Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation East Timor

 From UNMISET

LOCAL MEDIA MONITORING

August 12, 2003

STL


                  UDT'S PRESIDENT READY TO RESPONDE IN THE COURT

The President of the Timorese Democratic Union Party (UDT), Mr Joao Viegas
Carrascalao, yesterday held a press conference to explain his party's views
regarding the current political situation and the coup d'etat that happened in
1975. He said: "I ask Timor-Leste's political leaders to settle their conflicts
through dialogue, instead of criticizing each other. It is the time to focus on
people's problems and suffering". Mr Joao recalled the 1975 coup d'etat
incident
and said: "no more coup d'etat like what had happened on August 11, 1975 in
Timor-Leste". Mr Joao said that when the coup happened, it was not the UDT that
asked for integration with Indonesia, but the Portuguese. "This is the reason
when some people saying that UDT undertook the coup d'etat. UDT is ready to
respond in the court" said Mr Joao.

   JUSTICE MINISTER SAYS: "I WILL CONSIDER THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SITUATION OF
THE PEOPLE BEFORE THE EVICTION"

The Minister for Justice, Mr Domingos Sarmento, yesterday told reporters that
Government plans to evict people from Government premises will be suspended due
to unfavorable economic and social conditions of the people. "The eviction of
the community from Government properties will be examined case by case. I will
consider the social and economic situation of the people who uses Government
properties before a final decision is taken" said Mr Sarmento.

          PRIME MINISTER SAYS:"SOME PEOPLE WILL NOT LIKE GOVT POLICY"

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri yesterday officially opened the Timor-Leste's
Maubere Youth Organization (OJUMATIL) national congress in Akadiruhun Dili.
The Prime Minister said in his open remarks that some people would not like the
Government's policy in upholding the law. "I accepted this responsibility
not to
make friends. I have to be responsible for those who died in the struggle for
the liberation of this country. I would not accept this task just to make
friends" said Mr Alkatiri.


                 PNTL TAKES PART IN THE F-FDTL 28TH   ANNIVERSARY

The Commander of the National Police(PNTL), Mr Paulo de Fatima Martins,
yesterday said that during the commemoration of the Falintil 28th
anniversary on
August 20, 2003 in Waimori-Viqueque, the District Police of Baucau,
Viqueque and
Manatuto will be responsible for the security. "PNTL will not lose the
opportunity, we will take part in Waimori. Beside that a joint team of F-FDTL
and PNTL will trace the graves of those died during the struggle" said Mr
Martins.


TIMOR POST

            JUSTICE MINISTER SAYS PRIME MINISTER NATIONALITY IS CLEAR

The Minister of Justice, Mr Domingos Sarmento, yesterday told reporters that
Opposition Parties questions about the nationality status of Prime Minister
Mari
Alkatiri, the Defense Secretary, Mr Roque Rodrigues and State Minister Mrs Ana
Pessoa, were baseless. Mr Sarmento said that their (Prime Minister and the
other
two ministers) nationalities are clear. Mr Sarmento made these comments in
response to reporters' question about Government discrimination concerning
those
with wives or husbands with Indonesian nationalities. The journalist had said
they had heard that they have to pay immigration monthly tax, while some
Government officials with the same situation were exempted from the regulation.
Mr Sarmento said that he will examine the case. He said that his office is
preparing a draft regulation on international marriage.

         NP VICE SPEAKER ASKS GOVT TO LOWER PRE-PAID ELECTRICITY PRICE

The Vice Speaker of the National Parliament, Mr Jacob Fernandes, yesterday said
that the National Parliament will recommend that the Government lowers the
price
of the pre-paid electricity. He said that this recommendation is based on the
protest by consumers. Mr Fernandes said that the community needs to support
Government's decision to implement the pre-paid meters otherwise the Government
will not have financial resources to cover the cost.


              UDT PRESIDENT SAYS: "UDT NEVER UNDERTAKES COUP D'ETAT"

The President of the Timorese Democratic Union Party (UDT), Mr Joao Viegas
Carrascalao, yesterday said that UDT did not hold a coup d'etat in 1975.
However
he said UDT held a anti-communist demonstration against communist doctrine. The
President of UDT held the press conference to respond to rumors that the UDT is
preparing a coup d'etat to bring down the ruling party.


              ETSG SEMINAR ON PRIVATE SECTOR AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT

The Executive Director of the East Timor Study Group, Dr Joao Mariano Saldanha,
yesterday spoke at a seminar held by ETSG. He said that Timor-Leste should
learn
from Ireland's experiences in developing its economy. Mr Saldanha described how
the Irish Government together with the private sector and national Non
Governmental Organizations had developed the private sector and foreign
investment. The article said that this seminar was supported by the Office of
the President.