East Timor Legal Information Site
CRISIS 2006 STATEMENTS MAY
30 MAY 2006 THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT
EMERGENCY MEASURES TO OVERCOME THE CRISIS
Having heard the Council of the State, in. its capacity as a consultative body. which met in the Palace of' the Ashes on the 29th and 30th days the month of May of the year 2006, as provided for in Sections 90 and 91 of he Constitution of the Republic, and in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 2 of 2005, and considering:
* The loss of lives, the generalised disturbance of the public order that is adversely affecting the safety, property and peace of the citizens, it is thus a matter of urgency to take adequate measures to re-establish the public authority throughout the territory;
* The need to create conditions for the rapid re-establishment or he law and order so as to safeguard the democratic constitutional order;
* The need to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the population in need;
* The serious ongoing deterioration of the functioning of the national armed and police forces;
* The need to ensure that the actions, in the national territory, of the international defence and security forces, as requested to the Friendly Countries by the Organs of Sovereignty, shall fulfil the objectives of the mission as requested by the Organs of Sovereignty, without prejudice to the respect: for the juridical order in force and to the constitutional attributions for the sovereign authorities of the
Country;
* The constitutional functions and competencies of the President of the Republic as the guarantor of the unity of the State, or the national independence and of the regular functioning of the democratic institutions, as provided for in Section 74.1 of the Constitution of the Republic;
* The urgency to ensure the effective exercise of the competencies inherent to the functions of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the President of the Republic, as provided for in Sections 74.2 and 85 (b) of the Constitution;
The President of the Republic, in close collaboration and permanent interaction with the Prime Minister and The President of the National Parliament, announces that he in implementing the necessary measures to prevent the violence and avoid further fatalities, for the rapid re-establishment of the public order and the normal, functioning of the democratic institutions assuming sole [should be 'main'] responsibility in the areas of defence and national security, in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
This framework of collaboration and reinforced interaction shall involve the following entities:
* The Ministries of Defence and interim, with the entities and services falling under their tutelage;
* The High Command of Falintil-FDTL and PNTL in accordance with the provisions set out in Decree-Laws No. 7 and No. 8 of 2004;
* The information and security services of the State and the Crisis Cabinet, under the tutelage of the Prime Minister in accordance with the provisions of Law No. S of 2003 and of Decree-No. 7 of 2004;
* The International Armed Forces present in the National Territory, at the request of the Organs of Sovereignty;
Additionally. it is expected. that the National Parliament shall meet, as soon as possible, to discuss and follow-up on the ongoing crisis.
In this regard, the President of the Republic appeals for the persons who illegally possess weapons, ammunitions, explosives, home-made. weapons or any military equipment to voluntarily and promptly hand their over to the authorities, notably, to the international forces.
All must promptly collaborate it the implementation of the current security measures, notably:
a) With the group of persons who, by their number and nature, represent a threat to the public order;
b) With the request to identify any person that is fund or circulating in public places or subject to police surveillance;
c) With the surveillance of persons, buildings and establishments: or a determined period of time; and
d) With the seizure of weapons, ammunitions and explosives
The emergency measures announced shall not prejudice the President of the Republic from declaring a State of Siege, in accordance with the due constitutional norms, notably, with the necessary previous authorisation from the National Parliament.
The measures announced herein shall enter into force immediately and shall be valid for a period of 30 days, which shall be subject to extension, should it be necessary.
Dili, 30 May 2006
[Signed]
KAY RALA XANANA GUSMAO
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
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28 MAY 2006 THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF EAST TIMOR OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER PRESS RELEASE
Some Australian Media reports inaccurate statement of the Prime Minister
Some Australian Media had inaccurately and wrongly reported that the Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, had implicated the President of Republic, Xanana Gusmão, on the coup attempt that would be going on Timor-Leste. That is not true. The Cabinet of the Prime Minister categorically states the Prime Minister had never implicated the President. He never implicated the President on the coup attempt nor on the Press Conference held this Saturday, May 27, nor before or after.
On yesterday’s Press Conference, the Prime Minister was repeatedly asked by the journalists if he sees the President beyond the coup attempt. Prime Minister had always categorically said that the President is not implicated.
