da Costa, 32, told AKI on Monday.
"Most of these people are not Muslim. They are Christian and are our neighbors, living near the mosque. But we accept anyone who is in danger. Islam does not discriminate. It is really about humanity," he added, specifying that Christians were housed in the mosque compound, but not inside the mosque building, a place considered off-limits for non-Muslims. "They do not enter to the mosque building. They are respecting our holy place," he said.
Among those sheltering in the mosque compound, together with his wife and three children, is Armando Soares, 45, who appealed for more action from the government. "I urge President Xanana Gusmao and prime minister Ramos to immediately deploy police and soldiers to quell the situation. We can not live in a situation like this," Soares told AKI Luciana Mendonca (27) housewife at the mosque with her two children, told AKI that she had been here before.
"I was here when the crisis began in April. I returned home last September, but since last Friday my family and I have taken refugee at the mosque again because the fighting is getting worse in the area," she said.
Sunday saw over 100 people caught up in fighting in Kampung Alor. One person was reported dead and more than 12 people have been killed in violence in recent weeks.
East Timor has seen sporadic violence since May when over 600 soldiers were dismissed by then prime minister Mari Alkatiri, after that they had gone on strike complaining of discrimination. Rival police and army factions battled in the streets and clashes later spilled over into widespread gang warfare, looting and arson. At least 37 people were killed and 155,000 fled their homes as Alkatiri was forced to resign following allegations that he did not prevent some of his closest allies from setting up civilian militias. A relative calm was restored after international troops were deployed to East Timor earlier this year. (Fsc/Ner//Aki)
Associated Press - December 17, 2006
Hundreds of gang members battled with guns and machetes in East Timor's capital Dili today, officials and witnesses said, killing one and injuring two. A young man was shot dead near the city's largest mosque, apparently by a rival gang member, before UN police intervened, said UN police spokeswoman Monica Rodrigues.
It was the latest violence in the nation of fewer than a million people, where unrest killed dozens and toppled the government earlier this year. Foreign peacekeepers restored relative calm in June, but sporadic violence has left more than a dozen dead in recent weeks.
"We know a firearm was seen in the crowd," UN police spokeswoman Monica Rodrigues said. "The firearm was used to shoot at rival gang members."
She countered claims by a witness that UN police had shot the gang member. Raimundo do Reis Pinto, 20, said he saw UN police from Bangladesh "shoot my brother", but Rodrigues denied that that the police were at the scene when shots were fired.
Dili National Hospital supervisor Zony Santos said a man had died of gunshot wounds after arriving at the hospital and two others were injured. East Timor was thrust into chaos in April and May following the sacking of 600 soldiers by then Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri.
Rival police and army factions battled in the streets and clashes later spilled over into widespread gang warfare, looting and arson. At least 37 people were killed and 155,000 fled their homes in the capital, Dili, amid the violence – a sign of continued political instability seven years after independence from Indonesia.
Australia led a force of 3,200 foreign peacekeepers to East Timor in late May after the tiny country descended into chaos following the sacking of 600 mutinous soldiers. The territory of around a million people voted in a 1999 referendum for independence from Indonesia, which annexed it after Portugal ended its colonial rule in 1975. East Timor became fully independent in 2002 after a period of UN administration.
Agence France Presse - December 6, 2006
Dili – UN police have arrested 26 people on suspicion of involvement in deadly clashes between East Timor martial arts gangs that have left two people dead and six badly wounded, a spokeswoman said.
The UN police confirmed two people had been killed during ongoing clashes between rival martial arts groups which erupted on Sunday in the capital Dili.
"Until now, the police have made 26 detentions in the last 48 hours, so we have arrested 26 people. And last night 40 weapons were seized, namely darts and machetes," UNPOL spokeswoman Monica Rodrigues said.
One man was hacked to death and another beaten to death in clashes between rival martial arts gangs in Dili on Sunday and Monday. The resurgence of gang violence has already prompted Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta to warn that he would crackdown on some martial arts groups.
The tiny nation was rocked in April and May by clashes between security force factions which quickly degenerated into street violence involving youth gangs.
At least 37 people died in the bloodshed, which prompted the deployment of 3200 Australian-led peacekeepers to restore calm. Their numbers have since been reduced to around 1100, bolstered by the presence of about 1000 UN police.
The Australian - December 4, 2006
Dili – Rival martial arts gangs staged rolling battles across East Timor's capital today after weekend violence that reportedly saw a man hacked to death, and others critically injured.
In the latest unrest to hit Dili scores of young men armed with pistols, metal bars and arrows faced off today in various suburbs of the city. The clashes follow similar violence overnight which left two men in a critical condition in hospital, paramedic Nelson da Silva Carmo said.
Maria Goncalves, 42, said her 27-year-old brother, Eugino, died after having his ears slashed off and tongue cut out. "I do not accept my brother being slaughtered like an animal," Mr Goncalves said. "I urge the police to arrest those responsible."
The worst violence happened overnight in Dili's Taibesse district when members of the gang Perguruan Silat Setia Hati, known as Setia hatia, clashed with the rival 77 faction.
The groups, which have thousands of members and an arsenal of conventional and traditional weapons, regularly fight. Their weekend battles spilled over into today, affecting several suburbs in the centre of Dili.
By late this afternoon, unidentified members of Setia Hati, armed with machetes, were stopping and searching minibuses for members of the 77 faction. A youth in Dili hospital with knife slashes said he was injured after being dragged off such a bus on the main road to Dili's airport.
Former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri returned to East Timor and the mayhem in the capital this afternoon after seeking medical treatment abroad.
Mr Alkatiri was permitted to seek treatment overseas after promising he would return to face further investigation over claims he authorised the arming of a hit squad tasked with eliminating his political rivals as East Timor descended into violence earlier this year. Mr Alkatiri vehemently denies involvement.
He is listed as a secondary prosecution witness in the trial of East Timor's former interior minister Rogerio Lobato for allegedly arming the political hit squad.
Mr Lobato has previously claimed he was acting on the orders of then-prime minister Mr Alkatiri, who resigned in June after street battles in Dili killed dozens of people. Mr Lobato's trial will resume on January 9.
Foreign peacekeepers, including a large deployment of Australians, are continuing to work to restore order in East Timor.
| West Timor/refugees |
The Australian - December 23, 2006
Mark Dodd – More than 70,000 East Timorese are still living in emergency shelter as a result of ongoing gang violence that flared earlier in the year and left 37 people dead.
A UN survey has found at least 2000 homes in the capital Dili were destroyed in the violence, which started over claims of ethnic discrimination in the country's armed forces.
The UN's acting head of mission, Finn Reske-Nielsen, has warned of a looming humanitarian crisis in the country with the expected onset of annual monsoon rains. Four refugee camps housing thousands of displaced Timorese faced severe flooding and new emergency accommodation was being sought, he said.
His comments came as a mob descended on a UN food store, hurling rocks at the building before storming inside and carrying off bags of rice.
Australian peacekeepers deployed in Dili also came under attack by gang members wielding machetes and firing steel darts. No soldiers were hurt, but one of the peacekeepers fired a single shot as a warning.
Commander of Australian forces in Dili Brigadier Malcolm Rerden denied reports linking the soldiers with the death of an East Timorese man, the result of continuing gang violence.
But Australian troops would not hesitate to use deadly fire. "The international security forces will use necessary force to stop the violence, and this includes the capability for lethal force if they are attacked with lethal weapons," he said. "If the gangs think they can use grenades, or pistols or rifles, they are wrong. Make no mistake – if someone shoots at us, we will shoot back."
Renegade army commander Alfredo Reinado has held talks with the country's military chief as part of ongoing negotiations with the Government. The former military police commander met Brigadier- General Taur Matan Ruak on Thursday.
About 820 Australians are deployed in Dili with 120 New Zealanders as part of an Anzac battle group to help keep the peace in the troubled nation.
A shipment of emergency clothing, food and wheelchairs intended for impoverished East Timor residents was unloaded from a port in Dili yesterday, three years after being sent by Australian donors.
