Tetum:
Boletim La’o Hamutuk:
[PDF formatu]
Vol. 2, Nos. 1-2 Abríl
2001
Vizaun Jeral Hosi Fundu
Ba Rekonstrusaun Timor Loro Sa’e:
http://www.etan.org/lh/PDFs/lhbl2n1t.pdf
Tetum:
Abríl
2001 BLH: Komentariu: Taxa iha Timor Loro Sa’e Comment
added July 24
"Situasaun Taxa iha Timor Loro Sa’e komplikadu
teb-tebes. Lei ba taxa nian hosi Indonejia sei la’o hela desde UNTAET
hahú,
maibe la iha administrasaun taxa nebe la’o atu kolekta hosi vendedor no
individual sira, ... Regulamentu UNTAET 2000/32 konfirma katak laiha
taxa
seluk ruma nebe tenke kolekta wainhira UNTAET to’o iha Timor Loro Sa’e.
... Prinsipiu baziku hosi kaixa jeral taxa nian iha fatin hotu-hotu mak
taxa tenki selu iha fatin nebe osan simu ba, duke hetan hosi rai na’in.
... Tanba empregadu ONU la selu impostu, miliaun nuluan dolar bar-barak
nebe preciza teb-tebes ba povu Timor Loro Sa’e mak la iha. ... Oituan
liu,
UNTAET tenke suporta fo aten brani ba planu kontribuisaun empregadu
oluntariu
hodi suporta governu nebe foin hamriik."
La’o
Hamutuk, Instituto Timor Lorosa’e ba Analiza no Monitoring Reconstrucao
Tetum:
Abríl
2001 BLH: Komisaun As ONU nian ba Direitu Emar nian (UNHRC) fasilita
impunidade
Indonejia Editorial added July 21
"Iha loron 6 fulan fevereiru 2001, Mary
Robinson, nudar portavos ONU nian ba direitu emar nian, fo sai
relatoriu
ida kona ba situasaun direitu emar nian iha Timor Loro Sa’e. Relatoriu
ne’e nudar progresu hosi sorumutu UNHRC tinan liu ba. Iha tempu neba,
ulun
komisaun nian rekere atu relatoriu hosi portavos komisaun ba soromutu
2001
iha Genebra. Relatoriu ne’e tenke fo sai informasaun no analiza kona ba
buat sira nebe iha relasaun ho investigasaun no prosekuzaun kona ba
hahalok
a’at hasoru humanidade nebe hala’o iha Timor Loro Sa’e durante
Indonejia
okupa teretoriu ne’e. Kona ba ne’e, relatoriu ne’e falha bo’ot. ...
Povu
Timor Loro Sa’e – hanesa mos sira seluk nebe funu ba demokrasia no
dereitu
emar nian iha Indonejia laran – merese atu simu diak liu tan : lia los
no justica."
La’o Hamutuk, Instituto Timor
Lorosa’e ba Analiza no Monitoring Reconstrucao
Tetum:
Abríl
2001 BLH: Problema Osan: Propriadadi no Prosesu
Editorial
added July 12
"Ema internasional sira nebe fo suporta
ba Timor Loro Sa’e, servisu ho organizasaun lokal sira, bele hola
funsaun
importante ida hodi garante ba fundu barak tan, no nivel kontrola nebe
bo’ot sobre fundu sira hosi Timor oan sira. Ba ida ne’e, solidaridade
internasional
sira bele husu sira nia estadu atu fo suporta jenuinu barak liu tan
(iha
termus fundu sira no poder politika ) ba Timor Loro Sa’e. UNTAET bele
hahú
suporta aktivisme direitus humanus ida ne’e hodi hasai tiha pratika
diskuzaun
sekreta kona ba problema orsamentu."
La’o
Hamutuk, Instituto Timor Lorosa’e ba Analiza no Monitoring Reconstrucao
Tetum:
Abríl
2001 BLH: Vizaun Jeral Hosi Fundu Ba Rekonstrusaun Timor Loro Sa’e
Overview added June 27
"Povu Timor Loro Sa’e frekuentemente foti
lia-husu/ kestaun kona ba miliaun/tokon atus bar-barak dolar nebe suli
mai iha rai laran ne’e hahún hosi fulan Setembru 1999. Liu tan,
ne’e hotu la mos, kona ba osan sira ne’e ba iha nebe. Falta de matenek
no transparansia hosi públiku no sira nia partisipasaun iha buat
hirak nebe iha relasaun ho fundus nebe’e halo ema balun to’o ba
konkluzaun
katak iha buat ruma nebe la los. Nune’e mos, iha persepsaun ida nebe
mo-mos,
bele dehan nivel hosi fundus, iha neba mosu progresu nebe la to’o atu
harii
fali Timor Loro Sa’e."