That is strange that someone tried to give another understanding, with questionable political motivations, of the statement that has been read by Prime Minister on the Press Conference attended by more than 50 journalists. These reports are an example of inaccuracy and unethical journalism, and look like a part of a certain campaign against the Government and the Timorese State.
“No one will be able to put me against the President. I had always said, and I repeated it yesterday, that the work of the President is essential to maintain the State unity. For us, Xanana Gusmão should continue to be the Head of the State on next mandate because is contribute remains essential for Timor-Leste’s development”, states the Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri.
As a sign of the effectiveness coordination between the Prime Minister and the President, Xanana Gusmão had schedule meetings of the State Council (Conselho de Estado) and the Defence and Security Superior Council (Conselho Superior de Defesa e Segurança) which had been requested by the Prime Minister. These meetings are due to take place this Monday, 29, in Dili. The aim of those meetings is to analyse the present situation in Timor-Leste.
International solidarity
The Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, has been receiving numerous solidarity expressions to the Timorese People from the international community. Last hours the Prime Minister received phone calls from the President of Mozambique, Armando Gebuza, and from the Prime Ministers of Cape Verde, José Maria das Neves, and the Prime Minister of Portugal, José Sócrates. All had expressed their deeply sadness by the present situation in Timor-Leste, and reaffirmed their total support to the Timorese People. They also expressed their solidarity and their will to assist the Government and the Timorese State on its way to find a permanent and stable solution to the country, that contribute to the reinforcement of the institutional solidarity between the Timor-Leste’s sovereign pillars of the State.
Dili, May 28, 2006
For further information please contact the Media Advisor: Rui Flores (tel. +670 723 01 40 or rui.flores@gmail.com)
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26 MAY 2006 THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF EAST TIMOR MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS & COOPERATION
DR RAMOS-HORTA: “I KNOW THE PEOPLE OF TIMOR-LESTE AND I HAVE FAITH IN MY PEOPLE”
Timor-Leste’s Senior Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Nobel Peace Laureate José Ramos-Horta said today he hoped the current crisis in his country would jolt the leaders into a more inclusive, sensitive and humble form of leadership.
“I would hope as well that those responsible for the violence can take stock of the cost to the country both financially and psychologically and embark on action that is based on the spirit of reconciliation and inclusion,” Dr. Ramos-Horta said.
“The deterioration of our security has shocked everyone.
“It was so serious yesterday that our President Xanana Gusmão, was forced to take the grave step of taking over control of the security affairs of State. This move was welcomed by the people who have enormous trust in our President, a national hero.
“I have also said publicly many times that the issues leading up to the demonstrations in April that escalated into the violence we have suffered in the past few days, were issues capable of resolution. They still are and despite our situation I have continued to talk to all aggrieved parties in the hope we all can find a lasting peaceful solution.
“We all came to Government, including me, with little or no experience of governance and therefore need to be more humble in our approach in listening to our people, seeking advice and ensuring our people are listened to and get good hearings on issues that concern them,” he said.
Dr Ramos-Horta has paid tribute to the enormous contribution of the Church during the current crisis. “I have to thank particularly the Bishop of Dili, Dom Alberto Ricardo da Silva, and our wonderful Sisters from various orders for the role they are playing in both feeding and sheltering people in helping to keep people calm and to even talking to some of the persons causing trouble, thus avoiding further bloodshed,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.
Commenting on the current deployment of defence and security forces, Minister for Foreign Affairs said that he wants to express his deep appreciation to the Australian Defence Forces who yesterday arrived in Dili to help with Timor-Leste’s immediate task to restore security.
He further expressed his appreciation to Malaysia, Portugal and New Zealand who along with Australia comprise the deployment contingent and to the UN Security Council that lent its support by way of a resolution that supports these governments that have deployed defence and security forces.
“I want all our friends to know that we deeply appreciate their strong support in our hour of need.
“It breaks my heart when I look at my beleaguered country, and see young children, mothers, grandmothers, men - old and young , all innocent people, fleeing in fear of their lives.
