East Timor Legal Information Site
CRISIS 2006 STATEMENTS JUNE
FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
Rua dos Mártires da Pátria, Comoro, Dili, Timor-Leste Dili, June 30, 2006
Message to the Nation by Franciso Guterres (Lu-Olo) President of FRETILIN
30 JUNE 2006 Our people today are living in an anxious and difficult time, in fear and uncertainty. A significant part of our population is displaced, living outside their own homes, far from their loved ones, and facing the uncertainties of tomorrow withoutunderstanding.
All of us together have an obligation to contribute to the restoration of peace and stability.
As a citizen of our beloved country, and as president of FRETILIN, I have the pleasure of speaking to you, my dear compatriots and members of our party, making a passionate appeal to put behind us those things which divide us and concentrate our minds and all our efforts to overcome the crisis into which we are sinking.
I appeal in particular that we moderate our language, that we learn to choose our words and to measure them, so as not to offend, in order that our words serve to unite us, to build peace, to have dialogue; rather than using words as weapons of abuse to be hurled against each other.
We all have too many wounds already. We do not want, and we cannot continue, to wound one another.
I appeal even more passionately to my beloved fellow citizens to surrender immediately any weapons you may have in your possession to the lawful authorities; and to convince all others that have weapons to do the same.
Without a complete return of all weapons, we cannot possibly guarantee a return to normality, and secure peace of mind and re-establish the rule of law which has been so suddenly and irrationally interrupted.
I appeal also for the immediate cessation of all types of violence, including the burning of people's houses which has occurred mainly here in Dili, our capital.
I appeal especially to all the members of FRETILIN to collectively and individually take on the task of contributing actively to the
preservation to the greater good of national unity.
Timor-Leste belongs to all of us, it is for us all.
Let us honour the memory of our martyrs, those thousands of sons and daughters who gave their lives for our Independence.
Let us cherish our Independence
Long live the Republic of Timor-Leste
Long live National Unity
Long live the Maubere people
Long live FRETILIN
For peace, democracy and progress. United, we will prevail! ends
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30 JUNE 2006 FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
Rua dos Mártires da Pátria, Comoro, Dili, Timor-Leste email: staccfretilin@yahoo.com. Tel/fax 3317219
RETILIN DEMONSTRATES PEACEFULLY IN DILI
30 JUNE 2006 Six thousand FRETILIN militants and supporters entered Dili this afternoon in a peaceful, disciplined convoy of over one hundred and fifty trucks, buses and cars, to deliver a message to the President of the Republic. The rally was twice the size of anything seen on the streets of Dili in the last few weeks.
"We have a simple message," said Filomeno Aleixo, from the protest organising committee. "Respect the Constitution and the rule of law. Recognise FRETILIN's democratic mandate to govern until the next election. Do not waste the work we have done together for years. Work together with the Parliament and the other organs of State for the welfare of the people."
The demonstrators chanted Viva FRETILIN, Viva Alkatiri, Viva Lu'olo, and sang East Timorese nationalist songs as they drove from Metinaro into Dili. Thousands stayed patient in the hot sun for hours, as international forces searched every vehicle. Despite some attempts from anti-FRETILIN elements in Dili to provoke the huge rally with rock-throwing and abuse, the demonstration remained calm. "We have asked the President and other parties to stop the abuse of individuals which insults their dignity and does not respect their rights," said Mt Aleixou. "We do not need to do this. We have a democracy, we have our own Constitution. People have to express their views peacefully and through voting."
The rally revealed FRETILINS deep roots in the districts and in the independence struggle. Many protest organisers and participants were veterans of that struggle, reflected in the tight organization and attention to security. "Our militants and supporters respect their leaders, from the top to the bottom," said FRETILIN Information Committee member Filomena DeAlmeida. "Our party fought for the people throughout the Indonesian occupation, and we rely on their support. People who attack FRETILIN need to think again. We have a democratic mandate."
Mr Aleixo called on the media not to keep talking about east and west. "We are not Lorosae, we are not Loromonu. We are FRETILIN. With more resources, we can bring just as many people from other districts. Our support in all districts is clear from the voting figures." Tonight, several thousand protestors who stayed in town are being fed by Dili members of FRETILIN, who were encouraged not to join the rally for fear of reprisals after the protest leaves. The international forces are guaranteeing security.
DILI 29th June 2006 Contact: Filomeno Aleixou 7243460
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29 JUNE 2006 FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE FRETILIN
A Message to His Excellency the President of the Republic, KAY RALA XANANA GUSMÃO
FROM: The Militants and Supporters of FRETILIN
With all respect, we the militants and supporters of FRETILIN wish to convey this message to His Excellency The President of the
Republic, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, in the hope that you, as Head of State, will listen to our concerns as citizens of Timor-Leste.
