12 October 2008

Fears of unrest swirl in troubled East Timor

12/10/2008 DILI (AFP) — An opposition plan for a massive march on East Timor's capital and rumours of tension in the police force are raising concerns of a return to instability in the tiny Southeast Asian nation.

An unsigned pamphlet has been circulated in Dili complaining of official discrimination against Timorese from the impoverished country's western region in favour of those from the east.

The pamphlet also threatened protests against the government if an easterner is appointed the new police commander when the post becomes vacant in November.

Such claims of regional discrimination sparked a mass desertion by members of the armed forces, leading to fighting in 2006 between military, police factions and gangs in street violence that killed at least 37 people.

With international troops still patrolling the streets in the wake of that violence that also forced thousands to flee their homes, rumours of a return to instability have caused jitters among some Timorese in the capital.

"I heard about the pamphlet and I'm worried that if (a protest by police against the government) happens than it's going to be worse than 2006," said a police officer, who resigned in the lead-up to trouble two years ago.

The opposition Fretilin party has also announced plans for a large protest against Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, over his long-standing claim that the formation of his coalition government in 2007 was against the constitution.

Opposition leader Mari Alkatiri has promised thousands of protesters will turn out, but has not yet set a date for the march.

The government has responded to both threats by stepping-up roadblocks in the capital and enforcing a ban on off-duty police officers taking their guns home with them.

President Jose Ramos-Horta, who survived an assassination attempt by rebel soldiers earlier this year, said he would not accept such a protest aimed at "criticising the legitimacy of the government".

Gusmao has discounted the likelihood of unrest but has also urged police to avoid politicking.

"The national police force must display a good attitude so they will be respected. Police officers must show that they are not just carrying out a job, but are willing to serve their country," the premier told AFP.

But deputy police commander Mateus Fernandes denied the pamphlet came from within police ranks, saying unnamed politicians were manufacturing the crisis for political gain.

"This pamphlet is like a dog barking so just let it be and it will quiet down by itself. Some politicians have launched this to realise their own interests via the police and have been using this issue of who will become the police commander," he said.

Edward Rees, a Dili-based analyst and former United Nations security adviser, said the tensions in the police force were not an immediate threat.

But he warned they would likely lay the groundwork for violence "within 12 to 24 months" of the departure of the roughly 2,500 international soldiers and police stabilising the country.

Rees said the pamphlet was part of a bitter internal power struggle in the police with strong parallels to similar tensions in 2004, which in turn helped lay the basis for the 2006 crisis.

"If this kind of agitation was going on in the absence of the 2,500 international soldiers and police that are here then you would have a problem."

A mass rally by Fretilin would be highly destablising but opposition leader Alkatiri is unlikely to carry through with his threat, Rees said.

Fretilin politicians and their backers are making too much money from government contracts to jeopardise that by staging a rally which is expensive to organise and could see contracts dry up, he added.


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11 October 2008

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Obrigadu.

East Timor National Parliament Plenary Session 8 October 2008

Unofficial modified automated translation. Original Portuguese text follows.

The National Parliament
Secretariat
Office of Public Relations

No agenda 137/II Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of Wednesday, of 8 October 2008

A special plenary session today was presided over by Vice-President II of the National Parliament, Sra. Deputada Maria Paixao, assisted by Secretary of the Bureau, Sra. Maria Terezinha Viegas.

In the period before the Order of the Day were scheduled the following topics:

1. Information on the grounds of absence of deputies: Eduardo de Deus Barreto, Jose Manuel Carrascalao CV and Gabriel Ximenes (Fitun);

2. Information about the justification for the anticipated absences of Sra. Dep. Maria da Paixao de Jesus da Costa ;

3. Information on the statement by the workers against the Director of the Company Videst.

Were present in this, as authors of the bill no. 8/II ( "Law on Education"), Mr. Minister of Education Câncio Freitas, Mr. Deputy Minister Paulo Assis and an adviser.

During the period of the Agenda was the only scheduled topic:

"Continuation of the discussion and vote in the specialty of the Proposed Law no. 8/II ( "Law on Education").

This was done as the following information:

- debate and vote at all on Chapter IV (Assessment and inspection of the education system), Article 41 (Assessment of the education system) and Article 42 (Education statistics). The vote was 37 votes to 0 against and 4 abstentions. Section IV and Articles 41 and 42 passed.

- debate and vote on the proposal to include N0 7 of Article 19-A0 Organization (Civil). The vote was 12 votes in favor, 29 against and 8 abstentions. Addition of this proposal did not pass, and therefore the Proposed Amendments N0 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13 were rejected. Proposing members were Mr Virgilio Marcal, Mr Moises Romeo and Mr Francisco Jeronimo.

- Withdrawal of Proposal for Additional N0 1 of Article 42-A0 (Licensing) by proponents after the explanation of the Minister of Education Mr. John Cancio Freitas and delivered the new proposal for change N0 21 Article 44. Members proponents of this new proposal were Mr Lucas da Costa, Mr Aderito Hugo da Costa and Mr. Fernando Dias Gusmao.

- debate and vote on the proposal to include N0 2 of Article 42-B0 (Accreditation). The vote was 21 votes in favor, 9 against and 23 abstentions. Addition of this proposal did not pass. Members proposing were Mr Lucas da Costa, Mr Aderito Hugo da Costa and Mr. Fernando Dias Gusmao.

- debate and vote on Article 43 (Inspection of education) the outcome of the vote was 37 votes in favor, 1 against and 12 abstentions. This Article passed.

After the interval/dinner, the Plenary Session continued with the following information:

- debate and vote on the proposed amendment N0 21 Article 44. The vote was 28 votes for, 2 against and 6 abstentions. This happened. Members proposing were Mr Lucas da Costa and Mr. Fernando Dias Gusmao.

- debate and vote on Chapter V (Administration of education), Article 44 (Principles and general organization) and its amendment. The vote was 32 votes in favor, 0 against, 5 abstentions and 1 no vote. Chapter V, Article 44 and its amendment passed.

- Vote on Article 45 (Administration and management of schools). The vote was 36 votes in favor, 0 against and 3 abstentions. The Article 45 passed.

- Vote on throughout the Chapter VI (human resources education), Article 46 (Functions of educator and teacher), Article 47 (Principles on the training of educators and teachers) and Article 48 (Principles of careers teaching staff and non-teaching staff). The vote was 33 votes in favor, 0 against and 4 abstentions. Chapter VI and the articles 46th, 47th and 48th passed.

- Vote on throughout the Chapter VII (material and financial resources), Article 49 (Networks offers education), Article 50 (Planning the network of educational offerings), Article 51 (school buildings), Article 52 (Educational Resources), Article 53rd (Education funding). The vote was 30 votes in favor, 4 against and 5 abstentions. Chapter VII and Article 49th, 50th, 51st, 52nd and 53rd passed.

- Vote on throughout the Chapter VIII (Transitional and Final Provisions), Article 54 (Professors and non-teaching) and Article 55 (Settlement of education and training into the educational system). The vote was 32 votes in favor, 0 against and 5 abstentions. Chapter VIII and the 54th and 55th articles passed.

- debate and vote on the proposal to include N0 16 of Article 56 (school) to eliminate the point 2. The vote was 10 votes in favor, 19 against and 7 abstentions. Addition of this proposal did not pass. Members bidders were Mr. Virgil Dep Days Marcal, Mr. Moses and Mr. Romeo Dep Francisco Jeronimo.

- debate and vote on Article 56 (school). The vote was 22 votes to 0 with 13 abstentions. The Article 56 passed.

- debate and vote on the Proposal for Elimination N0 22 of Article 42-B. The vote was 18 votes in favor, 4 against and 12 abstentions. This happened. It was the sole bidder Mr Deputy Moses Romeo Dep.

Finally Sra. President informed the meeting that tomorrow after the Solemn Session of the 2nd Session of the Legislative II Legislature from 2008-2009, the Plenary Session will continue with the subject ( "Law on Education").

End.
--
Secretariado
Gabinete de Relações Públicas

Agenda N.O 137/II Reunião Plenária Extraordinária de Quarta-Feira, de 8 de Outubro de 2008


A Sessão Plenária Extraordinária de hoje foi presidida pela II Vice-Presidente do Parlamento Nacional, Sra. Deputada Maria Paixão, coadjuvada pela Secretária da Mesa, Sra. Deputada Maria Terezinha Viegas.

Antes de entrar na agenda a Sra. II Vice-Presidente deu tempo aos Chefes das Bancadas Parlamentares para elaborarem revisão e observação sobre a Agenda da Sessão Plenária de hoje. Os Chefes das Bancadas Parlamentares rejeitaram a realização do Período de Antes da Ordem do Dia porque não foi previsto no regimento.

No período de Antes da Ordem do Dia foram agendados os assuntos seguintes:

1. Informação sobre a justificação de faltas dos Senhores Deputados: Eduardo de Deus Barreto, José Manuel C.V Carrascalão e Gabriel Ximenes (Fitun);

2. Informação sobre a justificação antecipada de faltas da Sra. Dep. Maria da Paixão de Jesus da Costa;

3. Informação sobre a declaração pelos trabalhadores contra o Director da Companhia Videst.
Estiveram presentes nesta, como autores da Proposta de Lei no. 8/II, (“Lei de Bases da Educação”), o Sr. Ministro da Educação Câncio Freitas, o Sr. Vice-Ministro Paulo Assis e um Assessor.

No período da Ordem do Dia foi agendado o único assunto:

“ Continuação da discussão e votação na especialidade da Proposta de Lei no. 8/II, (“Lei de Bases da Educação”).

Este assunto foi realizado conforme as seguintes informações:

- Discussão e votação em todo sobre o Capítulo IV (Avaliação e inspeção do sistema educativo), Artigo 41o (Avaliação do sistema educativo) e Artigo 42o (Estatísticas da educação). O resultado da votação foi 37 votos a favor, 0 contra e 4 abstenções. A Seção IV e os Arigos 41o e 42o passaram.