A statement issued by the Government in Dili apologised for the hold-up, blamed on excessive bureaucracy. "It is a totally unacceptable delay," said Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta, adding many of the goods had deteriorated.
[Additional reporting by Associated Press.]
Agence France Presse - December 22, 2006
Nelson da Cruz, Dili – Baby Xestalino Soares lies fast asleep on a mat, sharing a cloth blanket with one of his older brothers, while his mother tries to cook as rain lashes the tarpaulin tent that has been their home for the past six months.
Days of heavy tropical downpours heralding the start of the monsoon season have brought fresh misery for thousands of refugees still holed up in makeshift shelters after fleeing deadly violence which rocked tiny East Timor in April and May.
"My youngest son, 18-months-old, has been suffering from fever since the rains began to fall, and he often has fits of coughing during the night," lamented Adizinda Soares, pointing to the skinny Xestalino, the youngest of her brood of six.
Huge letters spell out "UNHCR" on the sides of the tarpaulin tent that has been their home since they fled Baucau district, 250 kilometres (156 miles) east of Dili, after her husband Carlos was shot dead by soldiers on April 28.
Soares and her children are among some 6,000 people sheltering in a tent city and sports hall at the Dom Bosco refugee camp, a school and community centre close to the Nicolau Lobato international airport.
A large banner near the gate still optimistically proclaims "Love Timor Leste, let us go to school."
About 155,000 people, or 15 percent of East Timor's population, fled their homes during the violence in April and May that followed the dismissal of about a third of the country's fledgling military forces, who had deserted citing discrimination among the ranks.
At least 37 people were killed as the country descended into chaos after initial street protests by the dismissed soldiers quickly degenerated into street violence involving gangs of youths.
Most people have returned home since the deployment of Australian-led foreign peacekeepers, but the UN says there are still about 28,000 internally displaced people (IDP) in camps across Dili. Up to 16,000 have nowhere to go as their houses were destroyed.
Acting UN envoy Finn Reske-Nielsen said the government had prepared emergency sites for people to move to avoid outbreaks of disease when the rains come.
"We know from other IDP situations elsewhere in the world, that if people live in flooded areas for an extended period of time, diseases will break out and you could have epidemics that will affect not just the IDP population but the wider population in the city," Reske-Nielsen said.
But many are reluctant to move from the camps because they have nowhere to go or are still worried about the security situation. "Me and my children cannot return home yet because it is totally destroyed. I have no choice but to stay here, otherwise where will we sleep?" said Soares.
Ermelinda Amaral, 51, said she was afraid to return home because of continuing gang fights near her house.
Three people, including a UN interpreter, were killed earlier this month in a resurgence of violence between rival martial arts gangs.
"We don't want to go anywhere, because it is not really safe out there. The problems... are not over yet and now we have the martial art groups' fights. I am afraid and have not returned home since I took refuge here," she said.
But life in the camp has not been easy. Soares said she struggled to cook in an open air kitchen as the rains poured down.
"I have now to share a cooking spot with two other families under that tarpaulin because my stove can no longer function with the rain water that got into it," Soares said, pointing to a makeshift blue tarpaulin roof strung over a raised sand platform with a stove and some kitchen utensils.
An elderly woman was already busy cooking, the strong smell of fried fish competing with the stench from a series of latrines just a few meters (yards) away and towering piles of rotting garbage left in the open.
Some other refugees were busy repairing their tent, already partly turned into a kiosk selling basic essentials.
Antoninha Abrantes, a 20-year-old housewife originally from Lurumata village, said the rain was making life even harder. "Our stock of rice is rotting because of the rainwater that can go through the tarpaulin," she said.
The mother of two shares a tent with her elder sister, brother-in-law and five other people. The walled compound remains mostly deserted during the day.
Among the rare signs of life are the shrieks of a group of skinny barefoot boys playing basket ball in the sports hall under the benevolent gaze of the patron saint of the Salesian congregation that owns the place.
Some 20 families also shelter in the open-sided sports hall, leaving only half the floor for the boys while the rest is buried under mounds of gunny sacks of rice and personal belongings.
Ermelinda Amaral shares a corner of the sports hall with her daughter-in-law and six grandchildren. And when the rain pours down in the evening, she says even getting to sleep is hard.
"Rainwater blown by the winds drenches the corner we occupy. After the rain, we have to mop the floor dry before we can spread the mattress and sleep," she sighed, crouching on top of a sack of rice belonging to a family occupying the spot next to hers.
The government says it plans to soon move the refugees to more adequate accommodation. "The rains have begun to fall and this has come to our attention. We have opened new refugee shelter camps," Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta told AFP.
"If the rains pour down heavily, it is the duty of the armed forces, the UNPOL and the state to take the children, the women and the elderly to drier places. It is an obligation for the state to give them protection in time of hardship."
Despite the inconveniences of the camp and threat of disease as the rains set in, refugees say they are reluctant to leave because of the security situation.
"We do not want to be moved anywhere. With the church, we feel much safer," said grandmother Amaral.
Jakarta Post - December 5, 2006
Yemris Fointuna, Kupang – Former East Timorese living in West Timor, East Nusa Tenggara, rallied at the local provincial administration office in Kupang on Monday, urging the government to compensate them for the assets they left behind in East Timor in 1999.
They demanded that the central government be clear and fair in its handling of Rp 72 billion (US$7.57 million) earmarked for 5,000 heads of families.
The protesters said Indonesia gave empty promises to up to 100,000 of them, then left them without assistance. They fled East Timor when it voted to become the independent nation of Timor Leste in 1999.
"We're still living in makeshift tents... sleeping on the ground and eating whatever is available. Our fate has been neglected. All assistance has been halted at a time when we have no land for farming," said Sartino da Silva, one of the former refugees.
"We've left our houses and belongings in East Timor, but now we live in a poor state. The government apparently pays attention only to refugees in other places and neglects us," said Sarino, who now lives in Noelbaki village in Kupang regency.
Sarino added that the government appeared to be applying a double standard, giving limited assistance in some places while leaving thousands to live in tents in others.
"The refugees in Belu, Timor Tengah Utara and Timor Tengah Selatan regencies have been given funds, but we here in Kupang get nothing," he said.
The head of East Nusa Tenggara's social service office, Frans Salem, said the protesters' status as refugees had been revoked in 2002. Therefore, he said, the goverment would dole out money from the fund only to those who owned property.
"For the former refugees in Kupang, the government will provide them assistance as long as they already have their own land," he said. As far as assets left in Timor Leste, Frans said that was a matter for the central government, not the local administration.
A member of the East Nusa Tenggara Legislative Council, Melkianus Adoe, said the government should not leave the former refugees in limbo because the fate of their children was at stake.
"Don't leave them to live without any future. The government should have moved them out of their temporary accommodation center and provided them with housing facilities for the sake of a better future," he added.
| Daily media reviews |
[Produced by the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) Public Information Unit.]
