UN extends mission in East Timor

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The UN Security Council has voted unanimously to extend the mandate of its mission in East Timor (UNMIT) for another year.

The 15-member body decided to extend the mandate of UNMIT, which expired Friday, until February 26, 2011 at the current authorised levels.

It also endorsed UN chief Ban Ki-moon's intention to reconfigure UNMIT's police component with a view to its drawdown.

Nearly all of UNMIT's more than 1,550 uniformed personnel are police, and one of the mission's major tasks is to conduct a comprehensive review of the security sector, training, mentoring and strengthening the East Timor national police.

The council directed Mr Ban to report no later than October 15 on how to reconfigure UNMIT's police component, and no later than next January 26 on possible adjustments in the mission's mandate and strength.

Earlier this week, UNMIT chief Ameerah Haq said the former Portuguese colony had made "remarkable progress" since an outburst of violence in 2006, but warned the long-term goals of recovery and development may prove even more challenging.

She noted that "long-term security and stability will depend on development of a national police force that is professional and impartial and operates with due respect for the rule of law and human rights."

East Timor achieved formal independence from Indonesia in 2002 after a 24-year occupation by its powerful neighbour.

- AFP
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Breaking News - Port for Chinese Patrol Boats: Emergency Council of Minister Meeting to be Held 27 Feb 2010

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Emília Pires

TEMPO SEMANAL

Saturday, 27 February 2010

Internet Exclusif: Australian Company linked to former Minister of Finance Adviser alleged to get contract for China Boat Port.

Tempo Semanal sources within the Government of Timor-Leste stated last night that the Council of Ministers will hold an extraordinary and emergency meeting today (Saturday 27 February 2010) to discuss the matter of the soon to arrive FALINTIL-FDTL patrol boats from China.

The Government of Timor-Leste signed a contract for two Shanghai class patrol boats from Poly Technology of the Poly Group in China. Poly Group, which has close ties to the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), is expected to deliver the patrol boats in the next 4-8 weeks. However, port facilities are not ready and there is an urgent need to prepare the Hera port for their arrival. Efforts are already underway to build a port facility for the patrol boats on the south coast of Timor-Leste.

Tempo Semanal sources have raised allegations that Ines Almeida (a dual Australian-Timorese national), formerly adviser to Minister of Finance Emilia Pires (paid for by the Worldbank) until mid 2009, has been aggressively lobbying on behalf of an Australian company to build port temporary facilities in Hera for the patrol boats.

It is reported that the boats will be "modified versions of the Type-62 Shanghai-class patrol boat, which was designed in the 1960s: 43 meters long, displacing 175 tons and armed with two 30-mm cannons."

According to Tempo Semanal sources Ms. Almeida and agents of the Company she is lobbying on behalf of recently visited Hera port and requested data specifications on the port from F-FDTL officers. This was refused and Ms. Almeida allegedly lodge a protest with the Government.

When contacted by Tempo Semanal on the morning of 27 February 2010 Ms. Almeida refused to comment, stating "I am no longer in the Government's employ, and am now a private citizen."

Ms. Almeida was caught in the centre of a Worldbank/Ministry of Finance "contracts" for friends scandal reported on by this newspaper in April 2009 - see herehttp//temposemanaltimor.blogspot.com/2009/04/tempo-semanal-exclusif-australian.html and here http//temposemanaltimor.blogspot.com/2009/04/fwd-translation-of-edisaun-136-tempo.htmlfor more details.

According to a Tempo Semanal sources within the defence institution there are plans to build a permanent port facility and so F-FDTL is reluctant to move ahead on a temporary facility option.

Additionally, an Indonesian company has also been recently conducting feasibility studies for a new multi-million dollar facility in Hera.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao's government has come under intense criticism from many foreigners in regards to the procurement of the two patrol boats, from the controversial Poly Technology group.
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Malaysia looks to neighbours for more domestic workers‏

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Via Joyo News

Radio Australia Thursday,

February 25, 2010

Malaysia looks to neighbours for more domestic workers

The Malaysian Government has introduced a course to educate foreign domestic workers and their employers on their rights and responsibilities. The move is in response to several high profile cases in which Indonesian maids were brutally abused by their employers. The violent incidents led Indonesia to stop people from taking jobs as domestic workers in Malaysia. While the two countries are in talks attempting to end the ban, there have been calls for the Malaysian Government to seek maids elsewhere.

Presenter: David Chen Speakers: Jeffery Foo, deputy president, Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies; Nora Murat, executive director, Amnesty International Malaysia

CHEN: Negotiations between Indonesia and Malaysia over allowing the return of Indonesian domestic workers back into the country have again reached a stalemate. The two countries have been in talks after Indonesia banned its citizens in 2008 from working as domestic workers after several cases of abuse emerged in Malaysia. In one case in 2004, a Malaysian employer burnt her Indonesian maid with an iron and scalded her with hot water several times. But Jeffery Foo, from the Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies, says such cases of abuses are rare.

FOO: We have about, officially, we have about 1.8 million foreign workers in Malaysia, and the number of abuse cases is quite negligible compared with the total numbers, but nonetheless it is still a problem.

CHEN: More than 280,000 Indonesians work as maids in Malaysia, and form the bulk of domestic workers in the country. Indonesia is asking that maids be paid a minimum salary of 800 ringgit but Malaysia insists domestic workers be paid according to their market value. It's a position Jeffery Foo, deputy president of the Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies, supports.

FOO: On the wage policy, the Malaysian government does not practice minimum wage policy, so we have no choice but to leave it to the market force to dictate what ought to be paid, you know, to the house maids from Indonesia, depending on the quality of service that they can provide and probably come to the stage that if your skill can be certified officially, then they can be paid accordingly for that skill.

CHEN: Since the ban, agencies have been allowed to recruit maids from other countries including the Philippines. Now, these agencies are urging the government to look even further afield to ease Malaysia's dependence on Indonesian maids. Jeffery Foo again.

FOO: We are trying to get an exta source of house maids form other coutnries. And logically, East Timor falls into this category, together with Laos, together with Cambodia, Myanmar and other places.

CHEN: Mr Foo says Malaysian agencies are interested in hiring maids from East Timor because the country has a similar culture. East Timor has expressed interest, but Mr Foo says negotiations have yet to begin. FOO: Nothing is concrete yet because we have not done the first step of going over to Timor Leste but we hope to be there soon.

CHEN: If East Timorese maids do end up working in Malaysia, they like Filipino maids, could finds jobs which pay well and have better conditions relative to their Indonesian counterparts. But Nora Murat, executive director of Amnesty International Malaysia says they could still face abuse.

MURAT: I think all domestic workers, if the systems are not regulated and not being overseen, they are open to abuse. That is one of our concerns because we do receive news and reports from domestic reports of the experiences that they have which are not always good.

CHEN: She says if such a deal between Malaysia and East Timor is to go ahead, the government has to ensure proper regulations are in place.

MURAT: The treatment has to be equal to our local employees. They must be subjected to the same terms and they must enjoy some benefits like leave days - those things must be in the contract and not treat them like a slave in your house.
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Nações Unidas adiam saída de Timor

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Mundo-Bárbara Silva-26/02/10

A protecção da ONU é ainda um garante num país com instituições fracas. Em Nova Iorque vota-se hoje o alargamento da missão por mais um ano.

Nova Iorque, dez da manhã. Os países do Conselho de Segurança das Nações Unidas vão hoje a votos para aprovarem uma nova resolução sobre o prolongamento, por mais 12 meses, da presença da Missão Integrada da ONU em Timor-Leste.

A renovação do mandato da UNMIT, até Fevereiro de 2011, é quase uma certeza, depois de na passada terça-feira os países-membros do Conselho de Segurança terem aceite a recomendação do secretário-geral da ONU, Ban Ki-moon, para estender a missão durante, pelo menos, mais um ano, uma proposta também apoiada pelas autoridades timorenses.

Em 2010, o principal desafio da UNMIT será o processo de transferência da responsabilidade da força policial da ONU - comandada desde 2009 pelo português Luís Carrilho, da PSP - para a Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL). Ban Ki-moon prevê que serão necessários "até cinco anos" para que a PNTL se torne numa força policial efectiva.

Também no próximo mandato da UNMIT prevê-se a redução gradual do número de polícias, de 1.608 para 1.280, até meados de 2011. De saída estão também os militares australianos e neo-zelandeses (não integrados na força da ONU), com uma redução progressiva de efectivos de 600 para 400 em 2010.
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Govt’s Strategic Policies Against Corruption Cast Public Doubt

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Timor Post February 25, 2010 Language source: Tetun

The strategic policies to fight against corruption proposed by the Second Vice-PM Mário Viegas Carrascalão had been approved by the Council of Ministers.

According to Carrascalão, with the approval of the policy each ministry is required to have internal systems to closely inspect cases of corruption and maladministration.

The PSD politician said that the measures are taken to prevent corruption and mismanagement at the government level but the responsibility to fight against corruption remains with the Anti-Corruption Commission.

However, Luta Hamutuk Director Merício Akara said that Carrascalão’s move cast doubt and confusion on the public as it will be in conflict with the newly established Anti-Corruption Commission.
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National Police is like Rambo: HAK Foundation

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Diario Nacional, February 25, 2010 language source: Tetun

Director for HAK Foundation, Rui Viana has said the National Police is now like Rambo as they use red beret like semi-military.