- Discussão e votação sobre a Proposta de Aditamento N0 7 do Artigo 19-A0 (Organização da Função). O resultado da votação foi 12 votos a favor, 29 contra e 8 abstenções. Esta Proposta de Aditamento não passou, e, por isso as Propostas de Alterações N0 8, 9, 11, 12 e 13 foram prejudicadas. Os Deputados proponentes foram Sr. Deputado Virgilio Dias Marçal, Sr. Deputado Romeu Moises e Sr. Deputado Francisco Jerónimo.

- Retirada da Proposta de Aditamento N0 1 do Artigo 42 -A0 (Licenciamento) pelos proponentes depois da explicação do Ministro da Educação Sr. João Câncio Freitas e entregue da nova Proposta de Alteração N0 21 Artigo 44o. Os Deputados proponentes desta nova Proposta foram Sr. Deputado Lucas da Costa, Sr. Deputado Aderito Hugo da Costa e Sr. Deputado Fernando Dias Gusmão.

- Discussão e votação sobre a Proposta de Aditamento N0 2 do Artigo 42-B0 (Acreditação). O resultado da votação foi 21 votos a favor, 9 contra e 23 abstenções. Esta Proposta de Aditamento não passou. Os Deputados proponentes foram Sr. Deputado Lucas da Costa, Sr. Deputado Aderito Hugo da Costa e Sr. Deputado Fernando Dias Gusmão.

- Discussão e votação sobre o Artigo 43o (Inspeção da educação) O resultado da votação foi 37 votos a favor, 1 contra e 12 abstenções. Este Artigo passou.

Depois do intervalo/jantar, a Sessão Plenária continuava com as seguintes informações:

- Discussão e votação sobre a Proposta de Alteração N0 21 Artigo 44o. O resultado da votação foi 28 votos a favor, 2 contra e 6 abstenções. Esta passou. Os Deputados proponentes foram Sr. Deputado Lucas da Costa e Sr. Deputado Fernando Dias Gusmão.

- Discussão e votação sobre o Capítulo V (Administração do sistema educativo), Artigo 44o (Princípios e organização gerais) e sua alteração. O resultado da votação foi 32 votos a favor, 0 contra, 5 abstenções e 1 sem voto. O Capítulo V, o Artigo 44o e sua alteração passaram.

- Votação sobre o Artigo 45o (Administração e gestão das escolas). O resultado da votação foi 36 votos a favor, 0 contra e 3 abstenções. O Artigo 45o passou.

- Votação em todo sobre o Capítulo VI (Recursos humanos da educação), Artigo 46o (Funções de educador e de professor), Artigo 47o (Princípios sobre a formação de educadores e professores) e Artigo 48o (Princípios das carreiras do pessoal docente e do pessoal não docente). O resultado da votação foi 33 votos a favor, 0 contra e 4 abstenções. O Capítulo VI e os Artigos 46o, 47o e 48o passaram.

- Votação em todo sobre o Capítulo VII (Recursos materiais e financeiros), Artigo 49o (Redes de ofertas educativas), Artigo 50o (Planeamento da rede de ofertas educativas), Artigo 51o (Edifícios escolares), Artigo 52o (Recursos educativos), Artigo 53o (Financiamento da educação). O resultado da votação foi 30 votos a favor, 4 contra e 5 abstenções. O Capítulo VII e os Artigos 49o, 50o, 51o, 52o e 53o passaram.

- Votação em todo sobre o Capítulo VIII (Disposições transitórias e finais), Artigo 54o (Pessoal docente e não docente) e Artigo 55o (Estabelecimentos de educação e de ensino integrados no sistema educativo). O resultado da votação foi 32 votos a favor, 0 contra e 5 abstenções. O Capítulo VIII e os Artigos 54o e 55o passaram.

- Discussão e votação sobre a Proposta de Aditamento N0 16 do Artigo 56o (Escolaridade obrigatória) a fim de eliminar a alínea 2. O resultado da votação foi 10 votos a favor, 19 contra e 7 abstenções. Esta Proposta de Aditamento não passou. Os Deputados proponentes foram Sr. Dep. Virgílio Dias Marçal, Sr. Dep. Romeu Moisés e Sr. Dep. Francisco Jerónimo.

- Discussão e votação sobre o Artigo 56o (Escolaridade obrigatória). O resultado da votação foi 22 votos a favor, 0 contra e 13 abstenções. O Artigo 56o passou.

- Discussão e votação sobre a Proposta de Eliminação N0 22 do Artigo 42o –B. O resultado da votação foi 18 votos a favor, 4 contra e 12 abstenções. Esta passou. Foi pelo único Deputado proponente Sr. Dep. Romeu Moisés.

- Finalmente a Sra. Presidente da Reunião notificou que amanhã depois da Sessão Solene da 2a Sessão Legislativa da II Legislatura de 2008/2009, a Sessão Plenária continuará com o assunto (“Lei de Bases da Educação”).

Fim.

Gabienete de Relações Públicas

East Timor Government Dialogue Teams working to support peaceful reintegration of IDP's

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL SOLIDARITY PRESS RELEASE 9 October 2008 MSS/UNDP Dialogue Teams working hard to support peaceful reintegration of IDPs

Since July 2008 there have been MSS/UNDP dialogue teams working in each of the five sub-districts of Dili with a central coordination team based in the Ministry of Social Solidarity. In October 2008 two regional dialogue teams also started working in Baucau and Ermera.

The MSS/UNDP dialogue teams have been strenuously promoting dialogue as a means to addressing community conflict and have also been heavily engaged in supporting mediation in support of IDP reintegration and return. The MSS/UNDP dialogue teams have been working with Chefe Aldeias, Chefe Sucos and youth representatives in the receiving communities to try to ensure that the situation in areas of return remains peaceful.

The MSS/UNDP dialogue teams have helped organize preparatory meetings at camps to support the return of IDPs. The teams work closely with SLS (Site Liaison Support) agencies in the camps to pre-identify groups willing to return and prioritise cases requiring third-party support (such as secondary occupancy, land and property issues, broader tensions with the community).

Working alongside local authorities, youth representatives, and partner agencies (such as IOM, CRS, CARE, Austcare, and Belun), the MSS/UNDP dialogue teams have organized 10 dialogue meetings to support IDP reintegration in Cristo Rei, Metinaro, and Vera Cruz, and sucos Becora, Fatuhada, and Camea.

The demand for supporting intra-family dispute resolution was clear from the inception of the dialogue teams. Members of the dialogue teams have supported the resolution of over 150 mediations between families wishing to return and families either opposed to their return or occupying their former homes. 56 of these cases have been resolved amicably between the parties with dialogue staff playing a facilitation role. 94 cases have required negotiated settlement with the parties formalising their agreement in the form of an accord. The dialogue teams are still working with partner agencies to try and resolve six pending cases.

The MSS/UNDP Dialogue Teams are an integral part of the Hamutuk Hari’i Konfiansa pillar of the Hamutuk Hari’i Futuru National Recovery Strategy. The majority of funding for the teams was provided by AusAID, through a AUD $1.5 million grant provided to support peace building activities in Timor-Leste. A significant amount of funding has also been provided by NZAID. The teams work closely with local authorities to promote dialogue to help alleviate the concerns of IDPs moving from the camps and those who are living in the receiving communities, as well as to avoid and mitigate potential conflicts. The dialogue teams also work closely with partner agencies, such as IOM, CRS, CARE, Austcare, Belun, CJP and JRS. The MSS/UNDP Dialogue Teams encourage communities affected by conflict to talk to one another in order to resolve their differences amicably which will hopefully set the stage for a process of national reconstruction and recovery.

The teams have been created to help you. If you are facing difficulty in being accepted back into your community or if you are a member of a community that is experiencing tension or difficulties because of returning IDPs please the dialogue teams who will do their best to help. You can contact the MSS/UNDP dialogue teams on: 7298799 or 731 8477 or by visiting the dialogue teams at MSS or at each of the Dili sub-district offices, the Baucau MSS office, or the Ermera District Administrator’s office.

10 October 2008

Legal News Reports East Timor National Media 10 October 2008

PN leaders allow govt to commit corruption, says opposition leader - FRETILIN wants to get rid of the govt through constitutional and peaceful ways, says Lu Olo - Xanana admits his government's incapability - President Horta calls on gas and oil investors to respect Timor-Leste - President Horta keeps urging Government and Parliament to combat poverty - PM Gusmao calls on politicians to avoid campaign for discouraging people - Security and defense are important, says Gusmao - Truth and Friendship Commission recommendations - no obligation to follow, says President Horta

PN leaders allow govt to commit corruption, says opposition leader - Timor-Post, 10 October 2008


Fretilin’s bench leader Aniceto Guterres said Thursday that the National Parliament under the leadership of Fernando de Araujo La Sama had been allowing the AMP government to do corruption by being permissive in demanding the transparency from the government.

Aniceto said that the president of the parliament had not kept his own promise to the people once he took office where La Sama said he would never be a mouthpiece for the government.

The promise of the President of the Parliament has gone with the wild wind and it leaves us with the reality we all face and witness,' said Guterres.

He also said that the bureau of the parliament had systematically made the parliament a second class organ of state and that it has blurred the principle of separation of powers between organs of the state.

He added that the leadership of the parliament failed to ask the government to present document about the number of national and international advisers working for the ministry of finance and also the documents about purchasing patrol boats.

He said that the bureau had also totally denied the democratic rights of the opposition when the state budget discussion was ongoing in the plenary.

Answering to the statements made, president of the National Parliament Fernando de Araujo La Sama said that the parliament can never be an opposition to the government because it's the parliament that forms the government.

He said that the parliament cannot value the performance of the government and that this has to be done by the public.

FRETILIN wants to get rid of the govt through constitutional and peaceful ways, says Lu Olo - Timor-Post, 10 October 2008
Fretilin's president Francisco Guterres 'Lu Olo' declared Thursday that the objective of the peace rally is to get rid of the incumbent government through a peaceful way.

