Elections
2001 / 2001 Eleisaun:
Following
Fretilin’s
convincing win at the East Timor elections, the Constituent Assembly was
officially sworn in on 15 September.
See
these collections / Haree:
*
Fretilin
* Elections
/ Eleisaun
* Constitutional
Process
/ Konsulta iha Konstituisaun
* Women
and the election
/ Partisipasaun Politika hosi Feto
Sep
29 JRH speech to Oxfam-CAA National Conference Speech
added Oct 17
" ... here is the agenda I propose: Debt
cancellation. The G8, European Union and World Bank should lead the initiative
in writing off the entire public sector debt of all non-oil producing countries
whose per capita income is less than US$1,000. ... All rich countries should
increase the percentage of their ODA within the next ten years to the UN
recommended 0.8% of GDP. Perhaps on a dollar for dollar basis where applicable,
such aid could match reduction in military expenditures associated with
debt relief. ... for every $1 provided through aid and debt relief, developing
countries lose another $14 as a consequence of protectionist barriers in
the rich world." Dr Jose Ramos-Horta, Minister for Foreign Affairs and
Cooperation, East Timor Transition Government
Sep
27 Woodcroft-Lee: Canberra Plans for Sister City Relationship with Dili
Letter added Oct 11
" ... the Chief Minister, Mr Gary Humphries
has made a commitment that the Liberal party, if elected, will inaugurate
a sister city relationship with Dili, the soon to be capital of the independent
republic of Timor Lorosa'e. Many residents of the ACT will welcome this
commitment, as there is much goodwill here toward the people of Timor and
a desire to assist in the rebuilding of the country. ... A model
of cooperation which may better fit the current circumstances is the Friendship
City Program ... It is essentially a series of grass roots people to people
initiatives, for which the city or shire council provides an administrative
framework and contributes its expertise in areas such as urban planning
and services." (Mrs) Patricia Woodcroft-Lee, Canberra ratepayer [Australia]
Sep
27 Ward: Response to open letter to Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta
Letter added Sep 27
"Dr.
Ramos-Horta and had the opportunity to have more than one conversation
with him about what had occurred. His letter
to the International Herald Tribune seems to have hit some sensitivities
and created a reaction or impression which was not intended. I can tell
you this because I was the one who forwarded it to the IHT, and I spoke
to him about it before it went. There is nothing in this letter inferring
that a person, because they are Mulsim or Arab, is hateful or violent.
I believe that anyone who has read Dr. Ramos-Horta’s work, heard him speak,
or had contact with him would know that could not be further from his viewpoint."
Mary
Wald
Sep
26 Community.com: The Peacemakers Speak: Horta Statement
added Sep 27
"We all know Islam does not advocate violence.
All religions today call for tolerance, justice, and compassion. We must
resist the temptation to blame entire nations, religions, or peoples for
the actions of a small number of political extremists. And if it develops
that certain governments have supported the terrorist conspiracy, we should
remember that these regimes hold power in their countries by terror and
violence - they are not supported by the majority of their citizens or
neighbors." Dr. José Ramos-Horta
Sep
2001 GPJ:An East Timor Village Before the Conflagration
Article added Sep 26
"Dili, a small seaport, still seems the
quaint and decrepit, farthest and most forgotten outpost of an Empire that
once ruled Brazil. Its streets are filled with a busy, friendly mix of
Melanesian, Asian and European folk, cheerful and full of hope in spite
of ubiquitous Indonesian solders and police, in spite of militias in balaclavas
that roll through town in open trucks, occasionally giving the straight-arm
fascist salute. ... Driving to the airport we meet a convoy of open army
trucks transporting an Indonesian youth group in red berets, red-and-white
flags flying, singing patriotic songs, flown in to celebrate the event.
Although everyone expects trouble, no one expects what in fact happens,
except, we learn later, the Indonesian military leaders who precisely planned
it all." George Povey, writing for
Genocide
Prevention Journal
Sep
25 ASIET: US War Drive and Racism: Stop the War Against the Third World
Statement added Sep 26
"Two of the greatest acts of terrorism
in the 20th century: East Timor and Indonesia: ... In East Timor 200,000
people, or one third of the population died, as a result of the war against
the East Timorese people by General Suharto’s army. General Suharto attacked
East Timor one day after US President Gerald Ford and US Secretary of State
Henry Kissinger visited Jakarta and gave the go ahead. ... In 1965 in Indonesia,
the US helped organise the mass slaughter of more than ONE MILLION workers,
peasants, students and women’s activists who were trying to free Indonesia
from the exploitative grip of the West. ... On September 11 in New York
a group of suicide terrorists committed a barbaric crime of hate murdering
more than 7,000 innocent people. That same day, George W Bush and his friends
began their inhuman and cynical strategy of turning this tragedy into a
war. They call it the “war against terrorism”. " Action
in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET)
Sep
24 IHRC & TLS: Urgent Action - ET Children Held in Indonesia
Action added Oct 17
"Considerable international pressure will
be needed to reunite hundreds of East Timorese children, held in Indonesia,
with their parents. ... In the aftermath of the violence in East Timor
in 1999, hundreds of children were separated from their parents. It is
feared that many have been forced to work in Indonesian sweatshops and
plantations or as prostitutes. Australian journalists have been following
the fate of 130 children, who were taken from refugee
camps in West Timor to primitive orphanages in Java." Indonesia Human
Rights Committee & Timor Lorosae Support, New Zealand
Sep
23 TAPOL: Statement on the Megawati-Bush Joint Statement
Added Sep 25
"Indonesia and the current world crisis
On 19 September, President Megawati Sukarnoputri went to Washington
to meet President Bush for a state visit that had been agreed before the
horrendous events in New York and Washington on 11 September when more
than six thousand people of many nations met their deaths as the result
of a heinous, terrorist attack. TAPOL joins in mourning those who were
killed, while continuing to mourn the one million or more Indonesians who
met their deaths as Suharto took power in 1965/1966. On that occasion,
Washington gave unstinting support to Suharto and the Indonesian army to
continue with this massacre and made no calls on the world community to
fight terrorism - state terrorism - which might well have halted the massacre
in its tracks. ... Megawati’s measured response shows that she knows full
well that support for Washington in Indonesia is less than enthusiastic."
