FRETILIN:

Media Release: Timor-Leste Parliament pushes for anti-corruption watchdog

2008-10-01T17:09:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Media Release
October 1, 2008

Timor-Leste Parliament pushes for anti-corruption watchdog

An alarming increase in government corruption in Timor-Leste has prompted a cross-party push to establish a parliamentary watchdog to fight graft in public administration.

The biggest party in Timor-Leste’s parliament, FRETILIN, announced today it would join with other parties and even some government MPs to support the setting up of a parliamentary commission to tackle corruption.

Parliament debated the issue of worsening government corruption yesterday, following the release of Transparency International's 2008 international Perceived Corruption Index report (see http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2008 )

The index showed Timor-Leste under the leadership of Xanana Gusmao’s ‘Parliamentary Majority Alliance’ (AMP) government registered the most significant deterioration of any country.

Timor-Leste's position fell 22 places from 123rd to 145th – behind Kazakhstan and one place ahead of Bangladesh – for the period August 2007 to August 2008. This was the nation’s second successive year of decline in the index, following a drop from 112th to 123rd place in the corresponding period for 2006-2007 when Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta was Prime Minister.

FRETILIN’s parliamentary leader Aniceto Guterres said today Transparency International's survey followed a steady flow of reports of corruption and maladministration by the AMP government and had ‘caused a raging national debate’ on Timor-Leste's worsening status.

Guterres said representatives of most political parties, many foreign missions and all multilateral partners publicly or privately had expressed concern over worsening corruption.

'Even those who remained quiet and complicit in regard to the stream of allegations are now taking the situation seriously, especially the multilateral agencies and foreign missions. They have finally grasped what FRETILIN, civil society and our media have been warning about,' Guterres said.

He said specific scandals included:

• The Deputy Prime Minister employing his wife (a non-diplomat) at Timor- Leste's New York mission at a salary three times that of a diplomat.

• Prime Minister Gusmao authorising a single source contract worth US$14.4 million for the supply of rice. The contract went to the Tres Amigos ("Three Friends") company headed by Gusmao's friend and fellow party member Germano da Silva.

• The Gusmão administration's awarding of a dubious single source contract for the purchase of patrol boats from a Chinese company closely associated with Gusmao's political ally Abilio Araujo.

• Secretly negotiated and non-transparent agreements between the Gusmão government and foreign companies to give away 100,000 hectares – one quarter of Timor-Leste’s arable land – for bio-fuels crops.

• The Gusmão administration's proposed purchase of 4 Wheel Drive luxury vehicles as a political pay off for MPs.

• Persistent allegations made in the media and from civil society regarding contractors being awarded contracts by ministries where the spouses of the ministers in the very same ministries have an interest in the company supplying the goods and services to that ministry.

Aniceto Guterres pointed to complaints in parliament this week from Mario Carrascalão, the President of the Social Democratic Party, an ally of Gusmão’s AMP, that he was ‘sick of hearing from ambassadors and foreign businessmen about corruption in this government’, and that he was ‘tired of feeling embarrassed every day because of the corruption in this government’.

Guterres said Mr. Carrascalão, representatives of the PUN party and some MPs from Gusmão’s own alliance had also called for a parliamentary commission to inquire into allegations of corruption against the government.

For information contact: José Teixeira MP on +670 728 7080
Nilva Guimarães (media officer) on +670 734 0389

Media Release: Government unable to champion onshore LNG plant from Greater Sunrise – Mari Alkatiri

2008-09-23T17:46:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONARIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release

September 23, 2008

Government unable to champion onshore LNG plant from Greater Sunrise – Mari Alkatiri

The de facto AMP government lead by Xanana Gusmão is showing itself to be totally incapable to provide the legal, technical and economic arguments that can convince the Greater Sunrise joint venture partners that a pipeline to Timor-Leste and an onshore LNG processing plant is the best and most viable option for the field's development, said the former Timorese Prime Minister Dr Alkatiri today.

Dr Alkatiri negotiated both the Timor Sea treaty and the Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea (CMATS) Treaty. He was speaking from Dili today after having met with his parliamentary colleagues to discuss recent developments and media reports that the Greater Sunrise joint venture had decided on Darwin as the location for the LNG plant to process the gas from Greater Sunrise.

"I think that the media reports of a site location decision by the Sunrise joint venture are premature. From recent discussions with Woodside's top executives in charge of the project during a recent visit to Dili, I don't believe the investment decision has been made yet. So the media reports are misleading and mischievous. As far as I can gauge, it is just a lot of noise," Dr Alkatiri said.