'Fretilin’s demands have been very clear: through legal and constitutional ways,' explained Lu Olo.

The former president of the National Parliament said Fretilin will not use violence or coup d'etat to oust the AMP government as the experience of 2006 shows.

He said that in many countries, certain people may have used the weaknesses of the government as a trigger to launch a coup against the government but Fretilin will not do it.

Lu Olo said he was puzzled by the statement of the President Ramos Horta, arguing that the statements do not reflect any neutrality from the President's side.

'The right of the opposition to do peace march should not be denied by President Horta,' he said.

Lu Olo reminded the President to adopt a neutral position in order to promote dialogues in finding solutions to existing political differences.

Xanana admits his government's incapability - Timor-Post, 10 October 2008
East Timor's Prime Minister Kayrala Xanana Gusmao said Thursday during the official opening of the second legislature term that the challenge for the state, specially the government of the Majority Parliamentary Alliance (AMP) is its incapacity in effectively using plentiful existing resources for the common goods of the people.

'Our challenge now is not lack of resources but lack of capacity to use our existing resources, investing them in productive sectors in order to effectively build the country' he said.

Gusmao added that based on the development plan, in 2009 the government is committed to improving what had been done in 2008, to further consolidate the reform agenda and to accelerate economic development.

He said in order to fight against corruption the government would send a bill to the parliament on the establishment of an anti-corruption commission.

He added that the government will also submit a bill on the establishment of a public service commission to ascertain productivity, professionalism, efficiency and integrity in the public service.

President Horta calls on gas and oil investors to respect Timor-Leste - Radio Timor-Leste, 10 October 2008
President Jose Ranos Horta has called on the oil and gas investors to respect Timor-Leste's willingness to build the Greater Sunrise Oil Fields pipelines to the country.

Horta said building pipeline to Timor-Leste was in the people's interest and said the decision on building pipelines should be based on technical and commercial aspects not through a political decision.

Horta said the investors should not make comments early and be influenced with the decision made the Australian Government.

The Malaysian Petronas Company is currently doing research on the possibility of building pipeline to the country.

PM Gusmao calls on politicians to avoid campaign for discouraging people - Suara Timor Loro Sae, 10 October 2008
Prime Minster Xanana Gusmao has called for political parties of the country to avoid political campaigns that only destroy and decrease people's confidence in the nation, as well as making people discouraged.

The prime minister made the call yesterday during a speech marking for the opening of the second parliamentary legislative session at the Parliament House.

Gusmao said today was not time to look backward, but the time for moving forward, because the people wanted to live in peace and remain calm. Gusmao added the Government kept proposing the Government to support various sectors which would determine the country's development.

President Horta keeps urging Government and Parliament to combat poverty - Televizaun Timor-Leste, 10 October 2008
President Jose Ramos Horta has continued urging the Government led by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and the Parliament to resolvethe issue of poverty in the country.

The president made the comments yesterday during a speech marking the opening of second Parliamentary legislative session at the Parliament House. Horta said fighting against poverty in the country was important and had been the president's top priority to go forward.

Horta stressed the Government should put fighting poverty as its top priority, because the issue of poverty could impact on the security of the country and national unity. Horta called on the Government officials and MPs to not betray those who had had sacrificed for the country's independence and urged them to work responsibly.

UN counseling officer urges Government to be proactive in protecting women and children - Radio Timor-Leste, 9 October 2008
The United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) Counseling officer Jeca de Oliveira has urged the Timorese Government to be proactive in protecting women and children from violent actions.

Oliveira made the comments today (9/10) during a press conference held at the office of UNMIT, Kaikoli of Dili. Oliveira said angry and violent actions were being the cause of mental illness and were also human emotions and that could emerge problem at work if it could not be controlled well.

Oliveira stressed the Government needed to put hands into violence appeared within a family, in a way that women and children were protected. He added the UNMIT counseling officers had approached the victims who were suffering from the mental illness.

Security and defence are important, says Gusmao - Radio Timor-Leste, 9 October 2008
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, said security and defence were also important aspects to be priority in supporting the development of education, economy, justice and social security.

The prime minister made the comments today (9/10) during the opening of second legislative year of the Parliament. Gusmao said the Government was proposing the Parliament to initiate legislation in strengthening the country's education, economy, health, justice and social security.

Truth and Friendship Commission recommendations - no obligation to follow, says President Horta - Televizaun Timor-Leste, 9 October 2008
President Jose Ramos Horta said recommendations made by Timor-Leste and Indonesia's Joint Commission of Truth and Friendship (CVA) were not obligatory for the country's state bodies, such as the Government and the Parliament to follow it up.

President Horta made the comments today (9/10) after handing over the CVA's report to the Parliament during the opening of second legislative year of the Parliament. 'Recommendations are only recommendations and are not obligation for the Government and the Parliament to follow them,' Horta said. Horta added the CVA proposed the two countries to create a new mechanism for implementing the recommendations institutionally, but not similar to an ad hock.

One of the CVA’s recommendations is Timor-Leste and Indonesia should strengthen defence and security sector in the two country's borders.

Baucau police chief arrested in East Timor

ABC Radio Australia 10/10/2008 - The police chief of East Timor's second biggest city has been arrested amid rising tensions within the force.

Stephanie March reports Baucau police commander Aderito da Costa Ximenes was arrested by members of the UN police on Thursday.

The sub-inspector has been suspended from his position since August for disciplinary issues, but has continued working despite repeated warnings from superiors.

While the UN says the crime is not serious, the move comes at a time when tensions are rising within the force as the government prepares to appoint a permanent national commander.

An anonymous leaflet has been circulating throughout the capital threatening to reignite the east/west regional conflict that flared in 2006.

The leaflet makes threats against the government if a person from the East is appointed to the top job.

Police have increased security in the capital Dili and set up nightly check points to search cars for illegal weapons.

East Timor prosecutor blames president over trial delay

ABC Radio Australia 10/10/2008 - East Timor's President and chief prosecutor are at odds over the prosecution of senior military figures for their role in illegally arming civilians during the 2006 crisis. Last week, the prosecutor general said it was the president's fault he'd not yet been able launch the action, while Jose Ramos Horta says there are other priorities.

Presenter: Stephanie March

Speakers: Longuinhos Monteiro, East Timor's Prosecutor General; Jose Ramos Horta, President; Mari Alkatiri, former Prime Minister; Luis Oliveira, Judicial System Monitoring Program

MARCH: A United Nations commission of inquiry into the 2006 crisis recommended Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak- known in East Timor as TMR - be prosecuted for illegal weapons transfer, along with former defence minister Roque Rodrigues.

As members of the superior defence council the pair enjoy an immunity that the President has the power to lift.

Prosecutor General Longinous Montiero asked the President four months ago to waive the immunity, but has not yet received a response.

He says he is frustrated his office gets blamed for failing to launch an investigation into Brigadier Ruak's actions.

MONTIERO: Everybody is demanding 'the office of the PG do nothing, all cases are pending, nothing is updated when we asking no answer' - so what can we do�..(cut off by JOURNALIST)

JOURNALIST: So you hope to try TMR? You hope to bring him to court?

MONTIERO: Well I don't want to say that we will try or not but at least we need to hear, I cannot accuse anyone before we hear.

MARCH: Last week the Prosecutor General caused a stir in Dili when he sent summons to three other high-ranking military officers.

Colonel Lere Anan Timor, Major Mau Buti and Colonel Falur Rate Laek are now considered formal suspects in the investigation into the military's role in arming civilians during the 2006 crisis.

Brigadier Ruak says he will cooperate with investigators once his immunity is lifted,

�but President Jose Ramos Horta, says the prosecutor general should focus on other things.

HORTA: Because in the mean time there are other priorities facing him, facing the nation, that the nation is very concerned about and that is the assassination attempt on the President and the Prime Minister. These were not attempts of assassination of individuals but of the President and the Prime Minister, these must have absolute priority.

MARCH: In February this year the President and Prime Minister were attacked by a gang of former soldiers who had defected from the military during the political crisis in 2006.

He has said previously that he doesn't care if the investigation into the February attacks takes up to two years.

HORTA: And once that is concluded we can move on, backtrack to others like 2006 and others - there are many cases - 2000, 4000 case on his desk. The priorities are yes, February 11 2008 and then we go back to 2006.

MARCH: But Luis Oliveira, acting deputy director of watchdog NGO the Judicial System Monitoring Program says failing to lift the immunity will reinforce East Timor's strong culture of impunity and send the wrong message to the people.

OLIVEIRA: (translation) It sends political message, it sends the message to the East Timor society is that justice is politicised because the State says it is not urgent. But for our position justice is urgent and must be open to all of people so all people can feel justice, justice must be done for all of people not for one side only.

MARCH: He says the president is not correct when he says the attempted assassination case is more important than those from two years ago when tensions between the police and military erupted into violence, killing 37 people.

OLIVEIRA: (translation) The 11 February case is related to the 2006 cases, that why the prosecutor general is trying to use authority to deal with these cases from 2006 as well.

MARCH: Brigadier Ruak, was the leader of the Falantil armed resistance when East Timor became independent in 1999 and still has many supporters both in and outside the military.

Senior Fretilin opposition party members - including former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri - have said they are prepared to act as lawyers on his behalf.

But some observers fear even an investigation, may lead to trouble.

Mari Alkatiri:

ALKATIRI: the problem is not with those people who are being called now to make their own testimony to justice system the problem is their supporters, the army as a whole. We have to manage this very carefully.

MARCH: Luis Oliveira from Judicial System Monitoring Program says it is possible the President is preventing Brigadier Ruak from being investigated to avoid instability.

OLIVEIRA: (translation) There could be a political reason behind this. Because if they open the case it could have a negative impact on the current situation. So our president doesn't prioritise the case - maybe he has his own reasons but from my point of view for the social aspect of the justice system, there should not be any exception for anyone to face justice.