Horta: Alfredo wants to contribute to stability
Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta stated that during the a recent meeting in Dili between Defence Force Chief, Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak and AWOL F-FDTL, Major Alfredo Reinado, it was agreed that Major Reinado would relocate from his current position in Covalima district to a new location in either Manufahi or Ainaro district to facilitate the ongoing process of dialogue. Quoting Major Reinado, PM Horta said that he was prepared to face justice for his responsibility regarding the Fatuahi incident, but on the accusations of possessing ammunition, for which he was arrested and detained, Reinado refuses to acknowledge the accusations. He claims when he came to Dili he was escorted by the Australian forces and they knew he was in possession of such ammunition, so if there was any violation he should had been stopped. PM Horta further stated that the solution to Major Reinado's case, as well as those of Majors Agusto Tara and Marcos Tilman, could be reached through dialogue. Meanwhile, MP Alexandre Cortereal from UDT stated that the negotiations between the government and Major Reinado is normal to find a solution to the crisis as neither party would win one hundred percent. (DN, STL &TP) UIR to be reactivated in January 2007 Speaking to the press following his visit to PNTL's Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) Headquarters yesterday, Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta stated that starting January the UIR will be reactivated and would officially cooperate with the UN Police to help address the violence. Before returning to duty on the streets again, however, UIR will first undergo training with the Portuguese National Republican Guard (GNR). Reacting to the concerns about the equipment of the unit seized by the Australian Police which has not been returned, PM Horta said that this issue would be negotiated with the UN. Speaking with members of UIR, PM Horta called on them to cooperate with UNPol to maintain law and order and not to play with the criminals who only want to create problems. (DN, STL &TP)
200 Petitioners receive subsidies from the government
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday (27/12), the Minister for Labour and Community Reinsertion, Arsenio Bano, revealed that the government through his ministry has commenced the payment of subsidies to members of the F-FDTL Petitioners group. The payment was the realization of the government's policy, carried on from the previous government, to pay subsidies to such members for a period of four months. Minister Bano further explained that nearly 200 petitioners have received the subsidy that is paid in accordance with the salary scale and payment will only be done in Dili and not in the districts. The subsidy is being funded from the Ministry's Solidarity fund. (STL)
Araujo: Timor still needs Xanana
In reaction to the news yesterday that President Gusmao called on everyone to be prepared to welcome a new President, the Parliamentarian from the Timorese Nationalist Party (PNT), Alianca de Araujo, stated that Timor-Leste still needs Xanana Gusmao to serve as President for the next five-year period. For the purpose of discussing this, PNT would meet President Xanana Gusmao soon. Conceding that the recent military and political crisis has minimized the charisma of Timorese leaders including Xanana Gusmao, Araujo said that there is no other leader in the country who can replace Xanana for the time being. (STL)
Gusmao: Be prepared to welcome new president
President Xanana Gusmao celebrated Christmas with all the staff at the President's office and journalists on 22 December in Dili. Speaking at the Christmas gathering, President Gusmao called on all the staff members be prepared for and to cooperate with a new President. "I ask you to continue to afford the new President your cooperation and support." The President further stated that this was his last Christmas party with the staff members, as his tenure has only five months left, and he wanted this year's Christmas to bring peace for all the people and the country. It was not clear, however, as to whether or not he would stand again for the Presidency. (DN, STL &TP)
Gusmao and parliamentary speaker Christmas message
President Xanana Gusmao delivered a Christmas message to the nation on 22 December. In his message, President Gusmao called on those who continue to perpetrate violence and killings to stop saying the people need to live in peace. He expressed his hope for Christmas and the New Year to be a moment for profound reflection and to leave violence behind. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the National Parliament, Francisco Guterres "Lu Olo," who delivered the same message, stated that the future of this country lies with all the citizens of Timor-Leste. "The national future of the nation depends on the attitude of its citizens." (DN, STL &TP)
Alkatiri is still a suspect: Monteiro
In response to news and rumours that former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri's case of allegations of illegal distribution of weapons had been dropped, the Prosecutor General, Longinhos Monteiro stated that there is no official announcement as yet from his office on the issue. Asked about the status of Alkatiri in this regard, Monteiro said that "so far, his status is still as a suspect and there have been no changes yet to this status." Monteiro further stated that in case of any change, whether archiving or processing the case, the public would be notified of all the processes and arguments supporting it. (DN & STL)
Taur Matan Ruak and Somocho meet Alfredo Reinado
Defense Force Commander, Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak, and the Vice Minister for Interior, Agostinho Sequera Somocho, yesterday met with AWOL F-FDTL Major Alfredo Reinado at the F-FDTL National Headquarters in Tacitolu. Speaking to journalists at the conclusion of the meeting, Major Reinado stated that the meeting aimed to find a good solution to end the crisis, but it would be up to the government to decide. He added, "...but an important thing is a freedom of access for me." Meanwhile, Brigadier Matan Ruak stated that he was mandated by the TL Head of State to hold the meeting with Major Reinado. On the question of Major Reinado's status, however, Brigadier Matan Ruak declined to comment saying "it is beyond our competency; it is a question that involves the judicial system or the State." Alfredo Reinado was flown to Tacitolu from his hideout by an Australian helicopter accompanied by two bodyguards, one of which was a UIR agent. (DN, STL &TP)
Horta: UN agrees to accelerate the reactivation of UIR
Speaking to journalists after the meeting of the Superior Council for Security and Defense at the Office of the President yesterday, Prime Minister Horta stated that the United Nations had agreed with the proposal of the government to accelerate the reactivation of the PNTL Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR). Likewise, the Superior Council for Security and Defense had also agreed that UNPol should work with the unit to assist the UN Police. Meanwhile, PM Horta stated that his government was about to prepare a decree law to prohibit the illegal importation of alcohol from Atambua and Kupang in Indonesia. (DN)
Reactions to Alkatiri's case being archived
The Portuguese news agency, LUSA, reported on 20 December that the case of weapons allegations against former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri would have to be archived due to lack of evidence. Confirmed via telephone for his comment, Alkatiri stated that he had not been officially notified and hence he would refrain from making any comment. The Deputy Secretary General of Fretilin, Jose Maria dos Reis congratulated his comrade Alkatiri for what he called "never escape from justice" and that it should serve as an example to every Timorese. Meanwhile, President of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Mario Carrascalao stated yesterday that Alkatiri could be set free if he is innocent but that should be based on an investigation as recommended in the report of the International Commission of Inquiry. Echoing PM Horta's doubts on Alkatiri distributing weapons, Carrascalao said that, "personally, I too do not believe that Dr Alkatiri distributed weapons, but as Prime Minister at the time, he should be responsible for what members of cabinet were doing. (DN & STL)
TL-RI land border demarcation only 1% left: Guterres
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Jose Luis Guterres told journalists at the F-FDTL and PNTL joint Christmas party in Tacitolu on Wednesday that the land border demarcation between Indonesia and Timor-Leste is almost complete and only 1% remains. "Efforts are continued to be undertaken with our neighbour to finish the land border," FM Guterres said. Commenting on the crisis, meanwhile, the Foreign Minister stated that the recent crisis has indeed affected the image of Timor-Leste internationally but the International Community will continue to support Timor-Leste. (STL & TP)
Government will hold dialogue with leaders of martial arts groups
Prime Minister Josi Ramos Horta yesterday stated that the Government would try to hold a dialogue with all leaders of martial arts groups, taking into account that the two martial art groups: PSHT and 77 still continue to create problems in Dili. PM Horta also said that in order to stop the fighting between the two groups, there would be a strong reinforcement of international police forces, such as the Formed Police Units from Bangladesh and Pakistan as well as PNTL's Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR). Moreover, PM Horta said that the Government would take some measures next week in order to accelerate the process of collecting illegal weapons, and would take measures in regard to martial arts groups. (STL, DN)
PNTL and F-FDTL host Christmas celebration