Mr. Viana made the comments during an interview at his office in Palapaso of Dili

Mr. Viana stressed that the involvement of the police in the act of violence caused by some factors, such as culture, environment and training to form their mentality does not follow the policing concept.

He added that cultural violence from generation to generation has caused people to engage in act of violence.
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Domestic violence law needs to include in curriculum

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Timor Newsline, February 25, 2010

Parliamentary Committee A for Laws and Constitution, Fernanda Borges has called for the country’s state bodies to include the domestic violence law in the school curriculum, so that the students could better understand domestic violence in the family.

Mrs. Borges has also questioned about the proposed law by the Government in which it defines generally about sexual and physical violence.

Mrs. Borges is concerned about the various bureaucracies within the Government which has impeded the process drafting the law.

Mrs. Borges also said through the recent consultation held in the districts with the community will give the committee to review the law and define it well.

She added that domestic violence has caused many people to receive medical treatment in the hospital and some also died.
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Government to regulate illegal drugs and prostitution: Carrascalão

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Radio & Televizaun Timor-Leste, February 25, 2010 language source: Tetun

The Deputy Prime Minister for Management and Public Administration, Mario Viegas Carrascalão has said that the Government will regulate illegal drugs and sex slave in Timor-Leste

Mr. Carrascalão stressed that the immigration police will check visa of all the foreign nationals who visit the country and the Ministry of Commerce and Tourism will control activity license of dichotic and bars to avoid illegal drugs smuggling and prostitution.

Mr. Carrascalão bars that engaged in illegal drugs activity and prostitution should be closed down.

The Government will take necessary action against the illegal drugs and prostitution shortly before explaining it to the community.
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President Horta calls for Government to control illegal drugs and commercial sex

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Radio & Televizaun Timor-Leste, February 25, 2010 language source: Tetun

President Jose Ramos Horta has called for the Government and the National Police to control illegal drugs and commercial sex in the country.

Mr. Horta has held a meeting with the deputy prime minister for management and public administration, the state secretary for security, the prosecutor general and the police commissioner talking on the issue.

Mr. Horta stressed that numbers of illegal drugs in the country is not high, but some foreign nationals come to produce them and distribute to the young Timorese people.

“Number of drugs is small, but some people out of the country through Atambua come and then start producing it,” Mr. Horta said.
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FRETILIN Ejiji Autoridade Kompetente Hapara konstrusaun “Pelican Pradise Resort”

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25/02/2010

FRENTE REVOLUCIONARIO DE TIMOR LESTE INDENPENDENTE -FRETILIN

Bancada Parlamentar de FRETILIN

Komonikadu ba Imprensa

Bancada Parlamentar FRETILIN Ejiji Autoridade Kompetente Hapara konstrusaun “Pelican Pradise Resort”

Vice Presidente Bancada Parlamentar FRETILIN deputadu Francisco Branco ohin ejiji ba autoridade kompetentes liu-liu ba guvernu de faktu atu hola medidas urjenti hodi trava aktividade konstrusaun Hotel boot Fitun Lima, ho naran “Pelican Paradise Resort”, iha dalan ninin tasi ibun Tibar tamba hodi bain rua hetan mate ruin nain hitu nian nebe suspeita makaas vitima husi krime militar indonesia nian.

Sr Francisco Branco hateten katak FRETILIN iha ona informasaun katak Komite 12 Novembru nebe hetan mate ruin ne’e, identifika ona husi restus faru nebe hamutuk ho mate ruin katak faru ne’e modelu hanesan husi tinan 1970’s no 1980’s nian, no ho ida ne’e indikasaun forte katak mate ruin ne’e iha neba tamba krime husi militar Indonesia sira durante tempu okupasaun.

“Tamba ne’e ami konsidera fatin tomak iha neeba hanesa fatin ‘Cena de Crime’ neebe bele sai nudar provas iha Tribunal ruma aban bainrua. Nune’e presiza preserva nudar provas maibe ita tenki kuidadu mos katak karik bele iha mate ruin seluk tan neebe hakoi iha fatin neeba,” deklara senhor Branco.

Bancada FRETILIN mos anitisipa katak Ministerio Publiku mos bele halao ona prosesu atu hapara aktividade konstrusaun iha “Pelican Paradise Resort” tuir lei.

“Prosesu buka, hetan no investiga mate ruin husi violasaun direitu humanus iha tempu Tempu okupsaun Indonesia nian importante atu hetan justica no lia loos. Ita persiza respeita no fo apoiu ba matebian sira nia familia neebe iha direitu atu hetan justisa no lia loos. Tamba ne’e mak Bancada Parlamentar Fretilin ejiji tenke hapara konstrusaun, no investiga se iha mate ruin tan iha neeba,” Sr Branco ejiji .

Informsaun kompletu kontak media officer Bancada Parlamentar FRETILIN
Lemorai HP. 7345195, 7378247
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Pelican Paradise is building on the remains of Independence Heroes

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TEMPO SEMANAL

Wednesday, 24 February 2010

At the building site of a five star hotel by Pelican Paradise in Tasi Tolu western Dili allocated to the company by the Government of Timor-Leste new concerns are being raised. The company is a Malaysian consortium.

While construction work has commenced the company has found some suspected human remains on the building site. Yesterday there were several foreign forensic experts on the site.

According to Tempo Semanal sources yesterday on the spot said that, "the forensic expert found more then one human remains." Another source close to the Ministry of Tourism Commerce and Industry (MTCI) told Tempo Semanal ,"so far we may find the remains of 9 people here"

Some Timorese who lost their relatives together several with veterans and ex political prisoners groups during the Indonesian occupation were present at the building site as well. These human remains are suspected to be Timorese who were killed by ABRI soldiers during the 24 years occupation. In those dark years more than one third of Timorese died from starvation, mass killings disappearances and torture.
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Security Council Debate on Timor-Leste

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23/02/2010 http//ukun.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=21804668

Thank you Mr President

I too would like to begin by welcoming the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Ameerah Haq to her first meeting with the Security Council in this capacity, to thank her for her briefing today and also to reiterate our continuing support for the UN’s efforts in assisting the people of Timor-Leste.

I’d like also to welcome his Excellency Mr José Luís Guterres the Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste to the Council today and to thank him for his update which illustrated the determination and will both of he himself and his government and the people of Timor-Leste to build an increasingly stable prosperous and well governed nation playing its full role in the region and more widely.

Mr President I fully align myself with the statement which will be made later in the debate on behalf of the European Union by the Acting Head of the European Union delegation.

We are encouraged by the continuing stable security situation in Timor-Leste, which has seen no return to the large-scale unrest experienced in February 2008. Timor-Leste continues to make much progress as demonstrated in the successful “suco” elections held in October last year and the effective resumption of policing responsibilities in four districts by the national police – PNTL. We look forward to the handover of additional districts to the PNTL by the end of March. It’s important that this momentum is maintained throughout 2010/11. The fact that there has been no increase in crime or disorder following the transfer of responsibility is very welcome.

We fully support UNMIT’s efforts to help strengthen national policing capacity and we hope that the mission with the help of the international community, as Ameerah Haq has said in her briefing, can focus its efforts more and more precisely on providing the relevant training and advice.

And we do not underestimate the challenges that remain which Ameerah Haq has outlined. We would echo the Secretary-General’s report on the need for clear delineation of the roles and responsibilities of the national police and the military. The ongoing uncertainty in this relationship could be destabilising. We welcome efforts by the Timorese authorities to address this through enhanced legislation.

Mr President

As underlined in the Secretary-General’s report, the four medium-term benchmarks: security and stability, rule of law, justice and human rights, democratic governance and dialogue, and socio-economic reform, remain critical to addressing the overall challenges in Timor-Leste.

In particular, we continue to stress the importance of tackling impunity on which we welcome the remarks just now by the Deputy Prime Minister. It will be vital to continue the efforts to bring to justice perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. We believe UNMIT's Serious Crimes Investigation Team has an important role to play in this by concluding its outstanding investigations. We fully support its efforts to rigorously pursue this valuable work.

With regard to addressing corruption, the recent appointment of Aderito Soares as Timor-Leste’s first Anti-Corruption Commissioner is a significant step in improving transparency and public accountability in Timor-Leste. We hope the authorities will build on this appointment by taking further practical concrete steps to tackle corruption.

Mr President

We support the proposed extension of UNMIT’s mandate for a further twelve months, but it remains our aim to see Timor-Leste rely less and less on international support. The plan for a measured drawdown of UNMIT’s police component is a step in the right direction. An early indication from UNMIT on its longer-term drawdown strategy will be crucial and we look forward to this is due course.

While there is general agreement that UNMIT will remain until 2012, preparing the future after 2012 will be key. We encourage early consideration of what might follow UNMIT and of the shift to an increasingly civilian-focused UN peacebuilding presence.

Thank you Mr President.
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ARE WE REALLY EAST TIMOR’S HEROES?