We appeal
1. To our sovereign State institutions and all our citizens to follow the Constitution of RDTL, and all the laws passed by the Parliament and promulgated by the President, so as to guarantee the peaceful functioning of our society;
2. To His Excellency the President of the Republic, to receive our FRETILIN delegation, as the representatives of the political party which won the democratic elections of 2001, to discuss how an interim government should be formed, so we can act together for the good of the people and the development of Timor-Leste;
3. To His Excellency the President of the Republic, to use your power as the main person responsible for Defence and Security issues to order an immediate disarmament of the civilian groups;
4. To His Excellency the President of the Republic, to use your power to stop violent protests in which various groups attack and
insult peoples’ dignity, throughout the day and night;
We demand that the groups who are harassing our President and especially our Secretary-General Comrade Mari Alkatiri, as well as our militants, stop their actions;
We the militants and supporters of FRETILIN once again give this message:
* We do not want the Timor-Leste State to collapse;
* We do not want to live in hatred and vengeance
This is not the time to point fingers at each other and compare who has committed more mistakes and who is more righteous. What is important is that we exchange ideas to find a solution so that everyone can return to their houses and live in peace and good relations with each other;
We as militants and supporters of FRETILIN have trust in the ability of our sovereign institutions to work together in order to cease our people’s suffering;
We give our total support to the efforts of our leaders of FRETILIN to continue to dialogue with all the State institutions, political parties, civil society and especially the Catholic Church, in order to find a good solution for the Maubere people and to consolidate our democracy in Timor-Leste.
We as militants and supporters of FRETILIN state that FRETILIN should nominate the Prime Minister in the interim government, in accordance with our Constitution, the highest law of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
Thank you for your attention.
Below appear the signatures of representatives of the militants and supporters of FRETILIN
Dili, 29 June 2006
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26 JUNE 2006 FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE FRETILIN
PM’s OFFERS TO RESIGN TO CLEAR WAY FOR DIALOGUE
At midday today in Dili, FRETILIN Secretary-General Mari Alkatiri and President Lu’olo held a press conference, to announce Mr. Alkatiri’s offer to resign from the Prime Ministership, to avoid the resignation of the country’s President Xanana Gusmao. “No one persons interests, and no party’s interests, are greater than the interests of the country,” said Mr Alaktiri. He said that he was assuming his share of the responsibility for the crisis of the past months, and was determined not to deepen it any further. “The people deserve to live in peace and tranquillity,” he said, as he called on FRETILIN’s members and supporters to respect and approve his decision.
“This is an extremely difficult and emotional moment in the history of the indpendence movement,” said Mr Estanislau da Silva, close ally and friend of Mr. Alkatiri, and a spokesman for FRETILIN’s National Political Commission. “From the start, FRETILIN has had a clear objective, to ensure that the resolution of this crisis occurs peacefully within our democratic constitution and laws. This means the three key State institutions, the Parliament, the President and the Government, have to work together. If the President resigns, that road will be closed. Our Secretary-General has taken this action in the interests of our country, and its independence, for which FRETILIN have fought for thirty one years. A letter of resignation has been delivered this afternoon to His Excellency the President, and our Party is ready to begin dialogue immediately on the resolution of the crisis.”
Mr Da Silva rejected claims that this decision was a response to allegations of criminal conduct against Mr Alakatiri. “Irresponsible people who care less than we do about peace and security in Timor-Leste may claim our Secretary-General has bowed to the pressure of the slanderous allegations made against him in the media and by his opponents, “ he said. “To these people, we say again, let the allegations against him be tested under our laws, under a competent judicial authority. Every Timorese citizen has a right under our Constitution to be treated fairly and in accord with the law, including our Secretary-General, and these rights will be defended vigorously by our Party.”
Mr Da Silva repeated the appeal Mr Alkatiri made to his supporters for understanding. “To our party militants and supporters, who we count in hundreds of thousands, not thousands, we appeal for patience, “ he said. “We did not expect that the elected leader of a party with an overwhelming mandate could be forced to stand down in this way in a democracy. Our democracy is young, and perhaps we still have a lot to learn. But we know this crisis is not of our making. Until the facts become clearer, we must take care not to act in any way which threatens our fragile peace and stability. East Timorese suffered long enough under colonial rule, and they should not be asked to suffer more. While armed and irregular groups remain at large, restoring security and stability in people’s lives must be our number one priority. Only dialogue among all sectors and institutions can achieve this.”