La’o Hamutuk, Instituto
Timor Lorosa’e ba Analiza no Monitoring Reconstrucao
Tetum:
Abríl
2001 BLH: Faktos Kona Ba We Botir Overview added June
27
"Botir plastiku mamuk nian iha quartel
UNTAET nia liur. Ida ne’e bidon recycle (mengembalikan) ida, maibe sei
barak tan; botir barak mak sei soe namakare halo foer. ... Estimasaun
distribuisaun
ba tinan ida: botir 10,5 miliaun ... Estimasaun ba kustus tinan ida
nian
laran: 4 miliaun dolar"
La’o Hamutuk, Instituto
Timor Lorosa’e ba Analiza no Monitoring Reconstrucao
Tetum:
Abríl
2001 BLH: Ekipamentu sira presiza husik hela wainhira UNTAET fila
Overview added June 27
"Laiha politika ida nebe konsistente kona
ba dispozisaun hosi ekipamentu no sasán nebe sosa ba misaun dame
ONU nian. Iha misaun sira nebe liu tiha ona, dala ruma ekipamentu sira
ne’e husik hela iha rai-laran wainhira ONU hit ain. La’o Hamutuk husu
ba
estadu sira hosi membru ONU nian, nebe liu hosi ONU kolektivamente
“na’in”
ba ekipamentu sira ne’e, atu bele mantein diak ekipamentu sira ne’e.
Wainhira
ekipamentu sira ne’e iha kondisaun diak no ETTA preciza, ONU bele fo
hela
sasán sira ne’e ba governu foun nudar hahalok diak ida ka fa’an
ho folin ida nebe presiza konsidera mos kona ba depresiasaun nebe
maka’as
no gastus ba ONU atu tula sasán sira ne’e iha roo hodi sai hosi
Timor Loro Sa’e."
La’o Hamutuk, Instituto
Timor Lorosa’e ba Analiza no Monitoring Reconstrucao
April
2001 ACFOA: Walsh: East Timor's Political Party Profiles Complete
text of report [150KB] added May 22
"East Timor is now entering the last,
crucial stage of the transition process to full independence. ... The
scene
is now set, however, for the political parties to take their rightful
place
under the spotlight as key players in the democratic process. This is a
healthy and positive development which excesses by some should not be
permitted
to undermine. ... How many parties will contest the election? Who are
their
leaders and how does one contact them? How have they changed from
previous
times? What ideas and policies do they have for East Timor’s
development,
foreign policy and so on?" Pat
Walsh, Human rights consultant,
Australian
Council for Overseas Aid
April
2001 LHB: Funding East Timor's Reconstruction Overview
added May 12
"People in East Timor have many questions
about the hundreds of millions of dollars that have flowed into the
country
since September 1999. Most have little idea where the money is going.
...
there is a pervasive perception that, given the levels of funding,
there
has been insufficient progress in the rebuilding of East Timor. ... "
The
La'o
Hamutuk Bulletin Editorial
April
2001 LHB: Equipment In Good Working Order Should Stay In East Timor's
After
UNTAET Leaves Editorial added May 12
"There is no consistent policy regarding
the disposition of equipment and material purchased for UN peacekeeping
missions. In past missions, the equipment has sometimes remained in the
country after the UN's departure. La'o Hamutuk urges the UN member
states,
who through the UN collectively "own" this equipment, to make it
available."
The La'o Hamutuk Bulletin Editorial
April
2001 LHB: Report from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Facilitates
Indonesia's Impunity Editorial added May 11
"On 6 February 2001, Mary Robinson, the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, released a report on
the situation of human rights in East Timor. ... The report should
provide
information on and analysis of matters relating to the investigation
and
prosecution of crimes against humanity committed in East Timor during
Indonesia's
occupation of the territory. In this regard, it fails miserably. ...
The
people of East Timor -- as well as all those struggling for democracy
and
human rights within Indonesia -- deserve much better: truth and
justice."
The La'o Hamutuk Bulletin Editorial
April
2001 LHB: CivPol-Community Relations in Need of Repair
Editorial added May 12
"La'o Hamutuk calls upon CivPol commanders
and UNTAET officials to refrain from making racist and inflammatory
statements
such as those of Commander Gent. In this spirit, Commander Gent should
publicly retract and apologize for his words. ... Foreigners who have
been
here only a few months and don't know the language, history or culture
cannot understand this society better than those who were born here."
The
La'o
Hamutuk Bulletin Editorial
April
2001 LHB: Money Matters: Questions of Priorities and Process
Editorial added May 12
"International supporters of East Timor,
working with local organizations, can play an important role in
securing
more funds, and greater control over the funds by the East Timorese
people.
In this regard, international advocates can lobby their governments to
provide more genuine support (in terms of funds and political power)
for
East Timor. UNTAET can begin to support this human rights activism by
ending
the practice of closed-door discussions about budget matters." The La'o
Hamutuk Bulletin Editorial
Apr
2001 Estafeta: Will East Timor See Justice? Article
added
May 9
"Eighteen months have elapsed since the
Indonesian military and its militia proxies devastated East Timor. A
quarter
century has passed since the U.S.-supported Indonesian invasion of East
Timor began an occupation which killed one-third of the population and
kidnapped, raped, tortured and terrorized hundreds of thousands more.