"But they are uncomfortable about other noise coming from the Timor-Leste side that may lead them to question whether or not this Timor-Leste government knows the ground rules for the legal and technical process which will guide the discussions on which will be the best and most viable option for developing the Greater Sunrise field. I am worried by statements from people like the de facto Prime Minister and his Secretary of State for Natural Resources that it is a matter for the two governments to discuss. This is just wrong," stressed Dr Alkatiri.

In recent media reports following Mr Gusmão's visit to Australia, where this issue was discussed between Mr Gusmão and Australian Prime Minister Rudd, Mr Gusmão is quoted as having said: "This is an issue for negotiation between the two governments", meaning the governments of Timor-Leste and Australia.

"This is wrong because the Treaty documents set out the criteria, the process and the mechanism for joint decision making. The developers of Greater Sunrise will present a proposal to the Sunrise Treaty Commission which will decide whether or not the development plan meets the technical and economic criteria set out by the treaty. Its not for the two government's to negotiated as this de facto government thinks," added Dr Alkatiri.

"Then you add the suspicion arising from the government's signing of hitherto secret agreements with international oil companies who have no legal stake in the Greater Sunrise field. According to the explanation given by the Secretary of State during recent parliamentary hearings, this secret agreement purports to give them rights to market the gas from the field which they do not have, but in fact rests with the downstream contractors. I think we have a very volatile mix that will place in jeopardy Timor-Leste's chances of getting a pipeline and LNG plant on our shores. This is a goal we all share and we support any government that tries to achieve that. But we have an obligation to speak out when we see actions that could jeopardize our chances," Dr Alkatiri stressed.

Dr Alkatiri repeated his offer that FRETILIN have always been ready, willing and able to contribute with their extensive experience in negotiating these resource-related matters, through an appropriate inclusive and consultative body established for this specific purpose.

"That is how we were able to negotiate the outcomes we did during our government against the odds. We included everyone, civil society, opposition in parliament, the president, everyone," he said in closing.

Komunikadu Imprensa - GOVERNU LA KONSEGUE ARGUMENTA ATU LORI KANU GAZ NIAN HOSI GREATER SUNRISE MAI TIMOR-LESTE – Mari Alkatiri

2008-09-23T17:43:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

KOMUNIKADU IMPRENSA
23 Setembru 2008

GOVERNU LA KONSEGUE ARGUMENTA ATU LORI KANU GAZ NIAN HOSI GREATER SUNRISE MAI TIMOR-LESTE – Mari Alkatiri

Governu defaktu AMP nian ne'ebé lidera hosi Xanana Gusmão hatudu ona katak sira la iha liu kapasidade atu ható argumentu legal, tékniku no ekonómiku ne'ebé bele konvense parseirus esplorasaun Greater Sunrise nian atu dada kanu no hari estasaun prosesamentu gaz nian iha Timor-Leste nia rai laran, maske opsaun ida ne'e mak diak liu ba dezenvolve kampu ne'e, Eis-Primeiru-Ministru Mari Alkatiri dehan ohin.

Dr Alkatiri mak halao negosiasaun ba Tratadu Tasi Timor nian no Tratadu kona ba akordu balu ne'ebé halo ba Tasi Timor nian (CMATS). Nia koalia kona ba Greater Sunrise iha Dili hafoin hetan malu ho deputadus FRETILIN nian hodi diskuti akontesimentus ikus liu kona ba kampu ne'e tamba rona foin dadauk ne'e hosi media katak parseirus sira seluk hakarak halo prosesamentu gaz hosi Greater Sunrise iha Darwin.

"Hau hanoin katak media halo espekulasaun notísia barak liu no kolian la los kona ba kompañia sira foti desizaun fatin prosesamentu gáz hosi Greater Sunrise ba Australia. Foin lalais ne'e hau hetan malu iha Dili ho ezekutivu Woodside nian, ema ne'ebé kaer projetu ne'e. Sira hatete mai hau no hau fiar katak sira seidauk hola desizaun kona ba investimentu ida ne'e.

Notisia hosi media halo ema hanoin sala no ida ne'e ladiak. Hau hanoin katak media sira halo deit estrondu bo'ot, " Alkatiri hatete.

"Maibé sira nia laran la metin hela tamba bele iha mo'os estrondu seluk mosu sai iha Timor-Leste. Balu bele litik Governu Timor-Leste, sé hatene duni ka lae, oinsá atu diskute kona ba aspetu legal no tékniku atu haré opsaun ida ne'ebé mak diak liu ba dezenvolve Greater Sunrise.