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Clinton Fernandes

By Clinton Fernandes – New Matilda – 24 February 2010

Why do Australians cling to the belief that we have protected East Timor? Clinton Fernandes examines the first Australian intervention in what was then Portuguese Timor

Australia conducted two military interventions in East Timor during the 20th century and both have been falsely reconstructed into myths that vary sharply from the historical record. Our intervention in September 1999 against a rampaging Indonesian military has since been painted as a remarkable example of the Australian government exercising its so-called "responsibility to protect" the people of East Timor. In truth, the Howard government worked assiduously to prevent international intervention in East Timor until the bitter end.

But an earlier intervention by Australian forces has also gone down in history as a gallant effort when in fact it was anything but. When Australian forces landed in what was then known as Portuguese Timor in December 1941 it is widely assumed to have been in order to expel Japanese forces from the territory. In fact, Japan had no forces in Portuguese Timor, as Australian policy-makers knew at the time.

What is more, Japan had no intention of deploying forces to Portuguese Timor, which was a colony of Portugal — a neutral power during World War II. In its march through Asia, Japan had refrained from violating this neutrality in the other Portuguese colony of Macau. It was only after Australian, Dutch and British troops had deployed to Portuguese Timor, and violated Portuguese neutrality, that Japan decided to send its own forces there.

Australia had not shown any serious interest in Portuguese Timor before World War II. Very few successful Australian businesses had been established there, and trade links were almost non-existent. There had been a suggestion during World War I that Australia should take possession of the colony as a summer holiday location for northern Australians but in the decades that followed, Portuguese Timor did not feature much in the consciousness of Australian policy-makers — except on those occasions when rumours circulated that one foreign power or another was contemplating buying it from the Portuguese.

After the outbreak of World War II, Australian authorities became concerned that some Japanese businesses had been established in Portuguese Timor, which might well be used as a pretext for military intervention in the territory. However, although Japan had framed its rhetoric in anti-colonial terms, it had no intention of deploying forces to the territory.

The Australian Government, on the other hand, was interested in establishing a presence there.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, British authorities requested that Australia send troops to Portuguese Timor, claiming that Portugal had agreed to the plan.

The Australian government had very limited resources at the time but nonetheless agreed to Britain’s request, while emphasising the importance of the Portuguese government publicly approving the mission. Once assured by Britain that all arrangements were in place, Australia ordered forces to land in Portuguese Timor, despite the fact that the Portuguese authorities had not given their approval.

While Australian forces were in the process of deploying, the Portuguese government expressed its public hostility to the operation. Suddenly concerned about the diplomatic blowback of the mission, British officials requested that the Australians not mention that Britain was in any way associated with the operation — even though the plan was primarily a British one. Although annoyed at being placed in this difficult position, the Australians complied.

The British government then proceeded to express its regret to Portugal about the action of "Allied military authorities on the spot", implying that it was not involved and that the entire operation was the result of decisions made by lower-level tactical commanders from Australia and the Netherlands.

On 12 December 1941, the Australian prime minister, John Curtin, received a cable from Lord Cranborne, Britain’s secretary of state for dominion affairs.

Cranborne advised Curtin that the Dutch had agreed to participate in an attack on Japanese forces in Portuguese Timor. He stated that the governor of the territory was being advised by his government in Portugal to "facilitate the task of the Dutch and Australian forces" that would be landing in Portuguese Timor.

The next day, Cranborne informed Curtin that the Portuguese government had agreed to accept assistance "in the event of a Japanese attack" against Portuguese Timor. He advised that the British had informed the Portuguese that Allied forces in the region "should be given wide latitude" because "the Japanese might act at any moment".

The obvious problem, of course, was that there had not been any Japanese attack against Portuguese Timor, nor was there any evidence of Japan’s intention to mount any such attack. It was hardly likely that the governor of Portuguese Timor, M. de A. Ferreira de Carvalho, would be agreeable to the intrusion of Allied troops when the Japanese had thus far been so scrupulous in respecting Portuguese neutrality.

Despite this, the Australian government advised Cranborne that there was to be a "consultation" with Ferreira de Carvalho at 7.00am on 17 December, two hours after which "a combined force of Dutch and Australians" travelling by sea would land in Dili.

This "consultation" was, of course, merely to provide the façade of having obtained Portuguese consent.

Conscious that such a meeting would no doubt be recognised as no more than a perfunctory gesture, Cranborne replied that "if possible a rather longer interval should be allowed to elapse between the time when the Conference at Dili begins and the time when the combined force arrives". The Australian government agreed and informed the relevant parties.

Immediately after, however, Cranborne informed Curtin that the reaction of Portugal’s secretary-general to the operation had been "violently unfavourable". Cranborne urgently requested Curtin to ensure that Australian forces made every effort to reach agreement with Portuguese Timor before any landing was attempted. However, when the Dutch and Australian commanders met the governor of Portuguese Timor, he advised them in writing of his opposition to any landing of foreign troops:

"In reply to the communiqué which you gentlemen handed me at 9.20 am today, requesting me to accept the help of the Australian and Dutch forces, which will be directed immediately to the territory of this colony, I have the honour to inform you that, in accordance with the instructions from my Government in Portugal, I cannot accept this help, because the position with regard to the conflict is one of strict neutrality, and because no aggression of any sort has taken place in our territory, the last-mentioned being the sole condition under which the Government of Portugal could accept the help of Australian and Dutch forces for the Defence of the Colony. … Under these circumstances every disembarkation of forces will be considered as a breach of the neutrality of our territory."

The landing, however, went ahead. Ferreira de Carvalho cabled Curtin in similarly unambiguous terms:

"The Governor of the colony of Portuguese Timor protests vigorously against the aggression, absolutely contrary to the principles of law, being carried out against this part of Portuguese territory, by Dutch and Australian forces."

The Australian government attempted to portray its intervention as being necessary to defend Portuguese Timor against "Japanese aggression" and to convince the governor that Australia was only trying to help. But an embarrassed Cranborne had to inform Curtin that the Portuguese government "would in no circumstance consent to Allied troops entering the territory unless and until the enemy attack had actually been made". Cranborne apologised to the Portuguese for the Allies’ actions, implying that commanders from Australia and the Netherlands had acted hastily. The Dutch too provided Portugal with an official statement of regret, arguing that the landings were necessary "in view of the Japanese submarine activity off Portuguese Timor".

An angry John Curtin agreed with the standing British request to maintain silence as far as British involvement in the affair was concerned, but laid out the entire sequence of events in a detailed cable to Lord Cranborne in order to ensure that the historical record was preserved.

On the ground, a combined force of 155 Australian and 260 Dutch troops had landed near Dili on 17 December 1941 but, as Curtin informed Cranborne, "the position is most unsatisfactory" because the Governor of Portuguese Timor, far from going along with the charade, was in fact "organising troops to harass our troops and will certainly assist in any Japanese landing".

Australia’s view, as expressed by Curtin, was that "Portugal should have been frankly informed at the beginning that in your opinion the occupation was based upon military necessity and that Japanese infiltration or invasion could not otherwise be prevented".

The facts of history are clear — even though the myth persists that Australia sent troops to Portuguese Timor in order to expel Japanese forces. The persistence of this myth may be attributed to a combination of ignorance, innocence, a benevolent national self-image, and subsequent portrayals of Australian troops fighting heroically alongside the people of East Timor against the Japanese when they did, in fact, eventually land on 19 February 1942. For the people of East Timor, the costs of this ensuing conflict were severe, with 40,000 to 60,000 people dying as a result.

The people of East Timor never received war reparations for their suffering in this conflict from either Japan, whose forces caused such devastation, or from the Allies, whose actions drew the Japanese to Timor in the first place.

*This is an edited extract from Zombie Myths of Australian Military History: 10 Myths That Will Not Die, edited by Craig Stockings (New South Books: 2010)
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Public challenge Anti-Corruption Commission to fulfill its duty

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Suara Timor Lorosa’e, February 24, 2010 language source; Tetun

The Vice-Administrator for the Lequidoe sub district, Luis Damião, has challenged the newly inaugurated leader for the anti-corruption commission, Aderito de Jesus, to bring anyone he finds guilty of corruption to court, because at this stage no one has been locked up for engaging in corruption.

Mr. Damião said that the Timorese people believe that Mr. de Jesus can identify those people that have stolen the Government and people’s money.

Mr. Damião also said that the time has come to eradicate the corruption virus in the country and therefore the people should cooperate with the commission to combat it.

Meanwhile, a student from the Universidade Nasionál Timor Lorosa’e, Julio Guterres, has said that there have been many indications of corruption appearing within the alliance government coalition and therefore he has called for all sides to support the new commission.
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National Police to take over Timor’s security by the end of the year

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Timor Post, February 24, 2010 language source: Tetun

President Jose Ramos Horta has said that the UN Police will hand over security responsibility to the National Police throughout the country by the end of this year.

Mr. Horta said that the Government has held meetings with the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste, the UN Police, National Police and the state secretary for security about the possibility of the National Police taking over responsibility.

“The UN has agreed to hand over security to the PNTL in December this year,” Mr. Horta said.

Mr. Horta has called on the UN Police to continue training the National Police between now and December.
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President Horta calls for NGOs to help reduce poverty

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Radio & Televizaun Timor-Leste, February 23, 2010 language source:
Tetun

President Jose Ramos Horta has called for the NGOs to help reduce poverty and promote peace in Timor-Leste.