Uncountable
crimes against humanity have been committed in East Timor since 1975 by
Indonesian forces, with the complicity of the world’s “great powers.”
It
is a record which cries out for justice." Charles
Scheiner, National Coordinator, East
Timor
Action Network/US
Apr
30 SMH publishes KPP HAM's Secret Report on Crimes Against Humanity in
ETimor
"KPP HAM has been successful in collecting
facts and proofs that provide strong indications that serious
violations
of human rights have been carried out in a planned and systematic
manner
and on a large and wide scale in the form of mass murder, torture and
maltreatment,
forced disappearance, violence towards women and children (including
rape
and sexual slavery), forced evacuations, scorched earth policies and
destruction
of property, all of which constitute crimes towards humanity. ...
KPP HAM also found strong evidence concerning
getting rid of and destroying evidence, which is a criminal act. ...
The types of acts and the pattern of crimes
against humanity were as follows: The involvement of the civilian and
military
apparatuses including the police cooperated with the pro-integration
militia
groups in crimes against humanity. This represented abuse of power and
authority and resulted in the involvement of military institutions as
well
as civil agencies." Indonesian Commission of Investigation into Human
Rights
Violations (KPP HAM)
Apr
30 ABC Darwin: Denis Burke re: Timor Gas Interview
with
comments from BACK DOOR added May 1
" ... frankly I believe Australia has
to hold a very hard line in the region. I mean like it or not we have
responsibilities
in this region. Like it or not we have taken leadership and
should
continue to hold a strong leadership position in the region. And in
that
context we have to demonstrate firmness on issues such as sovereignty."
Denis Burke, the Northern Territory (Australia) Government’s Chief
Minister
Apr
30 UNTAET: National Council Briefed on Timor Gap News
from ETimor added May 1
"The National Council Standing Committee
on Infrastructure today invited Mari Alkatiri, Cabinet member for
Economic
Affairs and Peter Galbraith, Cabinet Member for Political Affairs and
Timor
Sea, to speak on the issue of the Timor Gap negotiations. Alkatiri
began
by explaining the agreement between Australia and Indonesia, negotiated
in 1989, noting that if one were to abide by international law and
norms,
100 per cent of the oil reserves of the Timor Gap belong to East
Timor."
UNTAET Media Briefing Notes
Apr
28 SMH: Timor Crimes Editorial added May 3
"The Indonesian special commission [KPP
HAM] on militia violence in East Timor has amply confirmed suspicions
of
Indonesian military involvement in and responsibility for crimes
against
humanity in East Timor. The commission has made a sincere effort to
find
out what happened before and after the August 1999 vote on
independence.
It has cast new light on many crimes committed by the militia, the
military
and the police. It has uncovered new sources of information. It has
exhumed
the bodies of victims of massacres, putting beyond doubt that crimes
were
committed and that the evidence exists. And it has shown the links
between
some of the most terrible crimes and the Indonesian military, extending
beyond Timor itself, beyond the regional command in Bali, to the the
high
command itself in Jakarta. The commission’s
secret
41-page report, prepared for the Indonesian Attorney-General, Mr
Marzuki
Darusman, is frank and credible, and not exculpatory in tone." Sydney
Morning
Herald editorial
French & English:
Apr
28 Agir pour Timor demande la création immédiate d’un
tribunal
pénal international ad hoc sur Timor-Est / Agir pour Timor calls
for the immediate creation of an ad hoc international criminal court on
ETimor Release added May 1
"Un processus judiciaire international
est suspendu à la mise en oeuvre d’un processus judiciaire
indonésien.
Cette mesure, qui n’a pas d’équivalent dans l’histoire
récente
(on pense notamment à l’ex-Yougoslavie et au Rwanda), est
incompatible
avec le caractère international du conflit de Timor-Est, ...
Agir
pour Timor recommande: L’établissement immédiat
d’un
tribunal pénal international ad hoc, dont le mandat devrait
couvrir
au moins l’entière période de l’occupation
indonésienne."