Listen to this broadcast

Position Vacant East Timor National Parliament Coordinator of Research

Position Title : Coordinator of Parliamentary Research
Start Date: Immediate
Duration: Full-time
Duty station: Dili, Timor-Leste

Coordinator of Parliamentary Research
Re-Posting/Terms of References
Deadline for Applications: 24 October 2008

Background

The National Parliament of Timor-Leste and The Asia Foundation Timor-Leste, with generous support from the United States Agency for International Development, the United States House Democracy Assistance Committee and the Library of Congress, have established a Parliamentary Library at the National Parliament building in Dili, Timor-Leste as of January 2008. The National Parliament now seeks a senior Timorese Research Coordinator to lead the establishment and management of the nation’s first Parliamentary Research Service.

Summary

This research professional, as Coordinator of Parliament Research (CPR), appointed by the Secretary General of Parliament, will serve to ensure that insightful and impartial research is provided to the National Parliament of Timor-Leste (NPTL) before and after the legislative drafting process. As such the CPR will manage the incremental development of a Parliament Research Service (PRS) which serves parliamentary committees and Members of Parliament. The PRS will seek to gather interdisciplinary resources, encourage critical thinking and create innovative frameworks to help legislators form sound policies and reach decisions on a host of difficult issues. These decisions will guide and shape the nation today and for generations to come.

The CPR will ensure that the PRS will be able to assist at every stage of the legislative process — from the early considerations that precede legislative drafting, through committee hearings and floor debate, to the oversight of enacted laws and various agency activities. However, initially given the existing funding and management constraints, the CPR will provide the Parliament him/her self with the analytical support the parliament needs to address foundational public policy issues facing the new nation and the nascent parliamentary system.

The CPR will focus initially on early considerations that precede legislative drafting. CPR will analyze current policies and present the impact of proposed policy alternatives, even if it means bringing to light facts that may be contrary to established assumptions.

Reporting

The CPR will work under the direct supervision of the Secretary General of the National Parliament of Timor-Leste. The Coordinator will be in close collaboration with The Asia Foundation and will provide a monthly report to TAF. The CPR will work closely with all Members of Parliament (MPs). The Coordinator will be responsible for the formation and management of technical teams for research.

Responsibilities

The CPR will provide the following services:

• Written reports on current legislative issues to MPs
• Supervising and reviewing the work of researchers
• Expert testimony in parliamentary sessions to MPs
• Tailored confidential memoranda, briefings and consultations to MPs
• Management of information requests for research from MPs
• Establish research team including recruiting research staff members for the PRS
• Coordinate with other donor and government-sponsored programs providing technical support to the PRS
• Coordinate research with other research centers
• Produce monthly progress report to The Asia Foundation and the Speaker of National Parliament of Timor-Leste

Qualifications and experience:

• Timor-Leste citizenship
• University Masters degree, preferably in social policy or any related subject
• Strong organizational skills
• Understanding of quantitative methodologies
• Proven legal and economic analysis
• Experience with government agencies, and international development partners working methods and ability to establish and maintain working relationships with people from a range of organizations.
• Experience in conducting research through written materials and the internet
• Good communication skills in Tetum and/or Portuguese, and English (written and
spoken).
• Computer skills including Word, Excel, and Internet.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Personal specifications:

• Ability to work under tight pressure of deadlines.
• Analytical capabilities to integrate multiple disciplines and research methodologies.
• Program and legislative expertise.
• Ability to approach complex topics from a variety of perspectives and examine all
sides of an issue.
• Good person to person communication, rapport building and facilitation skills.
• Willingness to contribute to and work in a team.
• Detail-oriented.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Committed to assisting the MPs to enrich their knowledge on topics to be debated in the Parliament’s plenary sessions.
• Demonstrated political impartiality.

Applicants should send their CV with cover letter to The Asia Foundation Timor-Leste to address:

Fabia Tilman
Rua Jacinto Candido
Audian, Dili, Timor-Leste
Mobile: +670 7230917
E-mail: ftilman@asiafound.org or Filipe Menezes at: fmenezes@asiafound.org

Women candidates are encouraged to apply.

Fretilin Statement to Opening Session of Second Legislative Sesssion of the National Parliament

FRETILIN Leader in Parliament: Statement on Opening of 2nd Legislative Session
Statement by Aniceto Guterres, Leader of FRETILIN in the Parliament on the Occasion of Solemn Ceremony for the Opening of the Second Legislative Session of the Timor-Leste National Parliament.

Dili, 9 October 2008

Your Excellency the President of the Republic,

Your Excellency the President of the National Parliament,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Excellencies.

This parliament has been and continues, as far our bench is concerned, the representative assembly for all Timorese citizens, the chamber where the People's voice should echo to guarantee the compliance with the Constitution and the laws against the abuse of power.

Without a Parliament, without respect for the rules of democracy, without the Rule of Law, we will only see dictatorship, autocracy and oppression, which have always been rejected by our people.

Without rules that secure the balance of power, without the adherence to the primacy of Law, we will easily fall into the temptation of totalitarianism trampling on and negating the inherent human rights and freedoms which give meaning to our independence for which so many gave their lives and underwent sacrifice.

Mr. President of the National Parliament,

When Your Excellency spoke upon being elected President of this Noble Chamber in August 2007, before this Assembly, transmitted live by Public Radio and Television to the whole of our country, Your Excellency declared that this National Parliament under your Presidency, "will not and will never be the mouthpiece of the government". A message that left amongst our people expectations of the growth of a Parliament full of vigor and strength, that would secure a balance between the constitutional powers and make democracy flourish in Timor-Leste.

After one year of parliamentary deliberations, and after making an assessment of the 1st Legislative Session, we lament that your statements proffered on that solemn moment, did not survive beyond that moment. The National Parliament became more debilitated, submissive and diminished in the shadow of the executive.

The Executive of the National Parliament in the 1st Legislative Session was unable to secure its independence and the separation between the legislature and the executive; it failed to demonstrate competence and seriousness to guarantee the due respect for the National Parliament to whom the Executive/Government accounts in accordance with the Constitution.

The Executive of the National Parliament allowed the National Parliament to be systematically bypassed and diminished by the Government.

The Executive of the Parliament allowed the Government to refuse to submit itself to an urgent debate regarding the execution of the budget when it failed to ensure the debate occurred as the law specified, it also allowed the Government the same way to fail to attend parliament every month to answer the questions of the members of this Parliament, allowed the government to this day to fail to present documents requested by members of this parliament such as copies of contracts relating to the national and international advisors, contract for the purchase of patrol boats, contracts for millions and millions of hectares of land conceded to foreign entities.

The Executive of the Parliament scandalously breached the Law during the debate in the generality for the Budget, restricting the democratic right of the opposition as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic.

The Executive of the Parliament impeded the opposition from using the weight of debate to scrutinize the Government, which permitted corruption to deteriorate significantly with a fall of 22 places in the Transparency International ranking now sharing place with the most corrupt nations on earth, and which brings shame to us all.

Before closing we remind us all that the Government's proposed Budget should be presented to this parliament in a timely fashion to allow the National Parliament to adequately scrutinize it. Under no circumstances should the time period of three months before the end of the financial year for presentation of the proposed budget to the National Parliament be abridged. As such we await that the proposed Budget very soon the Government will present the proposed State Budget for the 2009 Fiscal Year.

Legal News Reports East Timor National Media 9 October 2008

F-FDTL's recruitment cancelled, says Taur - Suara Timor Lorosae, 9 October 2008
Timorese Defense Force Commander Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak stated Wednesday (8/10) that the recruitment of new officers for the Defence Force is cancelled due to certain complications in the new military law.

“The recruitment is cancelled because there is a failure in the law which initially says that there is compulsory military service,” Taur explained. He added that the recruitment would be resumed next year once the change is made in the military law.

In January 2006 there were 1,435 soldiers registered but as the'petitioners' were involved around 715 soldiers who left the military base and were then sacked accordingly.

He said that the Defence Force is prepared all the time to take defence responsibility of the county.

Taur says OK to Fretilin's peace march - Suara Timor Lorosae, 9 October 2008
Timorese Defense Force Commander Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak stated Wednesday (8/10) that the people should not be concerned about the forthcoming peace march organised by Fretilin as Fretilin wants also the development of this country.

'Don’t ever be concerned about this because every one of us want to develop the country,' Ruak said after having a meeting with the President of the Republic.

He explained that the Constitution guarantees the right of every one to demonstrate but this right has to be exercised according to the law.

Taur believed that there will be no violence during the peace march.

He added that the security situation in the country has returned to normal and therefore the F-FDTL members will be withdrawn from the stations where they were posted after the February 11 incident.

Timor Telecom Company disagrees with policy of having new operator - Timor Post, 9 October 2008
Timor Telecom Company (TT) has stated its disagreement with the policy made by the Government inviting a new operator to compete with them.

TT Company has sent an official letter responding the Government's request of having dialog with TT Company.

A member of TT, Ocar Lima, said although the Government had planned to invite other companies, yet the companies would refuse because numbers of telephone users in the country were lower.

The Government should actually look at the contract made by the former government with TT Company and said if the Government keeps asking new operators coming to invest, he would resign from TT.

Xanana Gusmao should pay attention to corruption not long march: Carrascalao & Branco - Timor Post, 9 October 2008
Social Democratic Party (PSD) MP Mario Viegas Carrascalao and Fretilin MP Francisco Miranda Branco urged Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao to pay attention to corruption not the long march by Fretilin.

The MPs made the comments yesterday at the Parliament House regarding the prime minister's recent concerns about the long march as a threat for the Government.

MP Carrascalao said the important issue the Government should prioritise was corruption, as combating corruption in the country could improve the country's image.

MP Branco said the report of International Transparency found corruption practices in the country and that Gusmao should prioritise this issue and said should not consider the long march as a threat to power.

LUTA-HAMUTUK urges Government to review contract for Manitoba Company - Radio Timor-Leste, 9 October 2008
LUTA-HAMUTUK NGO has urged the Government led by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao to review the contract for the Manitoba Company that is currently responsible for electricity maintenance in the Capital Dili.