Mr. Horta made the comments during a meeting with the NGOs on contribution to security and peace in the country at the office of FONGTIL yesterday.

Mr. Horta stressed that the NGOs really know about people’s living conditions because they very close to the people.

“Participation of the civil societies in this issue is very important as you are educated and have many experiences,” Mr. Horta said.

During the meeting the president also talked about democracy building and economic growth of the country.

Meanwhile, a participant, Nuno Liras has urged the president to pay attention to his officers due to some of his officers have misused the state budget for their political parties’ interest.
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More allegations of abuses by police in Timor-Leste

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Police assault two local residents Radio Timor-Leste 23 February 2010 language source: Tetun

Two men seriously wounded because they were assaulted by the National Police officers in the western district of Kovalima.

The two were beaten in Debo of Zumalai sub district by Kovalima police operational officers.

Victim, Manuel Monis has said that the police kicked him with boots, punched to his chest and also beat him with weapon.

Another victim, Filomeno Guterres also maltreated by the police and was freed after the inquiry.
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Ninja issue just political sensationalism: Fretilin

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Timor Post, February 24, 2010 language source: Tetun

The Fretilin Party has said that issue of the so called “ninja” gangs in the Kovalima and Bobonaro district is just political sensationalism.

The Fretilin stressed that the issue is not a serious one.

“This is ninja issue is a fictional one, most people do not know exactly what these ninja are,” Fretilin said.

Fretilin’s Parliamentary Leader, Aniceto Guterres said the issue of the supposed “ninjas” is a political maneuver by the politicians to divert the public’s attention.
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Timor-Leste: ONG denuncia excessos na operação "Ninja"

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Por Agência Lusa, Publicado em 24 de Fevereiro de 2010

Uma organização não governamental timorense, a HAK, acusou hoje a polícia de maltratar os detidos no âmbito da “operação de caça aos ninjas”, mas o comandante da Polícia Nacional diz que desconhece excessos cometidos pelos seus homens.

A HAK, num relatório enviado ao Presidente da República, ao primeiro ministro e a várias entidades, refere agressões físicas nos locais de detenção, ameaças com armas de fogo para obter confissões e demora na apresentação dos detidos ao Tribunal.

Longuinhos Monteiro, comandante geral da PNTL e antigo Procurador-Geral da República, que assumiu diretamente o comando da operação, disse à Agência Lusa nunca ter recebido “nenhum relatório a reportar esses abusos”.

“Desconheço qualquer excesso ou ato de tortura. Não digo que não possa acontecer, mas desconheço completamente a existência de situações desse género”, declarou à Lusa.

Segundo Longuinhos Monteiro, “448 pessoas que estariam envolvidas nesses grupos de marginais entregaram-se voluntariamente à Polícia e sem nenhuma pressão”.

“Apanhámos em flagrante delito um desses grupos, a que popularmente chamam “ninjas”, a aterrorizar a população de uma aldeia perto do Suai. Estavam na posse de alguns explosivos do tipo granada de mão e não tocámos neles”, garante o comandante da PNTL.

Longuinhos Monteiro salienta ainda que sete pessoas que se envolveram em vários tipos de crime viram ser-lhes aplicadas medidas de coação pelos tribunais, dois dos quais estão em prisão preventiva.

Diferente é a versão da HAK sobre como está a decorrer no terreno no âmbito da operação de combate aos ‘ninjas’, que diz “ter características militares e não policiais e estar a atemorizar as populações e a restringir os seus movimentos, em vez de garantir a sua segurança”.

Aquela organização descreve que observadores seus conseguiram chegar ao contacto com alguns dos homens que foram detidos e todos eles afirmaram terem sido vítimas de maus tratos.

Três alegadas vítimas, que residem numa aldeia pertencente a Zumalai, terão relatado que a polícia os prendeu nas suas casas e foram levados para Salele, sem que lhes tivesse sido mostrado qualquer mandado de detenção.

Em Salele, segundo a mesma fonte, terão sido espancados por agentes policiais, antes de serem transferidos para uma cela da delegacia de polícia em Suai, no dia seguinte, e só a 28 de janeiro terão sido presentes a tribunal. Um deles terá mesmo necessitado de tratamento hospitalar.

Outro caso reportado pela HAK é o de um suspeito do homicídio de uma jovem de 15 anos, que contou que foi preso a 29 de janeiro pela polícia de Bobonaro, que o entregou ao comando da operação da PNTL em Suai, onde terá sido maltratado.

De acordo com o relato feito pelo detido, segundo aquela organização, terá sido colocado num buraco no chão e ameaçado com armas, para que confessasse ter morto a criança e que era um “ninja”, obrigando-o a permanecer várias horas dentro de água, por se ter recusado a fazê-lo.

Outras situações descritas são a ordem policial para abrir a porta das casas durante a noite, para obter junto dos habitantes informações sobre os “ninjas” e o uso de violência quando a atitude não é colaborante.
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Tomou posse em Díli primeiro comissário anticorrupção

. Adérito de Jesus

DN GLOBO-24 de fevereiro, 2010

Novo responsável estabeleceu como prioridade, além das investigações judiciais, o trabalho pedagógico como indispensável à erradicação do fenómeno

Adérito Soares tomou posse como primeiro comissário anti-corrupção de Timor-Leste numa cerimónia presidida pelo primeiro-ministro Xanana Gusmão e transmitida em directo pela televisão.

O Governo de Timor-Leste tem sido confrontado com numerosos casos de corrupção, um fenómeno que tem atingido o país desde a sua independência.

Soares foi eleito no Parlamento por larga maioria, 40 em 65 votos possíveis, e disse na sua primeira intervenção pública que, além da investigação e combate judicial à corrupção, é indispensável um trabalho pedagógico para neutralizar os hábitos associados a esta prática, por um lado associados à época da ocupação indonésia, por outro ligados a aspectos tradicionais das sociedades asiáticas.

A oposição acusou o primeiro-ministro Xanana Gusmão de tentar bloquear a nomeação de Soares, procurando influenciar o voto dos partidos da coligação no Governo. Gusmão, assim como alguns dos seus ministros, têm sido associados a situações de corrupção.A sua filha teria ganho concurso para a importação de arroz com base em favorecimento pessoal do chefe do Executivo.

Independente desde 2002, Timor-Leste é ainda uma das nações mais pobres do mundo, apesar de vastos recursos naturais. Um dos principais obstáculos ao desenvolvimento tem sido a insuficiência quase total de infra-estruturas.
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Grupo de Apoio ao Tibete critica PR Ramos-Horta por ter endossado legitimidade da soberania chinesa

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Lisboa, 24 fev (Lusa) - O Grupo de Apoio ao Tibete manifestou hoje o seu "profundo desagrado" por o Presidente de Timor-Leste ter "endossado a legitimidade da soberania chinesa" sobre aquele território, acusando José Ramos-Horta de desconhecer a "mais elementar história tibetana".

Em comunicado, a organização não governamental (ONG) manifesta o seu "profundo desagrado relativamente a várias afirmações proferidas" pelo atual Presidente de Timor-Leste, por ocasião dos 70 anos sobre a entronização do Dalai Lama, que se assinalaram segunda feira.

Em declarações à Agência Lusa, Ramos-Horta disse que a principal virtude do Dalai Lama é ser contra qualquer ato de violência no Tibete, mas que a admiração pelo líder tibetano "não retira legitimidade à soberania chinesa em relação ao Tibete".

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Show me strong evidence and I’ll let you arrest my ministers: Prime Minister

. Foto, TLN

Suara Timor Lorosae, 23 February 2010 language source: Tetun

The Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão has said that the newly established Anti-Corruption Commission could arrest his own ministers if they were shown to be involved in cases of corruption; however he says he would need the commission to present him with strong and robust facts and evidence of their involvement.

Mr. Gusmao also added that he would inform the Timorese public if the commission charged his ministers for corruption and put them behind bars.

He also said he hopes that the commission can work together with other state institutions to fight the war against corruption.

The Acting Inspector General, Francisco de Carvalho, said that if the commission functions well, his institution is ready to work with it through information exchange on corruption cases still to face the courts.
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Alleged assassin Marcelo Caetano denies shooting President Horta

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Marcelo Caetano, foto Tempo Semanal

Radio Timor Leste, February 20, 2010 language source: Tetun

The man accused of shooting President Horta on February 11th 2008, Marcelo “Susar” Caetano, yesterday denied the charges against him in testimony before the courts.

Mr. Caetano said that he had no intention of shooting President Horta, because he considered the president as a father.

Mr. Caetano revealed that he was told by his commander Alfredo Reinado to come to President Jose Ramos Horta’s house to hold discussions with him, but not to attack the president.

“We went to the President Horta’s resident to hold dialogue with him as we were instructed buy our commander Reinado”, Mr. Caetano said.
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Former Rebel Gastão Salsinha denies allegations made by public prosecution

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Radio Timor Leste, February 20, 2010 language source: Tetun

The ex-rebel leader, Gastão Salsinha, has denied the allegation made by the Public Prosecution that he, and the other rebel followers, were involved in the assault and attempted assassination of the President Jose Ramos Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão on February 11th 2008.

