Government Homepage: http://www.gov.east-timor.org/
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation: http://www.gov.tp
A collection of recent media releases, reports, articles and news on the United Nations appointed, all East Timorese, Second Transitional Government of East Timor, sworn-in September 20th 2001.
This
is not the Constitutional Assembly that the East Timorese people voted
for on August 30th 2001. For information on the
Constitutional
Assembly: http://www.pcug.org.au/~wildwood/constitution.htm
NEW =
Added
to BACK DOOR Website
since last Monday's Emailout
Contents:
Contact
info / Contactos Updated Jan 31, 2002
News,
Articles & Reports Updated Feb 16, 2002
Portuguese:
jan
25 SGTTL: Contactos - o Gabinete do Chefe
Informações de 25 janeiro
"Temos o prazer de informar que o Gabinete
do Chefe do Segundo Governo de Transicao de Timor-Leste terah, a partir
de 28 de Janeiro de 2002, os seguintes contactos: Telefone: (+ 670 390)
3339502 E-mail: chefe.do.governo@timor-leste.minihub.org
"
Gabinete do Dr. Mari Alkatiri,
Chefe do Segundo Governo de Transicao de Timor-Leste
Jan
25 STGET: Contact info for Office of Chief Minister
Info
added Jan 25
"We are pleased to inform that as from
28 January 2002, you may contact the Office of the Chief Minister of
the
Second Transitional Government of East Timor via: Phone: (+ 670 390)
3339502
E-mail: chefe.do.governo@timor-leste.minihub.org
"
Office of Mr. Mari Alkatiri, Chief
Minister, Second Transitional Government of East Timor
Jan 30 MFAC: Contact
info
for Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta Info added Jan 31
Dr
Jose Ramos-Horta is Senior Minister & Minister for Foreign
Affairs and Cooperation
C/- Ms Caroline O’Brien
Media Liaison Officer - Ministry of
Foreign
Affairs and Cooperation
Second Transitional Government East Timor
Telephone: +61 (0)417 804 298
Email: contact_carolineo@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.gov.tp
Government Homepage: http://www.gov.east-timor.org/
Web-contacts:
http://www.gov.east-timor.org/showpage.php?page=contact&dept_id=000000&lang_id=4
(NAME)
(OFFICE/DEPARTMENT/UNIT)
UNTAET
P.O. BOX 2436
DARWIN, NT 0801
AUSTRALIA
Phone:
Switchboard via Dili, East Timor:
+670-390-312210
Switchboard via Darwin, Australia:
+61-8-8942-2203
Switchboard via New York, USA:
+1-212-963-0099
Switchboard via Brindisi, Italy: 169-5000
Fax:
via Dili, East Timor: +670-390-322007/8
via Darwin, Australia: +61-8-8946-3901/2
via New York, USA: +1-212-963-2180
Email:
For email addresses, please visit the
departmental web sites.
Feb
15 MFAC: Upcoming meetings with Indonesia Release
added
Feb 16
“The forthcoming meetings in Jakarta,
the bilateral meetings between East Timor and Indonesia and the
trilateral
between East Timor, Indonesia and Australia, are a milestone both in
the
history of East Timor and in Regional relations. The East Timorese side
pledges that, as a new country in the region, that we will work
constructively
with our neighbours to promote peace, stability and cooperation in this
part of the world.” Dr Ramos-Horta
Jan
31 UN: Security Council extends mandate to 20 May 2002
Resolution added Feb 1
"Welcoming the strenuous efforts of the
Second
Transitional Government and people of East Timor to reach
independence
by 20 May 2002, the Security Council today extended the mandate of the
United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) until
that date. ... Looking forward to receiving further specific proposals
from the Secretary-General for the mandate and structure for a
successor
United Nations mission after independence at least one month before the
date of independence," United Nations Security Council
Jan
30 MFAC: Horta Addresses UN Security Council Release
added
Jan 31
"Indeed, we are confident that our people
have the capacity to govern ourselves and to establish and maintain a
sustainable
economy. This will all develop gradually. The country does not as yet
have
the means to support itself without assistance. In time, there will be
revenues from oil and gas exploitation. Tourism will also thrive once
we
have created the necessary infrastructure and facilities. But in the
short
term, East Timor will need all the assistance it can get to build up
its
fragile economy. In conclusion Mr. President, I earnestly request, on
behalf
of the Second Transitional Government and the entire country that this
Council endorse the concept of a successor mission, which has been
carefully
thought out and planned by my colleagues at UNTAET. In this way, the
gains
that have resulted from your tremendous commitment to East Timor so far
will be consolidated and maintained in the crucial first years of
Independence."