The Defense and security institutions, F-FDTL and PNTL, held a Christmas gathering yesterday at the Headquarters of F-FDTL in Tacitolu, at the initiative of President Xanana Gusmao. Speaking at the function, President Gusmao called on everyone to seize the opportunity of Christmas to reflect deeply and to stop violence as the people need to live in peace. Also speaking at the function, Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak echoed the President's message to reflect on the past but also to asked the people to look forward. He pledged that the two institutions will cooperate to serve the people better. Meanwhile, a former FALINTIL Commander, and President of UNMDERTIM Party, Cornelio L-7 stated that he was not satisfied with the Christmas gathering with absences of Majors Alfredo Reinado, Agusto Tara and Lieutenant Gastao Salsinha. Present at the function were among others, President Gusmao, PM Horta, Speaker of NP Francisco Guterres Lu Olo, SRSG Atul Khare, the self-suspended PNTL Commissioner Paulo Martins and members of parliament. (DN, STL &TP)
Some PNTL inspectors are involved in illegal groups
Speaking at a public meeting held at the National University on Tuesday, the Coordinator of the Technical Team of PNTL Screening process, Jose Antonio acknowledged that some PNTL senior officers are involved in illegal groups and political parties. According to Jose Antonio, in addition to the other factors such as lack of training, recruitment of former Indonesian policemen, salary ranges, and others, PNTL became disintegrated because some members of PNTL, including some Inspectors, have their own political interests and are involved in the activities of illegal groups and political parties that degrades the image of PNTL and destabilizes the institution. (DN)
Horta: Customs should eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy
In a press statement released by the office of the Prime Minister on Wednesday, PM Horta has called for the elimination of unnecessary bureaucracy in the customs service. Referring to a more than two-year delay of a container full of donations from Australia to those in need in Timor-Leste, the Prime Minister stated that "the delay should not have taken place. Many goods such as cooking oil, sugar and others have now become unusable." The container was addressed to Joao Carrascalao (President of UDT) by some donors in Australia in October 2004 consisting of food and clothing. A few attempts by the then Foreign Minister did not result in the release of the container. PM Horta apologized for the delay to Mr. Carrascalao and the donors from Australia. (DN, STL &TP)
Determine our status before the subsidy: Salsinha
Spokesperson of the F-FDTL Petitioners' group, former Lieutenant Gastao Salsinha has called on the government to determine the petitioners' status first before any subsidy is given to them, as suggested. Salsinha further stated that the Petitioners reject the cash to be provided to them as the government refers to the award as a subsidy rather than a salary. "We cannot receive the subsidy yet because we remain confused as to whether or not we are still military personnel," Salsinha said, adding that if they were to accept the money as a subsidy, then they were no longer military personnel as the money received by members of the defense force is referred to as a salary. Salsinha has sent a letter to the government to explain the matter. Speaking to journalists yesterday at the sidelines of the F-FDTL-PNTL Christmas gathering, a member of the Commission of Notables, Pedro da Costa MP, said that the commission's report would be submitted soon. Meanwhile, the Minister for Solidarity and Community Reinsertion, Arsenio Bano stated that cash for the Petitioners is only a subsidy and as such will only serve as assistance. (TP)
Tilman: Every citizen should comply with the CoI report
Parliamentarian from KOTA bench, Manuel Tilman, calls on every Timorese, including the four sovereign organs to accept the report of the International Commission of Inquiry. Commenting on the discussion at the parliament about the report of its commission on CoI's report, Tilman stated that the Speaker of the House should choose a specific day for the discussion, arguing that "the report is too specific." Reacting to the insistence that the parliament should accelerate the follow-up process to the CoI's report, Manuel Tilman said that there are many aspects to be taken into consideration, one of which is the lack of capacity at the courts to process the cases rapidly. (DN)
IDPs act upon the government's ultimatum
Meeting the deadline set by the government for the IDPs to relocate by 15 December, some 70 IDP families have relocated to the former Chinese Consulate, one of the temporary shelters provided by the government. These families were mainly relocated from the Airport and Obrigado Barracks IDP camps as well as some who had just returned from the districts. IDP Coordinator at the temporary shelter, Domingos da Silva, told journalists that their main concerns were electricity and sanitation, while stating that food and security are being provided by the government. On the option of returning to their districts of origin, meanwhile, 10 families from airport and seaport IDP camps have registered on 19 December to relocate to Baucau, Lautem and Viqueque. For these 10 families, the government will provide construction materials and assist in transporting them to the districts. (STL, DN, TP)
Horta continues to defend Alkatiri
Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta continues to defend his predecessor, the former PM Mari Alkatiri as being innocent regarding the allegation of illegal weapons distribution. Speaking at a joint press conference with the visiting Australian Minister of Justice and Customs on Monday, Horta said "I've never and I'll never believe that Dr. Alkatiri ordered the distribution of weapons," during the crisis as some suggested." The Prime Minister added that the former PM stepped down because of the political responsibility he had and not because of any other responsibilities. Making the comment, however, PM Horta stressed that he was not trying to intervene in the judicial process being undertaken in this country. (TP)
Opposition does not recognize electoral, CNE laws: Menezes
The spokesperson of the Democratic Party (PD), Rui Menezes stated at the national parliament yesterday that politically the opposition parties do not recognize the laws on the national elections and the National Electoral Commission (CNE) on the grounds that no consensus was ever reached. "PD, PSD, ASDT, PNT, UDT, and PPT as opposition parties have taken our position that we would not participate in the electoral law and the law on the National Electoral Commission, and we have made it clear that politically we will not recognize the laws on CNE and electoral totally." The fundamental question upon which no consensus was reached, Menezes continued, was the question of electoral organs CNE and STAE. (TP)
SRSG Atul Khare calls on President Gusmao
The newly arrived Special Representative of the UN Secretary- General to Timor-Leste, Atul Khare, paid a visit to the President of the Republic Xanana Gusmao at the latter's office. The purpose of the visit was to introduce himself to the President as the newly appointed Head of the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). Speaking to journalists following the meeting, SRSG Khare, said he had also discussed a number of issues which are regarded as priorities for the country such as security and next year's general elections. SRSG Khare said that the 2007 general elections are crucial for the future of this country and that the people need security to hold democratic elections in a secure environment, while expressing his confidence that elections will be held in accordance with the calendar set. (STL, DN)
Tilman: The job of general prosecutor mixed with politics
MP Manuel Tilman in Committee A of the NP stated that General Prosecutor Longinhos Monteiro mixes his work with politics. Tilman added that the General Prosecutor must more pay more attention to his tasks and especially focus more on the judiciary problems and not be preoccupied with political interests. (TP)
Leandro: if I go to prison, it's based on discrimination
MP Leandro Isac stated that if those national leaders still discriminate, and if he must go to jail, then the leaders must be prepared to face the consequence. He added that a mental and physical revolution could emerge. (TP, JN-Diario)
Threatening Labadai and Railos could lead to loss of evidence
Both MPs Alexandre Corte Real and Manuel Tilman stated that when Marcos Piedade Labadai and Vicente da Concecao Railos still receive threats from some groups or person, evidence could be lost because of the threats. Therefore the Public Prosecutor must be responsible for 24-hour security in order to protect them as witnesses. (TP, JN-Diario)
Jose Reis: Mario Carrascalao does not understand the constitution
First vice Secretary General of Fretelin Jose Maria dos Reis stated that president of the PSD party Mario Viegas Carrascalao, formerly an assembly constituent member, does not understand the constitution yet. Reis said this in response to Carrascalao's comment in the Diario newspaper on 13 December that Alkatiri must be embarrassed to return to the National Parliament. (TP, JN- Diario)
Mari Alkatiri joins parliament
Yesterday, former Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri met with President of the National Parliament to discuss his return to Parliament, reported Diario Nacional. Alkatiri told the media that he has pledged to the people to mainly focus on his party therefore he wants to balance his time between the Parliament and Fretilin. He said he will join the institution on the debate of the electoral bill and once it is approved he will shift his focus to the party. The former Prime Minister said the electoral legislation should have been completed in November but hopes that it will be approved before Christmas to allow for debate and preparation for the elections. He disagreed with postponing the elections for August 2007, stressing that the elections must take place before May 20, 2007. On the proposed electoral bill, Alkatiri would like all parties to convene and debate before raising an uproar, stressing that democracy is imperative for the nation not to experience a similar crisis as the recent one.
On the return of IPDs, Mari Alkatiri said he is willing to contribute to provide support for the government and the institutions by contributing some of his governance knowledge but the issue of the IDPs is dependent upon the government competence. He said that he left a government with lots of money therefore the government has the money to carry out its work. On the internal problems of Fretilin, Alkatiri said it is a process faced by all political parties but somehow people tend to focus on his party, thanking them for their concern but that Fretilin would resolve their problems.