Mr. Salsinha made the comment as his trial taking place at the Dili District Court comes to a close.

He repeated his statement that he, and the other rebels, went to the president and prime ministers houses with the intention to hold discussions with the leaders and said that none of the rebels wanted to attempt an assassination.

Mr. Salsinha stressed that the Public Prosecution is wrong in accusing him of intending to kill the leaders and also said that noone was actually hurt, either the security guards or rebels, in the alleged assassination attempt on Prime Minister Gusmao.
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Govt officials should declare their wealth three times

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Diario Nacional, February 22, 2010 language source: Tetun

The Government through the Council Ministries had approved a new strategic plan to combat corruption presented by the Deputy Prime Minister for Management and Public Administration, Mario Viegas Carrascalão.

The plan will force all Government leaders and officials to declare their wealth multiple times to prevent possible corruption within some ministries.

“All the people who are currently working in the Government institution, including former officials, should declare their wealth three times because some of them become wealthy after only five-years of Governmental work,” Mr Carrascalão said.

Mr. Carrascalão also said the plan will also force all the Government’s departments to justify their officials travel to other countries.

He also said that he hopes this plan will prevent the Ministries and the Government’s officials from engaging in corrupt practices in the future.
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Fretilin could dissolve anti-corruption commission if it fails to bring corrupt authorities to court

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Aniceto Guterres

Diario Nacional, February 23, 2010 language source: Tetun

Fretilin MP, Aniceto Guterres, has said that Fretilin will remove the anti-corruption commission in 2012 if it fails to bring corrupt authorities before the court.

“We will give time to the new commission to take up its work in bringing corrupt ministers of the former Fretilin Government and the current Government officials to the court. But if not enough work is done Fretilin will dissolve this commission in 2012,” MP Guterres said.

Meanwhile, the newly inaugurated commission leader, Aderito de Jesus, has said that he will collaborate with all sides to combat corruption in the country.
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Anti-Corruption Commission Chief to be paid $ 2.500 per month

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Timor Post, February 23, 2010 language source: Tetun

The Council of Ministers have begun discussions on possible wages for the new Anti-Corruption Commission Chief and his deputy.

The Council of Ministers, yesterday, announced they’ll provide two thousand, five hundred dollars to the commission’s chief, per month, and his deputy will be paid two thousand dollars.

They will also be provided with housing and food, similar to other government ministers within parliament.
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Xanana says ‘No’ to cabinet reshuffle

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Suara Timor Lorosae, 23 February 2010 language source: Tetun

The Prime Minister José ‘Xanana’ Gusmão has announced that he will not reshuffle his cabinet because he believes that his current team is functioning well and that there is no substantiated reason for it.

The Prime Minister’s announcement comes after weeks of speculation about a possible change in the cabinet following allegations of corruption. President Jose Ramos Horta also called for a change in the front bench.

However, the Prime Minister has denied the allegations.

“If they are a thief, this I cannot tolerate but I haven’t reshuffled (the cabinet) simply because I have confidence in the members of my government,” Mr Gusmao said.

Mr. Gusmao explained that the reshuffle can only be done if the ministers are not worthy of their positions, are incompetent, or have not spent their budget wisely, but he says he’s confident that his ministers are working well.

According to Xanana, another reason for not doing the reshuffle is to ensure the stability of his current leadership coalition which consists of five parties including CNRT, PD, PSD, UNDERTIM, and ASDT.

The bench leader for the Opposition in the National Parliament, Francisco Branco, said that Xanana is not willing to reshuffle his cabinet because he wants to protect corrupt ministers within his cabinet.
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Esforços de adesão à ASEAN apoiados pela UE

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Nova Iorque, 23 fev (Lusa) - A União Europeia (UE) está a apoiar os esforços de Timor-Leste para aderir à organização regional asiática ASEAN, afirmou hoje o chefe em exercício da delegação do bloco europeu junto das Nações Unidas.

"Tendo em vista a sua própria experiência positiva no âmbito da integração regional, a União Europeia apoia as aspirações de Timor-Leste a ser membro da ASEAN", afirmou hoje o diplomata da União Europeia Pedro Serrano, perante o Conselho de Segurança das Nações Unidas.

No debate do órgão máximo da ONU sobre Timor-Leste, realizado esta manhã em Nova Iorque, o vice-primeiro-ministro timorense sublinhou a "forte vontade" de Díli ser "membro de pleno direito da ASEAN" em breve.
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Exportação de força de trabalho é solução para desemprego entre jovens

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José Luís Guterres

Nova Iorque, 23 fev (Lusa) - O vice-primeiro-ministro de Timor-Leste defendeu hoje que mais países sigam o "exemplo" da Coreia do Sul de "importar" mão de obra timorense e que invistam mais na economia, para ajudar a resolver o problema do desemprego.

O governante timorense, José Luís Guterres, fez o apelo perante o Conselho de Segurança das Nações Unidas, onde foram esta manhã, em Nova Iorque, discutidos os esforços de estabilização e desenvolvimento feitos pelo país, tendo a questão do desemprego (acima dos 18 por cento) sido considerada por diversos diplomatas como um fator de insegurança.

"Estabelecemos um acordo com a Coreia para exportar força de trabalho e centenas de trabalhadores timorenses já estão no país. Esperamos que outros países sigam o exemplo", afirmou Guterres.
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Timor-Leste: Conselho de Segurança da ONU aprova mais um ano de mandato da missão

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Nova Iorque, 23 Fev (Lusa) - A missão das Nações Unidas em Timor-Leste (UNMIT) deverá ser prolongada por mais um ano, depois de os países-membros do Conselho de Segurança terem hoje aceite a proposta do secretário geral para extensão do mandato, apoiada pelas autoridades timorenses.

"Penso que o acordo geral no Conselho de Segurança é de que o mandato será renovado por mais 12 meses", afirmou a nova representante especial do secretário geral da ONU em Timor-Leste, Ameerah Haq, após a reunião hoje na sede das Nações Unidas em Nova Iorque.

"Houve comentários muito encorajadores dos membros [do Conselho] sobre a evolução da paz e estabilidade em Timor-Leste, mas também alertas para fragilidade e a necessidade de fortalecer instituições, como a polícia, mas também de melhorar a capacidade ao nível do Estado", afirmou.

Este texto da agência Lusa foi escrito ao abrigo do novo Acordo Ortográfico.
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Timor-Leste has made ‘remarkable progress’ but faces daunting challenges – UN

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23 February 2010 – Timor-Leste has made “remarkable progress” since the violence that disrupted it in 2006, but the long-term goals of recovery and development may prove even more challenging, the top United Nations envoy to the small South-East Asian country said today.

“Timor-Leste has reached a new stage, where there is an intensified focus on measures needed to sustain stability, deepen democracy and the rule of law, reduce poverty and strengthen institutions,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative Ameerah Haq told the Security Council at the start of a debate on the country, which the UN shepherded to independence in 2002.

In 2006, after a dispute within the Timorese military spread throughout the country, leaving dozens of people dead and driving some 155,000 people, or roughly 15 per cent of the population, from their homes, the Council set up the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) to tackle the major political, humanitarian and security crisis that ensued.

“Timor-Leste, under the stewardship of its national leaders, is now working to consolidate the gains of the past and to ensure a smooth transition to the recovery and development phase,” Ms. Haq said.

“This will require continued efforts on the part of the Timorese as well as the continued support of the international community. The problems arising from the 2006 crisis were considerable, but the long-term challenges ahead may prove even more difficult to address.”

One of UNMIT’s major tasks is to conduct a comprehensive review of the security sector, training, mentoring and strengthening of the Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL). Ms. Haq said
that the resumption of primary policing by PNTL “will require continued concentrated efforts,” adding that that there is “a strong possibility” that the process can be completed by the end of the year.

Although the resumption has taken place in some districts, she noted that the capital, Dili, and the Special Police Unit still do not meet the criteria and need further steps to strengthen their capacities.

Nearly all the Mission’s more than 1,550 uniformed personnel are police. Once the PNTL has fully resumed its functions, UNMIT will concentrate on supporting further skill development in such areas as appropriate use of force, criminal investigations and accountability mechanisms to avoid impunity for abuses, and Ms. Haq called on contributing countries to provide the necessary trainers.

“Long-term security and stability will depend on development of a national police force that is professional and impartial and operates with due respect for the rule of law and human rights,” she declared.

On the political front, she noted that democratic processes are maturing with leaders showing a willingness to work across party lines on issues of national importance such as moving to set up an anti-corruption committee.

“Perhaps the greatest long-term challenges for Timor-Leste will be socio-economic,” she stressed, citing the need to fight poverty, hunger, maternal and infant mortality, and improve access to health care and education. “It is essential that the Government redouble its effort to ensure that development benefits are felt equally in rural and urban areas,” she added.

“Also, significant efforts by Government and Parliament in areas such as gender responsive budgeting will require continued and intensified commitment in order to ensure the empowerment and meaningful participation of women in all sectors of society.”