Hau preokupa bainhira rona deklarasaun hosi ema balu, hanesan Primeiru-Ministru defaktu no ninia Sekretáriu de Estadu Rekursus Naturais nian katak governu rua mak tenke diskuti kona ba fatin prosesamentu gáz nian. Ne'e kolian sala ona," Dr. Alkatiru haforsa.

Hafoin Sr Gusmão halao visita ba Austrália no diskute asuntu ne'e ho Sr. Rudd, Primeiru-Ministru Austrália nian, media tatoli katak Sr Gusmão hatete: " Ida ne'e assuntu ida ba governu rua atu halo negosiasaun ", governu Timor-Leste no Austrália nian.

"Ida ne'e sala tamba Tratadu ne'ebé ita asina iha dokumentus ne'ebé defini kritérius, iha prosesu no mekanismu ba ita halo desizaun hamutuk. Partes ne'ebé atu dezenvolve Greater Sunrise tenki aprezenta proposta ida ba Komisaun Tratadu Greater Sunrise nian no komisaun ne'e mak sei haré sé planu dezenvolvimentu tuir ka la tuir Tratadu ninia kritérius legais, téknikus no ekonómikus. Ida ne'e la'os asuntu ba Governu rua atu halo negosiasaun hanesan Governu de faktu hatete", Dr. Alkatiri hatutan.

" Iha mo'os suspeita kona ba akordu sekretu ne'ebé governu halo ho kompañia internasional minarai nian, kompañia ne'ebé la iha kbi'it legal ba halo parte explorasaun kampu Greater Sunrise nian. Tuir explikasaun ne'ebé Sekretáriu Estadu ható foin lalais ne'e ba Parlamentu Nasional, akordu sekretu ne'e sei fó direitus ba kompañia sira ne'e atu halo kampanha atu fa'an gáz hosi kampu ne'e, maibe direitus ne'e sira la iha. Kontratores sira liu husi Woodside mak iha. Hau hanoin sira kahur arbiru deit ona no ida nee sei haklot dalan ba Timor-Leste atu hetan oportunidade ba dada kadoras gáz nian no hari fatin prosesamentu gás nian iha ita nia rai laran.

"Ita hotu iha objetivu ida deit no ami fó apoiu ba governu ida ne'ebé deit, ne'ebé tenta hetan objetivu ne'e. Maibé ami iha obrigasaun atu koalia hasoru bainhira ami haré katak sira nia hahalok bele haklot dalan ba ita hetan objetivu ida ne'e", Dr Alkatiri hatete.

Dr. Alkatiri oferese dala ida ta'an katak FRETILIN prontu hanesan bai'bain kedas, hakarak no iha kapasidade ba kontribui ho esperiénsia barak ne'ebé iha atu halo negosiasaun diak kona ba asuntu rekursus nian, maibé, kontribuisaun ne'e tenke liu hosi organismu inkluzivu konsultoria nian ne'ebé sei hari ba asuntu espesífiku ida ne'e deit.

" Hanesan ne'e mak ami konsegue hetan buat ne'ebé ami nia governu hetan horiuluk maske dalan klot tebes. Ami inklui ema hotu, sosiedade sivil, opozisaun iha Parlamentu, Prezidenti, ema hotu-hotu", nia remata ho ida ne'e.

Se presiza Informasaun tan Kontaktu: José Teixeira +670 728 7080
Nilva Guimarães +670 734 0389

MEDIA RELEASE: FRETILIN, opposition parties and some AMP MPs join forces to increase budget allocation for poverty stricken veterans

2008-08-18T17:50:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release

August 18, 2008

FRETILIN, opposition parties and some AMP MPs join forces to increase budget allocation for poverty stricken veterans

FRETILIN, KOTA-PPT, PUN, ASDT and other AMP MPs joined forces to amend the budget presented by the Gusmao de facto Government, to immediately start paying the liberation war veterans’ pensions, at a cost of US$20 million. “Our proposal succeeded despite strong opposition by de facto Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and Finance Minister Emilia Pires to the very end,” said Josefa Soares Pereira, FRETILIN Parliamentary Party Secretary and MP.

Soares and FRETILIN MP Osorio Florindo put forward the proposal during the budget debate which ended on 31 July 2008, in the Timor-Leste National Parliament, because the government could not explain why veterans were going to be made to wait a further six months or more for payment of their much needed pensions.