In a separate article, Alkatiri reportedly said that he could not wait around for the justice process, which he considers slow, because he is looking forward and wants to continue working in line with the promises he made on May 20, 2002. (STL, DN, TP)
Catholic church acknowledges cultural traditions
Director of the Justice and Peace Commission of Baucau Diocese, Fr. Martinho Gusmao said the Catholic Church acknowledges the cultural traditions like the popular religious expression and the participation of the church in gathering around a sacred mat in a traditional house and it shows that the church of Timor-Leste and the people are one and the same in this struggle. Gusmao said cultural activities illustrate moral and ethical strength of the Timorese people. (DN)
Prosecutor general lacks will
The Prosecutor General has been accused of lacking the will or intention to resolve the problem by not providing protection to the two eyewitnesses, Rai Los and Labadai, who were in the Public Ministry Office on 30 November, the day of the preliminary hearing for Rogerio Lobato. Jose Luis Oliveira, Director of HAK Association, said such an attitude is not contributing to the efforts of the youth, the President and others in ending the current violence in Dili. He said unless the judiciary system of Timor-Leste functions, the efforts will be worthless. He said that the Prosecutor has the competence to mandate the security institutions as well as ask the police to provide security for the suspects and the accusers. The Director of HAK said the eyewitnesses to Lobato's case were accompanied to Dili by PNTL officers from Liquica District and both were not taken to the court which shows that either the Prosecutor is not honest with his work or does not have good intentions. (DN)
More than 1000 people detained by forces
The Office of the Provedor for Human Rights and Justice issued a communique on Friday stating that international forces and the UN have captured a total of 1,074 people and 38 of this number were children between the ages of 9 and 18. The document said that on 20 November police interviewed two detainees between the ages of 9 and 14 alleged suspects for their involvement in arson and murder in Maubisse, Ainaro sub-district. Both were later released. The communique stated that the data is based on the current human rights situation and that between 24-30 November police in some districts detained 16 people, including 13 year- olds, for alleged involvement in murder. (DN)
Indonesia willing to support Timor membership
Indonesian Foreign Minister, Hassan Wirajuda told his Timor-Leste counterpart, Jose Luis Guterres that ASEAN is creating the conditions for Timor-Leste to become a member of the organization. During a meeting in Indonesia, Wirajuda conveyed Indonesia's willingness to provide diplomacy training for the Timorese people and was grateful for Timor-Leste's support for his country to be a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Indonesia has been supporting Timor-Leste membership into the ASEAN. According to Timor Post, during the meeting Wirajuda also asked Guterres about the latest problems in the country and whether Alfredo Reinado would be a threat to the nation. (DN, TP)
More advisors for parliament
The UN has appointed four jurists to work in the National Parliament, especially with Commission A in charge of the electoral legislation. They are: Marta Pereira, Joana Camara, Jose Kimenga, and Paulo Madeira. In the meantime, the Eventual Commission of the Parliament to analyse the report of the COI in-depth completed their task and have handed in their report to the President of the Parliament. (STL, TP)
Carrascalao: If I were Alkatiri, I would be shy to go to parliament
President of PSD, Mario Viegas Carrascao said t if he were Mari Alkatiri, he would not go to the National Parliament as a member, because Alkatiri has stepped down from the position of Prime Minister due to the allegations of weapons distribution. In the meantime, Prosecutor General Longinhos Monteiro stated that he was surprised when President of the NP announced Mari Alkatiri as a member of the NP. Regarding the Leandro Isac case, Longinhos, stated that the notification letter from the public prosecutor had still not been sent to Leandro, but that it would send to him after the NP authorized Leandro to attend a hearing at the office of the public prosecutor. (TP, JN-Diario)
Paulo: The accusation of Portuguese Prosecutor to Abilio was illegal
Both Dr. Paulo Dos Remedios and Dr. Nelson de Carvalho, defence council of Abilio Musquita Mausoco, rejected the accusation that their client was in possession of illegal weapons, as stated by the Portuguese Prosecutor. The defenders stated that the weapons held by Abilio were PNTL weapons and not illegal weapons.
Manuel Tilman: IDPs move to emergency place, need to see the condition
Manuel Tilman MP from KOTA stated that the government must survey the new sites that have been identified for the IDPs to relocate to before they push them to relocate from the four identified camps, namely the airport and seaport camps, obrigado barracks and the national hospital camps. (STL)
Horta: the State budget significant for education and health
PM Ramos Horta in response to the UNICEF report, stated that the government plans to budget for two important areas: education and health. Horta stated that government continues to make an effort to push all children to have access to schools, so that in the year 2015 poverty and illiteracy can be minimized. (STL, JN- Diario).
Public prosecutor considers Leandro Isac a suspect
In relation to the alleged case of assault on the residence of the commander of F-FDTL Taur Matan Ruak on 24 of May, the public prosecutor this week sent a notification letter to the National Parliament (NP) asking for authorization for MP Leandro Isac to make his statement. Leandro Isac stated that he is ready to present his statement to the public prosecutor but the process in the NP is not transparent and allows for discrimination. He said that he was not satisfied that the NP should grant authority for his statement and not do the same for Mari Alkatiri. In the meantime, Dr. Claudio Ximenes, President of the Court of Appeal stated that Mari Alkatiri's case in relation to the illegal distribution of guns distribution is still in process. (JN- Diario, STL, TP)
Horta: On 15th December government will stop support for IDPs PM Ramos Horta stated that the government has given an ultimatum to all IDPS to leave the camps soon since aid delivery from the government would stop on 15 December. It is also reported that the PM stated that if these IDPs do not leave the camps by the deadline, the government may not support them in areas of provision of building materials and/or cash advances. (STL, JN- Diario)
ORJUMARTIL surrenders bullets to Horta
Organization of Maubere Youth of Timor-Leste (ORJUMARTIL) yesterday surrendered over 50 bullets to PM Ramos Horta. President of ORJUMARTIL Antonio Railakan stated that the bullets were in their possession since Indonesian time. Jose Manuel Fernadez, the State Secretary for Sport and Youth, was also present to witness this event. (STL, JN-Diario)
Horta: Taur Matan Ruak contacts Alfredo
PM and Minister of Defense Ramos Horta stated that Brig Gen Taur Matan Ruak, on his own initiative, contacted Maj. Alfredo Reinado in order to create dialogue so that he could solve the current problem. Horta stated that recently Brig Gen Matan Ruak ordered two members of F-FDTL to meet Maj. Alfredo Reinado to convey the message that the Brigadier wishes to converse with him and his group. (JN-Diario)
Lu-Olo: Hasegawa and Araujo become witnesses for Lobato case
President of the National Parliament Francisco Guterres 'Lu-Olo' was yesterday informed of the notification letter from the Public Prosecutor regarding the witnesses for the alleged case of illegal distribution of weapons against Rogerio Lobato. The letter states that 4 MPs (Francisco Branco-Fretelin, Jacinto Maia-Fretelin, Jaco Fernades, vice president of NP and Elizario Ferreira-Fretelin) ex-SRSG Dr Sukehiro Hasegawa and Dr. Abilio Abrantes Araujo would be called as witnesses for the case. In the meantime, Vice President of PNT party, Alianga de Araujo stated that their party would not authorize their president Abilio Araujo to be a witness because they see no justification. (JN- Diario, STL)
Mari Alkatiri joins parliament
Yesterday, former Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri met with President of the National Parliament to discuss his return to Parliament, reported Diario Nacional. Alkatiri told the media that he has pledged to the people to mainly focus on his party therefore he wants to balance his time between the Parliament and Fretilin. He said he will join the institution on the debate of the electoral bill and once it is approved he will shift his focus to the party. The former Prime Minister said the electoral legislation should have been completed in November but hopes that it will be approved before Christmas to allow for debate and preparation for the elections. He disagreed with postponing the elections for August 2007, stressing that the elections must take place before May 20, 2007. On the proposed electoral bill, Alkatiri would like all parties to convene and debate before raising an uproar, stressing that democracy is imperative for the nation not to experience a similar crisis as the recent one.
On the return of IPDs, Mari Alkatiri said he is willing to contribute to provide support for the government and the institutions by contributing some of his governance knowledge but the issue of the IDPs is dependent upon the government competence. He said that he left a government with lots of money therefore the government has the money to carry out its work. On the internal problems of Fretilin, Alkatiri said it is a process faced by all political parties but somehow people tend to focus on his party, thanking them for their concern but that Fretilin would resolve their problems.
