East Timor Legal Information Site
CRISIS 2006 STATEMENTS DECEMBER 2006 - MARCH 2007
TLGOV: PM Hail Compact as a Platform for Unity Gabinete do Primeiro Ministro Media Release 22 March 2007
Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta today hailed the Compact between Timor-Leste and the international community as a platform for unity.
“It brings all people who care for Timor-Leste's development and future together into a common cause,” Dr Ramos-Horta said. “In general, it is designed to harness the capacities and goodwill of all parties who have a long-term involvement in Timor-Leste, and to ensure the leaders of Timor-Leste take a long hard look at why the crisis eventuated.
“The Compact will be an accord with the United Nations, World Bank, Donor Countries, International Agencies, Church and Civil Society, which pre- determines unity of approach to common problems so that the past can be put behind to build today and the future.
“Unity is precisely what the people want and have demanded of us. They are correct it is time for national unity not only in words that are important, but in practice. What better way to do this then to build it into our development and governance programs and management,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that many of the Government and donor programs developed before the crisis addressed the central challenges of poverty reduction and institution-building, and form a strong basis on which to build. These programs and the mechanism developed to implement them can be retained.
“However, the Compact was born because a process of reflection was needed to draw lessons on what has and has not worked, review the new priorities emerging from the crisis, and factor these into a common platform for recovery,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.
The Prime Minister said that he is acutely aware of the fact that building a strong and stable democratic society requires a concerted effort to address the more deep-seated origins of the recent upheaval.
He said that numerous studies all point to the importance of such things as poverty reduction, improved food and income security, job creation, and strengthening the institutional capacities of the country, including in particular, the national security forces, the judicial system, the resolution of land and property disputes, along with continued emphasis on improved infrastructure, health and education services. Improved communications within and among government agencies, communities, donors and civil society are also seen as essential, and badly lacking, as is the ability to spend the budget, a critical factor in the lack of services available to people, especially outside Dili.
Former Secretary General Kofi Annan in a report to SC indicated that a compact among all actors including the Government, the United Nations Mission, and multilateral and bilateral actors was the platform for a focused transition and a long-term framework for recovery.
“I agreed with his view and to that end I promoted the idea and the process to make such a compact a reality,” the Prime Minister said. “I then delegated the mechanics to Deputy Prime Minister Estanislau da Silva and I thank him for all the efforts put to date.
“The Compact has progressed well,” the Prime Minister said.
“The Compact Committee had its first large consultation meeting on February 6 at which the following priorities of the Government were announced as the “priorities of priorities”, to be the focus of attention (resources, political will, implementation) over the two year life span of the Compact.
* Elections, Public Safety and Security
* Public Sector Strengthening (including
human resource development, decentralization, improved budget execution)
* Youth Employment and Skills Development
* Justice System Strengthening
* Social Reinsertion (including housing and shelter, humanitarian assistance, mutual acceptance, healing of societal trauma and support to vulnerable groups)
“The priorities agreed so far, are the ones that the community has made clear the Government and all supporters must address. Before the final agreement is reached, further consultation with civil society and the Church will take place.
“We need to ensure that their needs are fully reflected in the implementation of the Compact,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.
“To successfully develop and implement programs across these five “priorities of priorities”, to ensure the community has services, has access to information, has a say in how they are governed, whatever Government is in power, can only do so within a framework of national unity. This is the first and overwhelming lesson to emerge from the crisis, and one that we must all be mindful of in the upcoming elections,” the Prime Minister concluded. Ends.
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Presidência da República Presidential Statement 1
1 Check agaisnt the original in portuguese (see below)
In the face of the current political, social and humanitarian situation that Timor- Leste is going through, the need arises to provide a public testimony of the will of the State and all Organs of Sovereignty to adequately respond to the violent and organized crime persistently plaguing the capital city of Dili.