A researcher from LUTA-HAMUTUK, Helio Pereira Guimaraes, made the comments during a press conference held yesterday.

Guimaraes said the current power outage in the Capital Dili was the fault of the Manitoba Company, as the company had not worked properly in the maintenance.

LUTA-HAMUTUK called on the Government to halt the contract with the Manitoba Company, if there would be no changes.

He added the state budget spending for the maintenance would never bring any profit to the country's people and that the Government should take a concrete action in relation to the company.

F-FDTL officers hold tactic practices of operation - Televizaun Timor-Leste, 9 October 2008
The Timorese Defense Force (F-FDTL) officers held tactic practices of military operation after participating in a joint military training for the Portuguese Language Countries in Portugal.

The 12 of F-FDTL officers on Tuesday (7/10) were involved in the tactic practices of operation to identify and observe hideout of an armed group. Those F-FDTL officers chose the hill of Gagaplamu, Atabae sub district, district of Bobonaro as the hideout of the armed group or being the target of the operation.

Trainer Major Reis said the defense force officers were training about raiding the hideout of an armed group and they were trained about tactic of raiding an ambush.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Mario Batistas said was pleased with the training, because it would help them in commanding a team military in an
operation.

Lieutenant Helder da Costa said during the training they were learning about making plans and learning about maps.

Council of Ministers approves proposed law on setting up anti-corruption commission - Televizaun Timor-Leste, 9 October 2008
The Government has approved proposed law for the establishment of an anti-corruption commission in Timor-Leste through the Council of the Ministers’ meeting.

The proposed law was approved to help support the commission in combating corruption appeared and promoting culture of transparency, accountability and integrity of the country.

The Council of the Ministers also approved an organic law for the works of the national intelligence which would help provide information for the sake of national security.

Apart from this, the Council of the Ministers also learnt and analyzed over an organic law for the Ministry of Planning and Finance including commission of inter-ministerial of economic development.

Horta is not the Constitution and the law, says FRETILIN - Suara Timor Lorosae, 9 October 2008
FRETILIN's bench leader in the National Parliament Aniceto Longuinhos Guterres said Wednesday (8/10) that the President of the Republic should not identify himself with the Constitution and the laws in relation to the Fretilin’s plan to stage a peace march.

Guterres said as the President, she should know that the Constitution guarantees every citizen’s right to assemble and demonstrate and therefore the President should not impede the peace march.

He added that as President, Horta should make the AMP government accountable, they government that he himself appointed to rule the county.

“As the head of the state, he may have concerns about the peace march,….but the march itself should not be impeded,” he said.

He explained that the peace march itself would be an event where the people can exercise their fundamental rights.

Guterres argued that in democratic country like East Timor no one should restrain peace march and that if there are any concerns about security, then security institution should be in place to ensure law and order.

Asked about the infiltration of the third party in the peace march, he said that the involvement of the third party is likely to happen, the concern of the people should be on how to deal with it but not to be over-concerned about the party organizing the march.

Meanwhile MP Manuel Tilman of KOTA said that the peace march itself everyone’s freedom to express his or her opinion as it is guaranteed in the Constitution.

He said that KOTA would participate in the peace march.

NZ and Australian Ambassadors meet with PM Gusmao - Televizaun Timor-Leste, 8 October 2008
New Zealand and Australian Ambassadors have met with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao talking on the country situation, mainly about maritime security of the country.

The Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Peter Howard said the objective of meeting with the prime minister was to talk on security situation in the country.

“In particular we talked about maritime security,” Howard said.

In regard to a new policy of the deployment of the International Stabilization Forces (ISF) to help resolve illegal fishing in the country's sea, Howard said the details will be discussed with the State Secretary for Defense, Julio Tomas Pinto.

There will be no more crises appearing, says Brigadier Ruak - Radio Timor-Leste, 8 October 2008
Timorese Defense Force Commander, Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, said there would be no more crises appearing within the country.

The Commander was referring to the rumors mongering that there would be another petition makers with the Timorese National Police (PNTL).

Ruak said there would be no problem appears in the PNTL, because the police officers and commanders were capable in resolving this matter.

“What I have seen here is so many speculations, saying there would be other petition makers by certain police officers. I do believe that nothing would happen,” Ruak said.

He added Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, state secretary for defence and security had held meetings with the defense force and police talking on the issue.

Government to watch over long march by Fretilin: PM Gusmao - Radio Timor-Leste, 8 October 2008
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, said the Government he was leading would watch over the long march would be held by Fretilin party in the upcoming November, so that the people could remain calm.

The prime minister made the comments today (8/10) after informing President Jose Ramos Horta on the country general situation.

Gusmao said he was not concerned about the Fretilin's plan of holding peace rally, yet was only concerned about stability in the Capital Dili, because he wanted all the people could live in peace and remain calm.

In regard to the rumors mongering that there would be another petition makers within the police force, Gusmao said he had held meeting with the police officers and commanders for preventing problem.

09 October 2008

Legal Reports East Timor National Media 8 October 2008

Headlines: Timor-Leste's Interpol takes part in general meeting in Russia -
F-FDTL ready to respond violence, says Julio Tomas Pinto - Set aside egoism to live in peace, says PM - F-FDTL commanders were only implicated, says Pinto -
F-FDTL would be deployed along TL-Indonesian borders - State bodies keep supporting gender equality - Police ready to respond situation: Belo -
Too early to summon Brigadier Taur for inquiry, says President Horta - PNTL members who form new petitioners will be expelled - Interim PNTL Commander and others questioned over missing money - Horta concerns about rumors mongering in the country

Timor-Leste's Interpol takes part in general meeting in Russia
- Timor Post 8 October 2008
Timor's Interpol Chief, Longinhos Monteiro, last Saturday departed for Petersburg, Russia to participate in a general meeting of the International Police Crime Organization (Interpol) on the serious and minor cases, such as Malibaka case.

Prosecutor General Monteiro said Timor-Leste had many times worked together with International Criminal Police making plans for investigation into serious and minor cases.

Monteiro said before representing Timor-Leste in the meeting he had coordinated with the country’s criminal police unit, because Timor-Leste was currently a member of Interpol.

F-FDTL ready to respond violence, says Julio Tomas Pinto - Diario Nacional 8 October 2008
State Secretary for Defense, Julio Tomas Pinto, said the Timorese Defence Force (F-FDTL) was ready to respond to any violence which might take place during the long march by Fretilin shortly.

The state secretary said every citizen and political party of the country had the right to express, yet they should hold it peacefully and said Fretilin had made comments that there would be no violence. Pinto said F-FDTL's military police were prepared to boost the Timorese National Police (PNTL) for securing the long march and if any violence were committed, the defence force and the Government would not tolerate it.

He added although Fretilin had publicised that it would guarantee the long march, yet they should first get authorization from PNTL.

Set aside egoism to live in peace, says PM - Suara Timor Lorosae 8 October 2008
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao said during an opening of Gender Resource Center at the National Parliament Tuesday (7/10) that women would have to set aside their egoism and interests if they want to see the people to live in peace and harmony.

“Dissipate individual egoism, group interests, sectoral or ministerial egoism, especially among the members of the government so that we can execute our designed programs and plans,” Gusmao said.

He believed that if Timorese women live by this principle a peaceful society would be established in Timor-Leste. He urged women to work together to boost their intellectual and technical capacities and to provide access to all existing services. He added that women should adopt a global vision in order to improve their capacities.

The resource center is funded and supported by the United Nations Development Programs (UNDP) and UNIFEM. Prime Minister Gusmao said he hoped that the center would provide information in relation to gender equality and encourage women to take leads.

F-FDTL commanders were only implicated, says Pinto - Suara Timor Lorosae 8 October 2008
Secretary of State for Defense Julio Tomas Pinto said Tuesday (7/10) that F-FDTL officers did not distribute weapons to civilian but were only implicated in a big case taking place in 2006 where they had to defend the F-FDTL that was under attack.

“The involvement of Colonel Lere, Lieutenant Colonel Falur and Commander Maubuti was an implication of a big cause at that time,” Pinto said. He argued, “What the commanders did was to simply defend the F-FDTL institution which was under attack then.”

He said Timorese public knows who distributed weapons to civilians, fueling the crises in 2006.

In relation to the intention of calling Brigadier Taur Matan Ruak to give his statement before the Public Prosecution, Pinto said the call has to be in line with the law and that the call has to be approved by the President of the Republic.

“It is important that he is called based on the law such as that it is the competence of the President to authorise it,” Pinto reiterated.

F-FDTL would be deployed along TL-Indonesian borders - Suara Timor Lorosae 8 October 2008
Secretary of State for Defense Julio Tomas Pinto said Tuesday (7/10) that in order to fight against illegal immigrants in the country, East Timor's Defence Force (F-FDTL) has to be deployed along Timor-Leste – Indonesian borders.

He added that an assessment team had been dispatched to gather public opinion from the places where the F-FDTL members would be stationed. To date, the members of the Defence Force has been stationed in Tilomar, Batugade, Maliana, Lolotoe and Bobonaro. A team of the Secretary of State for Defence is scheduled to visit the population living near the border areas in Oekuse to explain the functions of the F-FDTL in a democratic country.

He said that since the beginning the policy of the state has been to avoid armed conflict with the Indonesians along the borders and therefore the F-FDTL members will be placed behind the PNTL's Border Police and Immigration.

Pinto explained that there had been three meetings or so with the Indonesian Armed Forces about the intention of deploying the F-FDTL along the borders.

State bodies keep supporting gender equality: Gusmão and Lasama - Televizaun Timor Leste 8 October 2008
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and Parliamentary President, Fernando Lasama Araujo, said the country's state bodies would continue promoting gender equality in Timor-Leste through capacity building programs.

Gusmao and Lasama made the comments yesterday during speech marking the ceremony for commemorating international day of women in the rural areas at the Parliament house.