In a separate article, Alkatiri reportedly said that he could not wait around for the justice process, which he considers slow, because he is looking forward and wants to continue working in line with the promises he made on May 20, 2002. (STL, DN, TP)
Catholic church acknowledges cultural traditions Director of the Justice and Peace Commission of Baucau Diocese, Fr. Martinho Gusmao said the Catholic Church acknowledges the cultural traditions like the popular religious expression and the participation of the church in gathering around a sacred mat in a traditional house and it shows that the church of Timor-Leste and the people are one and the same in this struggle. Gusmao said cultural activities illustrate moral and ethical strength of the Timorese people. (DN)
Prosecutor general lacks will
The Prosecutor General has been accused of lacking the will or intention to resolve the problem by not providing protection to the two eyewitnesses, Rai Los and Labadai, who were in the Public Ministry Office on 30 November, the day of the preliminary hearing for Rogerio Lobato. Jose Luis Oliveira, Director of HAK Association, said such an attitude is not contributing to the efforts of the youth, the President and others in ending the current violence in Dili. He said unless the judiciary system of Timor-Leste functions, the efforts will be worthless. He said that the Prosecutor has the competence to mandate the security institutions as well as ask the police to provide security for the suspects and the accusers. The Director of HAK said the eyewitnesses to Lobato's case were accompanied to Dili by PNTL officers from Liquica District and both were not taken to the court which shows that either the Prosecutor is not honest with his work or does not have good intentions. (DN)
More than 1000 people detained by forces
The Office of the Provedor for Human Rights and Justice issued a communique on Friday stating that international forces and the UN have captured a total of 1,074 people and 38 of this number were children between the ages of 9 and 18. The document said that on 20 November police interviewed two detainees between the ages of 9 and 14 alleged suspects for their involvement in arson and murder in Maubisse, Ainaro sub-district. Both were later released. The communique stated that the data is based on the current human rights situation and that between 24-30 November police in some districts detained 16 people, including 13 year- olds, for alleged involvement in murder. (DN)
Indonesia willing to support Timor membership
Indonesian Foreign Minister, Hassan Wirajuda told his Timor-Leste counterpart, Jose Luis Guterres that ASEAN is creating the conditions for Timor-Leste to become a member of the organization. During a meeting in Indonesia, Wirajuda conveyed Indonesia's willingness to provide diplomacy training for the Timorese people and was grateful for Timor-Leste's support for his country to be a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Indonesia has been supporting Timor-Leste membership into the ASEAN. According to Timor Post, during the meeting Wirajuda also asked Guterres about the latest problems in the country and whether Alfredo Reinado would be a threat to the nation. (DN, TP)
More advisors for national parliament
The UN has appointed four jurists to work in the National Parliament, especially with Commission A in charge of the electoral legislation. They are: Marta Pereira, Joana Camara, Jose Kimenga, and Paulo Madeira. In the meantime, the Eventual Commission of the Parliament to analyse the report of the COI in-depth completed their task and have handed in their report to the President of the Parliament. (STL, TP)
Ceremony to mark declaration of peace
Timor-Leste leaders have pledged to maintain unity in the country, in a ceremony held on Sunday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the present Prime Minister Jose Ramos-Horta and Bishop Belo in 1996. The event, part of the government's "simu malu" program was also attended by the former Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri. According to STL, the hand shake between Alkatiri and President Gusmao was a gesture to end 7 months of hostility between them and a possibility to end the conflict which has affected the population. Following the ceremony, Alkatiri told the media he believes peace could prevail through the traditional path and that there would be great changes to the current situation as of Sunday. On behalf of the State, President Gusmao asked the population for forgiveness. He said the State has promised to make efforts to work together in the interest of the people. In addition to the Heads of the four sovereign States and former Prime Minister Alkatiri, the first President of RDTL, Francisco Xavier do Amaral, participated in the ceremony, which was witnessed by members of the Diplomatic Corps and other guests. (TP, DN, STL)
Government plans to support assistance to IDPs
Prime Minister Ramos-Horta has said that the government, through the Council of Ministers, would draw up a plan to provide material and financial assistance to IDPs who have lost their homes. The financial assistance will help in buying items required for their homes. Ramos-Horta said IDPs who have lost their homes could temporarily go to the centre identified by the government until their house is rehabilitated. Minister of Labour and Community Reinsertion, Arsenio Bano, said the government has also prepared emergency centres for the evacuation of IDPs, if the camps where they are currently staying is damaged or flooded. Bano said the centres are the former Chinese Consulate, in front of the marina area, GMT, Merkado Lama, Dili textile and Heral Politeknik. The camps identified as prone to flooding and damage during the rainy season include the one opposite Obrigado Barracks, Jardim (in front of seaport), the airport and National Hospital camps. Deputy Public Works Minister, Raul Mosaco, said as of today, 50 Norwegians are working on temporary homes behind F-FDTL Headquarters in Taci Tolu. Other temporary homes would be in former Brimob compound, Unital, Carantina and Tibar. (TP)
UNPOL were not notified about protection
Speaking during a press conference last Thursday, Interim Police Commissioner Antero Lopez said UNPOL had not been notified to provide protection to Labadai, the eyewitness to the Rogerio Lobato's case. Lopez said they have been providing protection to other eyewitnesses, noting that when Labadai went to Prosecutor's Office he had protection. But what is not clear, the Acting Police Commissioner said is why Labadai did not just walk to the building, since in his point of view the whole place had been secured. On the rumours that Labadai had been shot, Antero Lopez said police were awaiting confirmation. (TP, STL)
We are sad that groups are killing each other: Xanana
Speaking during a ceremony held at Jardim Farol in Dili to put away the sacred arms – which were withdrawn from Sacred Houses in the past during times of invasion from outside – President Gusmao said the recent violence by martial art groups is making everybody sad. The President appealed to the young people and youth quoting PM Ramos-Horta's words that "the future of Timor- Leste is in your hands and not ours, we are already old, and as leaders we have recognized our failures, big or small in a state that has just been established. Through these mistakes we are putting the efforts to better contribute to the country". Gusmao also appealed for unity and for everybody to consciously stand up and claim that there is only one Timorese, one nation that is Timor and no such thing as lorosae and loromonu. (STL, DN)
7th December a lesson for Timorese not to be radicals: Horta
Prime Minister Ramos-Horta has reportedly said that 7th December is a lesson for the Timorese to stop division, to stop being too radical and to stop possessing guns. Ramos-Horta said the invasion of Timor-Leste on 7th December 1975 was the result of the conflict between Fretilin and UDT parties, followed by a civil war, the desertion of the Portuguese government and the turning of people's backs, which led to TNI entering the country. Therefore, he said it is a lesson for the nation not to be divided and to honour those courageous people who participated in the resistance period of 1975 up to 1999. He said that many are now dead but some like Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, Lere, Falur, L7 and many others are still alive. Ramos-Horta also told the media following the ceremony at the Jardim Farol, that the violence being committed by some martial arts groups is equivalent to the militias and they should no longer be classified as martial arts groups but gangs or militias. He said he's waiting for the promise that some leaders of the groups have made to him to detain and turn in members who are involved in violence to the police. (TP, STL)
If state needs me I'll provide full support: Alkatiri
Former Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri has reiterated that if the Government, the Parliament, the President, and Justice require his assistance he will fully cooperate to try and resolve the problem of the country. Alkatiri said he does not want to take political advantage and point a finger at others who do not have the capacity to resolve the problem, noting that in principle Fretilin also disapproves because Fretilin holds the power. (DN)
UN concerns the same as national parliament
Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, President of the National Parliament, said the concerns of the UN about the electoral laws are the same as the Parliament. He said, unfortunately, the bill has not been approved due to some differences of opinion but he has been closely following the process with great concern and hopes that the document will be approved in order to allow STAE and CNE to start preparations for the 2007 elections. He said the debate is now on article five of the bill on CNE and once it is agreed upon they will move on to discuss the general election document, which he hopes will be approved by December 22 and continue on to the electoral law bill for the Presidential election. (STL)
If no solution to the problem of martial art groups, there will be threat for the 2007 General Election
In relation to the resurgence of the gang violence that involved some members of martial arts groups, Director of East Timor Institute for Security Studies (ETISS), Julio Tomas Pinto reportedly said that the leaders of this country have to sort out the problems committed by the martial art groups. He then added that Timor-Leste has been having different problems from time to time. He also emphasized the importance of a basic law that can be used to regulate the groups. However, on the same matter, the state secretary for youth and sport, Jose Manuel Fernandes was quoted as saying that the Ministry of Education was at the stage of discussing the basic law for sport. (TP)
In addition, in Diario National, PM Ramos-Horta said that URP and UIR will be in charge to control the martial art groups He said, "URP and UIR will control members of martial arts groups that are in possession of illegal weapons and causing problems in Dili." He added that they already held meetings with UNPOL and the Minister of Interior to quickly reactivate the members of URP and UIR so that these two units can help UNPOL to solve the problem caused by martial art groups. (STL, DN)
Youths from Lorosa'e-Loromonu meet Gusmao
Speaking to the journalists, Joao da Silva (Choque) said that under the leadership of President Gusmao there will be an organizing committee aimed at hosting national dialogues with the involvement of as many youths from Lorosa'e and Loromonu as possible to guarantee the IDPs to return home and put an end the violence. (STL)
Parliament questions sovereignty in relation Alfredo's Weapons
MP Francisco Miranda Branco (Fretilin) questions the sovereignty rule of law of Timor-Leste as he is concerned with the recent security situation where Major Alfredo and his groups were seen to be in possession of weapons. He is of the opinion that it creates a precedent that 'whoever becomes stronger will be the ones who hold the justice' [they implement the justice according to what they want]. Branco asked the chairman of the National Parliament to call the Minister of Interior and Minister of Defense to explain the clear statue and weapons in the hand of Alfredo and his group. In addition, Vicente Guterres, UDC/PDC Bench urged the plenary session to clearly define the status of Major Alfredo and the group, whether or not Alfredo is still active military. On the same matter, Rui Menezes, (PD) also questioned the process of purchasing the weapons through a private company. According to Menezes, the weapons were possibly from a private company that supply weapons to Timor-Leste, and not from the outside. However, the president of National Parliament, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo said that the NP do not want to intervene in the country's judiciary system which had already classified Major Alfredo as a criminal for his involvement in Fatu-ahi incident, on May 23, 2006.(TP) Alfredo will surrender when court proceeds criminal actors: Buras
MP Jose Nomianando (PD), aka 'Buras' said that Major Alfredo and his group will surrender themselves when the court starts processing the perpetrators. He said Alfredo deserted F-FDTL Headquarters because he wanted justice, but if justice is in place, he and his group would surrender.
Buras called for the East Timorese leaders and everybody to stop worrying about Alfredo and concentrate on implementing justice, as so far there has been no complaint from the people in regards to Alfredo and his group as they are not troubling the people. He said Alfredo's involvement on May 3rd was the result of F-FDTL involvement on April 28, 2006. The MP said he disagrees with the statement of UNMIT [DSRSG] calling Major Alfredo 'Buronan' [wanted man], adding that Alfredo is a Timorese and his case is an internal problem that should be solved among East Timorese people and not by UNMIT. Buras appealed to the leaders and the sovereign bodies to solve Alfredo's case pacifically and without bloodshed. (STL)
International forces failed to take Railos
Prosecutor General, Dr. Longuinhos Monteiro said that, 'I did not intend to hide both Railos and Labadain at my office, but it was the fault of the International Force who promised me to escort both witnesses to the court of appeal, but at the end they did not turn up. So, this was their [International forces] mistake, not mine, stressed Mr. Longuinhos.(DN)
Timor facing humanitarian crisis: Reske-Nielsen
Acting SRSG Finn Reske-Nielsen told the media during a press conference on Monday that Timor-Leste would face a humanitarian crisis if the IDPs continue to live in the camps, namely the Obrigado and National Hospital camps, as they are subject to flooding following heavy rain. Deputy SRSG Eric Tan Huck said UNMIT's position in relation to Alfredo Reinado remains the same, that Alfredo is an escapee and should turn himself in and face justice. Mr. Tan further said UNPOL did not detain him in Suai following a request from Prime Minister Ramos-Horta who also wants more time to allow F-FDTL to deal with Alfredo. DSRSG Tan, who is responsible for the security sector reform and rule of law, also told the media during the press conference that the UN Police is fully responsible for security and police operations in the country and would assist with the reform, restructuring and rebuilding of PNTL and strengthening the Ministry of Interior. The signing of the agreement between the Government of Timor- Leste and UNMIT on policing arrangements, known as the Police Supplement Arrangement, took place last Friday, coinciding with the inauguration of the UNPOL-PNTL joint headquarters in Dili. DSRSG Tan assured that with the increasing number of UNPOL, it is guaranteed that the security situation is improving day by day.
Acting Police Commissioner Antero Lopez said that based on the security responsibilities, UNPOL will perform its work in a balanced and responsible manner. In relation to Alfredo, Lopes said that it is clear his supporters are decreasing and time is needed to convince him to surrender, but if everything fails, action would be taken against him.
The Head of UNMIT Electoral, Steven Wagenseil said the UN would establish a team to assist the Timorese authorities to oversee the elections next year. Wagenseil said over 400 people will provide assistance in the areas of political, jurisdiction, logistics, administration, electoral commission and there would be UN Volunteers who would work in the general electoral headquarters and in the districts. He further said the UN has provided two experts to the Parliament to work on the electoral legislation and would also provide juridical expertise. He said volunteers would work at the Court of Appeal, an area crucial for complaints during the elections process. The Chief Electoral Officer further said that apart from expatriates, 470 national staff would be recruited to work during the elections, adding that the UN is working with Timor-Leste political authorities to push the process forward.
In a separate article, MP Leandro Isac (Independent) has accused the Australian Military Forces and UNPOL for sabotaging the country's judicial process by failing to obey the agreement with the Prosecutor's Office. He said both UNPol and the Australian Military did provide security to the eyewitnesses to the Court of Appeal for the first trial of the former Minister of Interior, Rogerio Lobato last week. (TP, STL)
Fretilin will face new coup d'etat: Mari Alkatiri
Speaking at a press conference upon his arrival from Portugal yesterday at Fretilin's Central Committee (CCF) office-Comoro, the Secretary General of Fretilin, Mari Alkatiri said that if the party is not well prepared with its structure from top to bottom towards the general elections, Fretilin will face a coup d'C(c)tat. In order to avoid this, the party must establish a good relationship with the people, he said. Alkatiri also said that he will continue to contribute to Fretilin. "I am back to serve for another 20 more years, but it does not mean I should be the Prime Minister as everything will be decided by the CCF members. Fretilin is still tolerant, however; the 2007 General Election will be the party's determination. As we all know, some people are still provoking and trying to destroy our country. We have been accusing each other of the ongoing conflict, and some said that it is the government who committed the fault, some said Mari Alkatiri caused the problemb still the people who are suuffering. We, East Timorese leaders sometimes tend to see backwards but we do not want to look ahead, while the world is moving ahead," said Alkatiri. Among the participants at the press conference, were the president of Fretilin party, Fracisco Guterres Lu'Olo, Vice Secretary General, Jose Maria Reis, Jose Manuel Fernandes, member of CCF, and more than 200 members and sympathizers. Mari Alkatiri also said that the two friendly countries, Portugal and Mozambique, do not want to interfere with the internal problems of the country but are concerned with the situation of the country and how the problems can be resolved.