The country is witnessing to a certain anarchy and a lack of will on the part of certain segments of society to contribute to the stabilization of the country;
It is unacceptable that goods and human lives continue to be lost and that the citizens continue to live in a climate of insecurity;
It has been noted that, instead of conveying a positive message to the conscience of the people, a message that contributes towards solving the current problems prevailing in the country, some demonstrations have been contributing to create further divisions among people, at a time when the country has a dire need to recover the atmosphere of deeper tolerance and mutual acceptance.
We are about to enter a period of electoral campaign for the first elections ever since Timor-Leste regained its sovereignty on 20 May 2002;
It is absolutely necessary to create conditions that will enable the citizens to freely and conscientiously exercise their right to choose who is to conduct the destinies of Timor-Leste, but such freedom to choose will not exist amidst a situation where the climate of violence continues alive and the authors of violence continue to move with impunity.
Therefore,
It is necessary that the State fulfils its obligation, an obligation that is incumbent upon it, i.e. to guarantee public order, security, and tranquillity, to protect peoples and goods, to prevent crime and contribute towards ensuring the normal functioning of the democratic institutions, the exercise of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizens, and the respect for democratic legality.
It is necessary that the international defence and security forces, which were requested by the Organs of Sovereignty to the community of Nations, fulfil the objective of putting an end to this situation and bring about stability and security to Timor-Leste;
It is necessary that the right to assemble and demonstrate be exercised with due respect for the rules established by the Law on Freedom to Assemble and Demonstrate and that it does not jeopardize the functioning of the institutions of the State and the freedom of the citizens;
It is necessary that the defence and security forces and the judicial institutions give an adequate response in order to prevent and repress crime, including the use of force, if deemed necessary.
Thus,
After hearing the Council of State, the Superior Council for Defence and Security, and the High Level Coordination Committee of the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), which is composed of the President of the Republic, the Speaker of the National Parliament, the Prime Minister, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The President of the Republic:
a) Announces to the Country that the State will make use of all the available legal mechanisms, including the use of force, when deemed
necessary, in order to put an end to violence, to destruction of goods and to the loss of lives, and rapidly re-establish public order;
b) Calls upon the authorities of the Country, both national and international, to utilize all available legal means to ensure that the citizens abide by the law;
c) Calls upon the authorities of the Country and the defence and security forces to intervene in order to ensure that meetings and demonstrations are organized with strict respect for the laws regulating the holding of meetings, rallies and demonstrations, and that they do not put at stake the functioning of the State institutions and the rights of other citizens;
d) Calls upon the defence and security forces to be strict in demanding that law be enforced and to utilize all the available legal means to
prevent violation of law and disturbance of public order;
e) Calls upon the defence and security forces to make use of the procedural mechanisms established by law to combat crime, namely by carrying out searches, including home searches, identification of people, seizure of weapons, ammunition, explosives, fuel containers, as well as any other item suspicious of being used for committing crimes, such as provided for in articles 52 to 56 of the Criminal Procedural Code and Decree Law No. 4/2006 (on terrorism, violent or highly organized crime);
f) Calls upon all citizens to refrain from participating in activities that contribute towards the climate of instability and to collaborate with the authorities so that law and order can prevail;
g) Announces the Country that, where normal measures reveal themselves to be insufficient to put and end to the currently existing criminal pressure, the Organs of the State may have to adopt more serious measures, such as the state of siege.
Palácio das Cinzas, Dili, 5 March 2007
[Signed]
Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Presidente da República Democrática de Timor-Leste
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DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE Government of Timor-Leste MEDIA RELEASE 27 February 2007 Government solves rice shortage and warns against hoarding
The government of Timor-Leste (East Timor) has already begun distributing imported rice in Dili and outlying districts and threatened to prosecute hoarders seeking to artificially increase prices.
The World Food Program has lent 800 tonnes of rice to the government. Three hundred tonnes of rice has been sold to the cooperatives and rural retailers and the remaining 500 tonnes will soon be made available for sale. The rice is being sold at US$2 per 5kg and the government will be required to replenish the rice stocks of the World Food Program once it has sufficient reserves of rice.