For further comment: Estanislau Da Silva, FRETILIN National Political Commission +670 723 0018
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26 JUNE 2006 THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
STATEMENT TO THE MEDIA
The Presidency of the Republic hereby informs that, today, 26 June 2006, H. E. President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão received the letter of resignation of Dr. Mari Alkatiri from the position of Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
Upon this letter of resignation, H. E. President Xanana Gusmão informed Dr. Alkatiri that his resignation enters into effect as from today, 26 June 2006.
Bearing in mind the need to ensure the functionality of the organs of the democratic institutions of the State and an effective management of the current national crisis, H. E. President Xanana Gusmão has called a meeting of the Council of the State to be held tomorrow, June 27, from 09:30 am.
For more information : Agio Pereira Telemóvel +670 7230011
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26 JUNE 2006 REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE GABINETE DO PRIMEIRO-MINISTRO
STATEMENT
Having deeply reflected on the present situation prevailing in the country;
Considering that above all interests are the interests of our nation;
Assuming my own share of responsibility for the crisis affecting our country;
Determined not to contribute to any deepening of the crisis;
Recognising that the people of Timor Leste deserves to live in peace and tranquility;
Believing that all militatnts and sympathisers of FRETILIN will understand and support this position;
I declare:
1) I am ready to resign from my position of Prime Minister and a member of the Government of RDTL so as to avoid the resignation of His Excellency the President of RDTL;
2) I am ready to dialogue with His Excellency the President of the Republic in order to contribute if necessary to the formation of the interim government;
3) I am ready to contribute to the presentation of the State budget to the National Parliament
Finally, I declare that I will reassume my functions as a member of the national Parliament until the end of the parliamentary term.
Dili, 26 June 2006
Mari Alkatiri
Prime Minister
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25 JUNE 2006 FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE FRETILIN
EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF FRETILIN CENTRAL COMMITTEE RESOLUTION
The FRETILIN Central Committee held a meeting in Dili, on the 25th June 2006, to discuss and adopt possible measures to resolve the present crisis in Timor-Leste.
Taking into consideration
The need to guarantee the rule of law, withers
The demand by His Excellency the President of the Republic for the Prime Minister to resign;
The need to find an adequate political and judicial mechanism for the conflict which occurred between 28 April and 25 July;
The urgency to promote dialogue and talks with His Excellency the President of the Republic;
The urgency to ask for the involvement of institutions and credible international mediators, to find a lasting solution
Decides:
To reaffirm that FRETILIN is totally prepared and willing to find a lasting solution for the crisis
The solution must be found within respect for the Constitution and the laws;
The solution must be built on the basis of dialogue and consensus;
To appeal to His Excellency the President of the Republic and His Excellency the Prime Minister not to give up their constitutional responsibilities to contribute to a solution of the crisis;
FRETILIN proposes, taking these ideas into consideration
To initiate contacts with a view to having dialogue with His Excellency the President of the Republic
To seek support from the Catholic Church and other religious denominations to seek a solution to the crisis;
To ask for meeting with political parties and civil societies organizations for the same objective
To demand the competent authorities to act to guarantee the detention and rapid trial of all citizens that have committed crimes during this period;
To follow up the investigations of diversion and illegal distribution of arms and verify the alleged responsibility and involvement of cadres and militants of FRETILIN;
To demand the disarmament of all irregular groups and armed persons;
To initiate the criminal processes for the defamation to which FRETILIN has been subjected;
To contribute to the restoration of respect for law and public order, and to giving back to society a climate of peace and stability, political social and economical normality
Dili, 25 June 2006
Francisco G. Lu Olo Mari Alkatiri
Presidente Secretário Geral
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20 JUNE 2006 REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE GABINETE DO PRIMEIRO-MINISTRO PRESS RELEASE
“We will never let the people down, we are here” - Timor-Leste government coordinates emergency assistance program
For 51 days, the staff of the Timor-Leste Ministry of Labor and Community Reinsertion has responded to the waves of community fear and surges of people into safe areas in Dili and in other districts. They have ensured that people have basic needs and know they have not been abandoned. Today over 148,000 people rely on the coordination by this Ministry, the MTRC.
“Our staff, whether they come from east or west, have continued to work together to serve the people,” said Minister Arsénio Bano . “Despite the shooting, we have always had about 90% of our staff on duty, even though many of us also have to live in the Internally Displaced Persons centres too”. As of June 17, there were 57 such IDP centres in Dili, helping over 69,000 people, and there are more than 78,000 in IDP centres or with other families in the Districts and Sub-Districts.
