Daily Media Review
Saturday, 08 July, Monday 10 July 2006

UN Assistance To Recuperate PNTL And Organize General Election

The United Nations Special Envoy, Ian Martin said during a press conference that the UN would focus on two important areas, the reconstruction of PNTL and the assistance for the upcoming Parliament and Presidential elections. The Special UN Envoy also stressed the judiciary system would function properly once PNTL is reorganized. On the Special Independent Commission of Inquiry, Ian Martin said the investigation is underway but and that it should be in accordance with the Timor-Leste judiciary system.

Regarding anticipated elections, the UN Special Envoy said it will be extremely difficult as it takes time for preparation and for consultations to be carried out various parties about the electoral law, noting that the elections in Timor-Leste would be conducted as determined by the country's constitution. On the nomination of Ramos-Horta, the country's new Prime Minister, Ian Martin underlined that the international community is happy to work with the new appointee and his deputies but above all is the trust the people of Timor-Leste had bestowed on them as a new team to carry on with work their work and create a peaceful and tranquil environment. In a separate article, Timor Post reported that the UN Special Envoy will present a report on the situation in Timor-Leste based on his two-week visit. The report will allow the UN Security Council to make a decision on the type of mission in the short and long term. ( TP)

FNJP Gives Deadline To President Gusmão To Dissolve Parliament

The coordinator for Frente Nasional ba Justisa no Paz (FNJP), Augusto de Araújo who is also known as Tara stated that if the President fails to make the decision to dissolve the Parliament, as per the demands of the majority of the population, FNJP plans to hold more demonstrations. Tara added that together with the population they are sticking to the principles to dissolve the Parliament and the government and if it doesn't happen his group will bring the population again to Dili. Suara Timor Lorosae reported Tara as given an ultimatum to the President of the Republic " to stop the activities of the Parliament and the government in 10 days or there could be some emerging violence". FNJP also rejects Ramos-Horta as the new Prime Minister stressing he will impede the investigation process against Mari Alkatiri because he will not support it. Tara also added that the population have lost their trust in José Ramos-Horta when he told them during their protest that now that Alkatiri has stepped down there would be no further need of protests.

Ombudsman Presents Report To The Parliament

The first report of the Provedor for Human Rights and Justice was presented to the National Parliament on Friday (8/7). According to Sebastião Ximenes Dias, the report would be an opportunity for the Parliament and the communities to hold a dialogue regarding the establishment of the Provedor's office as well as future plans. Dias said the document for 2005/2006 would be distributed to the State institutions and civil society and it would be translated into Tetun language to have greater access by the communities. (TP)

Ramos Horta sworn in as PM
July 10, 2006 - 1:59PM

Nobel laureate Jose Ramos Horta was sworn in as East Timor's new prime minister today, in a move which raises hopes of an end to weeks of uncertainty and violence in the young nation. Ramos Horta placed his hand on a copy of the country's constitution as he took a brief oath to serve East Timor's people, witnessed by President Xanana Gusmao, who appointed him to the position on Saturday. "I swear by God to carry out my duties as prime minister," Ramos Horta said during the swearing-in ceremony.

The new prime minister's deputies, Agriculture Minister Estanislau da Silva and Health Minister Rui Araujo, attended the event along with senior Catholic bishops and foreign diplomats. The presidential office where the ceremony was held,was guarded by about 50 of the more than 2,200 Australian-led foreign peacekeepers sent to restore calm after East Timor descended into violence in May. At least 21 people were killed and some 150,000 people fled their homes amid battles between rival factions of the military and police as well as ethnic gangs, who roamed the streets armed with swords and axes.

Mari Alkatiri resigned as prime minister last month to take responsibility for the mayhem. He also faces questioning over allegations he armed a civilian hit squad tasked with eliminating his opponents. Alkatiri sacked about 600 members of the 1,400-member army in March after they protested against discrimination, triggering the crisis. May's violence was the worst to hit the nation since it voted for independence from Jakarta in 1999 in a United Nations-backed referendum.

Ramos Horta won a Nobel peace prize for his non-violent campaign against Indonesia's 24-year rule of East Timor and has been foreign minister since the territory gained independence from Indonesia in 2002. He will lead as prime minister until elections due in May next year. (SMH, AFP/AP)

Nobel winner is new East Timor PM.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Jose Ramos-Horta has been named as East Timor's new prime minister, President Xanana Gusmao has announced. The appointment follows months of violence and political instability. The ex-prime minister, Mari Alkatiri, resigned last month after criticism of his handling of a wave of violence which left 21 people dead. Mr Ramos-Horta was Mr Alkatiri's foreign minister but quit after falling out with the former premier. The new government's first job will be "restoring peace and stability," President Gusmao said. The unrest, sparked by Mr Alkatiri's decision to sack 600 soldiers, prompted the government to call for international assistance to restore order.

Timor PM sworn in peacefully
10/07/2006 16:36:02

New Zealand's Ambassador to East Timor is unsure what impact the nation's new Prime Minister will have. Nobel laureate Jose Ramos Horta has been sworn in as interim PM today. Ambassador Ruth Nuttall was at the ceremony which she describes as somber and formal. It was held in a burnt out palace, which she says brought home for everyone the extent of the re-building that is needed in the troubled nation. Ruth Nuttall says there have been rumours of demonstrations, although there are no sign of disruption at this point. She says people obviously still have concerns about whether the new administration can resolve East Timor's problems. (Newstalk ZB)

These Items Do Not Reflect the Position or Views of the United Nations. UNOTIL Public Information Office

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