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minster for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Estanislau Da Silva, said the government expected to receive rice shipments later this week and next week.
Mr Da Silva said the government is investigating whether any private businesses have been hoarding rice in order to artificially increase the price.
If any businesses are found to be engaging in such practices, appropriate action will be taken through the judicial system," Mr Da Silva said. The National Parliament is also carrying out an investigation.
Mr Da Silva also rejected accusations by a Dili Catholic priest, Father Domingos Soares "Maubere" that the Government has been hoarding rice and selling it to supporters of the ruling party FRETILIN. Father Domingos Soares "Maubere" is a well-known opponent of the government who led anti-government demonstrations in 2005.
This completely false and ridiculous allegation from a member of the Church is irresponsible and may serve to further destabilise the already volatile security situation," he said.
As a member of FRETILIN, I have not bought any rice from the Government nor do FRETILIN members receive preferential treatment in respect of rice distribution. In my office, I have received people from all opposition political parties to discuss solutions to the apparent rice shortage. If anybody has any concerns they should contact my ministry directly to clarify any issues," Mr Da Silva said.
He said that while there appeared to be a shortage of rice there was no overall food shortage in Timor -Leste, with sufficient reserves of potatoes, cassava and maize to feed the population.
People who claim that Timor-Leste is experiencing starvation are spreading misinformation about the current situation in an attempt to score political points without regard to the fact that their comments are misleading and destabilizing," he said.
The government took strict measures after the ransacking of the rice warehouses during the 2006 crisis to ensure that there was no food shortage in Timor-Leste."
Let's not forget that the Timorese Government has been distributing rice to internally displaced people and other vulnerable people at no cost and is purchasing more rice to continue the feeding program. The government also has put in place mother and child feeding programs as well as school feeding programs", da Silva said.
The rice shortage is actually a region wide issue with Indonesia and the Philippines also experiencing similar problems. However, we expect that Thailand and Vietnam will harvest their rice in the next month or so which will help to alleviate the supply concerns around the region, including in Timor-Leste."
For further comment: Carmen da Cruz, +6707274156. Carmen da Cruz is the Director of Social Services in the Ministry of Labour and Community Reinsertion
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FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE (FRETILIN)
Media Release 27 February 2007 Reinado attacks aimed at stopping elections
Timor-Leste (East Timor) army mutineers led by Major Alfredo Reinado have attacked police stations in order to spread panic and stop elections from going ahead, a spokesperson for Timor-Leste’s governing party Fretilin said today.
Fretilin spokesperson in Sydney Sahe Da Silva said Reinado’s attacks on the police posts appeared to be part of an orchestrated attempt to create an atmosphere of instability and terror, in order to prevent the holding of elections.
“The longer Reinado and his men remain free, the more instability and fear they will create,” Mr Da Silva said.
“With Reinado roaming around the countryside creating havoc, some opponents of Fretilin will seize on this as an excuse to argue that elections should be postponed.
“Our opponents are worried that we still command majority support in the countryside, as shown by a series of highly successful election rallies in several districts over the last few weeks.”
The presidential election is due on April 9 and parliamentary elections around mid-year.
Mr Da Silva said it is critical that United Nations and Australian forces, who have taken responsibility for security in Timor-Leste, provide adequate protection for leaders and activists of Fretilin, particularly in areas west of Dili.
“The lives of Fretilin leaders and activists are now under serious threat from Reinado and his gang,” Mr Da Silva said.
Speaking in Dili today, Fretilin General Secretary Mari Alkatiri called for the immediate recapture of Reinado and welcomed President Xanana Gusmao’s televised statement last night also calling on the Australian military to arrest Reinado.
“This decision to push for Reinado’s recapture should have been taken a long time ago, but at least it has finally been taken,” Dr Alkatiri said.
Dr Alkatiri said Reinado’s arrest would not only improve the security situation but also help to reveal the true causes of the crisis in Timor-Leste and identify the people behind the crisis.