Rapport Agir pour Timor
"An international judicial process is
suspended to the implementation of an Indonesian judicial process. This
measure, which has no equivalent in recent history (ex-Yougoslavia and
Rwanda notably come to mind), is incompatible with the international
character
of the East Timor conflict, ... Agir pour Timor recommends: The
immediate
set-up of an ad hoc international criminal court, whose mandate should
cover at least the full Indonesian occupation period." Agir pour Timor
report
Apr
26 STL: Bishop Belo: Leaders must address grassroots’ concerns
News from ETimor added May 3
"The leader of the Dili diocese Bishop
Carlos Ximenes Belo reminded leaders of political parties to have more
contacts with the grassroots so that they could see with their own eyes
the conditions under which people are living in. This, said Bishop
Belo,
would make political leaders be more realistic in their aspirations to
build the country." Suara
Timor Lorosae
Apr
26 AIDWATCH: World Bank Dictating Terms of Development in East Timor
Release added May 1
"AID/WATCH researchers Yoga Sofyar and
Tim Anderson, found consistent concern amongst NGOs, church groups and
administration officials, that the development assistance - generously
and freely given by the international community - is being managed in a
predetermined, secretive and authoritarian manner. The main responsible
agency is the World Bank, supported by the
International
Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Asian Development
Bank
(ADB). ... " AIDWATCH:
Monitoring
the Development Dollar
Apr
26 TAPOL: Indonesia forfeits right to conduct Timor trials
Release added May 1
“The Indonesian authorities have cynically
misled the international community as to their true intentions and
cannot
be trusted. Indonesia is neither willing nor able to provide justice to
the long-suffering victims of the appalling crimes committed by the
Indonesian
military and its militia proxies in East Timor. International justice
must
now take its course.” Paul Barber, TAPOL,
the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign
Apr
25 AI: Indonesia: Struggle against impunity -- one step forward, two
steps
back Release added May 1
"The decision to establish courts on Tanjung
Priok and East Timor is a positive move, but to restrict the mandate of
the court on East Timor to post-ballot cases denies justice to the
scores
of victims who suffered serious violations in the months leading up to
the vote. ... This compromised decision should force the international
community to seriously consider the establishment of an international
criminal
tribunal on East Timor so that the 1999 events can be looked at in
their
entirety," Amnesty International
Major Report Apr
25 ETAN publishes text of suppressed UN report on East Timor destruction
Release & Link to full text of report up-dated May 5
"The report is now available on the internet
at http://www.etan.org/news/2001a/dunn1.htm
The document, "Crimes Against Humanity
in East Timor, January to October 1999: Their Nature and Causes," was
written by former Australian diplomat James Dunn, an independent
consultant
to the Chief Prosecutor for the UN Transitional Administration in East
Timor's (UNTAET). ETAN obtained the report from a source associated
with
the United Nations.
UNTAET officials do not plan to release
the report, which was submitted to them in mid-February. It names some
of the key Indonesian commanders most directly involved in planning and
implementing the violence surrounding East Timor's UN-organized
independence
referendum in 1999. A UN spokesperson has said that the UN is not
releasing
the report out of concern that it will hinder negotiations with
Indonesia.
"We believe it is crucial that those responsible
for East Timor's destruction be held accountable," said John M. Miller,
spokesperson for ETAN. "Prosecution of the Indonesian military officers
responsible is necessary both for East Timor's future security and
Indonesia's
transition to democracy. Open discussion of the report's findings best
serves all involved -- the UN, the Indonesian government and people,
and
the people of East Timor." " The East
Timor
Action Network/U.S.
Apr
25 TP: Horta Returns to Foreign Ministry After Resigning From NC
News from ETimor added May 3
“All the members of the National Council
feel that I should return to my previous portfolio. They are of the
opinion
that the post of Foreign Minister is very important to Timor Lorosae.
For
that reason I resigned and went back to the Foreign Affairs Ministry,”
Dr Jose Ramos Horta
Apr
24 ACFOA: Briefing Notes on political parties and groupings
Report updated May 22
"East Timor is now entering the last,
crucial stage of the transition process to full independence. ... The
scene
is now set, however, for the political parties to take their rightful
place
under the spotlight as key players in the democratic process. This is a
healthy and positive development which excesses by some should not be
permitted
to undermine. ... How many parties will contest the election? Who are
their
leaders and how does one contact them? How have they changed from
previous
times? What ideas and policies do they have for East Timor’s
development,
foreign policy and so on?" Pat
Walsh, Human Rights consultant,
Australian
Council for Overseas Aid
Current
AETA Resource List (Australia-East Timor Association)
Resources on ETimor added Apr 26
AETA
(Melbourne) provide a community-based non-profit service that includes
the provision of books, educational materials, Tetum language
books/kits
and music CDs/cassettes. This diverse collection of resources includes
materials that are otherwise difficult to obtain. - BD
Apr
25 NGO Forum: Expression of Concern at Xanana’s Statement regarding an
International Tribunal Press Release from ETimor
updated
May 16
"The NGO Forum regards an International
Tribunal as an option that needs to be seriously considered given that
to date Indonesia has not made any progress in investigating human
rights
offences committed by the Indonesian military in East Timor." ET
NGO Forum
"If an international court is not a priority
for resolving war crimes cases in East Timor, what other court is able
to ensure that the war criminals concerned do not just walk free?”
Arsenio
Bano, Executive Director of the NGO Forum
Apr
24 TP: Carrascalao: No Evidence Of Indonesia Supporting Terrorists At
Border
News from ETimor added Apr 26
“I think these rumours have been spread
to terrorize the Timorese people in the run-up to the 30 August
election,
... A group of terrorists will not be able to defeat the Timorese
people.