After the first impact of the political crisis hit the community on April 28, the international community responded as if Timor-Leste was a 'failed state', with no capacity of its own to make an organised response. However, the MTRC quickly demonstrated its capacity to coordinate with UN agencies and NGO aid agencies to provide food, water, sanitation, shelter and health services to the IDP centres. MTRC had consistent backup from other Ministries, such as Health, Water, Public Works, Transport and Communications, Agriculture, Finance and State Administration.
“It was very important on the human level that we helped everyone in need, and it was also important because otherwise the political conflict may have escalated,” said Minister Bano. “With the UN's Flash Appeal for US$16 million, we need to ensure the programs are implemented effectively and transparently, using all the lessons we learned from the UNTAET period”.
The Inter-Agency Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Group started operating on May 1 with two basic mechanisms – a General Coordinating Meeting three times per week at 9.30 am, and a Sectoral Coordination Working Group which works in seven sectors – water and sanitation, health, food, shelter, District Teams, Protection Group. Assessment and Information Teams - based on all agencies and NGOs - ensure good information on the changing conditions of displaced people and enable good planning and use of warehousing and distribution. There is a daily radio program, and a media conference every second day at 2.30pm.
IDP centres are managed by nuns and priests. UNFPA, and the NGOs Concern, Care, CVTL (Red Cross Timor-Leste), HAI, ICRC (International Red Cross), Plan, Christian Relief Service, Caritas Australia and Austcare provide focal points in the IDP Centres. These agencies and organisations link the Coordination Group and the people in the centres.
The MRTC has distributed rice, and the World Food Program has distributed supplementary food items, to all IDP centres and to vulnerable people still in their homes, and government institutions. The Timor-Leste government has spent over US$1 million to buy 5000 tonnes of rice, of which the New Zealand government paid for 1000 tonnes. Ships have been sent to Atauro Island and to Oecusse, and trucks to all Districts.
Dili, June 20, 2006
For further information please contact the Media Advisor: Miguel Sarmento/Rui Flores — +670 723 01 40 ou rui.flores@gmail.com or, Minister Arsénio Bano +670 723 0023 Carmen da Cruz +670 727 1516 Ursula de Almeida +670 725 1383 Peter Murphy + 61 418 312 301 Efrem dos Anjos — + 670 728 2076
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20 JUNE 2006 REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE CABINETE DO PRIMEIRO-MINISTRO PRESS RELEASE
Alkatiri rejects Railos 'hit squad' allegations
Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Mari Alkatiri, today totally rejected allegations by Commander Vicente Railos made on RTTL TV the previous day, that he had armed Railos and asked him to kill oppositionists as well as opponents inside FRETILIN, and that delegates to the FRETILIN Congress had been given arms to kill opponents before the 2007 elections. The Prime Minister presented his response to journalists from RTTL just before noon at the Government Palace.
He also rejected Commander Railos' opening political statement on the TV news, that the Prime Minister symbolised foreign ideas that would divide and destroy the country. “This kind of statement has been used against me ever since I became Prime Minister in May 2002,” he said, condemning Railos for appearing armed, with other armed men, in the uniform of the Police Reserve Unit (URP), and for attacking the headquarters of the national army (F-FDTL) on May 24.
Railos offers to disarm
During questioning, the Prime Minister reported that Railos had telephoned him this morning, to say he wanted to hand in his guns to President Xanana Gusmão. “I told him to give his weapons to the police or the Australian army, and asked him not to be used by people who want to destroy FRETILIN,” said Mr. Alkatiri. “I took his call because he is a FRETILIN member and because a lack of communication is behind many of our problems”.
The Prime Minister said he spoke to Railos two or three times during the 3-day FRETILIN Congress, and certainly never told him to form an armed group. “I myself have called for independent, international investigations of all these incidents and allegations,” he said. “Police have interrogated FRETILIN Congress delegates from Maliana about the alleged arms they received, and nothing was found”.
The Prime Minister put the Railos allegations into the context of previous failed efforts to smear his name with the aim of forcing the resignation of his government. He noted the alleged bribe from the oil company ConnocoPhilips, which could not be substantiated in court, or the misleading statements in 2005 that he was against religion., and this year, the allegations that he was the cause of the trouble with the petitioning soldiers. “They were calling for my resignation before the F-FDTL was deployed after the violence on April 28. They don't want to highlight the attack by Major Reinado on the army and the home of Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak on May 23, or his attack on the F-FDTL HQ the next day. They only focus on what can damage the Prime Minister,” concluded Mr. Alkatiri.