In a separate article, STL quoted Alkatiri as saying he returned from Portugal to continue to defend the truth, adding that in 1975 he did not run away from the country therefore he would not do so in 2006. Alkatiri stressed that he went to Portugal to seek treatment for his health and already there were rumors of him not returning. According to STL, he was welcomed at the international airport by supporters and members of the party shouting "viva Mari Alkatiri, viva Mari Alkatiri, Mari Alkatiri did not run away, he is defending the truth". (DN, STL)
President Gusmao's appeal
President Xanana Gusmao has appealed to the population to distant themselves from martial arts groups currently creating violence and killings among the communities. The President said the continued violence is denigrating to the Timorese dignity. Gusmao said the martial art groups have recently pledged to stop the violence but in reality it has not yet evolved. In his message, President Gusmao also said that F-FDTL and PNTL will hold joint patrols in the neighbourhoods without guns as they have all been disarmed. Gusmao further said the two institutions would also be involved in supporting the government in various areas and help those IDPs wishing to return to their homes. Eight months after the crisis, and the increase number of international forces, Xanana said, would not be able to fix the problems unless the Timorese do so. The message was addressed from the PalC!cio das Cinzas on Monday. Sunday's conflict in Taibesi left a member of PSHT death and two injured. (DN, TP)
PNTL-UNPOL joint ceremony
The joint ceremony of PNTL-UNPOL was reported by the media on Saturday and Monday. On Saturday, Timor Post reported that following his participation in the ceremony, F-FDTL Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak said the national defence force and the police would work together to take the IDPs back to their home and that both institutions already have coordination plans. President Xanana Gusmao said PNTL must guarantee institutional unity and avoid the formation of small groups within the institution such as PNTL Nationalists and PNTL Autonomists or PNTL PSHT. Gusmao reiterated that there should only be one PNTL, to serve the population.
Following the signing of the agreement between the UN and the Government of Timor-Leste, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta told the media that he had asked the United Nations to thoroughly investigate members of PNTL who were involved in the crisis. And those not involved in crisis should be acknowledged and encouraged to resume their duties, noting that one must not forget the positive work of the national police during the crisis in the districts and those still working in Kosovo. In a separate article on STL Saturday, Ramos-Horta said that on behalf of the government, he appeals to the security forces and everybody, especially PNTL to be humble, to put aside the wrong doings and learn and reflect on the mistakes of the past now that the international community and the UN Security Council have given the Timorese people another opportunity to assist them. He said the signing of the accord between the UN and the Government of Timor-Leste took many weeks of negotiations, adding that it is a regulation of the role of the UN police in Timor-Leste and it is important to inform the people of the working plans of PNTL- UNPOL. He said a total of 200 PNTL officers are now fully active following the screening test.
On Monday's edition, Prime Minister reportedly said that as Prime Minister he doesn't want to re-establish PNTL in a hurry to achieve the targeted number as in the past and then have to face various problems. He said he had requested the UN to process PNTL slowly and effectively so it can become a strong institution. The Prime Minister further said that now that the numbers of UNPOL are increasing, soon they would be deployed in the districts and work together with PNTL to further strengthen their work.
Also in Monday's edition, Diario Nacional reported President Gusmao as saying that he is happy that PNTL has recognized its mistakes and is willing to work with F-FDTL and face new challenges.
PNTL and F-FDTL held a friendly game of football and volleyball Saturday in Tasi-Tolu which was welcome by members and relatives of both institutions. The game is part of the many activities involving the two national security institutions and as Deputy Minister of Interior, Xamocho has said, the friendly game is an approximation for the institutions to work together. (TP, STL, DN)
F-FDTL to hold dialogue with deserters
Despite the contact between Brigadier Taur and Alfredo Reinado, it does not mean Alfredo will return without facing the justice process, Prime Minister Ramos-Horta said noting that Alfredo would have to face the accusations against him in relation to his actions in FatuahC-. He said Alfredo's case is the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice. Horta said he would rather resolve Alfredo's case through pacifist means even if it takes a few months, but would not interfere with the Prosecutor's Office and asking UNPOL for his arrest. The Prime Minister stressed that rather than taking military measures, F-FDTL has shown maturity in establishing a mechanism to dialogue with Majors Alfredo, Tara, Marcus Tilman for their return. On the issue of weapons in Alfredo's hands, Ramos-Horta said he is not worried about it. He said that the international forces did not capture Alfredo during a seminar in Suai to avoid people from becoming victims of one person's detention. Ramos-Horta also said he is certain the bazooka in Alfredo's possession is not from Australia and would further investigate where it came from. President of the National Parliament, Francisco Guterres, Lu-Olo said it is with great urgency to investigate Alfredo's access to the type of weapons in his possession. (TP, STL)
Processing of trial not manipulation: Claudio
Claudio Ximenes, President of the Court of Appeal said the first trial of former Minister of Interior, Rogerio Lobato on allegations of guns distribution, was adjourned due to the absentee of Railos and Labadai, adding it was not a manipulation by the judges. Ximenes said the two eyewitnesses had already received a notification about the trial and rather than appear at the court they went to the Prosecutor General's Office. Therefore, he said the fault is of Railos and Labadai. In the meantime, MP Manuel Tilman (KOTA) said the mistake is due to the Public Ministry's failing to inform the court about the presence of the two eyewitnesses in the Prosecutor's Office. He said there has been poor coordination between the court the Public Ministry. (TP, STL)
Church disapproves the use of condoms
The Bishop of Dili Diocese, Dom Alberto Ricardo said the use of condoms is not one hundred per cent safe, therefore the Catholic Church in Timor-Leste disapproves of the campaign about the use of condom to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. The Church is of the opinion that proper education is the best solution. Bishop Ricardo said that the Church has put a few suggestions and proposed actions forth for the government and NGOs working in the area of HIV/AIDS to start a national plan on the promotion of integral health based on the principles of responsibility, solidarity, justice and equality. Acting SRSG Finn Reske-Nielsen told participants commemorating the International HIV/AIDS World Day on Friday (1/12) that Timor-Leste has the opportunity to avoid the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country with an immediate action plan. (TP, STL)
Opposition "walks out" on electoral bill
Opposition parties MPs have walked out during the debate at the National Parliament on electoral bill, protesting that article 27 and 28 which received many opinions from the civil society through public hearings were not included in the debate. The proposed bill 27 was put together by the President of the Republic following various consultations and seminars. According to STL the bill has not been taking into consideration by the majority party in the Parliament. (STL)
Protesters ask for release of former minister
Supporters of former Minister of Interior, Rogerio Lobato ask those responsible for the justice system to process the people involved in the crisis and release Rogerio Lobato. Supporters from the districts of Ermera, Liquica and other districts including relatives, carried Fretilin flag and banners which read "reconciliation with the militias and why trial for Founder of Falintil, Viva Rogerio Lobato, Viva Falintil". Gregorio dos Santos, coordinator of the event said only the court would decide whether the former Minister is guilty for distributing guns to civilians. Dos Santos said their presence was to provide moral support and demand justice for Lobato. A total of 100 people attended the trial.
Egidio de Jesus of Grupo Mudansa Fretilin (GMF) said that on behalf of the population who have put their trust on GMF, disapproves with supporters of Lobato for carrying Fretilin flag saying the flag represents the suffering of many people therefore it is a shame it is being used inappropriately. Rogerio Lobato trial was adjourned to January 9 due to the absentee of one of the co-accusers at the court. (DN, TP, STL)
Seminar to commemorate HIV/AIDS day
To commemorate the international HIV/AIDS World Day, the Ministry of Health held a seminar at the national level on Thursday, 30/11 with the theme "Fulfil the obligation, assume responsibility and distance the new generation from HIV/AIDS." Representatives from the government, different religious orders, civil societies, F- FDTL, PNTL, local and international NGO, and donor partner's embassies totalling about 270 participated in the event. Speaker Daniel Marcal, Director of CWS said his organization had identified that one of the problems faced by the people of Timor-Leste infected with HIV/AIDS is discrimination and isolation from their friends and relatives. Marcal said children whose parents are HIV/AIDS infected also face discrimination at school and from the community. He said people with this infection have requested the respect for the confidentiality of their medical state and due to moral support requirements, they would like the community leaders to have correct information on how HIV/AIDS can be spread. The Director of CWS said people with HIV/AIDS have also requested the Parliament to draft legislation to protect them to have the same rights as any other citizen. (TP)