Dr
Jose Ramos-Horta is Senior Minister & Minister for Foreign
Affairs
and Cooperation, Second Transitional Government East Timor
Jan
30 MFAC: Ramos-Horta on Fretilin Release added Feb 1
"I was very impressed by the moral and
political courage of the current Fretilin
leadership
in their decision to set up, early last year, its own investigation to
establish the facts about what happened in the past. ... I am impressed
by the maturity that all political parties
have
shown thus far. The democratic elections of
August
30, 2001, which included 16 political parties, passed without one
single
incident, this is the result of the maturity displayed by the
leadership
of all 16 parties, and credit must go to impartial East Timorese
leaders
such as Xanana Gusmao and Bishop Belo
for their guidance.” Dr Jose
Ramos-Horta
is Senior Minister & Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation,
Second
Transitional
Government East Timor
Jan
21 affet: Selling E.Timor Short: Timor Sea gas project decision
postponed
Statement added Jan 22
"At present East Timor is rushing towards
Independence on May 20th, and under such circumstances many will want
to
finalise various negotiations. Yet this has its dangers. A Constitution
has not been determined, nor the Constituent
Assembly transformed into a National Parliament. All members lack
experience
in government. This is fraught with danger. ... Can the present
East
Timor government, and any future East Timor government, afford to
throwaway
a massive/huge potential income source without proper study or legal
testing?
If they can, what’s going on? The new East Timor parliament should
withhold
endorsement of the present arrangements, which in particular give East
Timor only 20% of Greater Sunrise, until proper study and legal testing
is done." Rob Wesley-Smith, australians for a free east timor, darwin
Jan
12 STGET: Alkatiri on occasion of Offering of 2 Patrol Boats
Speech added Jan 16
"The East Timorese have become accustomed
to looking towards the sea as a potential source
of income only from petroleum and gas.
However,
the wealth of our country and its potential to diversify its income
stream
is far wider. We need to further develop the fishery sector and build
our
enforcement capacity through the patrolling of our coastal waters. At
the
same time we will also be able to avoid the illegal exploration of our
resources without the benefit to our People." Mr. Mari Alkatiri, Chief
Minister, Second Transitional Government of East Timor
Jan
11 JP: ETimor’s patience wears thin over rights tribunal
News added Jan 15
"The East Timor transitional government
is considering turning to an international
tribunal
due to the repeated delays in the trial of officers allegedly involved
in the 1999 human rights abuses in the former
territory. Philipe Rodriguez of the East Timor Public Administration’s
Department of Foreign Affairs said in Jakarta on Thursday that the East
Timor people’s wish to see the perpetrators taken to the court of
justice
has not materialized." Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
December
2001 ETSG Team: Transformation of Constituent Assembly into Legislative
Assembly: Do we need a new election? Seminar
Proceedings
added Jan 4
"As the Constituent Assembly moving
swiftly
to finalize and approve the Constitution
of East Timor, debates about their transformation into Legislative
Assembly
has already taken place. Mr. Xanana Gusmao,
East Timor’s national leader began addressing the issue publicly by
arguing
that East Timor needs a new election to elect the members of the
Legislative
Assembly. The elections for the Legislative Assembly can be done
together
with presidential elections in 2002. The reaction against that option
was
mixed. Mr. Mari Alkatiri, Chief-Minister in Second Transitional
Cabinet
and Secretary General of Fretilin, the
majority