Dili, June 20, 2006
For further information please contact the Media Advisor: Para mais informações contactar: Miguel Sarmento/Rui Flores — Tel. +670 723 01 40 ou rui.flores@gmail.com Peter Murphy Tel. + 61 418 312 301 Efrem dos Anjos Tel. + 670 728 2076
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ADDRESS OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC KAY RALA XANANA GUSMAO TO THE NATIONAL PARLIAMENT 14 JUNE 2006
Your Excellency the President of the National Parliament Heads of Parliamentary Benches Distinguished Members of Parliament
Our Country and People who have elected us to serve them are currently undergoing an unacceptable situation and we must all think about it with seriousness and honesty. We have no other choice but to measure the political acts that we have been consciously or
unconsciously undertaking that have once again contributed to the suffering of our People as a result of our lack of political capacity to solve the problems that fell upon our hands and that we either could not or did not want to decipher with our knowledge about the reality of Timor-Leste. I am not accusing anybody! I am drawing the attention of the State, of all of the organs of sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste for a rigorous examination of conscience as we must be accountable to our people.
On several occasions in this august assembly, I have had the opportunity to warn of the possibility of it being us, the Timorese, to cause the death of other Timorese. I have also raised the point that we must not allow our people to become victims of armed conflicts and political violence yet again. When the Constituent Assembly was drafting the Constitution of the Republic at the end of 2001, I was a common citizen without any activity or political influence over the drafting process. From 20 May 2002 onwards, I have been the President of the Republic and it is incumbent upon me to be the guardian of the Constitution. And to be a guardian of the Constitution of the Republic basically means to safeguard the democratic state based on the rule of law. To the happiness of some and to the discontent of others, I will continue to fulfill this sacred duty of safeguarding the democratic state based on the rule of law until the end of my mandate in May 2007. And I will do so unwaveringly and the people can be sure of that.
Mr President Distinguished Members of Parliament
I wish to thank the trust that you have placed on me for having unanimously approved a resolution in support of the Presidential Statement of 30 May last, which was reached after consultation with the Council of State, and for also having supported the Action Plan, approved by the Superior Council for Defence and Security, which met on 2 June.
We have witnessed the State become paralised in the wake of all the events that took place in Dili, and worse than that, we have witnessed that the population is suffering from the consequences of violence and destruction that arose from it. I commend the efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Labour and Community Reintegration and the Ministry of Health in providing assistance to the affected populations and I also wish to express my gratitude to the Cuban doctors, deployed nationwide and particularly those in Dili, who have worked under difficult conditions.
I commend the national and international NGOs that have made strenuous efforts to alleviate the suffering of the people. I also commend the important work undertaken by the Reverend Bishop of Dili, Alberto Ricardo, as well as the work undertaken by the Reverend Priests and Nuns, not only in welcoming the populations but also in providing psychological assistance to them and motivating them to have a steadfast belief that everything will end well and that our land will achieve long-lasting stability and peace.
I would also like to take advantage of this opportunity, on behalf of the People of Timor-Leste, to express our solidarity with the brotherly people of Indonesia and our sympathy for the victims of the earthquake in Yogyakarta, which caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. In spite of facing these problems caused by a natural disaster, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, on behalf of the State, Government and People of Indonesia, was magnanimous in his gesture for helping us to alleviate the suffering of our own people. I wish to express our profound gratitude and my profound belief that the ties of friendship and cooperation that unite our two countries will become increasingly stronger.
I hope the National Parliament will not prevent me from going to Bali next Saturday to personally express our sentiments to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Mr President Distinguished Members of Parliament
This crisis has shaken all of us, reminding us that something was wrong. In politics, the nonrecognition of a mistake, even if it is a small one, can lead us to make greater mistakes. It is only by becoming conscious that something did not work out well that we will be able to rectify and make improvements.
We are repeating September 1999, albeit in a smaller scale, which forced us to request the international intervention of the Defence and Security Forces of friendly countries. And this should frighten all of us who were elected by this people to ensure stability, security and better living conditions to all citizens.
I was against foreign participation in the solution of our problems from the very beginning because we should be the ones to shoulder this responsibility. But I finally consented to it because the situation was already getting outside of our control. We are grateful for the promptness with which Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Portugal responded to our request and we see that these
international Forces have been doing an admirable job in gradually re-establishing normalcy day after day.
But we must think that this intervention will last longer than what we have imagined for several reasons, but particularly for knowing that there are weapons in the hands of civilians. And the big problem is that shots have already been heard almost everywhere in the territory, as if they were drawing our attention to this extremely serious situation.
We are coordinating with Force Commander Brigadier Slater in looking at the next phase of activity, which will be extended to the districts as we cannot allow the population in the interior of the country to live in a climate of insecurity and fear, under the threat of losing their lives and property, as has happened in Dili.