PM Gusmao said the Government would give more opportunity to the country's women in rural areas having good skills to move forward with the country's development.

Parliamentary President Lasama has pledged to cooperate with all the diplomatic corps in the country to empower Timorese women.

Police ready to respond situation: Belo - Televizaun Timor-Leste 8 October 2008
Dili District Police Commander, Inspector Pedro Belo, said the police force was ready to respond to situations, mainly if any violence was committed during the long march by Fretilin.

The commander said every citizen of the country had the right to hold peace rally or long march, but should follow the existing law being applied. Based on information they come up and down in the Capital Dili, but should abide by the rules, otherwise, the police would respond it,” Belo said.

Belo called on the police to keep maintaining security within the country and not involving in politics.

Too early to summon Brigadier Taur for inquiry, says President Horta - Timor Post 8 October 2008
President Jose Ramos Horta who is also the supreme commander of the Timorese Defence Force, said it was too early for to urge a suspension of Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak for facing inquiry regarding the recent crises of the country in 2006.

The president said the assassination attempt to him by the former rebel leader, Alfredo Reinado Alves and followers on February 11 should be the priority of the court to process it, not the crises of 2006.

Horta was responding a notification made by the country's Public Prosecutor to summon Brigadier Ruak to give his statement in the court.

Horta stressed the attempted assassination and the ambush on February 11 was an urgent case that needed to be processed soon.

The Public Prosecution is pending so many cases and is not yet to be processed legally. The International Investigative Commission also recommended some soldiers who engaged in the crises be prosecuted, but it did not mean the state should follow it, Horta said.

PNTL members who form new petitioners will be expelled, says Pedro Belo - Radio & TVTL 7 October 2008
Dili PNTL Commander Inspector Pedro Belo said during a police parade Tuesday (7/10) that any police officers who join forming new petitioners within the PNTL will be expelled from the PNTL.

“If anyone wants to make petitioners within the PNTL, she or he will be expelled tomorrow from the PNTL,” said Belo. He called on the police to defend law and order and not to be easily divided by any political maneuvers. He also urged the police to act professionally in responding to the plan of FRETILIN's peace march and the ‘rumors’ of the new petitioners in the PNTL.

He said around 700 officers of the PNTL would be deployed to provide security during the peace march. He added that PNTL would not give any space for anyone wishing to divide the PNTL and create instability in the country.

Interim PNTL Commander and others questioned over missing money - Radio Timor Leste 7 October 2008
Secretary of State for Security Francisco Guterres said Tuesday (7/10) that Interim PNTL Commander Afonso de Jesus and other officers are being questioned by the office of Public Prosecution over the missing US$27,000 that disappeared during the Joint Operation Command.

According to Guterres they were called to give their statements based on new evidence found from the investigation into the case.

“They are still in the PNTL and they are called just to give more details about the case,” explained Guterres, adding that as the investigation goes on some more officers would be called to give their statements as well.

He said that the government is still expecting the results of the investigation in order to settle the issue as soon as possible.

Horta concerns about rumors mongering in the country - Televizaun Timor-Leste 7 October 2008
President Jose Ramos Horta said he was concerned about the current rumor mongering that there would be more petition makers from the Timorese National Police (PNTL) regarding the appointment of new police commander.

The president said the country’'s recent crises of 2006 which was sparked the two country's two security forces, PNTL and F-FDTL was a lesson for the country to not repeat what people had experienced.

Horta also concerned about Fretilin’s plan to mobilize mobs for holding long march in the upcoming November. “I am calling on the country's politicians, mainly the Fretilin leaders, to hold dialog with the state bodies and the bishops seeking solutions to the country's problems,” Horta said.

Horta also explained in holding a rally there should be clear objective and if the rally would only be held for political purposes he disagreed. Horta called on the all the country's politicians to keep maintaining peace and stability in the country.

MPs debates power outage in the capital – Suara Timor Lorosae 3 October 2008
Members of the National Parliament suggested the government to recruit more professionals as a way to find solutions to the frequent power outage in the capital.

MP Pedro da Costa from CNRT made the statement during a plenary session Tuesday (30/9).
There are three new generators purchased to deal with the problem frequent power blackout.

Meanwhile, PSD bench leader in the Parliament Fernando Gusmao said that the power blackout happens because there is a failure in the company which operates the electricity.

Recently, FRETILIN MP Inacio Moreira demanded the Secretary of State for Water and Urbanisation, who also deals with electricity, to be sacked due to his incapacity in finding solutions to the recurring problems of power outage.

East Timor Government assists 889 IDP families return home

TLGov: MSS assists 889 IDP families from five camps to return home MINISTRY OF SOCIAL SOLIDARITY PRESS RELEASE 7 October 2008 MSS assists 889 IDP families from five camps to return home

Since mid-September MSS has assisted more than 889 families from five IDP camps to return home. On 15 September MSS facilitated the reintegration of 208 families from Sao Jose Balide IDP camp. On 22 September MSS assisted 366 families from Hera Port IDP camp to return home. On 3 October MSS commenced assisting with the reintegration of more than 300 families from the Tibar IDP camps (Turleu, Ismaik. Matadorou).

Each of the families was assisted to return with transport provided by the Ministry of Social Solidarity and IOM. UNPol provided security during the movement from the camps. Each person, including children, has also received 16 kg of rice. Those who are eligible to receive a recovery grant from the MSS to help them rebuild or repair their homes can receive the money at the BPA.

The Minister of Social Solidarity, Maria Domingas Fernandes Alves, and the Secretary of State for Social Assistance and Natural Disasters, Jacinto Rigoberto Gomes, have thanked the camp managers at each of the camps for their work over the past two years. They also thanked the SLS agencies ­ IOM and NRC - for providing the camps with humanitarian assistance, and Oxfam, Caritas Australia, Plan, Triangle and UNICEF for their support to the camps over the past two years.

The MSS/UNDP dialogue teams have helped organize preparatory meetings at the camps to support the return of IDPs. They have also held dialogue meetings in Cristo Rei, and sucos Becora, Metinaro, Fatuhada, and Camea to support IDP reintegration from these five camps. The MSS/UNDP dialogue teams have been working with Chefe Aldeias, Chefe Sucos and youth representatives in the receiving communities to try to ensure that the situation in areas of return remains peaceful. The Minister of Social Solidarity, and the Secretary of State for Social Assistance and Natural Disasters, have expressed their hope that IDPs are able to return to their former homes and rehabilitate them in peace.

With the return of IDPs from Sao Jose, Hera Port and the Tibar camps, more than 7700 IDP families will have received a recovery or reintegration package under the Hamutuk Hari’i Futuru National Recovery Strategy. 28 IDP camps are now closed.

Image: An IDP camp in Dili.

USGov: Warden Notice 8 October 2008 Increased Security Around Dili

WARDEN MESSAGE

THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION THROUGH THE EMBASSY WARDEN SYSTEM AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO AMERICAN CITIZENS IN TIMOR-LESTE. PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK YOU.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Increased Security Around Dili

1) The Government Palace is increasing security. Photo ID will be required, and new vehicle entry restrictions are in effect.

2) The police have informed us that they are setting up checkpoints around town. Below is a list of checkpoint locations. Planned hours of operation are 2000-2200 hours and 0200-0500 hours, including roving patrols as well as static checkpoints. Contacts in the national police inform us that these checkpoints will be active over the next few weeks and applied periodically thereafter.

Checkpoint Locations:

1. Pantai Kelapa intersection (in front of the Indonesian food restaurant)

2. Residence of the American Embassy (Management Officer): At Bidau Santana intersection

3. City Café Restaurant: location at ANZ intersection

4. Government Palace location at old Post office

5. Audian in front of TOP ONE (Residence of the Secretary of State for security)

6. Aitarak Laran intersection (in front of the Pertamina, Micro Finance office)

7. Kolmera intersection (Road to Hotel Timor and Government Palace)

The police are mainly checking for the following items:

--Illegal and/or traditional weapons

--Proper Vehicles/Motorcycles documents

--Special focus on vehicles that use DH plate numbers/Jakarta plate numbers

We strongly advise American citizens and their dependents to maintain at all times identity documents identifying them as American citizens or their dependents. We also recommend that you store photocopies of your passport’s information (photo) page and Timor-Leste visa separate from your passport.

We further advise American citizens and their dependents to cooperate with authorities in the event they come across a military or police checkpoint. Please be aware of your surroundings.

The U.S. Embassy will provide American citizens with further reports. For emergency contact, you may reach Consular Officer Roberto Quiroz at 723-1328. Embassy Switchboard is 332-4684. To reach an American staff member, please dial extension 2083, 2056, or 2171.

------------------------------------------------------
The U.S. Embassy in Dili, East Timor
Pantai Kelapa
Dili, East Timor
Tel: 670 332-4684 Fax: 670 331-3206
Email: ConsDili@state.gov
24 hour emergency number: (670) 723-0949

Americans in East Timor should immediately register at the Embassy and obtain all recent messages sent to the American community in East Timor. U.S. citizens living in or traveling to East Timor can also register through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov.

Image: United States Embassy in Dili, East Timor

East Timor National Parliament Plenary Session 6 October 2008

Modified unofficial automated translation. Original Portuguese text follows.

The National Parliament
Secretariat
Office of Public Relations

No agenda 136/II Plenary Meeting of Monday, of 6 October 2008

The plenary session today was presided over by II Vice-Presiden of the National Parliament, Sra. Deputada Maria Paixao, assisted by Secretary of the Bureau, Sra. Deputada Mary Tereziha Viegas.

Were present in this, as authors of the proposal, Minister of Education Cancio Freitas, Deputy Minister Paulo Assis and an adviser.

The President of the National Parliament Mr. Fernando La Sama will make his report to the public and the President of the Republic of RDTL Mr. Dr. Jose Ramos Horta and a message to the nation.

