05 July 2008

UNMIT Daily Media Review 4 July 2008

East Timor National Media Reports

Ambassador Klemm: AMP and Fretilin should reconcile – Suara Tiimor Lorosa’e
Ambassador of the United States in Timor-Leste Hans Klemm is asking the leaders of the Alliance Majority in the Parliament (AMP) and opposition group Fretilin, AD and PUN to continue reconciliation to guarantee peace, security and prosperity for the people of the nation.The Ambassador believes that, in general, the Government institutions are functioning well in the country, but emphasised the importance of the leaders working together to guarantee peace and stability.“I see that democracy functions in the National Parliament because the opposition demonstrates that it functions,” said Ambassador Klemm on Thursday (3/7) in Pantai Kelapa, Dili.The Ambassador also said he appreciates the discussion by the MPs of the State Budget in NP and noted that the opposition group has shown their capacity by contributing constructive criticism.

TL-Australia signing MOU: to improve security and justice system – Suara Timor Lorosa’e
The Government of Timor-Leste and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) related to security and justice in Timor-Leste.The MOU signed by the Secretary of State for Security Francisco Guterres and the Minister of Interior of Australia Bob Debus, was witnessed by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, Ambassador of Australia in Timor-Leste, Minister of Justice and other members of the Government on Thursday (3/7) in the capital’s Government Palace.Minister Debus visited Timor-Leste to meet PM Gusmão to discuss security, particularly the work of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) and other subject matters related to justice.The main objective of Debus’ visit is to see directly the assistance of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to PNTL through the program of PNTL development.
“I feel happy to visit Timor-Leste and witness the signing of the project plan to widen language training, general education of the police and executive management of PNTL,” said Minister Debus.

PM Xanana gives rice contract to Vice President of CNRT. Fretilin-Cecilio: indication of collusion, corruption and nepotism (CCN) – Timor Post
The rice contract PM Xanana’s AMP Government made with the Director of Tres Amigos Ltd. and also the Vice President of CNRT Germano da Silva stirred polemics within the opposition party, Fretilin and some MPs from the CNRT party itself.The two parties (Fretilin and CNRT MP) said that the contract which was directly signed by PM Xanana Gusmão as the President of CNRT giving authorization to his Vice President, shows bad administration and indicates collusion, corruption and nepotism (CCN).The contact shows that procurement has given the amount of US$4M and 80 thousand – US$14M. The contract letter was issued from the Ministry of Finance, not the Office of Prime Minister.CNRT Member of Parliament Cecilio Caminha said that the amount of money is larger than the budget for food security proposed by the Government to the National Parliament.

“I just want to say that the amount of money for food security of 2008 as proposed by the Government is only US$4M. This means that it does not correspond. The Government has to explain the process used,” said MP Caminha.Separately, Fretilin’s MP Arsenio Bano said that these actions by PM Gusmao with his friend Germano, is an indication of CCN and goes against the people.“I do say it is CCN as we all know that Mr. Germano was the Cabinet Chief for President Xanana. Now, he is the Vice President for Xanana of CNRT. What I do not know is if the amount is bigger than what has been proposed by the Government or if NP approved it or not,” said Mr. Bano.

PM Xanana: going to kick out corrupt minister – Diario Nacional
PM Xanana Gusmão said that as the Chief of the Government, he is ready to kick out ministers who are corrupt, but those who accuse should provide evidence of the corruption.

“If the evidence is provided now, I will give one month to any minister to defend himself in the court,” said PM Gusmão on Thursday (3/7) in response to information that some ministers have encountered corruption.

Former member of Alfredo imprisoned in the preventive prison – Radio Timor-Leste, Suara Timor Lorosa’e annd Timor Post
The hearing process conducted by national judge Guilhermino da Silva and attorney Felismino Cardoso, Dili Court decided on preventive prison for Caetano Valente because it was evident that he was involved in the attack on President Horta on 11 February 2008.

After the hearing, Felismino Cardoso told TVTL that the decision from the judge was just and adequate because there was strong evidence that the accused broke the regulation of UNTAET no 44.7/5/2000, article 64 regarding attempted murder and penal code 338 regarding the use of weapon and military uniforms.At the same time, the advocate of the accused, Laura Valente Lay, said she was not satisfied with the decision from the judge and she is going to submit an appeal to the Court of Appeal to move against the decision from Dili Court.

According to news, the accused Caetano was immediately delivered by NDI police to preventive prison in Becora after the hearing process.Front of Timor-Leste Students (FMTL) denies of being supported by political party – Televisaun Timor-LesteFront Mahasiswa Timor Leste (FMTL) denied the statement from NP that they had been supported by any political party during the demonstration last month.

Through a press conference in Caicoli yesterday, Front Student of Timor Leste which is composed of students from UNTL and UNDIL declared that they were not supported by any organization or political party during the demonstration which took place for two days on 11 to 12 June 2008.Apart from that, they also continue to disagree with National Parliament members who want to buy 65 luxurious cars for all deputies.

Furthermore, they stated that they will ask the President of Republic to veto the proposal of ratifying budget when it is approved and to play the video in which the NP on 12 June agreed with FMTL not to buy 65 cars. In addition, they threatened to undertake a hunger-strike in front of National Parliament.

The officials of F-FDTL to recruit 300 new members this month – Televisaun Timor-Leste

After participating in the launching ceremony of the construction of F-FDTL training centre in Metinaro, Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak informed that the recruitment this year will give priority to those between the ages of 18 to 30 years old.“Probably, from 15 July onwards we shall distribute the form to all young people in thirteen districts and the criteria will be written in the form. For those who want to be officials, we will recruit those men aged 30 years old and the maximal standard of education is a master’s degree,” explained Taur. According to plan, the recruitment process will take place in the education centre of F-FDTL in Metinaro – Dili.

215 families of IDP of Police Academy Camp return home – Televisaun Timor-Leste
Two hundred and fifteen families of IDPs in the Police Academy office returned to their respective houses.Yesterday (3/7), those IDPs who have been occupying the Police Academy since 2006 crisis decided to return to their places.

At that time, State Secretary of Social Assistance and Natural Disaster Jacinto Rigoberto de Deus said the process of reintegration was a contribution for the Government to solve the problem of this country.“You really contribute and participate in the development of this nation. Based on your decision, the Government is ready to attend to and integrate all of you to your homes”, said Jacinto.Given the opportunity, the IDPs questioned the security for them and asked the Government to compensate them for their goods that had been destroyed during the 2006 crisis.

Australia and TL government signed MoU about the reformation law to improve the capacity of PNTL – Radio Timor-Leste
The Secretary of State for Security Fransisco Guterres yesterday in Government Palace said “in MoU cooperation agreement with Australia, they (Australia) are ready to support PNTL in basic training of such disciplines as intelligence and investigation, serving the law and also trainings for PNTL leaders in management, administration and decision-making”.

Guterres added that based on the plan, the training might be realised in August this year and for basic training in 2009 when recruitment is conducted for new members of PNTL.

At a press conference yesterday in the Government Palace among the Council Ministers, Hermenegildo Pereira ‘Agio’ said “the (CM) approved a resolution to hold a national campaign to collect the illegal weapons that are still spread throughout all the territories and which is scheduled from 15 July to 15 August in cooperation with ISF, F-FDTL and PNTL”.

Syndicated by East Timor Legal Information Site

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