Last Sunday, 11 June, the President of the National Parliament, the Prime Minister and myself signed a letter addressed to the UN Secretary-General, where we requested a robust force, comprised of a military, police and civilian components to consolidate this process of stabilising the country after UNOTIL. The letter also requested the UN Secretary-General to consider extending UNOTIL for an additional month, starting from 20 June. UNPOL will remain in Timor-Leste for a period not less than one year, taking into account the 2007 elections. The possibility of having a Peacekeeping Force was also considered, should it be necessary to ensure that all the weapons in the hands of civilians will be collected.
It has already been agreed that a Special Rapporteur will investigate the events of 28 April. There will be an investigation into the 25 May as well as into all other relevant cases such as the incidents in Fatu Ahi and Taci Tolu. It was agreed that an International Investigation would be established to look into all of this.
Distinguished Members of Parliament
During meetings in the Council of State and in the Superior Council for Defence and Security we adopted a working mechanism that was summarised into the following expression: ‘what happened yesterday, has already happened; we will not talk about yesterday today because our very first priority is to put an end to all the violence and destruction of goods and property and ensure that adequate
humanitarian assistance is provided to the population in need. With regard to what happened yesterday, we will have a long time to talk about it later and to execute the action plan to re-establish the normal functioning of the activities of the State as well as private activities, let us spare ourselves from pointing our fingers at each other’.
I appeal everyone to concentrate our efforts into re-establishing the activities of the State. The Budget will be submitted at the Parliament for debate and I ask that particular attention be paid to it. Time flies and the need to respond to the problems that our people are facing is extremely urgent in nature. There is a substantial increase, up to approximately US$312 million, in the budget. Under the heading of public grants, there are many funds such as the solidarity fund, community development fund, rural credit fund, habitation fund, social activities fund, in addition to the US$8 million for food security and US$10 million for the reconstruction of houses that were burnt over these last few weeks.
There is also an increase in salaries, whose percentage will be equivalent to the various levels of salary scale and a subsidy for those who live in isolated places and who are engaged in border control activities. Let us all continue to demand transparency in the Government’s handling of these funds so that we know that the population truly gained from the money and benefits.
In conclusion, I wish to inform that the Prime Minister and I have arrived at a political compromise with regard to the Penal Code. I would have promulgated the Penal Code with defamation still being criminalised, except that with a penalty of a fine and not of prison. The Legislative Authorisation granted to the Government to draft the Penal Code already prescribed the criminalisation of defamation.
For the Government to redraft the articles relating to defamation within the framework of the principles I mentioned before, the Government will soon request the National Parliament to extend the previous Legislative Authorisation that will be concluded with the publication of the Penal Code in the Official Gazette which, I believe, will take place soon.
I would therefore be grateful for your promptness in extending the deadline of this Legislative Authorisation.
Thanks to all of you.
END OF SPEECH
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13 JUNE 2006 REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE GABINETE DO PRIMEIRO-MINISTRO
PRESS RELEASE Prime Minister met the President of the Republic at the Palácio das Cinzas
Today, June 13th, the prime minister, Mari Alkatiri, went to the Presidency Office to meet the President of the Republic.
On this meeting, the prime minister’s request to the Malaysian delegation, on 250 police force to Timor-Leste, was discussed and got the President agreement.
The prime minister had the opportunity to explain some changes on the National Budget the Government will do, namely those with economic impact on the population and their revenues: revision of the fiscal and investment system, reduce of the power tariffs, creation of funds for solidarity, community development and rural credit, subsidies and wages complements to the public servants (until the carriers and promotions law for the public administration be in place), among others.
Also the Penal Code was subject of the attention of both President and prime minister. It was agreed that the Government will ask for an extension of the legislative authorization to change the proposal of the Penal Code.
The President gave to the prime minister the follow up on his contacts with the armed groups and the so called “petitioners”.
Letter to the United nations Secretary General
The President of the Republic, the President of the National Parliament and the prime minister signed a letter to the United Nations Secretary General asking for a United Nations Police Force in Timor-Leste, for one year duration and with around 870 elements, also request one month extension of the UNOTIL mandate (after 20 of June), and the availability to provide inputs into the discussion concerning the nature and need of a robust UN presence, with police, military and civilian components.
The Ambassador of the Popular Republic of China met the prime minister
The prime minister called the Ambassador of the Popular Republic of China (PRC) to meet at the Government Palace.
The prime minister request the support of PRC on the next United Nations Security Council meeting, concerning the UNOTIL mandate extension and the next UN mission in Timor-Leste. The Chinese Ambassador assured the commitment of PRC to support the Security Council’s decisions that best serves Timor-Leste.