“It seemed to us unjust and unnecessary for the government to continue to deny these impoverished veterans their pensions, when they have been quite prepared to make a priority of special payments to deserters from the defence force. These veterans in contrast sacrificed themselves and their families so that we can have the freedom and sovereign nation we have today,” she said.

In 2006 the FRETILIN dominated parliament passed a law establishing the criteria and mechanism to determine payment of pensions to veterans and their families, but the collection and verification of data as to who is a veteran was the task of three commissions established since 2002 under the auspices of then president Xanana Gusmao. The then President continued to insist that there was insufficient verification for the database compiled by the commissions to be used as the basis for commencing payment of pensions to veterans.

“It was a source of frustration for us who have tried to promote the cause of the veterans, that there was this constant proposition coming from the then president, now de facto Prime Minister, that the database was not ready. Yet in late 2006 and in the first half of 2007, before the parliamentary elections it was good enough to use the database to award around 17,000 medals of honor to veterans and their survivors. This issue was politicized by political figures in the campaign, including Mr Gusmao, and FRETILIN was painted as neglectful and mean for not paying the veterans,” added Soares.

“But when it comes to an outrageously high spending budget on largesse such as luxury cars for MPs, overseas travel for Ministers and others in government, rehabilitation of homes for ministers and others, they forget about the veterans and keep saying the database needs to be fixed. We don’t accept that anymore and are happy that the majority of the parliament agreed with us. Now it is a matter for the government to cut out the fat it has for travel, entertainment and other luxuries to make sure the veterans are paid,” Soares stressed.

To date only 238 or so veterans have received any payments whatsoever, with a tens of thousands still awaiting any payment, whilst living in extreme poverty. The FRETILIN government’s attempts to pay the veterans in the time prior to the elections in 2007 were also met with a dead end response from the veterans commission, which was under the control of Mr Gusmao.

“We do not want any more excuses from Mr Gusmao and Mr Virgilio Simith, the Secretary of State who is the chair of the veterans commissions. They have had five years to come up with the numbers for the veterans. They have done a poor job and we need to have an investigation into the numerous complaints that have been made by both veterans and development partners who gave millions of dollars towards the process. Mr Gusmao and Mr Simith have to be held responsible.

“We insist on this, but most of all, it’s the Veterans, including MPs who are veterans and supported our proposal for amendment, who spoke out in these terms. It’s time to act. The government must act or be held further responsible for the neglect of the veterans, for which Mr Gusmao and his appointees must carry their share of the responsibility,” Soares said in closing.

The budget which was rammed through by the AMP de facto government is currently the subject of a constitutional appeal by FRETILIN, and is awaiting promulgation by President Jose Ramos-Horta who has held back from proclaiming it subject to the court’s decision. FRETILIN MPs believe that one of the few areas warranting a revision was in the case of the additional US$20 million, which can be accommodated in the revised budget, by cutting extravagant and wasteful items, and without any need to withdraw in excess of the sustainable income set by the Petroleum Fund Law rules.

For more info, contact Jose Teixeira: +61 438 114 960 (Australia), +670 728 7080 (Dili, Timor-Leste)

FRETILIN requests President Ramos-Horta to initiate investigation

2008-08-10T15:39:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release

10 August 2008

FRETILIN requests President Ramos-Horta to initiate investigation into unintended publication of rectifying budget

The President of Timor-Leste’s largest and historic party FRETILIN, Francisco Guterres “Lu Olo”, today called upon President Dr José Ramos-Horta to order an investigation into why the Revised Budget Law (also known as the rectifying budget) was sent by his office to the parliament, and then subsequently published in the official gazette, thereby bringing it into law, against the President’s declared intentions.

A Public Communiqué issued from the President's Office on the 6th of August 2008, when the President was already overseas stated, that prior to his departure the President delivered a speech to the nation, in which he informed the nation that he would await the decision of the Court of Appeal regarding a request for a ruling as to the constitutionality of the rectifying budget, before making a decision on whether or not to promulgate it.

The Communiqué added that: “The President of the Republic left very clear instructions to his office to send the rectifying budget for publication only if the decision of the Court of Appeal declared that the law was in conformity with all the requirements of the constitution.”

Lu Olo said, “The President’s own words, televised to the nation on the 5th of August 2008, and confirmed by the President’s Office Communiqué on the 6th of August, the following day, were that he left clear instructions that the rectifying budget was not to be sent for publication with the official gazette.