Reinado and his heavily armed group attacked two police stations and stole more than 25 weapons in the western districts of Timor-Leste on Sunday 25 February.
Mr Da Silva, a Sydney-based lawyer, said his sources in Dili report the Reinado group’s attack on the police station at Tunubibi in the Maliana district was launched at midday and involved between 8-9 men, whilst the attack on the police station at Salele in Cova Lima district took place in the evening and involved up to 18 men.
“Despite the presence of more than 1000 UN police and approximately 800 Australian and other military personnel in Timor-Leste, Reinado was allowed to escape from his cantonment area in Ermera where Australian forces were supposed to have set up road blocks to control his movements,” Mr Da Silva said.
“This is the second time in six months that the Australian-trained Reinado has been allowed to escape from under the noses of Australian troops.”
Reinado is a former military police chief who spent several years in Australia and trained at the Australian Defence Academy in Canberra in 2005.
He is wanted for murder after leading an attack on troops loyal to the government in which several people were killed and injured on May 23 last year. This attack led to further violence which resulted in the dispatch of Australian troops to Timor-Leste and the overthrow of then Prime Minister Alkatiri.
Reinado was arrested on July 27 last year after Portuguese police discovered he and his men were occupying houses across the street from Australian military headquarters in Dili.
“Reinado led a mass breakout from prison in Dili last August but despite his fugitive status he has been in close and friendly contact with Australian troops ever since,” Mr Da Silva said.
He pointed out that Reinado was even photographed with a rocket launcher of the same type as those stolen from the Australian Army.
“As some Australian newspaper reports indicated, the photograph was taken last November, about the time Reinado attended a seminar in the presence of Australian troops.
“This charade has gone on for too long, and Reinado must now be recaptured and brought to trial,” Mr Da Silva said.
Contact: Sahe Da Silva on 0414 807 824 (Sydney) Mari Alkatiri on +670 723 0010 (Dili)
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PRESS CONFERENCE BY Timor-Leste special Representative
Tues 13 Feb 2007 08:04:26 AM EST
Desirous of peace, stability and democracy, the people of Timor-Leste needed the international community’s support to convert their commitment into real, concrete outcomes, Atul Khare, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Timor-Leste and the head of the United Nations Integrated Mission there told correspondents at a Headquarters press conference today.
Stressing that the development and strengthening of democratic institutions was a long and drawn-out process, he said yesterday’s Security Council meeting on the situation in Timor-Leste left him with a considerable degree of satisfaction in terms of the Council’s broad support for the Secretary-General’s recommendation to extend the Mission’s current mandate, which expires on 25 February, by an additional 12-month period.
Describing the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), as defined by Council resolution 1704 (2006), he said a priority area of focus was to support the forthcoming elections -– the first national elections to be organized by Timor-Leste’s Government. The Mission was also tasked with ensuring support for justice and accountability, particularly looking at the report and recommendations of the Independent Special Commission of Inquiry, which the Secretary-General had established at the request of the Timorese authorities. Another priority area of the Mission’s mandate was to improve security and reconstitute the National Police Force, commonly known as the PNTL, and a comprehensive review of the security sector.
He added that he was returning to Timor-Leste with a sense of “cautious optimism” –- optimism because he believed that the United Nations, the Government and the people of Timor-Leste were committed to working together to ensure that peace, stability, development and democracy could prevail. Past experience had also taught him to be cautious, however. A premature and abrupt withdrawal of international support, or even a serious downsizing, would not benefit the United Nations, the international community and the country at large. The “momentary bump” in the nation-building process in April and May 2006 had demonstrated that.
Electoral support was also among the challenges facing the Government and the Mission, he said. Voter registration for the forthcoming national elections would run from 29 January to 16 March. To date, there had already been some 8,000 new registrations, which, given the country’s difficult terrain and infrastructure problems, was a high figure. With the new registrations, the total number of voters was estimated at some 465,000. Based on earlier census predictions, it was estimated that around 500,000 people would be enrolled as voters by the end of the registration period.