Even the TNI, for 25 years, could not subdue the Timorese people,”
Mario
Carrascalao, Deputy President of CNRT
Apr
23 AP: Nobel Laureate Bishop Belo Appeals For East Timor Tribunal
News added Apr 25
"Justice must not be restricted to a chosen
few. It must be universal, ... We have no faith in the investigations
being
conducted in Jakarta. Those who authorized the crimes in East Timor
will
not face justice there, ... It is our belief that only an international
court will be able to prosecute the generals and commanders who were
behind
the September 1999 violence. It is clear that what happened in East
Timor
was not a spontaneous response by Timorese who wanted to stay with
Indonesia."
Bishop Carlos Belo of East Timor, the only Catholic bishop ever to
receive
the Nobel Peace Prize
Apr
23 SMH: Mary Robinson supports repatriation of Timorese 'war prize'
News added Apr 25
"The United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, has thrown her support behind
efforts
to free an East Timorese teenage girl taken as a “war prize” by a
pro-Indonesian
militia leader. ... The case of 16-year old Juliana dos Santos was raised
at last month’s 57th congress of the UN Commission on Human Rights
by Mrs Kirsty Sword Gusmao, the Australian wife of East Timor’s
independence
leader, Mr Xanana Gusmao." Mark Dodd, Herald Correspondent in Dili
Apr
20 CNRT/CN: Gusmao: “The Liberation Movement in East Timor”
Speech in Jakarta added Apr 25
"War is a monster that devours human lives.
... In this new millennium, all the peoples of the world should unite
to
set up a front for peace, to promote dialogue and strive against any
incitement
to violence and war. Timor Lorosae was a stage of war ... for
twenty-four
years! ... Beyond physical reconstruction and the establishment of
Institutions,
the hardest process will be healing the wounds. There is nothing
motivating
us against the Indonesian people, who also suffered under the former
regime.
There is nothing motivating us against the present Indonesian regime
who
we know are trying to make the democratisation process a success."
Xanana
Gusmao, President of the CNRT
Apr
20 SMH: James Dunn 'Crimes Against Humanity in East Timor, Jan-Oct 99'
Executive summary and recommendations added Apr 20
"James Dunn is a former Australian consul
in East Timor who wrote the definitive book on East Timor’s history in
the mid-80’s [“Timor: A People Betrayed” obtainable through
AETA:
http://www.pcug.org.au/~wildwood/aetaresources.html
- BD] and updated in 1996. He was hired by UNTAET last year to document
the involvement of the Indonesian military in the crimes of 1999 in
East
Timor. He submitted his report to UNTAET two months ago, but the UN
hasn’t
released it yet. A copy of the report was obtained by the Sydney
Morning
Herald and its Executive Summary and Recommendations were posted on
their
web site on April 20, 2001."
Apr
19 RadioNeth: Komnas HAM Sec.Gen supports International Tribunal for
Timor
Interview added Apr 25
" ... there has been so much delay not
only on the part of the executive but also by parliament. So who can
blame
the international community and groups here in Indonesia for coming to
the conclusion that the government is not serious about dealing with
these
crimes by setting up ad hoc courts? In other words, an International
Tribunal
will prove to be the only alternative if people’s demands for justice
are
to be met. ... Bearing in mind all the delay, it is better to set up an
International Tribunal. This is the only way for justice to be done."
Asmara
Nababan, secretary-general of Indonesia’s National Human Rights
Commission,
Komnas HAM
Apr
19 Age: Oil, gas and money: Tiny Timor talks tough
News
added Apr 19
"Before a
conference of resource industry leaders in Hobart last week, Peter
Galbraith
[member for political affairs, ETimor transitional cabinet] went
through
the numbers. If the new nation of East Timor gained all royalties from
current and planned resource projects in the Timor Gap, it would earn
$515
million a year. Two oilfields alone, Galbraith continued, could
generate
$1 million a day for East Timor. Imagine, Galbraith told his audience,
what this means to a country that has an annual recurrent budget of $45
million, “where every building was burned to the ground, where there
are
70 students for every teacher”. But if Galbraith came with pleas, he
also
came with demands. The 1989 Australia-Indonesia Timor Gap treaty was
illegal
because Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor was illegal, he said.
Therefore
an entire new treaty must be negotiated, with East Timor receiving 100
per cent of Timor Gap royalties." Dennis Schulz and Mark Forbes
Apr
18 SMH: East Timor eyes off oil's billions News added
Apr 19
"The Timor Gap issue is diplomatically
sensitive for Australia, given criticism that the original treaty -
supported
by both Labor and Coalition governments - sold out the East Timorese
people
while they were under brutal Indonesian occupation. ... In Darwin
yesterday,
Mr Burke [Northern Territory (Australia) Government’s Chief Minister]
warned
that if East Timor continued to take a hardline stand, it risked not
getting
any revenue for years to come. East Timorese representatives have
threatened
to take Australia to the International Court of Justice if an agreement
cannot be reached." Craig Skehan, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Sydney
Morning Herald
Apr
17 STL: Mario Carrascalao: UNTAET Does Not Have A Timorization Target
News from ETimor added Apr 19
“In order for Timor Lorosae to be fully
independent, it is necessary [for the transitional administration] to
have
full capacity-building in order to create a definite level of Timorese
administrators till all the administrative positions in UNTAET
are
filled by Timorese people,” Mario Carrascalao, vice-president of CNRT/CN
Apr
17 Gusmao: No Need For Timor Lorosae To Have Instant Independence
News from ETimor added Apr 19
“We are not chasing instant independence.