TAPOL,
the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign
Sep
22 ET Solidarity Activists in US: An Open Letter to Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta
Letter added Sep 22
"We believe your
statement [IHT 9/13/01] responding to the recent terrorist attacks
in the United States reflects dangerous stereotypes about the Middle East
and serious misconceptions about the role of the United States there. At
a time of crisis such as this, when the United States government is preparing
to launch a war somewhere in the Middle East, ignore international law,
and further militarize the world in the name of fighting terrorism, your
statement is most regrettable. Your depiction of Arabs and Muslims as hateful
and violent feeds into the negative stereotypes that are now allowing an
alarming number of Americans to support their government’s rush to war,
regardless of the civilian casualties that will result. ... the kind
of statement needed from a Nobel Peace Prize winner is one that emphasizes
the need for the U.S. to respect international law, avoid war, and halt
its militaristic and unilateral foreign policy. We hope that your future
statements more accurately reflect your commitment to peace and justice."
Matthew Jardine; John Roosa; Will Seaman; Ben Terrall; Mizue Aizeki; Amy
Goodman; Roger Bowers; Tom Foley; Garrick Ruiz; Kristin Sundell; Joann
Lo; Ravinder Bhatia; Cynthia Peters; Diane Farsetta; Max White; Peter Mao;
Brad Simpson; Sara Smith
Sep
20 Alkatiri: Swearing-in Ceremony of Members of the Transitional Government
Speech added Sep 22
"This Plan must be designed to alleviate
poverty. In this regard we will be seeking the assistance of multilateral
financial institutions, particularly the World Bank
... In our quest to promote economic development more rapidly, free enterprise
and private sector led development shall form the essential tools of our
macroeconomic strategy. In this regard, our government will, as a matter
of urgency, initiate the creation of a conducive environment to encourage
private enterprise. ... Allow me to use this moment to express our gratitude
to the IMF for their assistance in the development
of our fiscal and monetary institutions. We will continue counting on the
IMF as well as the World Bank and UNDP to jointly engage in the task to
end corrupt practices in management and to ensure the Administration is
well respected." Mari Alkatiri, Head of Government, East Timor
Sep
20 FAETTA: Dr Ramos-Horta Hounored to Serve East Timor
Release added Sep 22
“It is an honor and my duty to serve the
people of East Timor. A people the have suffered immensely, shown enormous
courage and tenacity, resilience and creativity, and yet are asking so
little. ... I hope that I can contribute to help improve the lives of the
poorest of the poor.” Dr. Ramos-Horta
Sep
20 UNTAET: Second Transitional Government of East Timor
List of appointments added Sep 21
Flow chart of new government structure, page 3 of PDF file [125k]:
http://www.pcug.org.au/~wildwood/2ndtransgovt.PDF
Sep
20 UNTAET: New East Timorese Government Sworn-In Briefing
added Sep 28
"Following the elections, SRSG Sergio
Vieira de Mello appointed Alkatiri who subsequently assisted him in forming
the new Government. Consultations with the presidents of the other three
parties that received the largest number of votes were conducted, as well
as with other Timorese personalities." UNTAET
"You were appointed because I believe
you will place national interest above your own individual or party interests,
... We are determined that this Government be an example in restoring the
values and ethics of our society. What is being asked of you is total transparency,
unconditional dedication and diligence to serve the nation.” Fretilin
Secretary-General Mari Alkatiri, Chief Minister
Sep
20 KY: ETimor announces cabinet lineup News added Sep
21
"U.N. Transitional Administrator in East
Timor Sergio Vieira de Mello, announcing the lineup, said the cabinet has
10 ministers, three secretaries of state and seven vice ministers. It consists
of nine representatives from the Revolutionary Front
for the Liberation of East Timor (Fretilin), two members of the Democratic
Party, Fretilin’s closest rival, and nine members not affiliated with
any party. De Mello said they were selected “not on the basis of party
nominations but on the basis of their individual competence.” The nine
politically independent figures in the cabinet, he said, were chosen “because
of their proven sectoral expertise and their demonstrated dedication and
patriotism with as broad a geographical representation as was possible.”