Security, which remained a challenge, was critical not only for stability but also for the successful conduct of credible, free and fair and transparent elections organized under an independent national electoral commission, he said, stressing the need for the results to be acceptable not only to the candidates and the Timorese people, but also the international community, which had made significant investments in the country.
Noting that last spring’s temporary “bump” was not the result of ethnic or religious conflict, but was a case of disgruntled former soldiers, a correspondent asked what the Government and Prime Minister José Ramos-Horta was doing to address their real grievances.
Responding, Mr. Khare said it was true that one dimension of the crisis had been the case of disgruntled soldiers. Ultimately, however, the crisis had been multidimensional and multifaceted. While there had been several contributing elements, the disgruntlement of the soldiers -- or petitioners -- had been a critical element. The Government had provided a financial subsidy to the petitioners. President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and Prime Minister Ramos-Horta had also formed a Commission of Notables, which, among other things, looked into the broad reasons for the petitioners’ grievances. The Commission’s report was expected in the next few days. He hoped its implementation would address some of the grievances.
It was also necessary to recall, however, that the National Police Force in Dili -– the PNTL –- had disintegrated during the crisis, particularly in May 2006, he added. The process of screening and evaluation of all police officers was aimed at ensuring that the police force was responsive, accountable, efficient and effective. Translating those words into reality, however, was the challenge.
Turning to the issue of security, he said it was necessary to look at the issue within the broader socio-economic context. Abject poverty, high levels of illiteracy and high unemployment rates, especially among the youth, also had to be addressed. In that regard, he was delighted to learn that the Government was trying to expand “cash forward” programmes, which provided $2 a day for rebuilding and repairs to infrastructure. A new development was the functioning of traffic lights in Dili, which had restored a sense of normalcy. The Minister of Labour and Community Reinsertion was planning to propose an employment policy to the Parliament and Government, which included a specifically targeted youth employment policy.
Responding to a question on the issue of oil and gas, he noted that revenues had started “trickling in”. Some $120 to $140 million was being received in oil and gas revenues per month. Oil was being pumped from offshore platforms. A pact had also been concluded between the Governments of Australia and Timor-Leste. Further discussions on two treaties were still taking place. Both the leaders of Australia and Timor-Leste had demonstrated maturity and pragmatism. He hoped the two additional treaties would soon be concluded.
Asked whether he had met separately with Chinese representatives on the situation in Timor-Leste, he said he had tried to meet with as many ambassadors in the last three days as possible. In that regard, he was happy that China’s Deputy Permanent Representative had met with him. While he would refrain from commenting on the impression he had drawn from statements in the Council, he did believe there was considerable degree of opinion in favour of a 12-month extension of the Mission’s mandate, which would send a clear signal of the international community’s continued engagement to Timor-Leste.
He agreed with the Prime Minister that an extension of 12 months was critical, as it would not only provide a sense of confidence in the international community’s support, but would also assist UNMIT in expanding its efforts to assist the country. The Mission was currently operating on a high vacancy rate. Extending the mandate would address that challenge, as many specialized job profiles needed time to achieve results, especially, for example, in the area of security sector reform.
An additional police unit of 140 people had been requested, he added in response to another question.
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Office of the Prime-Minister
Speech on the 6th Anniversary of the Falintil-FDTL
Your Excellency the President of the Republic, Your Excellencies Government colleagues Your Excellency the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the UN, Your Excellency the General Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces, Your Excellencies Ambassadors and Diplomatic representatives, Guests, Officers, Sergeants and soldiers of the Falintil-FDTL.
We celebrate today the anniversary of the establishment of the FDTL, the Defence Forces of Timor-Leste, after a very critical time for our country and, specially, for the military institution. My first words are to honour those heroes who gave their lives and contributed so much to the establishment of the Falintil-FDTL and to our Country, such as Nicolau Lobato, Nino Konis Santana, David Alex and many other brave commanders who still are an inspiration for all of us.