More than 20 speakers are taking part in the debate which is considering Mr. Ban’s latest report on Timor-Leste, in which he called for the mandate of UNMIT to be extended for 12 more months, warning that many of the underlying causes of the 2006 crisis remained despite recent encouraging signs. He said the country’s security and justice institutions were fragile and possibly unable to withstand another major crisis.

“I think the overall agreement in the Council chamber was that the mandate of UNMIT will be renewed for an additional 12 months,” Ms. Haq told reporters afterwards, adding that the members also cautioned against some fragility and the need to strengthen not only security institutions but also state institutions and capacity building.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33865&Cr=timor&Cr1

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Ministra timorense impressionada com modelo de gestão financeira

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Emília Pires

ANGOLA PRESS

23-02-2010-Cabo Verde

Cidade da Praia - Timor-Leste poderá vir a aplicar o sistema de gestão financeira do Estado montado em Cabo Verde, que levou mais de sete anos a elaborar, disse segunda-feira a ministra das Finanças timorense na Cidade da Praia.

Falando aos jornalistas no final de uma reunião de três horas com a sua homóloga cabo-verdiana, Cristina Duarte, Emília Pires disse ter ficado a conhecer a realidade da gestão financeira do arquipélago, afirmando-se "muito impressionada".

"Estou muito impressionada. Cabo Verde já está muito avançado na sua reforma da gestão financeira, utilizando a moderna tecnologia.

Em Timor-Leste também estamos em mudança e não queremos perder muito tempo. Por isso, queremos aprender com histórias de sucesso", afirmou.

Questionada sobre se o exemplo cabo-verdiano pode ser aplicado em Timor-Leste, Emília Pires respondeu que "sim", sublinhando que a "profunda reforma" que está em curso no seu país vai contar com apoio de Cabo Verde.

"Estamos a falar para saber se podemos avançar nesse sentido. Cabo Verde tem recursos humanos muito mais avançados que os nossos. Podemos criar uma cooperação.

Emília Pires, que se encontra em Cabo Verde desde hoje, a convite de Cristina Duarte, manifestou a intenção de proceder à reforma da gestão económica do Estado em Timor-Leste nos próximos dois anos, admitindo, porém, que há um longo caminho a percorrer.

http://www.portalangop.co.ao/

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TIMOR TELECOM MUDA IMAGEM E ANUNCIA REDE 3G

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Diário Digital / Lusa – 23 de Fevereiro de 2010

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A Timor Telecom (TT), participada pela PT, lança em Março o serviço da rede 3G para computadores, estando prevista a extensão a telemóveis em Maio, segundo o administrador-delegado, Manuel Amaro.

O anúncio foi feito segunda-feira, durante a gala de lançamento da nova imagem da TT, que contou com a presença do presidente da República, José Ramos-Horta, membros do Governo, deputados e representantes do corpo diplomático, entre outros convidados.

Manuel Amaro considera que a nova imagem da operadora marca a chegada de "uma época de mudança", que visa "aproximar a TT do país, garantindo a disponibilidade de comunicação em todo o território".

A Timor Telecom, segundo o administrador-delegado, espera atingir até 2011 uma cobertura de 90% com a rede 2G, e 61% com a rede 3G, que tem estado em testes.

Neste momento 82,3% dos clientes estão cobertos pela rede 2G e no final do ano serão 44,7% na 3G, segundo a previsão apresentada por Manuel Amaro.

operadora terminou 2009 com 351.000 clientes, correspondentes a 30% da população, e a meta para 2010 é atingir os 550.000 clientes, o que corresponde a metade dos 1,1 milhões de habitantes do país.

Em 2009 o investimento foi de 14 milhões de dólares (10 milhões de euros) e este ano deverá ascender a 17 milhões de dólares (12 milhões de euros), segundo o administrador delegado da TT, que sublinhou que, em três anos, ficará concretizado um investimento global de 31 milhões de dólares (23 milhões de euros).

A nova imagem da Timor Telecom foi saudada pelo presidente da República, José Ramos-Horta, que elogiou o "esforço desenvolvido" pela operadora nos últimos anos para equipar o país. "É com muito gosto que ouço boas notícias sobre a evolução da TT na cobertura do território nacional, na fidelização de utilizadores e na introdução de novas tecnologias", declarou o chefe de Estado.

Numa curta intervenção Ramos-Horta referiu os desafios enfrentados pela empresa e os riscos assumidos, quando "outros desistiram, ou se recusaram" a operar em Timor-Leste. E concluiu com um elogio ao Estado português, "que jamais deixou de assumir responsabilidades e sempre foi solidário" com Timor-Leste.

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‘Get maids from Papua New Guinea, Myanmar and Timor Leste’

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http://thestar.com/

Monday February 22, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies (PAPA) has urged the Government to consider recruiting maids from Papua New Guinea, Myanmar and Timor Leste.

Its president Alwi Bavutty said this would ease the dependence on maids from Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines.

“We are submitting this proposal to the Human Resources Ministry due to high demand for maids,” he told Bernama on Monday.

He was commenting on Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam’s statement that Malaysia and Indonesia were currently in talks to find a “middle path” in resolving the outstanding Indonesian maids salary issue after their previous discussions ended in a deadlock.

Alwi said made agencies were allowed to recruit maids form Cambodia and the Philippines following the freeze on maid intake by the Indonesian government since the middle of last year.

Alwi said however, Muslims were barred from employing non-Muslim maids from the two countries.

Supporting the Government’s stand that maid salaries should be based on market forces as well as negotiations between employers and employees, he said it should be a win-win situation for both parties.

“Maids are getting at least RM500 a month. If their work is excellent, employers should raise their pay. Their qualifications should also be taken into consideration,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bocehe Dewe Association, an association made up of 32,000 Indonesian workers, supported a condition imposed by the ministry that all new maids and their respective employers must attend a seminar meant to educate them on their rights and responsibilities.

Its chairman Ambar Setiowibowo said Malaysia and Indonesia should iron out perennial issues like minimum wage, maid abuse and transgression of rules and conditions by employers.

“As we have not agreed on minimum wage, there should be an understanding between employers and maids on a reasonable wage and maids, who performed well, should be rewarded with an increment,” he added. -- Bernama
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DEKLRASAUN POLITIKA: FRETILIN SEMPRE DEFENDE POVO, NASAUN, PAZ NO ESTABILIDADE

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PARLAMENTU NASIONAL REPUBLIKA DEMOKRATIKA TIMOR-LESTE NIAN

BANCADA PARLAMENTAR DA FRETILIN

DEKLRASAUN POLITIKA

Dili, 23.02.2010

Sr Presidenti Parlamentu Nasional,

Ilustres deputadus,

Maluk Povo Maubere tomak.

Bancada FRETILIN nudar representante Povo Maubere iha parlamentu nasional ida nee, hakarak realsa nia konviksaun no nia domin ba pas, estabilidade, estadu de direitu demokratiku, konstituisaun, nasaun RDTL no Povo Timor-Leste, Povo Maubere tomak.

Bancada FRETILIN iha consiensia aas tebes katak Povo tomak lakoi rain nee monu fali ba ciclo violensia no terus neebe mosu iha crise 2006-07, no neebe Povo barak moris iha laran durante tempo okupasaun ditadura militar Suharto nian.

Bancada FRETILIN hakarak fo hanoin realidade ida, katak iha historia Timor-Leste nia mak hahu funu ba libertasaun nasional no independensia RDTL.

Tamba nee FRETILIN nunka hakarak halo buat hotu atu evita hamonu rain doben ida nee ba konflitu ka violensia. Ami hakarak deit deefende Povo ida nee husi tentativas no politika atu lori sira fila fali ba moris iha ditadura, opresaun no violensia seluk.

Ita keta hanoin katak ita nudar Povo liberta aan ona husi potensiais opresores ka dominasaun husi ema seluk maibe ita sei moris iha perigu laran. Ita nia luta ba libertasaun total seidauk hotu. Dadaun ita iha segunda luta da libertasaun Povo nian husi opresores foun, husi dominasaun foun, husi ditadura foun.

Husu ba Povo tomak atu vigilansia total ba ema hotu neebe buka atu manipula Povo atu sees husi dalan luta atu liberata aan totalmente. Manipuladores hirak nee iha ita nia leet dadaun, no ita presiza vigilansia total, maske iha tolerancia maxima ba ema hotu nia direitu atu expressa aan no iha ida idak nia konviksaun politika rasik.

Maibe FRETILIN husu ba Povo atu lalika monu ba ciclo violensia neebe ema balun neebe hatudu ona katak sira hatene deit violensia nudar dalan atu hadau kadeira, atu lalika monu ba ida nee fali. Ita iha demokrasia no estadu direitu democratico neebe ita hotu mehi iha tempo nakukun okupasaun, ni ita tenke kaer metin ba prinsipius hirak nee.

Iha semana kotuk, deklarasaun politika iha fatin ida nee dehan buat falsu barak neebe kona ba partidu historiku FRETILIN, neebe hakanek ema barak, inklui mos deputadu barak iha uma fukun ida nee.

Bancada FRETILIN hakarak desmente deklarasoens falsu nee. FRETILIN nunka halo paktu ba violensia.