" Christine T. Tjandraningsih
Sep
20 A Popular Challenge to UNTAET’s Achievements Statement
added Sep 20
"UNTAET has recently published in the
September issue of its broadsheet Timor Tais 20 of the UN’s major achievements
in East Timor. Many of these achievements are either misleading or things
that UNTAET has been forced to do under pressure from Timorese people,
civil society and leaders and international critics. It is time for UNTAET
to be held accountable, once and for all, for not fully achieving its mandate,
and for now preparing to withdraw and redefining its mandate according
to the few things it has done rather than what it was supposed to do."
Sep
19 UNTAET: New East Timorese Government Established Tomorrow
Briefing added Sep 25
"The new all-East Timorese Council of
Ministers of the Second Transitional Government, which will replace the
current Transitional Cabinet, will be sworn-in tomorrow morning in Dili.
This second Transitional Government and its Council of Ministers will govern
East Timor during the remaining transitional period before the independence
of a democratic and sovereign state. ... all of this in close consultation
with the Transitional Administrator [Sergio Vieira de Mello] who retains
the ultimate executive and legislative authority ... Furthermore, a Public
Administration of East Timor will be formally established, implementing
the programs and policies of the Council of Ministers, a body now totally
composed of Timorese members, broadly reflecting the results of the
election that took place on 30 August." UNTAET Daily Briefing
Sep
19 UNTAET/REG/2001/28: Establishing Council of Ministers
Regulations added Sep 25
"The Special Representative of the Secretary-General
(hereinafter: Transitional Administrator [Sergio Vieira de Mello]), ...
Taking into account United Nations Transitional Administration in East
Timor (UNTAET) Regulation No. 1999/1 of 27 November 1999 on the Authority
of the Transitional Administration in East Timor, Taking into account the
results of the election of a Constituent Assembly to
prepare a Constitution for an independent and democratic East Timor,
For the purpose of establishing the Council of Ministers, with the aim
of effectively governing East Timor during the transitional period, and
For the further purpose of establishing the East Timor Public Administration,
with the aim of implementing the laws of East Timor, and the programs and
policies of the Council of Ministers, Promulgates the following: ... "
UNTAET
Sep
19 Amaral-Arlindo chosen to be Constituent Assembly Vice-Presidents
News from ETimor added Sep 20
"The President of ASDT,
Francisco Xavier do Amaral, and Secretary-General of the Christian
Democratic Party (PDC), Arlindo Marcal, were chosen yesterday to be
vice-presidents of the Constituent Assembly. ... With ASDT and PDC holding
on the vice-presidency, chances are almost zero for the second and third
winners of the election PD
and PSD to hold any position
in the Constituent Assembly." Suara Timor Lorosae
Sep
19 White House: U.S. and Indonesia Pledge Cooperation
Pledge added Oct 11
"... President George W. Bush and President
Megawati Soekarnoputri today vowed to open a new era of bilateral cooperation
based on shared democratic values and a common interest in promoting regional
stability and prosperity. ... President Megawati condemned the barbaric
and indiscriminate acts carried out against innocent civilians and pledged
to cooperate with the international community in combatting terrorism.
She underscored that terrorism also increasingly threatens Indonesia’s
democracy and national security. The two Presidents agreed that their respective
officials would soon discuss concrete ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation
on counter-terrorism, in particular on capacity and institution building.
... President Bush reiterated the firm support of the United States for
Indonesia’s territorial integrity and emphasized that the U.S. does not
support secessionist aspirations in these areas or elsewhere. ... President
Bush and President Megawati agreed to work together to support a stable
and prosperous independent East Timor. ... The two Presidents resolved
to work closely to expand trade bilaterally, regionally and globally. ...
President Bush recognized the important role of the Indonesian military
(TNI) as a national institution ... " Joint Statement Between U.S.A. and
Republic of Indonesia
Sep
19 White House: U.S. and Indonesia on Terror and Tolerance
Statement added Oct 11
"President George W. Bush and President
Megawati Soekarnoputri today condemned the September
11, 2001 attacks on the United States and pledged to strengthen existing
cooperation in the global effort to combat international terrorism. ...
As leader of the world’s largest Muslim population and third largest democracy,
President Megawati joined President Bush in underlining the importance
of differentiating between the religion of Islam and the acts of violent
extremists." Joint Statement Between U.S.A. and Republic of Indonesia
Sep
19 White House: U.S. - Indonesia Fact Sheet: U.S.-Indonesia Trade &
Finance Initiative Facts added Oct 11
"The three U.S. trade finance agencies:
the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), the Overseas Private
Investment Corporation (OPIC), and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency
(TDA), have developed a joint trade and finance initiative for projects
in Indonesia. The three agencies will undertake to provide up to
a combined $400 million to promote trade and investment within Indonesia,
especially in the Indonesian oil and gas sector." The White House, Washington
DC
Sep
18 FAETTA: JRH Address to Memorial Service Speech added
Sep 27
"The attacks against New York and the
Pentagon killed also many Muslims and Arab-Americans, innocent victims
like the rest of the casualties. In bringing the perpetrators of this heinous
crime to justice, we hope that there will be no more innocent victims.