It has been a troubled year, indeed, with every state institution and public service having their activities conditioned by difficulties, when many Timorese lost their lives without any plausible reason for that fate, and many others were forced to abandon their homes.
In the anniversary of the Falintil-FDTL, I want to praise the military for the crucial role performed during those very critical times the Country went through. Due to them, the authority of the State institutions was maintained, particularly in the capital city. Before the arrival of the foreign military and police contingents, at our request the Armed Forces come to our help, managed to maintain the rule of law and filled the void created by the collapse of the security forces in Dili.
The strong discipline, a characteristic quality of the military institution, the high professionalism of the troops that remained all along loyal to the their hierarchy were the foundation of the success of the mission that fell to their shoulders, enhanced by the competence and the commanding skills of the military leadership, first and foremost of its Commander, Brigadier-General Taur Matan Ruak, to whom I pay homage for the patriotic action he has been pursuing for a long time since the resistance to foreign occupation. This is the example we ought to get through to the younger generations.
Far from wasting our energies and resources looking for culprits of what happened we have to look forward, correcting past mistakes and equipping the Armed Forces with all the necessary conditions for their development and consolidation.
Those whose hands are tainted in blood shall answer before a court of Justice, but proceedings have to follow the courts’ rulings free of undue pressure from individuals, no matter what the whims of individuals maybe.
The Report 2020 is ready, which defines the goals of the Armed Forces in the next 15 years, evaluates their needs and points to the challenges they face in modern times. The next step, already under way, is the implementation of its recommendations for the indispensable modernization of the Falintil-FDTL.
Three primary challenges have been identified to be carried out in a short time by my government. First, the opening of the military institution to a younger generation: the military service shall be not just the right of some of us, but the duty of everyone, particularly of the young people.
The National Parliament passed yesterday unopposed a crucial piece of legislation whose proposal was submitted by the government: the Law of the Military Service, which institutes a general mandatory registration of all young citizens from 18 to 28 to enrol in the army according to its needs. We know that for now only a small percentage of youths in drafting age can be absorbed by the armed forces. But every one of them will form a military reserve, which can be called for active duty to defend the independence, sovereignty or territorial integrity of the motherland, should the need arise.
A second challenge for the Armed Forces is to broaden the scope of its action beyond national defence, to security and humanitarian relief missions, in close cooperation and coordination with the security forces. I am pleased to see that the Falintil-FDTL are currently carrying out a mission of such a nature relocating people from refugee camps to proper temporary shelters.
We also look forward to the day the Armed Forces of Timor-Leste have the ability to actively participate in joint actions with forces of other countries, be it in combined exercises or peacekeeping operations under the mandate of the United Nations or of regional organizations that Timor-Leste may join in the future.
A third challenge, in my opinion indispensable to promote the operative capabilities of the Armed Forces and maintain a high level of discipline, will be its gradual reorganization to become a force of smaller operative units based all over the national territory. Not only will this improve its technical capabilities, but will also allow those who wish to serve in the army to do so without the need to be permanently away from their families and their villages.
Here with us today is the former Minister for Defence, Mr. Roque Rodrigues, and the policies of National Defence adopted by my government are the continuity of the policies of the I Constitutional Government, in which he served. The Government is united and determined in the effort to equip the Armed Forces with the necessary means to achieve its objectives.
We have recently passed new legislation concerning National Defence. Besides the above mentioned Law of the Military Service, the Council of Ministers approved a set of important military regulations - Regulation for Military Promotions, the Regulation of Military Discipline and the Organic Law of the Ministry of Defence. The Statutory Law of the Falintil-FDTL was also revised.
I am confident that this legislative package enables the Armed Forces to face its future in a realistic way and will strengthen the commitment of its officers, sergeants and soldiers to the institution as well as the whole civil society with the military.