In the period before the Order of the Day, the following information was provided:

1. Information on the grounds of absence of deputies:

Mr Alberto da Silva Cruz was not present in Parliament since 2 October 2008 until 7th of October 2008 because of his health;

Mrs. Deputy Ilda Maria da Conceicao did not mark attendance in Parliament since 4 September 2008 until 26 September 2008 by the same reason;

Mr Cecilio Caminha Freitas was not present in Parliament since 17 September 2008 until 30 September 2008 because of health and was being treated in Surabaya, Indonesia;

Mr. Dep Francisco de Araujo was not present in Parliament since 30 September 2008 until the 3 October 2008 because of his health; and

Mr Natalino dos Santos Birth did not attend Parliament since 28 September to 2 October because of .....

2. Information on temporary replacement of Mr Cornelius Gama (G-7), by Sra Sabina da Silva from 6 October 2008 until 9 November 2008;

3. Political Declaration of Solidarity by FRETILIN on the President of the National Parliament Mr. Fernando La Sama de Araujo and the use of government vehicles for private needs .

4. Any political statements. In this matter the deputies had the information collected at the base, particularly on the needs of the people and corruption in East Timor.

During the period of the Agenda was the only scheduled topic:

"Continuation of the discussion and vote in the specialty of the Proposed Law no. 8/II Law on Education.

This was done as the following information:

- debate and vote on Article 19 (Association of Higher Education Facilities). The vote was 36 votes in favor, 0 against and 4 abstentions. The Article 19 passed.

- debate and vote on the proposal to include N0 7 of Article 19-A0 Organization (Civil). The vote was 12 votes in favor, 29 against and 8 abstentions. Addition of this proposal therefore did not pass the amendments N0 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13 were damaged. Proposers were Mr Virgilio Days Marçal, Mr Moises Romeo and Mr Francisco Jeronimo.

- debate and vote on Article 20 (Qualifications and diplomas). The vote was 35 votes to 0 against and 6 abstentions. Article 20 passed.

After the interval/dinner, the Plenary Session continued with the agenda on the Proposed Law N0 8/II.

- debate and vote on Article 21 (Degree). The vote was 40 votes to 0, with 0 abstention. Article 21 passed.

- debate and vote on Article 22 (Degree) and Article 23 (postgraduate). The vote was 42 votes to 0 with 1 abstention. They passed.

- debate and vote on Article 24 (Master), Article 25 (PhD), Article 26 (higher education institutions) and Article 27 (Scientific Research). The vote was 39 in favor, 0 against and 4 abstentions. They passed.

- debate and vote on the Proposal of Amendment 19 to Article 21 in paragraph 2. The vote was 44 votes to 0 against and 0 abstained. This happened. Proposer of the amendment was Mr. Stanislaus Mr. da Silva.

- Discussion on the Proposal for Amendment No 20 to Article 24 paragraph 3. This was not voted on as it was withdrawn after the explanations by the Minister of Education Proposers were Mr. Ignatius Mr. Freitas Moreira.

- debate and vote on the articles 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st. The vote was 37 votes to 0 with 2 abstentions. They passed.

Talk about an oral proposal by Mr Stanislaus da Silva. It was withdrawn after the intervention of the deputies.

- Vote on Article 32. The vote was 30 votes to 0 against and 5 abstentions. This passed.

- debate and vote on Section IV (Extra-School Education) Article 33 (Nature and Purpose of Education Extra-School). The vote was 33 votes in favor, 0 against and 4 abstentions. Section IV and the 33rd Article passed.

- debate and vote on the Section V (Training) Rule 34 (Nature and Aim of Vocational Training). The vote was 30 votes to 0 against and 6 abstentions. Section V and the 34th Article passed.

- debate and vote on Section VI (Curriculum Planning) Article 35 (Principles of Curriculum Planning), Article 36 (Occupancy of the Leisure Sports School) and Article 37 (Educational Research). The vote was 31 votes to 0 against and 4 abstentions. Section VI and Article 35th, 36th and 37th passed.

- Vote on Chapter III (Supports and Complements Educational) Article 38 (Promotion of Success School) and Article 39 (Social Action School). The vote was ... votes to ... and against ... abstentions. Section VI and the 38 and 39th Article passed.

Finally Sra. President notified the meeting that the next plenary session is starting at 09H00.

End.

Gabienete Public Relations
--
Secretariado
Gabinete de Relações Publicas

Agenda N.O 136/II Reunião Plenária de Segunda-Feira de 6 de Outubro de 2008


A Sessão Plenária de hoje foi presidida pela II Vice-Presidente do Parlamento Nacional, Sra. Deputada Maria Paixão, coadjuvada pela Secretária da Mesa, Sra. Deputada Maria Tereziha Viegas.

Estiveram presentes nesta, como autores da Proposta, o Sr. Ministro da Educação Câncio Freitas, o Sr. Vice-Ministro Paulo Assis e um Assessor.

Antes de entrar na agenda a Sra. II Vice-Presidente informou que na mesa da lista de presença ainda existiam documentos sobre o Treinamento de Gênero. Permitiu os Senhores Deputados que não participaram para os tomarem Consequentemente deu tempo aos Chefes das Bancadas Parlamentares para reverem a agenda da Sexta-Feira, de 3 de Outubro de 2008. Informou também que o Presidente do Parlamento Nacional Sr. Deputado Fernando La Sama fará o seu relatório ao público e o Presidente da República da RDTL Sr. Dr. José Ramos Horta também dirigirá a sua mensagem à nação. A II Vice-Presidente do Parlamento Nacional Sra. Deputada Maria Paixão desejou que seria melhor limitar os tempos em eventuais declarações políticas.
No período de Antes da Ordem do Dia foram realizadas as informações seguintes:

* Informação sobre a justificação de faltas dos Senhores Deputados: Sr. Deputado Alberto da Silva Cruz não marcou presenças no Parlamento desde o dia 2 de Outubro de 2008 até dia 7 de Outubro de 2008 por causa da sua saúde; Sra. Deputada Ilda Maria da Conceição não marcou presenças no Parlamento desde o dia 4 de Setembro de 2008 até dia 26 de Setembro de 2008 pela mesma causa; Sr. Deputado Cecilio Caminha Freitas não marcou presenças no Parlamento desde o dia 17 de Setembro de 2008 até dia 30 de Setembro de 2008 porque foi fazer tratamento de saúde em Surabaya-Indonésia; Sr. Dep. Francisco de Araújo não marcou presenças no Parlamento desde o dia 30 de Setembro de 2008 até dia 3 de Outubro de 2008 por causa da sua saúde e Sr. Deputado Natalino dos Santos Nascimento não marcou presenças no Parlamento desde o dia 28 de Setembro até dia 2 de Outubro por motivo de .....
* Informação sobre substituição temporária do Sr. Deputado Cornélio Gama (L-7), pela Sra. Deputada Sabina da Silva de 6 de Outubro de 2008 até 9 de Novembro de 2008;
* Declaração Política da Bancada FRETILIN sobre Solidariedade ao Presidente do Parlamento Nacional Sr. Deputado Fernando La Sama de Araújo e utilização de viaturas do Governo em necessidades privadas.
* Eventuais declarações políticas. Neste assunto os Senhores Deputados apresentaram as informações colhidas na base, especialmente sobre as necessidades do povo e corrupções em Timor-Leste.

No período da Ordem do Dia foi agendado o único assunto:
“ Continuação da discussão e votação na especialidade da Proposta de Lei no. 8/II, (“Lei de Bases da Educação”).
Este assunto foi realizado conforme as seguintes informações:
Ø Discussão e votação sobre o Artigo 19o (Associação de Estabelecimentos de Ensino Superior). O resultado da votação foi 36 votos a favor, 0 contra e 4 abstenções. O Artigo 19o passou.
Ø Discussão e votação sobre a Proposta de Aditamento N0 7 do Artigo 19-A0 (Organização da Função). O resultado da votação foi 12 votos a favor, 29 contra e 8 abstenções. Esta Proposta de Aditamento não passou e por isso as Propostas de Alterações N0 8, 9, 11, 12 e 13 foram prejudicadas. Os Deputados proponentes foram Sr. Deputado Virgilio Dias Marçal, Sr. Deputado Romeu Moises e Sr. Deputado Francisco Jerónimo.
Ø Discussão e votação sobre o Artigo 20o (Graus Académicos e Diplomas). O resultado da votação foi 35 votos a favor, 0 contra e 6 abstenções. O Artigo 20o passou.
Depois do intervalo/jantar, a Sessão Plenária continuava com a agenda da Proposta de Lei N0 8/II.
Ø Discussão e votação sobre o Artigo 21o (Bacharelato). O resultado da votação foi 40 votos a favor, 0 contra e 0 abstenção. O Artigo 21o passou.
Ø Discussão e votação sobre o Artigo 22o (Licenciatura) e Artigo 23o (Pós-Graduação). O resultado da votação foi 42 votos a favor, 0 contra e 1 abstenção. Estes passaram.
Ø Discussão e votação sobre o Artigo 24o (Mestrado), Artigo 25o (Doutoramento), Artigo 26o (Estabelecimentos de Ensino Superior) e Artigo 27o (Investigação Científica). O resultado da votação foi 39 votos a favor, 0 contra e 4 abstenções. Estes passaram.
Ø Discussão e votação sobre a Proposta de Alteração No 19 ao Artigo 21o no 2. O resultado da votação foi 44 votos a favor, 0 contra e 0 abstenção. Esta passou. O Deputado proponente foi o Sr. Deputado Estanislau da Silva.
Ø Discussão sobre a Proposta de Alteração No 20 ao Artigo 24o no 3. Esta não foi votada por que foi retirada após as explicações do Ministro da Educação Sr. João Câncio Freitas. O Deputado proponente foi o Sr. Deputado Inácio Freitas Moreira.
Ø Discussão e votação sobre os Artigos 28o, 29o, 30o e 31o. O resultado da votação foi 37 votos a favor, 0 contra e 2 abstenções. Estes passaram.
Ø Discussão sobre uma Proposta oral do Sr. Deputado Estanislau da Silva. Foi retirada após as intervenções dos Senhores Deputados.
Ø Votação sobre o Artigo 32o. O resultado da votação foi 30 votos a favor, 0 contra e 5 abstenções. Este passou.
Ø Discussão e votação sobre a Seção IV (Educação Extra-Escolar) Artigo 33o (Natureza e Objetivo da Educação Extra-Escolar). O resultado da votação foi 33 votos a favor, 0 contra e 4 abstenções. A Seção IV e o Arigo 33o passaram.
Ø Discussão e votação sobre a Seção V (Formação Profissional) Artigo 34o (Natureza e Objetivo da Formação Profissional). O resultado da votação foi 30 votos a favor, 0 contra e 6 abstenções. A Seção V e o Arigo 34o passaram.
Ø Discussão e votação sobre a Seção VI (Planeamento Curricular) Artigo 35o (Princípios do Planeamento Curricular), Artigo 36o (Ocupação de Tempos Livres no Desporto Escolar) e Artigo 37o (Investigação Educacional). O resultado da votação foi 31 votos a favor, 0 contra e 4 abstenções. A Seção VI e os Arigos 35o, 36o e 37o passaram.
Ø Votação sobre o Capítulo III (Apoios e Complementos Educativos) Artigo 38o (Promoção de Sucesso Escolar) e Artigo 39o (Ação Social Escolar). O resultado da votação foi ... votos a favor, ... contra e ... abstenções. A Seção VI e os Arigos 38 e 39o passaram.
Finalmente a Sra. Presidente da Reunião notificou que a próxima Sessão Plenária começará às 09H00.