The cycle of violence must end. The tragedy that befell our brothers and
sisters in America is already impacting on the lives of many Arabs and
Muslims all over the world. Arab and Muslim Americans are now being labelled
“enemies” and are harassed." Cabinet Member for Foreign Affairs Nobel Peace
Prize Laureate Dr Jose Ramos-Horta
Sep
17 KY: Independence veteran elected ETimor assembly speaker
News added Sep 19
"The 88-member assembly elected Guterres,
popularly known by his guerrilla name Lu Olo, after U.N. Transitional Administrator
in East Timor Sergio Vieirra de Mello, who chaired the election, named
him as a single nominee in the election. ... Following his election, Guterres,
who is coordinator of the presidential council of Fretilin,
the Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of East Timor, asked
the assembly to cooperate and work together." Christine
T. Tjandraningsih
Sep
15 AP: U.N inducts East Timor assembly News added Sep
17
"The U.N. administration in East Timor
on Saturday inaugurated the newly elected assembly that will draft
the territory’s first constitution, bringing it one step closer to
full independence. The 88-member assembly, which was voted in last month,
will have three months to draft the charter and adopt East Timor’s new
political system." The Associated Press
Sep
13 AI: Urgent Action - Fear for safety of East Timor refugees
Action added Sep 19
"Several hundred East
Timorese refugees are thought to be planning to return from West Timor
over the next week. They are feared to be at risk of attack from militia
groups operating in West Timor, who oppose the repatriations and have previously
attacked refugees trying to register to join it. ...
Please send appeals to arrive as quickly
as possible, in Bahasa Indonesia, English or your own language:
- reminding the Indonesian authorities
that the right to return to one’s own country is a fundamental human right;
- urging the authorities to fulfil their
international obligations to ensure that refugees wishing to return to
East Timor are able to do so in safety and dignity, and that they have
the opportunity to make a free and informed choice as to whether to return
or not;
- urging the authorities to ensure that
the refugee camps are humanitarian and civilian in nature, and that refugees
are protected against threats or attacks from militia groups." Amnesty
International - Australia
Sep
13 IHT: The Tragedy That Has Engulfed America Letter added
Sep 22
"In East Timor’s long history of struggle,
never once did it use violence against Indonesian civilians. We East Timorese
did not even allow derogatory racial statements about the Indonesian people
in our literature or rallies. Not one single Indonesian civilian was ever
harmed in our 24-year struggle. We knew this was never a war against the
civilians. ... My heart goes out to the American people. Stay the course.
Our small nation of East Timor is with you." José
Ramos-Horta, East Timor’s foreign minister and Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Sep
13 IFET: Constituent Assembly winners names and parties
Updated Sep 17
"The following is the officially certified
list of East Timorese who were elected to the Constituent Assembly on the
August 30 ballot. Some of these people will probably be selected to serve
in the cabinet [of the second transitional government],
in which case they [will probably] resign from the Assembly. The next-ranking
person on the slate of the party they were elected under will fill the
vacancy. ... The assembly has 88 seats. 60 votes are needed to enact articles
of the Constitution. Fretilin has 55 seats."
Charlie
Scheiner, U.N. Representative, International Federation for East Timor
(IFET)
Sep
12 GLW: West Timor: Jakarta’s militia terrorise refugee camps
Article added Sep 19
“Where are our missing children? We have
nothing—no land, no houses, nothing to do, no materials to work with to
make an income. The women here are dying from childbirth because they have
no money for doctors, there is little food and in some camps little water.
We cannot afford to send our children to school or to the doctor.” Women
in the refugee camps in Kupang and Atambua
“When we returned to Dili, in East Timor,
the APCET [Asia-Pacific Coalition on East Timor] delegation held a press
conference to announce its findings and make a number of recommendations,
the most important being that the Indonesian government must disband the
militia. The UN and international NGOs should take control of the camps,
solve the social problems and facilitate the repatriation of the majority
of the refugees. People who wish to stay should be given houses and the
camps closed down.” Jill Hickson, independent film-maker and member of
Action
in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET)
Sep
11 AW: Operations of Telstra in East Timor Letter added
Sep 17
"Telstra at present ... [has] a near monopoly
on internet services [in ETimor]. ... internet services had been set at
US$2 per hour. ... significantly higher than Australian rates. However,
because average East Timorese wages (and most people do not have a wage)
are less than one tenth of Australian wages, telephone services are mostly
un affordable and the prices on internet services are prohibitive. ...
Telstra continues to make multi-billion dollar profits, and it seems to
me bizarre that it should extend its profit taking ethos to the poorest
corners of our region, and in particular to a devastated country which
is really still trying to get to its feet." Dr Tim Anderson, Researcher
for Aidwatch
Sep
11 RDP: Church reportedly invited to help draw up constitution
News added Sep 13
"[Reporter] During the Fretilin
anniversary commemorations, the bishop accepted an invitation to contribute
to the drawing up of Timor’s
constitution. Dom Ximenes Belo is only waiting for this invitation
to be made officially.