party in the Constituent Assembly and Mr. Francisco Guterres, Lu-Olo,
President
of Fretilin and the Constituent Assembly disagreed. They argue that
East
Timorese need more funding to rebuild their houses and providing food
for
their families instead of wasting money in new elections. ... " ETSG
Team:
Paulino Guterres, BA; Francisco da Costa Guterres, MA; Estanislau de
Sousa
Saldanha, M.Tech; Helder da Costa, Ph.D; João M. Saldanha, Ph.D
Bahasa
Indonesia/Malay:
Desember
2001 BLH: Tinjauan Tentang Bantuan Bilateral untuk Timor Lorosa’e
Artikel ditambahkan tanggal 1 Januari
2002
"Selama dua tahun ini, bantuan
multilateral
maupun bilateral telah diberikan kepada Timor Lorosa’e. Timor Lorosa’e
masih belum mempunyai sebuah pemerintah yang merdeka, tetapi saat ini
diperintah
oleh sebuah lembaga multilateral, Perserikatan Bangsa-Bangsa. Hal ini
mengaburkan
perbedaan antara bantuan bilateral dan multilateral. Definisi kerja
dari
La’o Hamutuk tentang bantuan bilateral di sini meliputi semua sumbangan
sukarela dari pemerintah asing yang secara khusus diperuntukkan bagi
Timor
Lorosa’e. Ini termasuk bantuan yang diberikan kepada lembaga-lembaga
nasional,
seperti
Pemerintahan Transisi ETTA dan ETPA, atau kepada NGO-NGO
lokal."
La'o Hamutuk: Institut Pemantau dan Analisis
Rekonstruksi Timor Timur
December
UNTAET: 2nd Tranisitional Government (Fact Sheets 3&4)
Info added Jan 1
"* The Transitional Government
comprises a Chief Minister [Dr. Marí Bin Amude Alkatiri, Fretilin],
ten Ministers, seven Vice-Ministers and three Secretaries of State. The
Transitional Government is supported by a number of high-level East
Timorese
advisors who report to the Chief Minister. * As the Transitional
Government’s
representative body, the Council of Ministers collectively takes the
most
significant decisions of the Transitional Government on policy and
financial
matters, under the Transitional Administrator’s [Sergio Vieira de
Mello]
ultimate authority and in close consultation with him. The Transitional
Government will also recommend to the Transitional Administrator the
promulgation
of legislation in close consultation with the Transitional
Administrator,
who retains the ultimate executive and legislative authority. [Includes
a list of the members of the Second East Timor Transitional
Government]"
UNTAET Press Office
December
UNTAET: Timor Sea (Fact Sheet 18) Info added Dec 31
"Much progress has been made in recent
talks between East Timor and representatives of petroleum companies on
outstanding issues. East Timor believes that a successful outcome in
this
regard can be achieved soon. The Second Transitional Government of
East
Timor, sworn in on 20 September, has indicated its willingness to
ensure
that East Timor’s tax regime provides oil companies with a fair rate of
return. The Government has stressed the great importance to East Timor
of gas development in the Timor Sea as a
major
source of future revenues." Catherine McKenna & Jonathan Morrow,
UNTAET
Press Office
Nov
19 Aust: Timor venture on hold Article added Nov 20
"Development of the vast Sunrise gas
reserves in the Timor Sea has been delayed at least two years. A
meeting
of joint venture participants in Perth on Friday failed to agree on a
commercial
arrangement for development. ... News of the delay comes as senior
Australian
government officials prepare to travel to Dili for a round of talks
with
the
new East Timorese Government, in a bid to resolve differences over
the Timor Sea Arrangement signed in July." Nigel Wilson
October
2001 LHB: Commission for Reception, Truth & Reconciliation
Overview added Nov 9
"There are concerns that
the United Nations, donor governments, or even the government of
East
Timor will use the existence of the
CRTR
as an excuse for not moving forward to prosecute those who committed
Serious
Crimes, even though such crimes are outside the scope of the
Commission.