Also the prime minister talked about the extension, after August, of the Chinese medical team in Timor-Leste (14 elements) and show’s his appreciation to them and their high medical skills.
Dili, June 13, 2006
For further information please contact the Media Advisor: Miguel Sarmento/Rui Flores (tel. +670 723 01 40 or rui.flores@gmail.com)
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12 JUNE 2006 FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE FRETILIN MESSASGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF FRETILIN TO PARTY MEMBERS AND THE PEOPLE
Today, the 12th of June, I, Lu Olo, President of FRETILIN, through this message convey to all FRETILIN members and sympathisers spread across the 13 districts of Timor-Leste, that:
Timor-Leste is going through an enormous crisis. Therefore, the FRETILIN Party as the largest political organisation in Timor-Leste with the support of individual members must contemplate carefully,
a) why did this crisis occur?
b) how did it occur?
c) and how can all of us together free ourselves from this affliction so that we can unite once again to establish and develop peace and stability – the only condition which can guarantee reduction of poverty and ignorance in order to carry out development in Timor-Leste.
With respect to the current situation, FRETILIN maintains that:
1) From the south to the north, from the west to the east, we are all East Timorese.
2) The Maubere People were the only people responsible for carrying out the different tasks in the clandestine front, the armed front and the diplomatic front so that we were able to restore our independence on the 20th of May 2002. When we fought for our national independence and restored our State – the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, we all showed to the whole world our determination, our national unity and our identity as one People.
3) As the biggest political force in Timor-Leste, FRETILIN is conscious of its responsibility and duty to maintain and promote democracy in Timor-Leste in harmony with the Constitution of the RDTL. In the second Congress, FRETILIN taught its members to look at different ways of electing delegates and party leaders in line with the law of the political parties and FRETILIN's statutes. The Congress strengthened FRETILIN's institutional life and is of the highest value as it complied with important democratic processes and contributed to the strengthening of democracy in our country. The decisions made at the second congress are valid for five years. During the Congress, 97% of the delegates reinstated comrade Lu-Olo as President and comrade Mari Alkatiri as Secretary General. The Congress also elected members of FRETILIN's Central Committee who will oversee the party's tasks for the next five years. Last Sunday, the 4th of June 2006, the CCF established the National Political Commission, an organ with the powers to make decisions and carry out the Central Committee's directives.
According to the law of political parties, FRETILIN has the right to elect its own leaders. As such, every East Timorese, individuals or members of other political parties must accept FRETILIN's decisions.
In order to find a solution to this crisis, FRETILIN is appealing:
First of all to its members:
- To continue to support the FRETILIN leadership – the President, Comrade Lu Olo and the Secretary General, Comrade Mari Alkatiri;
- To create and strengthen FRETILIN's structures to carry out vigilance within their neighbourhoods;
- To avoid falling into manipulations committed by others with the objective of deposing our Constitutional Government through petitions, demonstrations or other manoeuvres contrary to the RDTL Constitution.
To the People:
First of all, FRETILIN conveys its highest salutation because even if we live in distress, the vast majority of the Maubere People know better to live in peace and to continue to work promoting development in our country. They continue to be alert and tolerant.
- FRETILIN appeals to the People not to fall for rumours being spread by irresponsible individuals in order to create confusion and instil fear within the people.
We also want to guarantee every East Timorese that FRETILIN, a legally established political party, has never distributed firearms to its members or sympathisers in order to intimidate people or to kill anyone. FRETILIN is confident it will win the upcoming general elections therefore it does not need to distribute firearms to win power. FRETILIN does not have any firearms and does not need firearms to conduct politics.
FRETILIN has its own history when it resisted against Indonesia's occupying forces so that we can become independent. During the resistance, FRETILIN took it upon itself to separate FALINTIL from FRETILIN. As a result, today FALINTIL is a people's Armed Forces of Timor-Leste. Thus, FRETILIN would never harbour any intention whatsoever to use violence to intimidate the people.
FRETILIN appeals to everyone in possession of firearms to hand them over to the authorities in accordance with instructions from the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister.
When everyone has surrendered their firearms, the people will feel secure and return to their homes and live in peace.
To the other political parties:
- FRETILIN appeals to their leaders and their members to respect the constitutional legality which comes from the RDTL Constitution so that we can develop democracy and peace in our country.
- FRETILIN also appeals to the other political parties to carry out their responsibilities with peace so that we can all contribute to the democratic general elections which will be held in our country in 2007.