[Dom Ximenes Belo, Bishop of Dili] I am
waiting for a written invitation, and to be given a place. We do not know
the procedure for the church hierarchy to contribute. We are certainly
open to this. Our vision is of a pluralist and democratic society, with
equal opportunities for all Timorese. We will be there to give our contribution
to the building of this Timorese society." RDP Antena 1 radio, Lisbon,
Portugal
Sep
10 UNDP: FRETILIN's East Timor electoral victory confirmed
News added Sep 11
"East Timor’s Independent Electoral Commission
(IEC) has endorsed the results of the 30 August elections, today confirming
that the former resistance
group, FRETILIN has won a 57 percent majority in the Constituent Assembly.
The number of seats falls short of the two-thirds majority needed to draft
East Timor’s first Constitution without consultation with other parties,
... " UNDP
Sep
10 UNDP: 24 Women in 88-Seat Constituent Assembly News
added Sep 11
"Results of last week’s elections in East
Timor indicate that the territory’s new 88-seat Constituent Assembly will
have a total of 24 women members. The full breakdown on female representatives
gives the Fretilin party 17, the PSD
three, the ASDT one and the PST
and PNT one apiece. The party with the
lowest female representation is the second- placed PD,
which elected no women candidates." UNDP
Sep
10 UNTAET: Election Commission Presents Certified Results To SRSG
News added Sep 11
"They sent a signal to their community
leaders, and indeed to the whole world, that for them, a successful electoral
process was more important than any particular outcome, ... it is an attitude
which typically distinguishes mature democracies from those still in a
process of development.” Dr. Bong-Scuk Sohn, Chair of the Independent Electoral
Commission
"While the winners at the ballot, Fretilin,
deserve our congratulations, all those who took part in the elections likewise
deserve credit and our utmost respect, ... In East Timor today, democracy
looks to be in a very healthy state indeed.” SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello
Bahasa Indonesia:
Sep
10 Teks Pakta Persatuan Nasional (ditanda tangani 8 July 2001)
Terjemahan ditambahkan tanggal 10 Sep
"Pakta Persatuan Nasional: Yakin
bahwa ada keperluan untuk menciptakan dan memelihara suasana yang damai
dan stabil sebagai dasar pertama untuk pembangunan berkelanjutan Timor
Lorosa'e; Mengingat primsip2 mentahbiskan dalam Magna Carta yang disetujui
dalam Konvensi Nasional Timor Timur dalam Pengasingan yang pertama diadakan
di Peniche, Portugal, tertanggal 25 April 1998; Menyadari kebutuhan menjaminkan
suasana penghormatan dan kepercayaan satu sama lain; ... " APODETI
Pro-Refrendum; ASDT Associação
Sosial Demokrata Timorense; FRETILIN Frente
Revolucianário de Timor Leste Independente; KOTA
Klibur Oan Timor Aswa’in; PD Partido
Demokrático;
PDC Partido Demokrata
Cristão;
PDM Partido Democrático
Maubere;
PL Partai Liberal; PPT
Partido de Povo de Timor; PSD Partido
Social Democrata Timor Lorosa’e; PST Partido
Socialista de Timor; PTT Partido
Trabalhista Timorense; UDC/PDC União
Democratica Cristão; UDT União
Democrática Timorense. [Pakta ini ditandatagani, kapada taggal
8 July 2001 oleh semua partai polik Timor Lorosa'e, kecuali PARENTIL
dan PNT.]
Sep
8 ETese NGOs write UNHCR to protest planned withdrawal
Letter added Sep 13
" ... we recommend that UNHCR act upon
the following:
* Maintain its current presence in East
Timor until at least June 2002.
* Extend humanitarian assistance to returnees
until at least June 2002, when a further needs assessment can be made.
* Increase co-ordination and co-operation
with both governmental and non-governmental organisations that are currently
assisting refugees in West Timor. This will further enable UNHCR to fulfil
its mandate towards the protection and assistance of these refugees, while
it is not physically present in West Timor.
* Engage in a more comprehensive way with
non-governmental organisations in East Timor currently advocating and working
towards returnees’ reintegration." NGO Forum;
Dewan Solidaritas Mahasiswa TL; Yayasan
HAK; FOKUPERS; Kadalak Sulimutuk
Institute; RENETIL; Jesuit
Refugee Service; Oxfam in East Timor.
Sep
8 CM: Australian Labor MP on Tampa refugees and ETimor
Article added Sep 10
"Horta
had been telephoned early on the morning of Thursday, August 30 (the actual
day of the vote) ... to see if East Timor could assist with taking asylum
seekers from the Tampa. ... East Timor had been
the beneficiary of so much humanitarian assistance in recent years, they
[Horta, Gusmao and Alkatiri]
felt obliged to offer assistance." Labor MP Kevin Rudd, all-party [Australian]
delegation to ETimor's elections
Sep
7 RDP: New ETimorese gov't sets anti-poverty fight as main objective
Interview added Sep 10
"The eradication of poverty needs to be
the main priority of this country. This means we should not only improve
agricultural production, but we should also improve the educational system,
the health service, the housing stock and the supply of water and electricity.