I want to assure all the personnel of the Falintil-FDTL that I am one hundred percent with you, on your side and supporting you on your national goals.
Baucau, 1 February 2007
The Prime Minister and Minister of Defence
Dr. José Ramos Horta.
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SPEECH BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL TAUR MATAN RUAK ON THE SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FALINTIL TIMOR-LESTE'S DEFENSE FORCE
Baucau, 1 February 2007
Your Excellencies, President of the Republic, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao Speaker of the National Parliament, Francisco Lu-Olo Guterres Prime-Minister Jose Ramos-Horta President of the Court of Appeal, Claudio Ximenes Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Atul Khare Most Reverend Bishop of Baucau, D. Basilio do Nascimento Members of Parliament Members of the Government Members of the Diplomatic Community Officers of PNTL Members of the Media Ladies and Gentlemen, Officers and Soldiers of the F-FDTL
Welcome to the headquarters of F-FDTL's 1st Batallion!
We celebrate today the sixth anniversary of the establishment of Falintil Timor-Leste's Defense Force, a pillar of the State and a structuring element of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
Over the last year, the country has been through a crisis that some have described as a political and military one. It is true that the crisis has manifested itself in the Defense and Security Forces. However, its origins go beyond the military institution. They are to be found in our remote past as well as in our more recent past. Our geo-strategic location is also a factor that must be borne in mind.
To be sure, problems did emerge amongst us. And the F-FDTL take full responsibility for their doings. But we expect other institutions who share responsibilities in the present crisis to do the same.
Gradually, the situation is clearing up. We went through very painful moments, when the message was put across that our members had violated their military oath to be loyal to the Constitution by engaging in dishonourable acts. In particular, it was suggested that the F-FDTL had committed a massacre.
From the start, we expressed our willingness to contribute to the investigation of such allegations. We have said it repeatedly and today I shall say it once more: we worked together with every single Commission of Inquiry that was set up to establish the facts and we put ourselves entirely at the disposal of the justice system.
Such conduct is also a way for the F-FDTL to contribute to the stability of our country and to bolster its sovereignty.
Stability is dependent upon numerous factors. As far as the F-FDTL are concerned, we are and shall remain a NON-PARTISAN institution pursuant to our Constitution. The Defense Forces are part of a wider sector generally known as the Security Sector. The Command of F-FDTL hereby reasserts their willingness and commitment to working alongside their sister Force the PNTL.
This year, will see a presidential and a general election. We thus emphasize once more our non-partisan posture.
On our anniversary, I shall be brief in discussing the future. We have recently completed a study on our strategic situation, our missions and goals and on the type of Defense Force that the country requires. The study was released on 22 January .
Our country is a half-island and our territory also includes an enclave, an island and an islet. The sea is an ever-present reality and our sovereignty requires that we address the issue of the jurisdiction over our territorial waters in a creative way.
The Defence Forces will inevitably have to include a naval component. For us, the sea is a bridge linking us to our neighbours. And in the military and defense realm, we have to strengthen the cooperation with the navy components of neighbouring countries.
The new impending threats demand that we address security issues from a regional perspective. We do not want Australia and Indonesia to be perceived as mere neighbours. We want to develop our cooperation and friendship with their respective forces.
I do acknowledge that we lack a naval tradition. It is therefore important to get started and to build on our experiences. This is one of the guidelines that resulted from the "Forca 2020" study.
With the existing personnel, we shall have to re-organize the Defense Force and align it with the new guidelines that came out of the study. I have already instructed my officers and staff to get started on this immediately.
In order to better fulfil our mission and serve the Country and the People, we shall have to establish an Engineering Platoon. This will be a way to honour and persevere in the tradition to serve of the Glorious FALINTIL.
With a view to contributing to Peace in the world whilst serving our Country, we should have military personnel capable of taking part in peace-keeping missions abroad.
None of the above tasks can be completed in a short period of time, but we are determined to carry them through.