We will be fully independent next year. But what we want from the UN is
to inherit a country which can govern and administer itself. That is
our
wish,” Xanana Gusmao, CNRT/CN
President
Apr
16 TP: “I leave, Not As An Enemy Of NC” News from
ETimor
added Apr 19
“I respect you, but I have to say that
I am very sorry that I cannot fulfil your requests that I return to the
NC. This is because I defend my own personal political principles, ...
But I respect your wish to communicate the common person’s words and
aspirations.
I asked all the people not to be sad and not to worry that I have left
the NC because I do not rule East Timor. Tomorrow the parties that win
the general elections will govern the country and people of East
Timor.”
CNRT/NC
president Xanana Gusmao, in response to a delegation of Liurais
(chiefs)
of East Timor to the National Council (NC)
Apr
14 CT: East Timor suffers under weight of world plans
Article added Apr 19
"Despite the UN’s optimistic view, when
you scratch the surface of reconstruction in the emerging nation, the
picture
that emerges is a profoundly worrying one," Jenny Denton
Apr 2001 AETA: Australia East Timor Association (NSW) Newsletter Newsletter updated Apr 26
Apr
12 AFP: Wahid bowing to military pressure in avoiding Timor trials:
activists
Article added Apr 14
“In the body of the government there are
still people opposed to the East Timor prosecutions, ... The majority
(of
those in the government) are not willing for those responsible for the
violence in East Timor to be immediately tried. They are the followers
of the old regime who are still in power, especially in the military,”
Johnson Panjaitan, human rights lawyer
Apr
12 Tali: The Roots Of Violence: Can They Be Pulled Out?
Article from ETimor added Apr 13
"But when we seriously analyze the situation,
there seems to be no end to the causes [of violence]. They start from
land
disputes, political rivalry, economic problems, the non-recognition of
sacrifices made by the clandestine movement and ethnic problems. The
question
now is whether justice can be meted out in addressing these problems."
Hugo Fernandez
Apr
11 STL: International court must be set up in Timor Lorosae as fast as
possible News from ETimor added Apr 13
“The serious crimes cases are not being
heard in an effective manner, ... We all know that the cases being
heard
right now just involve the ‘small fry’, while the ‘bigger’ culprits are
roaming free in Indonesia, ... I hope that, very soon, we could have an
international court sitting in Timor Lorosae, ... The main actors,
involved
in the 1999 crimes against humanity, can then be tried in Timor Lorosae
and the United Nations will have the right to subpoena them to appear
in
court,” Cancio Xavier, Public Defender’s Office
Apr
10 ABC: Report finds Timor violence the result of a 'conspiracy'
News added Apr 11
“I’ve made a very firm statement that
what happened in East Timor was not a spontaneous response by Timorese
who wanted to stay with Indonesia, it was a virtually conspiracy led by
a number of Indonesian generals.” James Dunn, expert on crimes against
humanity at the Dili-based United Nations Transitional Administration
in
East Timor (UNTAET)
Apr
10 ABC: Rondo: Children dying in refugee camps in West Timor
Interview added Apr 11
"The greater proportion of the refugees
in West Timor live in a crisis situation. No freedom, no hope and also
no future. ... There’s just one way to come in or get out from the camp
and the militia have full power. They can control all civilians and all
the aid that you give to the refugees. ... a lot of violence goes on in
the camps and people from outside don’t know about it. Rape, looting,
sexual
harassment. ... the militia manipulate the information about the real
situation
in East Timor. They have newsletters, they have many ways to manipulate
the information." Winston Rondo,
General Secretary of the Centre for Internally Displaced Peoples
Service
in West Timor
Apr 10 STL: Manuel Carrascalao, The New NC President News from ETimor added Apr 15
Apr
9-11 APPEA: Galbraith: Timor Sea Petroleum keynote
conference
address added May 5
"I am here today with Dr. Mari Alkatiri,
East Timor’s Minister for Economic Affairs and therefore my colleague
in
Cabinet, to bring you a simple message: the period of instability and
uncertainty
in East Timor is over. ... East Timor is well on its way to
establishing
stable democratic institutions and sensible pro-market economic
policies.
... On behalf of the East Timor Cabinet and legislature, I am here to
underline
our intention to develop and implement a transparent, stable fiscal and
regulatory regime that will be amongst the most modern in the world,
and
which will enable both the companies and the East Timorese to profit
from
our resource. ...