“ But I know the people of Timor-Leste and I have faith in my people and I know that we all will rise and be a peaceful and proud country. I do also have faith in our friends, who I ask for their continued support,” Dr Ramos-Horta concluded.
– ENDS.
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26 MAY 2006 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF EAST TIMOR OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER PRESS RELEASE
Security perimeter implemented
The Timor-Leste’s Defence Forces (F-FDTL) had decided this Friday, May 26, in coordination with the Australian commander, a security perimeter around the Timor-Leste’s capital. The Australian troops started arriving Dili yesterday. They are now patrolling the city. This security perimeter includes the offices of the four pillars of the State (including the private residences of the President of Republic, the National Parliament speaker, the Prime Minister, and the President Judge of the Court of Appeal), the power station, the communications towers, water reservoirs, the National Hospital and the airport, among others key facilities.
The political definition of this security perimeter was made by the Government, in straight cooperation with the Head of State. The Government decided to include the four pillars of the State on the security perimeter due to the need to protect the vital structure and the critical activity of Timor-Leste’s State.
This morning rumours were spread about an alleged attack to the President Office, in Dili centre. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister asked the intervention of the Australian troops to protect the President’s Office premises. The deployment of Forces in the field follows the signature of an agreement between Timor-Leste’s and Australian’s authorities on the terms of reference of their intervention.
New Zealand had also agreed on the terms of reference of its action.
An advanced team of 25 policemen from Malaysia has also been deployed, 8am, in Timor-Leste. This group was scheduled to arrive yesterday. These policemen are anti-subversion experts.
Three police officials from the Portuguese GNR are expected to arrive in Dili, Sunday, 28, to evaluate the situation. The Commander of the group composed by 120 elements is among the first to arrive to Timor-Leste. Portugal announced also that its advanced team will arrive next week.
F-FDTL Commander guarantees that the author of shooting have been detained
After yesterday’s confrontations in Dili centre, next to Timor-Leste’s National Police (PNTL) and Military Police Headquarters, which involved members of F-FDTL and PNTL, the F-FDTL commander, brigadier general Taur Matan Ruak, says that the alleged military, author of the shooting against several policeman who had deposed their weapons after United Nation Military Observers mediation, was immediately disarmed. He is now detained and will face justice in due time. Investigation will continue in order to find if there are other members of the military involved.
Government maintains its security powers
The Government maintains in full its internal security powers. After the President’s statement of having assumed the referred powers, Prime-Minister contacted the President and was informed that the meaning of the President’s statement was that in questions of security there has to be coordination between these two sovereign bodies. Prime-Minister agreed with the President and said they always had and always will maintain a good institutional coordination on these issues.
The coordination between the two offices has been total. An example: the decision to require the military international intervention to solve the Timor-Leste’s crises, an idea of the Prime Minister, was fully supported by the President and the National Parliament speaker. The State appeared as a whole requesting the intervention. The letters requesting the foreign intervention to the Governments of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Portugal were signed by the three leaders.
Dili, May 26, 2006 For further information please contact the Media Advisor: Rui Flores (tel. +670 723 01 40 or rui.flores@gmail.com)
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REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE
GABINETE DO PRIMEIRO-MINISTRO
PRESS RELEASE 25 MAY 2006
International support starts arriving Timor-Leste
Following a request made by the Timor-Leste’s Government to the Governments of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Portugal, the international support started to arrive to Timor-Leste, this Thursday, May 25.
Two flights coming from Darwin with a total of one hundred duly equipped military have landed in Dili, 4pm. This advance group is the first to arrive from the Australian military support promised by Canberra Government. With them is arriving, General Ken Gillespie to discuss with the Timor-Leste’s authorities the terms of reference of the mission.
A group of 50 anti-riot Malaysian policemen should be landing today in Dili by 8pm.
The governments of New Zealand and Portugal have also informed that their advance groups of military and policeman should land in Dili in the next few days. Following statements provided by the Government of Timor-Leste, the first Neo-Zealander mission will be comprised of a group of four men whereas the Portuguese GNR will include 40 agents. Portugal has already accepted the conditions and terms of reference proposed by Timor-Leste.