On this 6th anniversary, and as Commander-in-Chief of the Force, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all the countries that work together with our Falintil-FDTL. I am aware that we still have a long way to go, and cooperation is essential to ensure that the F-FDTL will fulfil their duties in a professional manner while serving our Country and our People.
Officers and Soldiers of the Falintil-FDTL,
A few final words for you all, to emphasize your discipline and your loyalty to the People, the Constitution and our Falintil-FDTL. I have trust in you!
Thank you.
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REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE GABINETE DO PRIMEIRO MINISTRO MEDIA RELEASE 15 December 2006
PRIME MINISTER DEMANDS IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF GOVERNMENT DEBTS
In a surprise visit this morning to the Treasury Division of the Ministry of Planning and Finances, Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta demanded a report explaining the government’s non-payment of accounts – some dating back to 2004 – to several companies in Dili and that those debts be settled immediately.
Dr Ramos-Horta ultimatum honours the pledge he made during his swearing-in as Prime Minister in July when he said he would “investigate the complaints about the non-payment of bills by the Government.”
In a friendly and frank discussion with the Director and Deputy Director of Treasury, the Prime Minister heard the officers’ justification
for the excessive delays in honouring the debts.
“It seems that there are Ministries who ask for services from the private sector without having budget allocated for such expenditures,” the Prime Minister said. “This naturally causes problems and delays at Treasury. How can they process the payment if there is no budget allocation?
“I’ve asked Treasury to report to me within a week identifying all ministries and institutions that are at fault and I’ll than discuss the issue with the responsible Ministers,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.
The Prime Minister said this is not the fault of the private sector and they should not be punished.
“I’ve instructed Treasury to sort out the mess and honor the bills immediately.
“The private and enterpreneurial sector is an indispensable element of our country. They provide a service and they should be paid promptly,” he said.
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DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE GOVERNMENT RESOLUTION N0. 9/2006 OF 13 DECEMBER 2006
ASSISTANCE TO THE VICTIMS OF THE CRISIS
In the period between 28 April and 30 September of the current year, this country faced very tragic moments, with the destruction of human lives and personal belongings;
Dozens of thousands of citizens were taken by the panic and have lived displaced in their own town and in the interior of the country; However, the majority of the displaced population has returned to their previous dwelling;
Even though they are now poorer and more vulnerable, they maintain the hope and renew the effort to continue to build the country in peace and solidarity;
It is in the interest of the human solidarity that ought to unite the citizens and humanize the State that the Government decides, pursuant to paragraph o), item 1 of article 115 of the Constitution of the Republic, the following:
1. To recognize the right to a decent pension, under a special regime, to the families of those members of F-FDTL and PNTL who, while serving the State, died or became permanently disabled, as a direct consequence of the crisis that occurred from 28 April to 30 September.
2. To assign a financial aid to the families of the civilian victims who died or were injured as a direct consequence of the events occurred in the above mentioned period.
3. To assign a specific amount of money to the displaced families who have lost their belongings following the looting of their houses, to assist them buy some essential items.
4. To assign a specific amount of money to the traders and owners of small kiosks from the informal sector, who had their belongings
destroyed, to assist them resume their activity.
5. The displaced people can only benefit from the assistance herein established if they abandon the centers where they are installed and return to their respective houses, districts or temporary shelters before 15 December.
6. Humanitarian assistance shall continue in their residences or in the new shelters prepared by the Government.
7. To negotiate the establishment of credit lines with the bank institutions to finance the restart of private activity of those traders in the
formal sector of the economy who have been affected by the crisis.
8. The special regime pension, including any other financial assistance and the bank credit established in this statute, shall be object of a specific regulation, which will determine the amount to distribute, as well as the criteria and the procedure for the granting.
9. The resources necessary to cover the financial charges resulting from the present statute that do not fit into the regular budget shall be included in the rectifying budget of the current fiscal year.
Approved by the Council of Ministers on 1st. December 2006
For publication.
The Prime Minister José Ramos-Horta [signed]
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