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11 JUNE 2006 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF EAST TIMOR MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND COOPERATION
PRESS RELEASE - GOVERNMENT ASKS UN TO ESTABLISH INDEPENDENT SPECIAL INQUIRY COMMISSION
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Nobel Peace Laureate Dr José Ramos-Horta, announced that the Government has requested the UN to establish an independent Special Inquiry Commission to review specific violent incidents and other related events or issues which contributed to the present crisis in Timor-Leste.
“The establishment of the facts and circumstances relevant to the incidents on 28-29 April, and 23, 24 and 25 May and other related events or issues is critical for Timor-Leste to overcome its present crisis, achieve reconciliation and for the upholding of the rule of law,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.
Dr Ramos-Horta said it is critical that the Special Inquiry Commission be established as quickly as possible with a view to submitting a final report within a three month period of its inauguration.
“The reason we have asked the UN to establish this inquiry is because the state is not in a position to conduct such an inquiry and because of the parties involved in the current crisis, a domestic inquiry would formally lack credibility,” he said.
Dr Ramos-Horta, said his Government is committed to ensuring that the outcome of such an inquiry will assist the reconstitution of Timor-Leste’s security sector and ensure accountability for criminal violations and human rights violations allegedly committed during the crisis period.
“The Government considers the domestic justice system should be the primary avenue of accountability for any criminal violations and human rights violations allegedly deemed to have been committed by the Special Inquiry Commission,” Dr Ramos-Horta said
“I’m confident that this would reestablish public confidence in Government and security institutions, and promote democratic governance,” he said. – ENDS.
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07 JUNE 2006 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF EAST TIMOR MINISTRY OF DEFENCE AND MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFARIS AND COOPERATION Office of the Minister MEDIA RELEASE : DR. RAMOS-HORTA HAS FRUITFUL DISCUSSIONS WITH DISAFFECTED GROUPS
Following the successful visits to F-FDTL barracks the Minister for Defence and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. José Ramos-Horta, has embarked on a round of visits and discussions with disaffected troops. Dr Ramos-Horta first met with majors Tara and Marcos, and representatives of the so-called petitioners group, with whom he had fruitful talks. Yesterday, Tuesday, June 6, this process continued with talks in Maubisse with major Alfredo Reinaldo and his group.
Dr Ramos-Horta invited the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Timor-Leste, Sukehiro Hasegawa, and other UN officials to be independent observers at these meetings. Minister Ramos-Horta appreciates the UN’s support and assistance to Timor-Leste at this critical time.
The Minister left the meetings with a clear understanding of their intention to be involved in an all-inclusive dialogue to settle the political differences. Dr Ramos-Horta also met with the UN Secretary General special envoy, Ian Martin, and his team, who came here to assist Secretary-General Koffi Annan in understanding how the UN can best advise and assist Timor-Leste.
In addition to his activities as Minister for Defence, Dr Ramos-Horta has continued his engagements in his role as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. – ENDS.
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04 JUNE 2006 FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
COMITÉ CENTRAL DA FRETILIN
1ª Reunião do CCF após o II Congresso Nacional da FRETILIN/1st Meeting of the Central Committee following the 2nd National Congress of FRETILIN
DECLARATION
The FRETILIN Central Committee, having met this 4th of June 2006, debated the current situation in the nation and resolved as follows:
1. Praise the leadership of FRETILIN for the determined and courageous manner in which it has defended democratic values and the Constitution of the Republic.
2. Reiterate its total support to the government headed by comrade Secretary General, Mari Alkatiri.
3. Reaffirms its support to the principle of inclusion in forming the government.
4. Congratulate itself for the mature form in which the overwhelming majority of the Maubere people reacted to the total situation, particularly the militants of FRETILIN.
5. Praise His Excellency, the President of the Republic for the decision to create the mechanisms for harmonization and coordination with the Government and National Parliament with the view of strengthening institutional solidarity and the defense of the Constitution of the Republic.
6. Express gratitude to the Secretary General of the United Nations for the immediate dispatch of a Special Envoy to evaluate the situation “in loco”.
7. Express gratitude to the governments of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Portugal for the prompt response to the request for assistance and the prompt and rapid deployment of forces to Timor-Leste to put and end to hostilities and avoid the spilling of blood.
8. Exhort all the groups that have practiced violence to end such acts and reject discriminatory practices in our midst so as to contribute to the development of peace and stability of our people.
9. Appeal to all units, militants and sympathizers of FRETILIN to continue vigilance and support to the authorities in restoring law and order.
Dili, this 4th day of June 2006
President of FRETILIN
Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo
Secretary General of FRETILIN
Mari Alkatiri