Some of the details of the Malaysian police mission were defined yesterday during a phone call between the Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, and the Malaysian Acting Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak.
In a statement on the arrival of this first group of military and policemen, the Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, said: I praise the prompt reply from the governments of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Portugal. Their support will contribute to restore the confidence of the people and to put at ease the generalised panic, enabling the return of the country to its normal life, as soon as possible.”
Kofi Annan calls the Prime Minister
The Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, called the prime minister this Thursday around 10h00. Annan wished to know from the head of government the desired framework of the next UN mission that will follow UNOTIL, after the end of its term planned on 19 of June. The prime minister briefed the head of the UN on the latest developments of the situation in Timor-Leste.
Kofi Annan informed the prime minister that Ian Martin should arrive in Timor-Leste within the next few days to assess the situation in the country.
In the capital of Timor-Leste several violent incidents were reported this Thursday. Gunfire between FALINTIL-Defense Force of Timor-Leste, national police and gangs have contributed to the increased insecurity.
Dili, May 25, 2006 For further information please contact the Media Advisor: Rui Flores (tel. +670 723 01 40 or rui.flores@gmail.com)
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24 MAY 2006 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF EAST TIMOR OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER PRESS RELEASE TIMOR-LESTE REQUESTS INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
This Wednesday, 24 May 2006, the violence erupted again in Dili. Military Elements of Timor-Leste´s defence forces, FALINTIL-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) were today again attacked by breakaway, renegade elements of the F-FDTL, in Taci Tolu. In face of that, the Government with the support of the President of Republic, Xanana Gusmão, and the Speaker of the National Parliament, Francisco Guterres “Lu’Olo”, formally requested to the Governments of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Portugal the urgent sending of military and police forces. The aim of this help is to re-establish, as soon as possible, the public order, the respect of the law, normality and the stability, needed to develop the country.
This request is due of the fear clime that the renegade elements of the F-FDTL have created among the population and due to the difficulty showed by F-FDTL and police to control the situation. And also because of the strong will of the Government to avoid killings.
The international support has been requested by letters to the chiefs of Governments of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Portugal, signed by the President of Republic, by the president of the National Parliament, and by the Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri.
To Australia and New Zealand, the Government requests military support to work with F-FDTL. To the Governments of Malaysia and Portugal the request has been to receive special police forces to support and train the PNTL. In the case of Portugal, this is the reiteration of a request made recently to the Portuguese Prime-Minister for the sending of a company of the GNR, whose mission would be to train the Fast Intervention Unit of PNTL, remaining in the country until the next year’s elections.
The request to the four governments was made at a bilateral level, together with an appeal to the United Nations to support this intervention at a multilateral level action. That was due to the need to fasten the effectiveness of the response.
The Government awaits with serenity the answer of our friends, in the certain that these will not abandon Timor-Leste.
In a meeting, this morning, with the President of the Republic and with the Speaker of the Parliament, the Head of Government presented the situation in Dili, repeating the need to use the F-FDTL to control the situation, having this position deserved the support of the head of State and the Speaker of the National Parliament.
Díli, 24th May, 2006
For further information, please contact the media advisor: Rui Flores (tel. +670 723 01 40 ou rui.flores@gmail.com)
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Frente Revolucionária doTimor-Leste Independente (FRETILIN)
Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak's Interview on TVTL - 12 May 2006
“…I would say that it was an issue of discipline within F-FDTL ……I received a petition from the soldiers on the 11th January 2006 …They had never raised any complaint before the petition went public. We were not given the chance to look into it or to find a solution within our institution…Suddenly, they had decided to send a petition to all authorities, state organs and diplomatic entities. I also received the petition but it was signed by no one.…The President of the Republic wrote to me on the 16th of January and asked me to solve theproblem quickly. I replied to him that:
• 1st. the petition wasn’t signed. I too wanted to solve it but I couldn’t because I didn’t know who presented it. I had to identify them and try to contact them and find a solution to their problem.
• 2 nd. : at the time I was very busy as the first battalion was reallocating from Lospalos to Baucau. We needed time to work this out……At the time I was very concerned that the petitioners said that only the President of the Republic could sort this problem out. If the President couldn’t solve their problem, they would protest or otherwise they would leave (F-FDTL).