These can be achieved in several ways: Firstly, through the decentralization
of development, secondly, by solving the poverty problem, thirdly, by giving
incentive to what I would call the urban exodus ... " Mari Alkatiri, secretary
general of the winning party Fretilin Revolutionary
Front for an Independent East Timor
Sep
6 RDP: Fretilin leader makes victory speech Speech added
Sep 8
"Fretilin is proud to have carried out
and ensured an irreproachable election campaign. ... Fretilin reiterates
solemnly its intention to constitute a government of inclusion, which will
act as a catalyst for knowledge and the available synergies, to build and
consolidate a state apparatus which is effective and without room for corruption,
nepotism or the traffic of influence. A state where moral standards and
ethics prevail in the defence of the public good and in the establishment
and consolidation of a democratic state of law. Fretilin commits itself,
before the Maubere people, to guarantee the construction of a democratic
state of law in East Timor, and it will do its utmost so that nothing and
no one is able to jeopardize this objective." Lu Olo, Fretilin’s
president
Sep
6 RDP: Timorese leaders reiterate commitment to government of inclusion
Interview added Sep 8
"We have said several times that instead
of thinking of a coalition between parties, we should think of a coalition
of talents. This country needs skills to be reborn with vigour and this
is what we hope to do." Mari Alkatiri,
Fretilin
leader & future first prime minister of the second transitional government
of East Timor
"I think that Fretilin, above all, has
shown that it reality wants a government of inclusion which will have people
from parties which did not even obtain 1 per cent in the elections, one
deputy - as long as the person has talent - this is a great historic opportunity,
a golden opportunity for Fretilin to show that it is a party of statesmen.
... I would like to see the entire process of reconciliation, of inclusion
to involve UDT, a historic party which
was not very successful in these elections." Jose
Ramos Horta, current foreign minister
Sep 6 East Timor Election Results (percentage summaries) Results added Sep 8
Sep
6 UNTAET: Final Election Results Announced Today In East Timor
Briefing added Sep 7
"Fretilin is
the winning party, with 43 seats in the national election, and 12 of the
13 district seats. The 88-member assembly will consist of one representative
from each of East Timor’s 13 districts, with the rest of the seats divided
on a proportional representation basis. The seat allocation on national
seats is as follows:
Frente Revolucionária
do Timor-Leste Independente (Fretilin): 57.3 % of the vote, 43 seats;
Partido
Democrático (PD): 8.7 %, 7 seats; Partido
Social Democrata (PSD): 8.1%, 6 seats; Associação
Social-Democrata Timorense (ASDT): 7.8 %, 6 seats; União
Democrática Timorense (UDT): 2.3 %, 2 seats; Partido
Nasionalista Timorense (PNT): 2.2 %, 2 seats; Klibur
Oan Timor Asuwain (KOTA): 2.1 %, 2 seats; Partido
do Povo de Timor (PPT): 2 %, 2 seats; Partido
Democrata Cristão (PDC): 1.9 %, 2 seats; Partido
Socialista de Timor (PST): 1.7 %, 1 seat; Partai
Liberal (PL): 1.1 %, 1 seat; Partido
Democrata-Cristão de Timor (UDC/PDC): 0.6 %, 1 seat." UNTAET
Sep
6 ETAN: Grassroots & Congressional Action Mark Anniversary of Timor
Massacres Release added Sep 6
“East Timor took an historic step with
last week’s democratic, multiparty election.
Yet, the U.S. and the wider international community have failed to fully
address critical issues, ... The victims of past crimes require justice
and all refugees in West Timor who wish to return
must be able to do so.” John M. Miller, spokesperson for East
Timor Action Network (ETAN)
Sep
6 CONG: Anniversary of Suai massacre & Atambua murders
Statements added Sep 7
"If we in the United States and the
international community are not to fail the people of East Timor once again
-
* We must support an International
Criminal Tribunal ...
* We must take immediate steps to protect
and return home safely the East Timorese refugees
...
* We must continue to provide humanitarian,
economic and development aid to East Timor ...
* We must continue to suspend all U.S.
military
aid and training to the Indonesian military ...
* We must strongly and unambiguously support
the independence process in East Timor, ... " Rep. James P. McGovern
Sep
6 CONG: Anniversary of Suai massacre & Atambua murders
Statements added Sep 7
"I support Senator Harkin’s Resolution
calling for the establishment of an international
war crimes tribunal to prosecute crimes against humanity in East Timor.
I have also worked with Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont to restrict
funding to Indonesia unless the Indonesian government allows refugees
to return to East Timor and is actively committed to peace with East Timor."