FRETILIN la halo paktu ho krime, hanesan ema balun halo iha tempo Okupasaun Indonesia no too ohin loron. FRETILIN nia militante barak mak vitima krime tamba hetan torturasaun, kanek todan, mate. Sira nia maluk barak mos mak hetan torturasaun, kanek todan, mate.

Balun tuur hela iha uma fukun nee, no sira seidauk hetan justisa hasoru sira neebe baku sira ka sira nia maluk, oho sira nia maluk, tortura sira no sira nia maluk.

Realidade historia resistensia nasional hatudu mos katak bainhira Intel ka Kopassus ka TNI ka POLRI sira ba buka ema, persegue ema tamba sira fiar ukun rasil aan, sira ba buka mak “PRETILIN” ka “GPK”.

Maske violensia oioin nee, FRETILIN konsege kontribui ba funu atu afirma soberania pais nian no defende Povo liu husi luta hasoru forsa estrangeira neebe usa buat oioin, inklui hetan apoiu husi Timor Oan balun atu luta kontra ita bele hetan ita nia libertasaun no soberania.

Nee laos vingativu, Sr. Presidenti, nee koalia historia no realidade, factus neebe ita presiza koalia, laos haluha.

Ita presiza husu ho diak, tamba sa mak ita ohin loron tuur iha uma fukun nee iha nasaun independenti? Tamba maluk “GPK” ka “PRETILIN” ka ema resistensia oiopin, ka tamba bapak no bapak sira nia anak mas no anak buan?

Tamba FRETILIN hasoru violensia no funu mak FRETILIN aprende hadomi paz, no estabilidade, no dalan nao violencia. Iha segunda luta atu liberta ita nia Povo dadaun FRETILIN sempre buka sai defensor ba Estadu de Direitu Democraticu, defensor ba paz, defensor ba nao violencia. FRETILIN hatudu pirnsipiu ida nee dalan barak ona, hanesan iha 2006 no 2007 bainhira ami tenke hasoru preseguisaun no violensia hanesan hasoru tempo Bapak nian.

Perseguisaun, violensia, sunu no nauk hanesan demonstrantes sira halo iha 2006, bainhira ema liu husi 120,000 tenke ba hela iha lona okos. Deputadu FRETILIN, kuadrus no militante FRETILIN no sira nia familia barak liu mak tenke ba hela iha lona okos tamba violensia, sunu no nauk.

Biar nunee, FRETILIN defende katak porsesu tomak tenke lau husi constituisaun no lei, no maske justisa seidauk monu ba sira neebe halo krime no violensia ba ema FRETILIN no Povo iha 2006, dalan mak nee deit, lei no constituisaun. Ita nia rain estadu de direitu democraticu, laos buat seluk, no ita tenke defende prinsipius hirak nee ho isin no klamar tomak.

Maske iha perseguisaun no violensia barak iha 2006, FRETILIN la hatan onda violensia nee ho violensia, hanesan ema 20,000 neebe consentra iha Metinaro hatudu bainhira sira tama halau demonstrasaun iha Dili no fila fali sem violensia.

Maske ohin loron FRETILIN la rekonese legitimidade governu nee ninian, FRETILIN respeita estadu, respeita Povo, no sempre fo ami nia kontribuisaun tomak at harii paz no estabilidade iha ita nia rain.

FRETILIN mak hatudu dalan ba paz no estabilidade. Ita husu deit, iha 2006 nee FRETILIN mak halo violensia atu hatuun nia governu rasik ka? FRETILIN nia militante mak sunu sira nia uma rasik no nauk sira nia sasan ka? FRETILIN nia militante mak baku sira nia maluk rasik ka? Senhores deputadus neebe iha 2006 mobiliza jovem sira tuun mai halo buat hirak nee, neebe deklara iha media internasaionl katak sira servisu hamutuk ho eis Kopassus no eis milisia sira neebe mai Dili “prontos para morrer e porntos para matar” lalika mai fo lissaun kona ba paz ka demokrasai ba FRETILIN. Laos FRETILIN mak lori demonstrasaun mai uma fukun ida nee atu sunu, no se la iha forsas militar iha nee, laos atu tau kadeadu deit maibe atu sunu.

FRETILIN garante ba ema hotu katak imi sei la hare FRETILIN halo ameasas, intimidasaun, violensia no estragus hanesan ema balun halo iha 2006. Nunka!!

Laos mos FRETILIN nia cultura halo politika “eufemismo”, koalia lia fuan midar, halo diskursus moral, maibe iha kotuk halo oin seluk fali. Ami pormove debate frontal, debate oin ba oin, debate matan ba matan, hanesan halau iha demokrasia pluralista hotu hanesan Timor-Leste. Ami tau buat hotu iha meza leten bainhira koalia kona ba interese estadu nian.

Ami la pormove sinismo ka farsa ka manipulasaun.

FRETILIN nia historia momos no rekonesidu. La iha ema ida neebe bele deklara katak FRETILIN “manipulador”. Tamba FRETILIN laos manipulador uluk ka agora mak ohin loron ita hotu bele tuur iha fatin ida nee nudar nasaun no Povo independenti.

FRETILIN husu mos ema hotu atu konsienti katak ita nia rain nee seidauk tinan barak sai husi konflitu neebe ema barak terus no mate. Ita seidauk hetan justisa ba hahalok barak neebe mosu iha funu laran. Tamba nee mak ami husu ba deputadu hotu tenke respeita historia funu, sira neebe hetan tortura no kanek tamba sira funu ba rain ida nee nia libertasaun seidauk husik trauma husi tempo uluk, liliu se ita deputadu ida neebe la luta hamutuk ho sira ka hamutuk ho Bapak sira fali, mai koalia buat neebe hatuun sira nia partidu historiku. Ita nia rain liu husi funu todan, laos liu husi halimar. Tamba nee mak ita bele halimar ho estraga partidu historiku nia naran, tamba ita labele halimar ka manipula historia neebe seriu.

FRETILIN husu ba Povo neebe iha semana kotuk laran kanek tamba rona insultu boot ba partidu historiku FRETILIN iha uma fukun ida nee, neebe hamosu mos reasaun makas, husu ba imi hakmatek hotu no halo julgamentu husi liafuan neebe koalia iha tempo neeba tuir konforme imi hare se mak defende rain nee no povo nee nia interesse bainhira tempo too atu ba vota, maibe husu boot atu labele halo violensia ka reasaun nao demokratika no illegal seluk.

Sr Presidenti,

Assuntu hadomi Povo, nasaun no ita nia historia mos iha ligasaun ho akontesimentus iha distritu Covalima no Bobonaro neebe sai polemica iha fulan hirak liu ba.

Liu fulan ida ona mak hamosu sensasionalismu ida neebe ita boot rasik mos envolve kona ba imaginasaun ida naran “ninja”. Bancada FRETILIN dehan ida nee imaginasaun tamba la iha ema ida neebe hatene saida mak “ninja”, la iha ema ida neebe hare “ninja” ida, la iha ema ida neebe keixa katak “ninja” mak halo krime ida, maibe iha uma fukun nee deputadu balum temi ninja no hatauk no kausa paniku boot ida ba populasaun. Iha duni krime, maibe krime nee akontese no presiza hetan reasaun porporsional no apropriada husi autoridades atu hapara, maibe liliu medidas atu preven mosu fali.

Ami kestiona imaginasaun ninja nee husi kleur ona tamba hare iha ona nia aspectu politizasaun, hanesan ONG HAK hatete iha nia relatoriu 15/2/2010.

Sr Presidenti,

Fenomeno “ninja” neebe deputadu balun foti iha uma fukun ida nee hodi kria situasaun paniku no terror iha populasaun iha distritu rua neebe hetan atensaun makas, kobertura media makas, no hetan operasaun seguransa, no visita husi delegasaun politika husi Sr Presidenti no deputadus AMP balun, ne fabrikasaun ida ka imaginasaun ida deit.

Sr. Presidenti, ita koalia ho sira nia lia fuan rasik.

Bancada FRETILIN preokupa ho situasaun ida nee hori uluk kedas, tamba ami hare ona katak iha tendensia atu sensasionalisa insidente balun neebe afecta Povo duni, maibe deklarasaun iresponsavel no oioin katak iha actividade boot “ninja” mak halo povo la hakmatek fali.

Sr Presidenti,

Hahalok nee Bancada FRETILIN konsidera “Terrorismu Politiku”, tamba Povo lakon sira nia moris hakmatek tamba ema iresponsavle balun ba hatauk sira ho “ninja”, maske la iha provas nem itoan katak iha ninja. Ida nee commando PNTL neebe kolia lia fuan “ninja” nee mos ami konsidera iresponsavel no ezigi tenke responsabiliza.

Sr. Presidenti,

Bancada FRETILIN mos ezigi atu halau investigasaun juridika ida atu responsabiliza ba violasaun lei, constituisaun direitus humanus neebe mosu oha operasaun PNTL nian iha distritu rua neeba, neebe lidera pessoalmente no diretamente husi Commandante Geral PNTL nian.