So the petition showed that:
• They didn’t respect the institution that they are part of; and
• they recognized the President as the only person who could solve their problem…”
“…From my point of view, we have just begun building our nation. We are in the process of building our State. This means we are in the process of building institutions. Building institutions means that these institutions need to grow to be strong enough to solve their own problems and for that all members should be allowed to function in their respective roles. During the Resistance time, we depended on one or two people. But today we are building a State. It’s different. We have four state organs. Each organ has its own institutions and that’s a new situation that we all have to adjust to and make efforts to contribute to their functioning…”.
“…it was a surprise to us, specially for the F-FDTL Command, that the petition was sent out without any previous attempt to look for a solution within our institution… am deeply concerned about it. Why didn’t they complain before? Why did they suddenly send out their petition and take decisions straight away?..I met them on the 2nd February in Baucau. I talked with them all day. On the 3rd of February I listened to their concerns. They told methat they respected the FALINTIL Command but they said that their problem could only be resolved by the President of the Republic. I told them that they couldn’t do that because we should try to solve it first within our institution. If we couldn’t resolve it, we will ask for help from other institutions.
We shouldn’t ask for help straight away from others without trying to resolve it first. We shouldn’t even go to the President for that matter. The State wouldn’t function if we think that every single problem should be solved by the President of the Republic…”
“… Some of the petitioners started deserting their headquarters on the 4th of February. Others did on the 5th of February. This didn’t only happen in Baucau but also at Metinaro and Hera. I rang one of the F-FDTL Commanders to confirm their desertion. And I got his confirmation. They met the President of the Republic on the 7th of February. There was also a meeting on the 8th of February. They went back tothe Metinaro headquarters on the 9th of February..I presented the following conditions to them:
• While they were not found guilty, they would be treated as military with full rights. They would have proper accommodation and food. We had decided to allocate nine barracks to them but they refuse our offer. Their attitude worried me.
• They were reminded that as an institution of the State, we function with hierarchical structures and must have discipline. So they should organize themselves into sections, into platoons to carry on their duties while we establish an investigation into their case. They refused our offer and insisted on staying together in the same barrack.
• We gave them a program of activities to follow but they refused to carry it out.
• A Commission was set up to listen to their complaints. The President of the Republic had also asked us to listen to them. They rejected our initiative. They replied that only ninepeople could attend our meeting. We agreed to it. So nine people were consulted first…”
“…The F-FDTL Commission asked for more petitioners to attend. Another four petitioners turned up. On the 17th February (Friday), they were allowed to spend the weekend with their families. They didn’t return to their headquarters on the 20th February. In March a decision was taken to expel them from F- FDTL…According to UNTAET’s regulations, the F-FDTL Commander is allowed to expel any soldier or official who breaks discipline and compromises the integrity of this institution…”
“…This is not the first time that we had expelled soldiers. We expelled more than 40 previously due to constant absences. In 2004 we had more than 60 soldiers awaiting disciplinary actions. Their cases were still pending in 2006. Meanwhile another 300 soldiers raised complaints. All of these soldiers joined forces and left their posts. But many of them were forced to leave, they had beenthreatened. But only 159 had signed the petition of whom 16 didn’t desert…”
“… The Army has a mission to accomplish. To defend our Nation, to defend our State institutions. Its mission is enshrined in our Constitution, the fundamental law of our nation…to defend our nation, the integrity of our nation …”
In regards to F-FDTL management, General Matan Ruak says:
“…The role of the Armed Forces and its Commander is to train soldiers, to prepare them, to maintain discipline so that when we are ordered to act, we are ready to act according to instructions … It is not the role of a General to make political decisions. Discipline, yes! All problems have a political context. We (the Timorese) tend to deal with all of our problems within a political context. And sometimes we mix legal and political issues. When we can’t explain things in legal terms, we use politics and vice-versa. But as military, we must act according to militarycodes…”
About the F-FDTL actions on 28th April 2006, General said
“ I have given today my report to the government. It reports that 2 F-FDTL died and one has been wounded…. people claimed that we killed more than 60 civilians. I asked the PM to set up a Commission to investigate these claims as many people said that we hid the bodies and had thrown them into the sea…”
“…We are ready to cooperate... It is important for the integrity of the Armed Forces and for our country. We want to contribute to the functioning of our institution. From the General to the soldiers, we support this investigation. We want the truth. We want to know what we have done wrong. So these findings will help us to learn from our mistakes so we can improve…’
Versaun tetun: http://nakroma.blogspot.com/2006/10/entrevista-ho-brigadeiro-general-taur.html
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12 MAY 2006 MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND COOPERATION
DR. RAMOS-HORTA’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO RESOLVE PERSISTENT TENSION
In the course of the day yesterday (Thursday, May 11), Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Senior Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. José Ramos-Horta, continued his efforts to contribute towards resolving some of the tension still prevailing in parts of the society.