Both East Timor and Australia, and in
particular its Northern Territory, have a lot to gain by concluding a
Treaty
to facilitate the development of the vast oil and gas resources of the
Timor Sea. ... Neither Mari Alkatiri nor I can bring back East
Timor
a treaty that would give East Timor less economic benefit than that
which
it is entitled under international law. ...
In summary, we see a great opportunity
for East Timor and Australia in the Timor Sea. With East Timor the
petroleum
industry has a partner that promises a reliable, stable, and
exploitation-friendly
future. The uncertainty about East Timor’s future is over and we
promise
a regulatory regime that is transparent, straightforward, and honest."
Ambassador Peter Galbraith, Cabinet Member
for Political Affairs and Timor Sea, East Timor Transitional Government
Apr
2001 NDI: “Timor Loro Sa’e is our nation” Report on
focus
group discussions in ETimor added Apr 11
"while many East Timorese citizens may
not be able to say exactly what democracy is, many certainly know and
are
prepared to say what it is not. It is important to build upon their
experience,
local knowledge and cultural traditions to support democratic
practices.
... the people of East Timor have many well-developed ideas about
democracy
and the form of government they would like to see in their emerging
nation.
... They have unrealized hopes and are looking for action rather than
more
words. They seek proof that they are being heard and demand active
participation
in the development of this new nation. To ignore the demands of the
East
Timorese people will only add to the burden of their frustrations."
National
Democratic Institute for International Affairs
Apr
9 AFP: UN peacekeepers fueling trafficking in women
News
added Apr 15
“It is absolutely essential that all UN
forces are held to the same standards of international human rights law
as are nation states, ... To do otherwise creates a climate of impunity
in which offences profilerate, ... Now especially where UN is running
administrations
such as in Kosovo and East Timor we feel it’s absolutely essential that
some kind of structure be in place to deal with these kinds of issues,
[trafficking of women for prostitution]” Radhika Coomaraswamy, UN
expert
on violence against women
Apr
9 JRS: West Timor: Refugees dying from diarrhoea Alert
from WTimor added Apr 14
“People are still dying. It’s the rainy
season, the camps are muddy, sanitation is poor, there’s no running
water,
and malnutrition is rife, ... Since all the foreign aid workers left,
there
is no-one looking after them any more. Babies are born tiny and
undersized,
because their mothers are so undernourished.” Fr Mulyono, WTimor
Apr
9 BWT: Solidarity With East Timor: New Challenges, New Opportunities
Analysis added Apr 10
"The story of ETAN
is the story of how activism works. Not quickly, necessarily, and not
perfectly.
But the lesson is clear: when a group - even a small group - of
committed
individuals dedicate themselves to a goal, it is possible for them to
achieve
their aims. For ETAN, those aims have now broadened to include
supporting
grassroots democracy in East Timor and pressuring governments, aid
agencies,
and other international bodies (such as the UN) to support the East
Timorese
on their path towards freedom. ... Our job as activists is to nurture
and
support that journey, to learn from it, and to demand that the relevant
international institutions do the same - ensuring that the East
Timorese
are no longer "observers and marginalized citizens" but rather agents,
finally, of their own destiny." Cynthia Peters, freelance writer and
editor,
coordinator of the Boston chapter of East
Timor
Action Network (ETAN)
Apr
9 AP: Veteran Pro-Independence Leader To Head E Timor Assembly
News added Apr 10
"Manuel Carrascalao, a veteran of East
Timor’s 24-year struggle for freedom, was elected to head the
territory’s
transitional legislature following last month’s surprise
resignation of independence leader Xanana Gusmao. He was named
speaker
of the National Council after rival candidate, Nobel Peace laureate
Jose
Ramos Horta, withdrew from the ballot. ... The 36-member council is
wholly
appointed by the territory’s U.N. administration and is regarded as a
dress
rehearsal body for eventual East Timorese self-rule. It has no direct
powers,
but debates and comments on regulations drafted by the United Nations,
which is administering the territory during preparations for
independence."
Associated Press
Apr
9 STL: David Ximenes: Don’t forget the struggle of the past
News from ETimor added Apr 10
"The Security Coordinator of CNRT/CN
David Dias Ximenes made an appeal to the younger generation, in
particular
to the youth associated with Fitun (Frete Iha Timor Unidos Nafatin),
not
to forget the struggle of the past and those that died for it." Suara
Timor Lorosae
Apr
6 UN-CHR: Women and HR report Report added Apr 9
"Militia forces backed and trained by
the Indonesian military carried out a systematic campaign of violence
during
the lead-up to the August 1999 referendum on East Timorese
independence,
which was organized and administered by the United Nations. When East
Timorese
nevertheless opted for independence from Indonesia, pro-Indonesian
militia
and Indonesian soldiers initiated a scorched earth policy, terrorizing
the population and committing widespread abuses, including the rape of
women and girls. Some women were also reportedly held in sexual
slavery."
Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Ms. Radhika
Coomaraswamy
Apr
5 Reut: New talks on E. Timor campaign to free rape victim
News added Apr 9
"U.N. officials
are negotiating with Indonesia to free a 15-year-old East Timorese rape
victim, one of many abused as a sex slave by violent militia, a human
rights
campaigner said on Thursday. Kirsty Sword Gusmao, the Australian-born
wife
of Timorese freedom fighter Xanana Gusmao, has
been been publicizing the case of Juliana dos Santos since
September."
Evelyn Leopold
Apr 5 STL: Civic Education Carried Out By Timorese People News from ETimor added Apr 7
Apr
4 DN: RealAudio of Interview of Xanana and Kirsty Sword Gusmao
Interview updated May 16
[Statements in the US and Indonesian press
quoting Xanana Gusmao as saying that an international crimes tribunal
is
not a priority for the East Timorese give the impression that he does
not
consider a tribunal as important to the East Timorese. However, these
and
other comments by Xanana reveal that he considers that the
establishment
of an international crimes tribunal is a role that the international
community
must play since East Timor doesn't have the resources to do it
themselves.
- BD]
"DN: The Indonesian government says
they'll try the people who they feel committed crimes but they are yet
to do this. Do you think an international war crimes tribunal should be
set up?
Xanana Gusmao: It is the job of the international
community. ... East Timor is a very small country and, we cannot be
ambitious
to be, to be a model of justice, but we hope the international
community
can do that. I believe that the (?) project of searching all the
genocide
crimes in East Timor from 1975 can give to the international community
enough proof of the involvement of certain generals."
Apr
3 AAP: Genocide legal in Australia News added Apr 25
"Australia would remain a safehaven for
suspected war criminals unless it legislated against genocide ...
Senator
Greig [Australian Democrats Justice spokesperson] said Australia needed
to have its own laws to investigate, prosecute and expel alleged war
criminals.
He said Australia’s existing War Crimes Act applied only to European
war
between 1939 and 1945 and ignored recent cases of war crimes in East
Timor,
Rwanda and Cambodia." AAP
Apr
3 IOM: Timor - Increase in the Rate of Returns in March
News added Apr 15
"In March some 2,640 refugees returned
to East Timor - the highest monthly total since the UN withdrawal. ...
IOM is planning to participate in an information visit to previously
off-limits
West Timor refugee camps next week. ... Officials hope that the visit,
which is one of a number of “socialization” initiatives aimed at the
refugees
before the registration, will reassure refugees that it is now safe for
them to return home to East Timor." Jean Philippe Chauzy, International
Organisation for Migration (IOM) Spokesperson
Apr
3 TP: Horta, Aniceto, Manuel, Amaral and Avelino named as NC
Presidential
candidates News from ETimor added Apr 5
"Several prominent political leaders have
been named as possible candidates for the National Council presidency
in the interim period leading up to the elections. ... The National
Council
members who have been named are Aniceto Guterres (director of Yayasan
Hak), Manuel Viegas Carrascalao (a businessman), Clementino dos
Reis
Amaral (from KOTA Party) and Avelino Coelho (from the Socialist
Party)."
Timor Post
Apr
2 STL: Alkatari: Xavier Has No Right To Give Ultimatums
Interview from ETimor added Apr 3
"Xavier was not the person who initially
started the Fretilin party. Xavier is not the founding father of
Fretilin.
When we formed Fretilin, as a party, that was when we invited Xavier
...
As far as I know, there is only one Fretilin. There is no Fretilin
ASDT,
Fretilin CPD-RDTL,” Mari Alkatari, Vice-President of Fretilin
Apr
2 LUSA: Gusmao Explains Resignation from National Council
News added Apr 3
“I believe that priority work, with debate
and explanations beyond the urban center of Dili, should be carried out
among the population. This requires attention and availability that my
overlapping positions did not allow me to fulfill” Xanana Gusmao
Apr
2 AP: East Timor Council Blocks Ramos Horta's Bid For Top Post
News added Apr 3
"Political squabbling in East Timor intensified
Monday when its transitional assembly blocked, at least temporarily, a
bid by Nobel Peace laureate Jose Ramos Horta to become its new chief
following
the surprise resignation of popular independence leader Xanana Gusmao."
Associated Press
Apr
1 RDP: Horta on national council Interview added Apr 3
"I think it was my duty, my moral duty,
to accept this challenge [presidency of ETimor’s National Council
interim
parliament]. There has been a lot of disorientation, sadness,
consternation
and general concern among the population, the youth and the members of
the National Council. I have spoken with Sergio Vieira de Mello head of
UNTAET, with Xanana Gusmao and with practically every political party,
and also with Mari Alkatiri Economic Affairs Minister and Ana Pessoa
Internal
Administration Minister, and they all thought that it would be
important
for the National Council to continue its work, and to, how should I put
it, to avoid a breaking point, and that it would be important to send a
message of continuity, seriousness and tranquility to the whole of the
population, and naturally to the international community as well." Jose
Ramos Horta, vice-president, National
Council
of the Timorese Resistance