U.S. Senator Jack Reed
Sep
6 CONG: Anniversary of Suai massacre & Atambua murders
Statements added Sep 7
"An international
tribunal on war crimes with a full mandate to investigate crimes both
before and after the independence referendum is the only true path to justice
and reconciliation in East Timor. I am
proud to be the House sponsor of Senator Harkin’s resolution calling for
an international tribunal on war crimes in East Timor. House Concurrent
Resolution 60 has 58 cosponsors and has been referred to the Committee
on International Relations." Rep. Lane Evans
Sep
5 UN; S-G rejects Australian proposal on Afghan refugees
Release added Sep 6
"The Secretary-General has discussed with
his Special Representative for East Timor, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and
with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Ruud Lubbers, Australia’s
latest proposal to process in East Timor Afghan nationals currently stranded
on a Norwegian container ship. The Secretary-General’s answer is “no.”
He continues to support as sound and viable the UNHCR plan. That plan calls
for the Afghans to be brought to Christmas Island in Australia, as the
ship is currently in Australian territorial waters." Spokesman for Secretary-General
Kofi Annan, United Nations
Sep
4 WI: On the road to democracy, where the streets have no name
Interview added Sep 13
"We’ll take Fretilin
as an example. Many people question why PD does not join the Fretilin.
But for PD members, the priority is to democratize the process. We do not
want this country to be dominated by just one group. ... When we speak
of the (type of) people, in Fretilin there is a tendency towards veteranism.
The seniors are considered to have more rights or know more. This is a
very patenalistic attitude unwanted by the PDs. ... There is also the question
of leadership. We believe in the necessity for a new generation. ... 70%
of the top leaders of PD are under 40. You can’t say we’re really youths
... we’re called the post-75 generation." Partido
Democratico (PD) leader, Fernando de Araujo
Sep
4 Tempo: Xanana Gusmao: All Cabinet members will be Timorese
Interview added Sep 6
"Tempo: What will be the total
number of Cabinet members and what will be the composition in its transition
phase?
Xanana: The new Cabinet will be
formed in mid-September. So I’m not really sure. But what is clear is that
its size will be bigger than the Cabinet before the election. All members
of the new Cabinet will be Timorese. They will be responsible to the Transitional
Administrator until Timor Lorosae gains full independence." Tempo magazine
Sep
4 STL: Mario Carrascalao: Xanana Gusmao’s candidacy not challenged
News from ETimor added Sep 6
“But Xanana
is a charismatic figure the same as South African leader Nelson Mandela.
So when there are contenders to the presidency, they have to accept defeat
because no one would vote for them, ... Xanana is the figure who is able
to unite all parties in a democracy. He is always able to cooperate and
work with anyone. But Xanana also has his principles and does not like
his name being used by political parties for their own purposes,” President
of the Social Democrat Party (PSD)
Mario Viegas Carrascalao
Sep
4 UNTAET: Further Results Announced In Constituent Assembly Polls
Results added Sep 5
"The Independent Electoral Commission
today announced the final, yet-to-be-certified national representative
results from the East Timorese districts of Viqueque, Lautem, Oecussi,
Bobonaro and Ermera districts following the 30 August Constituent Assembly
elections." UNTAET Daily Briefing 4 September 2001
Sep
4 DemNow!: East Timor Votes Radio interview added Sep
4
"But East Timor is still far from being
a truly independent country. 9,000 UN troops continue to occupy the territory.
East Timor will celebrate its independence almost wholly dependent upon
foreign aid. International agencies such as the World
Bank and IMF are creating East Timor’s infrastructure
almost from scratch, while foreigners already dominate the local economy
...
Guests: Jose
Ramos Horta; Joaquim Fonseca, Yayasan
Hak; John Miller, East Timor Action Network."
Democracy NOW!
Sep
3 ETimorese NGOs write to Japanese PM re SDF Letter added
Sep 6
"The Japanese government has shown their
concern for East Timor’s reconstruction and has contributed the largest
amount of funds to the Trust Fund for East Timor. Drawing from our experience
of the past and view of the present, we offer the following views: * The
Japanese government must publicly acknowledge that past policies have caused
great suffering to the East Timorese people. ... * The plan to send a Japanese
Self-Defense Force to join the PKF in East Timor should be abandoned. ...
* There is no need to introduce a new military contingent from Japan to
the international troops now present in East Timor. ... * We believe that
security problems around East Timor’s border will not be solved by increasing
the PKF." Yayasan HAK; Kdadalak Suli
Mutu Institute; Gerakan Mahasiswa Pro Demokrasi; Grupo Feto Foin Sae Timor
Lorosa’e; East Timor Women Against Violence;
East
Timor Students Solidarity Council;
Sa’he
Institute for Liberation; Fokupers;
LBH “Ukun Rasik An”; Lao Hamutuk; Centro
Desenvolvimento Economia Popular; Fundacao Haburas.
Sep
3 CIIR: Listen to East Timorese women’s voices, urges CIIR
Release added Sep 6
"It is clear that women
in East Timor want to play a full role in shaping the future of their
country. ... the women we have spoken to, both in the capital and in the
countryside, are adamant that in order to exercise their responsibilities
in building a new East Timor they need to be able to establish their rights
as equal citizens. Whether or not they achieve this will depend on the
continuing support of the international community: both to East Timor and
specifically to its women." Catherine Scott, spokesperson for the Catholic
Institute for International Relations (CIIR) delegation
Sep
3 UNTAET: First Results Announced In Constituent Assembly Polls
Results added Sep 5
"The Independent Electoral Commission
today announced the final, yet-to-be-certified results from the 30 August
Constituent Assembly elections. District and national results were announced
for five districts [Aileu, Ainaro, Covalima, Liquiça, and Manatuto],
as well as the district representative for Lautem. All the district representatives
provisionally elected thus far are representatives of the Fretilin
party." UNTAET Daily Briefing 3 September 2001
Sep
3 YHak: Elections in the Context of Nation-Building Release
added Sep 4
"Much emphasis is being placed on the
provisional figure of the 91% voter turnout. However this figure must be
compared to the figure of 98.6% voter turnout in the 1999 Popular Consultation.
