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Dear ETAN readers,
I was "door stopped" by a group of journalists, as MPs are often are on the 19th of November I believe, with a question as to my response to a suggestion by a UN advisor (no name mentioned) that private security firms should be licensed to carry firearms.
My response was that I had not heard those remarks, and asked if they had independent confirmation that this had in fact occurred, to which all three to a person answered in the affirmative.
But out of caution I said "if this was in fact said then I am surprised a UN advisor had made such a recommendation". Unfortunately none of the reports published the remarks "if this was in fact said". I repeat that there were no names.
I subsequently checked with two independent non government persons, and they said that it had been said.
I made no other statements to the media on this matter thereafter.
As usual, I post on my facebook page media reports with my comments. On this occasion I was posting a media report in which the name of the person who allegedly made the remark was cited. My remarks were premised on "if these remarks made by him" adding that I had sought and obtained confirmation independently, then action of a specific nature should be taken by the SRSG.
The wording on my facebook was clumsy indeed, and as happens in haste, it should have more clearly conveyed my opinion that "if these remarks were in fact made" then action should be taken. As I was not there, I did attempt to confirm with a number of persons and everything pointed in that direction.
I read with great interest the denials made by Mr Kakuk on behalf of the UN officer. But I also note with concern that a number of Timorese journalists insist that there is a recording confirming this, as does a confidential independent source. So, what we have is a controversy between the UN spokesperson and Timorese journalists.
Mr Kakuk's public statement claiming that the person concern had been mislead, fails in my test to conclusively clarify this matter as he desires. There are more questions that are raised than answered.
I have considered the question of withdrawing any remarks I made prejudicial of any individuals, and am happy to do so if either the journalists concerned do so themselves, and or a sworn statement is provided by the person concerned.
Short of this I think that an independent investigation should be undertaken to establish the truth, if it is indeed important that matters go this far.
I too have been the victim of not very professional media reporting in the past, but in this instance am not prepared to just write it off. However, I am big enough to correct the record if I can be satisfied it should be done.
José Teixeira - FRETILIN MP
Related:A UN CORRECTION TO THE STL STORY
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Dear ETAN readers,
I was "door stopped" by a group of journalists, as MPs are often are on the 19th of November I believe, with a question as to my response to a suggestion by a UN advisor (no name mentioned) that private security firms should be licensed to carry firearms.
My response was that I had not heard those remarks, and asked if they had independent confirmation that this had in fact occurred, to which all three to a person answered in the affirmative.
But out of caution I said "if this was in fact said then I am surprised a UN advisor had made such a recommendation". Unfortunately none of the reports published the remarks "if this was in fact said". I repeat that there were no names.
I subsequently checked with two independent non government persons, and they said that it had been said.
I made no other statements to the media on this matter thereafter.
As usual, I post on my facebook page media reports with my comments. On this occasion I was posting a media report in which the name of the person who allegedly made the remark was cited. My remarks were premised on "if these remarks made by him" adding that I had sought and obtained confirmation independently, then action of a specific nature should be taken by the SRSG.
The wording on my facebook was clumsy indeed, and as happens in haste, it should have more clearly conveyed my opinion that "if these remarks were in fact made" then action should be taken. As I was not there, I did attempt to confirm with a number of persons and everything pointed in that direction.
I read with great interest the denials made by Mr Kakuk on behalf of the UN officer. But I also note with concern that a number of Timorese journalists insist that there is a recording confirming this, as does a confidential independent source. So, what we have is a controversy between the UN spokesperson and Timorese journalists.
Mr Kakuk's public statement claiming that the person concern had been mislead, fails in my test to conclusively clarify this matter as he desires. There are more questions that are raised than answered.
I have considered the question of withdrawing any remarks I made prejudicial of any individuals, and am happy to do so if either the journalists concerned do so themselves, and or a sworn statement is provided by the person concerned.
Short of this I think that an independent investigation should be undertaken to establish the truth, if it is indeed important that matters go this far.
I too have been the victim of not very professional media reporting in the past, but in this instance am not prepared to just write it off. However, I am big enough to correct the record if I can be satisfied it should be done.
José Teixeira - FRETILIN MP
Related:A UN CORRECTION TO THE STL STORY
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