Dr. José Ramos-Horta traveled to Aileu where he visited the district PNTL (National Police of Timor-Leste) headquarters and briefly addressed its officers praising them for their prudence, restraint and moderation in dealing with difficult situations.
Minister Ramos-Horta also urged the PNTL members in Aileu not to allow themselves to be manipulated or influenced by different political agendas or parties, reminding them that they must be neutral in upholding law and order and that they are foremost Timorese and members of a national institution.
The Foreign Affairs Minister then toured the town and its surroundings - with only his normal everyday personal security - and was able to see how the Aileu district is calm with people going about their lives, and civil services, schools and local markets open.
Dr. Ramos-Horta was told by the local officials how diligent the Cuban doctors, NGOs as well as government officials are all continuing to provide basic services to the population.
Finally Ramos-Horta met with a number of members of the F-FDTL’s military police who on May 4, in the height of the tension in Dili, had separated and stationed themselves in Aileu. This group - 20 military police and 4 from the UIR (Rapid Intervention Unit) – has with them about 20 or so assorted weapons including pistols.
Foreign Minister Ramos-Horta conversed with their leader and others for over two hours. The conversation was conducted in a most fraternal and honest atmosphere with the soldiers pledging their allegiance to the Head of State and to F-FDTL. They also rejected any notion that they had deserted. They also expressed their strong opposition to violence and pledged they will not be involved in any actions that would harm anyone including the Government. However, they demand an honest and open dialogue within the armed forces as well as a thorough investigation into the incidents on April 28, i.e. to find out the exact number of deaths and their cause. Senior Minister Ramos-Horta will continue his talks with these active-duty men. The Minister informed them he had sent a letter wrote to the UN Human Rights Commissioner in Geneva, inviting that body to send an expert investigation team here.
Major Alfredo Alves Reinaldo emphasized his group had no relationship with the group of ex-F-FDTL members – the so-called ‘petitioners’ – led by former Lieutenant Gastão Salsinha. Minister Ramos-Horta has also remained in contact with Mr Salsinha.
Promptly after his return to Dili, Minister Ramos-Horta briefed Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and the Commander of the F-FDTL, General Taur Matan Ruak. Following the meeting Dr José Ramos-Horta is able to assure everyone that on the F-FDTL leadership there is no hostile attitude towards their comrades who are in Aileu and there will be no imprudent action taken.
Today, the Foreign Minister met with the Bishop of Dili, the Rev. Dom Ricardo Silva, and with H.E. President Xanana Gusmão, to brief and coordinate with them any initiatives that might be deemed necessary.
At 1pm today (Friday, May 12), Dr. Ramos-Horta will address PNTL members at their headquarters.
Meanwhile, an hour-long live interview by Foreign Affairs Minister Ramos-Horta on TVTL (Timor-Leste Television) and re-broadcast through RTL (Radio Timor-Leste) has been extremely well received by the population. It had the effect of calming thousands of people. As a result, there has been an outpouring of text messages and phone calls from people from all walks of life congratulating and thanking Dr Ramos-Horta for his wise and calming words but also for his forthright honesty.
During the interview, Dr Ramos-Horta warned Timor-Leste's political parties to behave responsibly in the wake of the current situation or face losing credibility ahead of elections next year. He said that the Timorese people are very wise and will not vote in the 2007 elections for those who want to spread disunity, and scare or threaten the people.