In extremely difficult circumstances the East Timorese people demonstrated
their will and understanding of the act of voting and its accompanying
mechanisms. In 2001, in peaceful and secure environment, with the presence
of heavily funded electoral education campaign, the voter turnout stands
lower at 91%. Therefore the figure of 91% should not be read as evidence
of a successful election, but evidence of the desire of the East Timorese
people to have a voice in their future. ... This election is a step towards
democracy, but is a small step in a long process to a successful transition
to democracy." Yayasan HAK: Hukum, Hak Asasi
& Keadilan (Law, Human Rights & Justice)
Sep
3 IFET Preliminary Election Observations Report added
Sep 4
" ... this election is a small but important
part of the larger process of nation-building, leading to a constitution,
independence, and self-government. IFET believes that this step has been
mounted successfully, but that significant obstacles remain for a truly
democratic process. ... We believe that the campaign and voting were largely
free and fair, and that the results will accurately reflect the preferences
of the people of East Timor within the limited issues and choices placed
before them." International Federation
for East Timor (IFET)
Sep
3 STL: Bishop Belo invites refugees to return because of peaceful election
News from ETimor added Sep 4
“You have all seen the way the 30 August
election
was conducted. It was peaceful and calm. Because of that, I appeal to all
of you to return home to your country of birth so that you can live peacefully
with all of us, ... We will congratulate which party that gets the most
votes. Those parties that do not get enough votes must not be disappointed
because they will have an opportunity again in four or five years time,”
Nobel Peace Laureate Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo
Sep
3 Voting Behaviour, Outcome & Post-Election Role for the Int'l Community
Analysis added Sep 4
"A return to conflict in the aftermath
of the election is a remote possibility. Simply
put, however ingenuous this may sound, the uniqueness of East Timorese
postconflict election, itself is a guarantee for peace and security. In
other words, the risk of going back to bullet from ballot is minimal if
not non-existence." Joao Boavida
Sep
3 Jose Ramos-Horta re Pacfica Radio and Amy Goodman Statement
added Sep 4
"I was distressed to learn that Amy Goodman’s
reporting on East Timor has been questioned and that some have alleged
that the November 12, 1991 Santa Cruz massacre may not have taken place.
As an East Timorese, I want to express my outrage that her account of the
massacre has been challenged by a campaign of innuendo and insult. ...
We are now working to build our own media and train our own journalists.
I can only hope, that they will contribute to our democracy by probing
deeply and asking the critical questions—the way Amy has always done."
Jose
Ramos-Horta, Winner, Nobel Peace Prize
Sep
2 AW: World Bank - It's impacts on ETimor and PNGinuea
Article added Sep 25
" … it has proved
difficult to prevent corruption and other problems in privatising monopolies
… Advocates of privatisation may have overestimated the benefits of privatization
and underestimated the costs, particularly the political costs of the process
itself and the impediments it has posed to further reform" Joseph Stiglitz,
head of World Bank’s Asia-Pacific branch
"The
time has come to show that there is a critical mass of members of civil
society who are questioning the projects and policies of the World Bank
... more people than just AID/WATCH are concerned about the bank and its
activities." James Arvanitakis, Campaign Director of AID/WATCH
Sep
1 RDP: UDT to challenge results of first free elections
Interview added Sep 4
"Sergio Vieira de Mello, head of UNTAET,
the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor, has replied to the fraud
accusations, made by UDT [Timorese Democratic
Union] leader Joao Carrascalao, after the [30 August] elections
[for the constituent assembly]. Sergio Vieira de Mello said these comments
were alarmist and violated the spirit under which the political parties
signed a national unity pact. He also said that
the results would talk for themselves and that all irregularities pointed
out by Joao Carrascalao, or anyone else, would be investigated by the Independent
Electoral Committee. ... Speaking in a press conference, the UDT president
blamed Fretilin [Revolutionary Front for an Independent
East Timor] for crimes against humanity and demanded the UN to carry
out a probe on the territory’s history of the period between 1974 and 1975.
He added that this was a necessary step to preventing criminals from ruling
the country." RDP Antena 1 radio, Lisbon, Portugal
Sep
1. 11 am UN IEC: Statement of Chief Electoral Officer
Statement added Sep 2
"I would like to reiterate that our highest
priority is the accuracy of the count, and we will take the time necessary
to ensure that the results reflect the will of the voters. That said, we
are on schedule at this point and anticipate that we will continue to be."
Chief Electoral Officer, Independent Electoral Commission, UN