Sr. Presidenti,

Ema barak konklui ona katak, “Operasaun PNTL iha distritu Bobonaro no Covalima nebe hahu iha loron 22 Janeiru 2010 to’o agora ho aproximasaun militer no laos ho aproximasaun polisial (mantein lei no ordem) hodi kombate “ninja”, aleimde laiha fundamentu legal (la tuir regras konstitusional no lei sira nebe vigora kona-ba PNTL), nomos hamosu ona violasaun direitu umanus no efeitu negativu iha komunidade. Tanba tuir lei nebe vigora katak, PNTL ninian knaar mak atu mantein lei hodi hamosu ordem publika laos fali atu halao operasaun hanesan militar ba tempu naruk sein iha autorizasaun husi orgaun kompetenti.

Tuir konstituisaun RDTL artigu 9 no Lei No. 3/2008 (Regime do Estado de Sitio e do Estado de Emergencia) katak bainhira forsa siguransa no defesa halao operasaun ruma ho involvimentu membru boot so bele akontese iha sirkunstansia extra-ordinariu. Bainhira PNTL halao operasaun kombate “ninja”, orgaun soberanu kompetenti seidauk deklara Estado de Ecepção (emergencia ka estado de sitio).

Obrigadu barak.
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Lao Hamutuk to UN Security Council: Timor Police too militarized

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Excerpt from letter dated 22 February 2010 from national Timorese NGO lao hamutuk to Members of the United Nations Security Council:

Police and law enforcement

During the last few weeks, Timor-Leste officials and media have told citizens to be afraid of “ninjas” and their supporters who, according to police, military and political leaders, are spreading violence and terror among local communities.

The Government is using this alleged danger, which appears wildly exaggerated,[5] to justify escalating police and military operations in local communities, often accompanied by human rights violations and implications of “guilt by association” against groups critical of the government.

This phenomenon, which emerged since the 20 January cut-off for the Secretary-General’s report, threatens to undermine the rule of law, human rights (see para. 9), and democratic processes, and we hope that UNMIT will work privately and publicly to make certain that the activities of security forces here do not exceed their constitutional mandates of ensuring democratic legality and defense against external threats.

The increasing militarization of PNTL (all partially described in paragraphs 9, 26, 46-49 and elsewhere) is partially due to the military models of security presented by PKF, ISF, GNR and others. The “perceptions of the ‘militarization’ of PNTL” (paragraph 26) are indeed a concern for the future. These perceptions result from a deliberate campaign in the media and elsewhere by the PNTL Commander and others to portray the police as soldiers combating an undefined enemy force, rather than enforcing the written law and pursuing law-breakers.

(Letter with links, downloadable PDF, and (eventually) Tetum translation is at: http://www.laohamutuk.org/Justice/10LHtoUNSC22Feb.htm))
La’o Hamutuk Timor-Leste Institute for Development Monitoring and Analysis, Rua de Mozambique 1/1a, Farol, Dili, Timor-Leste
Tel: +670-3325013 or +670-7234330

Email: info@laohamutuk.org Website: www.laohamutuk.org

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East Timor swears in new anti-graft boss

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Mon Feb 22, 12:53 am ET

DILI (AFP) – East Timor?s first anti-corruption commissioner was sworn in Monday during a parliamentary ceremony that was broadcast live around the tiny nation.

But on his first day in the job former human rights lawyer Aderito Soares was obliged to play down concerns that Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao's government is not fully behind him.

"There is great political will from the government and all parts of society," he told AFP after the ceremony. "I see today as a very important moment."

Gusmao and senior lawmakers welcomed Soares to his new position with handshakes and hugs before a champagne toast outside parliament.

Soares was confirmed as anti-corruption chief after winning 40 of 65 votes from lawmakers on February 1.

A founder and board member of East Timor?s respected La'o Hamutuk civil society organisation, he has pledged to plough straight into cases already with the nation?s prosecutors.

East Timor?s government has faced multiple accusations of corruption, implicating senior officials including Justice Minister Lucia Lobato and Finance Minister Emilia Pires.

The government denies any wrongdoing.

In October, Sebastiao Ximenes, then East Timor?s Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, said a lack of political will had hampered the work of his unit.

Opposition Freitlin lawmaker Arsenio Bano has questioned what chance the Anti-Corruption Commission has for success if it does not have the unconditional support of the government.

"Given that (Gusmao) has ignored and obstructed the opposition's efforts in parliament to investigate allegations of corruption against his government, which institution will provide the checks and balances in relation to his governance of Timor-Leste?" he said earlier this month.
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Tomada de Posse Komisariu KAK : “Halakon Korupsaun Sei Sai Hanesan Mehi Deit”

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Press Release

Luta Hamutuk

22 de Fevereiro de 2010

Tomada de Posse Komisariu KAK : “Halakon Korupsaun Sei Sai Hanesan Mehi Deit”

Iha loron 22 de Febreiru de 2010, ofisialmente Parlamentu Nasional halao ona Tomada de Posse Sr. Aderito de J.Soares nudar Primeiru Komisariu ba Komisaun Anti-Korupsaun iha Republika Demokratika Timor Leste, nebe mak mos haktuir ona iha Lei Anti-Korupsaun Artigu 7.

Luta Hamutuk nudar instituisaun sosiedade sivil, hakarak hato’o mos parabens ba Sr. Aderito de J.Soares nebe demokratikamente nomeadu nudar Komisariu Komisaun Anti Korupsaun iha Timor Leste. Luta Hamutuk hakarak kongratula komisaun KAK nebe mak iha nia intervensaun hateten mos katak sei nakloke an ba entidade hotu inklui sosiedade sivil sira atu koopera hamutuk hodi halakon korupsaun.

Tuir Luta Hamutuk nia observasaun ba iha intervensaun Sr. Aderito de J.Soares iha Parlementu Nasional, nebe Komisariu ne’e hato’o lia-fuan sira nebe mak nakonu ho esperansa ba Timor oan sira atu monu dala ida tan ba politika governu hodi kombate korupsaun iha governu.

Nudar Luta Hamutuk sei la fiar ba manovras politka ida ne’e Tamba istorikamente hatudu ona katak, governu AMP laiha kapasidade naton atu halakon korupsaun nebe mak lemo-lemo iha governasaun ida ne’e, tamba korupsaun nebe mak akontese ne’e impaktu husi sistema nebe mak fraku no mentalidade korupsaun nebe mak sei daet makas iha governante balun nia isin lolon.

Realidade hatudu ona mai ita katak antes atu hari’i governu ne’e mak hanaran IV Governu Konstitusional, Sr.Xanana Gusmao rasik halo promesa furak teb-tebes ba povu timor liu husi kampaña politika katak “ Se Mak Naok $5 cent, sai.....” maibe to ohin loron seidauk hasae ema ida husi governu maske osan mak lakon liu $5 cent. PDHJ nebe nudar institusaun independente nebe mak halao nia knar tinan barak ona, maibe to ohin loron, defaktu PDHJ mos seidauk prosesa ka hatama koruptor ida ba iha prizaun Becora.

La kleur mosu fali politika reforma administrativa iha IV governu konstitusional nia laran, nebe hamosu II Vice Primeiru Ministru atu hare’e ba asuntu Administrasaun no Boa Governasaun, hodi nomea ona Sr. Mario Viegas Carascalão mak asume kargu ida ne’e. Realidade hatudu katak Sr. Mario V.Carascalão mos halo promesa oi-oin ba timor oan katak atu halakon korupsaun, ne’e mos la konsege.

Agora dadaun mosu fali Komisaun Anti-korupsaun nebe mak sei lidera husi Sr. Aderito de Jesusu.

Husi Fenomea politika hirak nebe mak akontese iha tinan hirak nia laran, Luta Hamutuk fiar katak prezensa primeiru Komisariu Komisaun Anti Korupsaun nebe atu halakon korupsaun iha Timor Leste, sei sai hanesan mehi no mehi deit !!!

Tamba ne’e Luta Hamutuk hakarak dezafia ka fo deadline ba Komisariu Anti Korupsaun katak iha intervalu tempu tinan 2 nia laran, karik KAK la konsege halakon korupsaun iha governasaun ida ne’e, Luta Hamutuk sei organiza manfestasaun publika ida hodi husu atu Komisariu ne’e resigna-an no desolve Komisaun Anti Korupsaun.

Relasiona ho lei anti korupsaun nebe mak promulga ona husi Presidente da Republika iha 7 de Julho de 2009 (Artigu 9; Incompatibilidades), Luta Hamutuk husu ba Sr.

Aderito de Jesus nudar Komisariu Komisaun Anti Korupsaun atu iha tempu badak nia laran, ofisialmente hato’o ka deklara nia Karta Rejignasaun husi organizasaun politika “Fretilin Mudansa” ba publiku, tamba grupu Fretilin mudansa nudar grupu nebe mak halo parte iha IV Governu Konstitusional. Kestaun ne’e importante atu nune bele minimiza Konflitu de Interese wanhira komisariu ne’e halao nia knar.

Tamba Luta Hamutuk hakarak hateten katak Karik laiha rejignasaun formal husi Sr. Aderito de Jesus husi nia pozisaun iha estrutura politika grupu Fretlin mudansa, Luta Hamutuk sei kestiona nia pozisaun nudar komisionariu nebe mak independente.

Luta Hamutuk:Rua Celestino da Silva, Farol,Dili, Timor-Leste
Ph: +670 3322619
Email: lutahamutuk2005@yahoo.com
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