A new government, faced with budgetary problems as well as daunting
demands
and pressures (national and international) might be tempted to lower
the
priority of criminal prosecutions, especially in light of limited
resources
and experience."
La'o Hamutuk: East
Timor Institute for Reconstruction Monitoring and Analysis
Oct
31 UN: SC Endorses Proposal to Declare ETimor Independence 20 May
Statement added Nov 6
"The Security Council this afternoon
welcomed
the political progress achieved to date towards establishing an
independent
East Timorese State, and endorsed the recommendation by the
Constituent Assembly of the Territory that independence be declared
on 20 May 2002. ... Mari Alkatiri, Chief Minister of the Second
Transitional
Government of East Timor, stressed the importance of
institution-building
and the gradual transfer of
administrative
functions to East Timorese civil servants." U.N. Security Council
Oct
27 RDP: Timorese leader rejects fresh general elections after
independence
Interview added Oct 31
"[Alkatiri] I can assure you that we will
not have general elections. I am saying this on behalf of the party
which
holds the majority in the constituent assembly. [FRETILIN]
... [Reporter] Timor will be independent from 20 May [2002]. Are you
planning
to keep the provisional government? [Alkatiri] Only until 20
May.
... I am a member of the constituent
assembly,
an elected and sovereign body, and it will be the assembly that
shall
decide this. ... when we laid down the electoral law, and when we
discussed
these elections, discussions that also took place at the CNRT
[the National Council of the Timorese Resistance, now defunct], it
was decided that the constituent assembly would become a legislative
and
parliamentary assembly."
Bahasa Indonesia:
Okt
25 FAETTA: Indonesian graves safe in East Timor
Keterangan Media ditambahkan tanggal 30
Oktober
"Surat kabar Jakarta Post menyampaikan,
"Penduduk Timor-Timur meminta dengan paksa supaya penguasa-penguasa
Indonesia
mengali dan memindahkan tulang-tulang yang tersisa ke tanah Indonesia."
Departemen Luar Negeri, dan Pemerintah Timor-Timur berturut-turut
menyangkal
kalau mereka belum pernah dengan paksa meminta hal semacam itu.
Penguasa-penguasa
Indonesia secara langsung maupun tidak langsung belum pernah menanyakan
masalah ini kepada Departemen Luar Negeri. Hal ini adalah pandangan
dari
pengamat-pengamat politik di Timor-Timur kalau kuburan-kuburan pejuang
Indonesia, dan warga penduduk Indonesia lainnya yang dimakamkan di
Timor-Timur
haruslah dihormati selayaknya dengan makam yang lainnya, diluar dari
sejarah
dan alasan politik." Departemen Luar Negeri dan Kerjasama, Pemerintahan
Transisi Kedua Timor-Timur
Oct
25 FAETTA: Indonesian graves safe in East Timor
Release
added Oct 30
"The Jakarta Post story stated, “The East
Timorese demanded that the Indonesian authorities exhume all the graves
and remove the remains to Indonesian territory.” The Foreign Ministry,
and the Government of East Timor categorically deny that there has been
such a demand. ... It is the view of the East Timorese political
leaders
that the graves of Indonesian soldiers, and other Indonesian citizens
buried
in East Timor are sites that must be respected like any other burial
site,
regardless of the historical and political roots." Department of
Foreign
Affairs and Cooperation, Second Transitional Government East Timor
Oct
24 UNTAET: Two New Institutions to Fight Poverty Approved
News added Oct 30
"The East Timorese Council of Ministers
today approved the creation of two new institutions, a Foundation for
the
Reduction of Poverty in East Timor and a Society for Micro-finance in
East
Timor, following agreements between UNTAET and the
Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed in December 2000." United
Nations
Transitional Administration in East Timor
Oct
24 ET NGOs: Urgent Steps Needed to Establish Justice
Letter
added Oct 27
"The situation is made even more critical
by the coming end of the UNTAET mission. Under the stewardship of
UNTAET
was the time when the impunity of the past was needed to be replaced by
the rule of law and justice, necessary for the nation building process
of and reconciliation for East Timor. Instead, we are facing the dark
reality
of such impunity characterizing our future." Yayasan
HAK; Lao Hamutuk; FOKUPERS;
Bishop
Belo’s Center for Peace and Development Kdadalak Sulimutu Institute
(KSI);
Working Group for Electoral Education (KKPP); Judicial
System Monitoring Project (JSMP);
East
Timor Student Solidarity Council (ETSC); Student Solidarity Council
of Oe-Cusse; Yayasan Timor Nabilan;
Nove-Nove Survivers Group (Maliana); NGO Forum
Oct
24 Internationals in ET write UN Security Council on Justice
Letter added Oct 27
"We
are writing as citizens of many countries who currently reside in East
Timor (Timor Lorosa’e), working with a variety of organizations. ...