Fim. Gabienete de Relações Públicas

UNMIT Press Briefing on 1999 Serious Crimes in East Timor

UNMIT: Press Briefing 26 September 2008 on 1999 serious crimes

Press Briefing 26 September 2008
Speakers: Marek Michon, Chief of Serious Crimes Investigation Team, UNMIT
Longuinhos Monteiro, Prosecutor-General of Timor-Leste
Allison Cooper, UNMIT Spokesperson
Hipolito Gama, UNMIT Spokesperson

This is a near verbatim transcript of UNMIT’s weekly press briefing. The views expressed by those external to the United Nations do not necessarily reflect the views of UNMIT.

Allison Cooper. Good morning everybody. Thank you for coming. Today we are joined by the Prosecutor-General Longuinhos Monteiro and also by the head of UNMIT’s Serious Crimes Investigation Team, Marek Michon. We will be giving you an overview of how the UN is working with the Prosecutor-General in investigating crimes allegedly committed in and around 1999. I would ask all of you to limit your questioning of both speakers to crimes about these times.

Marek Michon. Good morning and thank you for coming. Let me start by presenting our mandate of the Serious Crimes Investigation Team. The SCIT was established in order to assist the Office of the Prosecutor-General with outstanding investigations into crimes committed in 1999. By outstanding I mean cases that were not investigated by the former Serious Crimes Unit that was in Timor-Leste until 2005. Our team consists of 51 staff members, we have 11 investigators, five international coordination officers, five national legal officers, and of course administrative and supportive staff. In the brochures you received, our structure is more elaborated. We are divided into five regional investigation teams. All the teams are investigating cases in at least two of the districts of Timor-Leste. We commenced our work in February 2008, after the agreement between the Office of the Prosecutor-General and UNMIT was signed. At the beginning there were 396 cases pending, and we have prioritized 50 cases to investigate in the next coming months. It is obvious that 11 investigators cannot investigate 396 cases at the same time. We hope to complete investigations within three years. Recently we received an information management system similar to those used in other tribunals such as the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia and the one in Cambodia. So we hope that we will be able to create a fully searchable database that will also benefit the office of the Prosecutor-General. Thank you very much.

Prosecutor-General Longuinhos Monteiro: Good morning, I will speak in Tetum. After the signing of the agreement with UNMIT in February on the establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Team, that it will focus on the conclusion of outstanding cases investigated by the previous Serious Crimes Unit. The difference between the previous and current unit is that the previous Unit also had the mandate to indict, but the current SCIT can only investigate and recommend the cases for indictment to my office. So my office supervises the work of the SCIT and based upon that we have a weekly meeting to facilitate the process. So after concluding investigations, they submit the documents and we’ll analyze and determine if the cases are strong enough to be dealt with by the Courts. Marek mentioned there were 396 pending cases so 20 cases have been submitted to me and we are analyzing those 20 cases and we are hoping to process these soon.

So we hope with the establishment of SCIT the institution will be able to conclude the investigations and that will give the family members a relief that the cases have been dealt with and solved.

QUESTIONS:

TVTL: In regards to the SCIT investigation, this is a continuation process of prior work; is there any chance to indict anyone in Indonesia alleged to be involved?

Marek Michon: Thank you for the question. Many perpetrators of 1999 remain at large in Indonesia. The Courts of Timor-Leste and the Prosecutor General are free to prosecute those perpetrators. However, bringing them back from Indonesia depends upon bilateral agreements of extradition and it depends on the will of Indonesian authorities to prosecute those. To my best knowledge, but maybe Mr. Monteiro can confirm, an agreement on extradition has not been reached at this time. Thank you.

Stephanie March: The first question is what progress has been made by the Prosecutor-General Office with the cases brought up by the Serious Crimes Investigation Unit and put forward by the CAVR report?

Marek Michon: The Serious Crimes Unit filed more than 90 indictments for crimes committed in 1999. Close to 400 perpetrators were indicted. More than 80 of them were convicted. Of course the vast majority is still at large in Indonesia, however the indictments remain in the Courts of Timor-Leste seeing as there is not time limitation on bring people to court for crimes against humanity. Crimes against humanity also enjoy universal jurisdiction which means the perpetrators do not necessarily need to be brought to justice in Timor-Leste. So this is the progress made so far since 2005.

Stephanie March: What will be the future of the Serious Crimes Investigation Team when UNMIT finishes?

I don’t think I can answer this question, as we are a part of UNMIT, when UNMIT’s mandate expires, ours also expires, but I am not sure of that.

Tito from RTL: My question is to Marek, those most responsible for 1999 are General Wiranto and other Indonesian generals. So have you investigated their cases or are they still pending?

Marek: It depends from which point of view you are looking at this case. From our point of view there is an indictment against Wiranto and other high ranking Indonesian officials filed in 2003. According to Timorese law, they are still indictees. They were however also treated by ad-hoc tribunal in Jakarta and they were acquitted, so, from an Indonesian point of view, they are not indictees. But with regard to international jurisdiction, they are still indictees.

Question from Gantry – inaudible translation

My question follows Tito. If the ad-hoc tribunal in Jakarta could not indict Wiranto and others and they were acquitted, my question is which international tribunal can bring them to justice.

Marek: At the moment there is no international tribunal who can hear this case. Such a tribunal would have to be created. The existing tribunals have different jurisdictions. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda is hearing cases from Rwanda; the Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia is taking care of cases for the former Yugoslavia. The International Criminal Court was created in 2004 but the ICC can only try cases of crimes committed after its establishment. So the answer is there is no international tribunal at the moment.

Question: The report of 20 cases submitted to your office. Who are they and if those cases are concluded in three years, when will trials commence?

Longuinhos Monteiro: According to the law, I can’t give details but we are in the process of analyzing them and we will then recommend action to be taken.

Question: So they are part of those who were indicted in 2003?

LM. Yes

Question STL: My question is for Mr. Marek. Based on experience there are a lot of pending cases, based upon on your observation what is lacking in the Timorese legal system? Secondly, we see like in the case of Wiranto, that the major responsible were acquitted, we are concerned it will only be the small fish caught and the big fish will be let go.

Marek Michon: Thank you. I think the best person to answer the lack of something in the Timorese judicial system would be the Prosecutor-General. My personal opinion is that there is lack of people. East Timor is a very young country. And lawyers now are in university studying the law. I fully understand the concerns that with a limited number of staff you can not do everything, but I want to highlight that this is my person opinion.

In regard to the second question, of course bringing those to justice who orchestrated the violence of 1999 depends not only on Timor-Leste. It depends upon Indonesia and the international community but please do not forget that those who are indicted, as you call them, the small fish, they were directly involved in committing crimes in 1999. In murders, tortures, sexual offences so I think that those people should also be brought to justice not withstanding the accountability of the “big fish”.

Longuinos Monteiro: I would like to explain the two focuses we have at the moment. The first is on the technical aspect of the investigation; the second is on the perspective of the public accusation. It is easy to accuse someone, so this is what has happened in Timor-Leste, but proving that accusing is not as easy as we think. For example, the two things need to be taken into account into order to measure the difficulties we face. When it comes to the technical aspect, when there is a case pending, it doesn’t mean that it has stopped, however things need to be followed up. So for example, witness statements to support indictments. Secondly we may have the witness but they may be reluctant to provide a statement. So based on our civil law, when we accuse someone, we have to have evidence which includes a strong statement by the witness. So when someone was killed at short distance, we need to find out what is the “short” distance, one, meter, two meters, three meters? This is what the investigation has to prove. So when it comes to the technical factors, inaudible translation …

So when we deal with cases of serious crimes, each country has its own sovereignty and we can’t interfere with that sovereignty. When somebody stands one meter inside a different territory, that person is out of jurisdiction. Any lack we are facing on the investigation is not all the fault of the judiciary and the investigators but it can also be the fault of a lack of political will. It is not always the fault of the prosecutor and the investigators.

Question Stephanie March: The president justified his pardon on Joni Marquez because he said it wasn’t fair he is in jail and no one else is. Do you think it’s unfair to those that get convicted that some are in jail and some get off just because of where they are logistically?

Longuinhos Monteiro: From the part of judicial actors, we can’t say if this is fair or not. So we focus what we are concerned with and the work we have done and the work of other organs. I say this as the Prosecutor-General but not as an individual.


1999 East Timor Crimes Against Humanity - Advocating for an international criminal tribunal to prosecute violators.