The Senior Minister said in his message to the country that those who want to lead Timor-Leste in the future will have to have a good standing and not use intimidation or violence in getting power, because they would not be recognised by the international community.
The Nobel Peace Laureate appealed to all his fellow countrymen not to seek violence, because only the Timorese would suffer. Instead Dr Ramos-Horta appealed to all to respect the people, government institutions and international regulations. – ENDS
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11 MAY 2006 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF EAST TIMOR OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER : PRESS RELEASE
HIGH LEVEL COMMISSION STARTS HEARINGS WITH EX-MILITARY
The High Level Commission will start in the next few days the hearings for the ex-military that of the “petitioners” group. The ex-military that will be heard by the members of the commission belong to a group of 51 people that is in Maliana.
At the same time, contacts are being maintained with the other ex-military that are in the districts of Aileu, Oe-Cusse and Ermera. O Government believes that soon these men and women can be heard in connection to the work that is being developed by the Commission which has representatives from the four sovereign bodies, the Catholic Church and civil society, and whose purpose is to find the truth behind the claims made by the “petitioners” regarding life within the F-FDTL.
Contact is also being maintained between the 20 members that are a part of the F-FDTL and the Timor-Leste National Police and their respective chiefs. The Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri, hopes that soon, these man can go back to their units. Until now, a harsher action against these men, forcing them to go back, has not yet been considered by the Government.
The Minister for Labour and Social Reinsertion, Arsénio Bano, delivered yesterday five tonnes of food the for the people that fled and are now in the Aileu district, and has also maintained contacts with the group of about 350 ex-military “petitioners” in order to debate over ways on how the proceed on the humanitarian and financial support that the Government intends to give to the ex-military, so as to integrate them in civil life.
Díli, May 11 2006 for further information please contact the Media Advisor: Rui Flores (tel. +670 723 01 40 or rui.flores@gmail.com)
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10 MAY 2006 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF EAST TIMOR OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER : PRESS RELEASE -
GOVERNMENT AND FORMER SOLDIERS MEET
Members of the Government have met these last days with 400 ex-FDTL members of the so-called group of “petitioners”, to discuss immediate humanitarian assistance and the payment of a subsidy.
On Tuesday, May 9, in Maliana, 48 ex-soldiers met with the secretary of State for the Coordination of Region IV (Liquica, Bobonaro and Cova-Lima), César da Cruz. Today, Wednesday, 10, after a request for a meeting from a spokesperson of a group of 350 “petitioners”, the minister of Labour and Community Reinsertion, Arsénio Bano, has established preliminary contacts with those ex-soldiers.
The aim of the Government is first to ensure that these men and women receive humanitarian assistance (food). As well, it wants to ensure that they have a minimum of conditions to return to civil life in their districts of origin. The Government will pay them a subsidy, equal to their wage in the Army, to help them and their families now, to reduce the impact of their decision to leave F-FDTL. The subsidy will be paid by the Government, until June, by the regional secretaries of State.
By returning to their districts, the Government also expects that these former soldiers will participate in the investigation process being conducted by the High Level Commission, which includes representatives of the four pillars of the state plus the Catholic Church and civil society. The goal of this commission is to investigate the veracity of the allegations of the petitioners.
The Government is also negotiating with PNUD ways that this programme of United Nations may be able to assist the reintegration in the community of the 591 former soldiers.
This morning the Prime Minister met with other members of the Government to discuss the budget for the rebuilding of the houses affected by the April 28 violence. It was decided to allocate the following expenses:
- 116,505 USD for the rebuilding of 45 destroyed homes;
- 69,600 USD for the repair of 116 homes;
- 160,000 USD for the rebuilding of Taibesse Market.
After being interviwed by the Police, 100 people that took part in the attack of the office of the Secretary of State for the Coordination of Region III (Dili, Aileu and Ermera), Egídio de Jesus, seven of them are still in custody and will be soon presented to the judicial authorities.
Dili, May 10, 2006 For further information please contact the Media Advisor: Rui Flores (tel. +670 723 01 40 or rui.flores@gmail.com)