After
two years, the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor
is winding down. East Timor will be independent soon. It would compound
the
crimes already committed here if this tiny, poor nation which has
endured
so much terror is left on its own to cope with criminals who still hold
positions of power in its huge neighbor. The period of U.N.
responsibility
for East Timor must leave a legacy of justice and accountability if
East
Timor is to succeed as a member of the world community." J Conway (Asia-Pacific
Support Collective); Sr. B Guhit (Bishop
Belo’s Center for Peace & Development); J Gunter; C Serreira e
Freire (Oikos); M Hachisuka (La’o Hamutuk);
T Irawati (FORTILOS); V Joshi (LH); N
Katjasungkana (FORTILOS); I Lempp; J Newton (Caritas
Australia); S Martin (CA); H
McCaughey
(Australian Volunteers International); C Ranheim (Judicial
Systems Monitoring Programme); S Rosa; C Scheiner (International
Federation for East Timor); P Sexton (LH);
A de Sousa (LH); J Sternberg
Sep
20 Alkatiri: Swearing-in Ceremony of Members of the Transitional
Government
Speech added Sep 22
"My last words are addressed to my dear
fellow countrymen and women. Today, as we take up this responsibility,
we wish to express our gratitude for your courage, determination and
unwavering
capacity to resist throughout the most difficult years of our history.
We have achieved the goal to free our Homeland and today we are a step
closer to achieving political, economic and social freedom. We urge you
to remain involved and to participate in the rebuilding of our country
and ask for your continued commitment and involvement in the
development
of our Nation. Before you and in the memory of our heroes fallen for
the
liberation of our Homeland, we humbly state that all our energy, skills
and knowledge will be concentrated in the ultimate goal of this
Government:
to Serve you, the People of East Timor!" 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 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 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
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
13 IFET: Constituent Assembly winners names and parties
List added Sep 25
"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."
Charlie
Scheiner, U.N. Representative International Federation for East Timor
(IFET)
Jun
29 SMH: People to have their say - but so will the UN
News added June 29
"The United Nations has told the people
of East Timor they will be virtually self-governing from September 15 -
but that the UN will decide who will form the government. The head of
the
UN administration in the country, Mr Sergio Vieira de Mello, appealed
yesterday
to political parties to accept a government of national unity after
elections
on August 30 for a constituent assembly, or parliament. He indicated he
had the right to appoint such a government, although he added that the
new Cabinet would “broadly reflect” the results of the elections. ...
The
Cabinet would include most if not all of the parties elected to the
assembly
and could include other “eminent” but non-elected members. Within 90
days,
the 88-seat assembly will draft and adopt the first constitution for an
independent East Timor. Independence would be granted after the
constitution
was approved, and any further elections needed were held, Mr Vieira de
Mello said. He reminded national council members that until
independence
he would retain ultimate executive authority under a UN Security
Council
resolution." Mark Dodd, Herald Correspondent in Dili