“It was clear that this is what he had in mind when he spoke to the people. We do not believe for one moment the President would have spoken those words whilst intending to do the exact opposite. Despite this manifest intent, others in his office took actions contrary to his clear instructions and sent it on for official publication.”

According to Lu Olo this is a very serious situation for FRETILIN, for the nation’s democratic institutions and the Timorese people. He added that FRETILIN did not blame the President, because it believed he left clear and explicit instructions with his office before leaving on his overseas trip.

“However, we do not have confidence in others who work in the Office of the President of the Republic. We have grave reservations about their loyalty to the President and their political impartiality to be working in such a high office,” Lu Olo said.

“We are very lucky that these suspect actions are such that may be fixed with the good will and cooperation of other institutions of our state. But we have to ask, what if it involved something more serious, something that could not be so easily reversed or rectified, such as a declaration of stage of siege or a declaration to dissolve parliament? Then what? The President had done all he could to ensure his intent was clear and that his actions would not impact negatively upon the nation, but even this could not safeguard a serious error from occurring.

“We cannot simply leave this matter as it is. It is important for us that state institutions know the truth of what actually happened. We have to know clearly whether this was the result of human error or whether there was some more deliberate act or omission to pervert the expressed will and intent of the President, to usurp his duties and powers. An in-depth investigation must occur into this matter and FRETILIN give its full support to the President in initiating an appropriate legal investigation,” Lu Olo added.

Lu Olo also emphasized that “this was not just a matter of an administrative issue in the President’s Office, but a matter of great importance to the government, the parliament, political parties and the people, who need to have confidence that the highest office in the land is functioning legally and constitutionally, not to mention with administrative efficiency, whoever the President is or will be.”

For more info, contact Jose Teixeira: +61 438 114 960 (Australia), +670 728 7080 (Dili, Timor-Leste)

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komunikadu imprensa: FRETILIN husu Presidenti Republika ordena investigasaun Gabineti Presidensia Republika nian kona ba falansu promulgasaun Orsamentu Retifikativu

2008-08-10T15:38:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

10 Agostu 2008
Komunikadu imprensa

FRETILIN husu Presidenti Republika ordena investigasaun Gabineti
Presidensia Republika nian kona ba falansu promulgasaun Orsamentu
Retifikativu

FRETILIN husu ohin ba Prezidenti Republika Dr. Jose-Ramos Horta halao
investigasaun klean ida ba insidenti neebe mosu iha semana liu ba iha
Gabeneti Presidensia Republika nian bainhira Xefe Gabineti haruka Lei
Orsamentu Retifikativu ba Parlamentu Nasional, no depois resulta iha
publikasaun maske kontra Prezidenti Republika nia intensaun klaru,
deklara Prezidenti partidu FRETILIN nian, Francisco Guterres "LuOlo"
iha Dili ohin.

Tuir Komunikadu neebe sai husi Prezidensia Republika iha loron 6
Agostu 2008: "Molok nia sai ba liur, nia halo deklarasaun ba nasaun,
tuir neebe nia dehan katak nia sei hein to'o desiziaun husi Tribunal
Rekursu kona ba rekursu ida neebe tama kona ba konstitusionalidade Lei
Orsamentu Retifikativu, molok nia halo desizaun ikus liu atu pormulga
ka lae lei ida nee."

Prezidenti aumenta mos ida nee iha deklarasaun neebe temik katak:
"Prezidenti Republika husik hela orientasaun klaru ba nia gabineti atu
labele haruka lei ba publikasaun molok desizaun sai husi Tribunal
Rekursu katak lei cumpri ho normas konstituisaun nian tomak."

"Maske Prezidenti nia liafuan, neebe fo sai iha deklarasaun iha
televisaun, no konfirmado tuir mai iha komunikadu ofisial iha loron 6
Agostu, Prezidenti deklara katak nia fo 'orientasaun klaru' atu nia
gabineti labele haruka lei nee ba publikasaun. Nia hatudu mos nia
intensaun bainhira nia koalian ba Povo tomak iha Televisaun. Ami la
fiar nia bele koalian buat ida loron ida, no halo buat seluk fali.
Maibe tuir mai, ita hotu hare katak ema seluk halo fali kontra nia
hakarak, ema ruma iha nia gabineti haruka fali lei nee ba publikasaun.
Nee assuntu ida neebe seriu ba nasaun, seriu ba orgaun soberania
seluk hotu, no Povo Timor-Leste tomak. Ami la foo sala ida ba
Prezidenti, tamba ami fiar nia liafuan. Maibe ami duvida makas ba ema
seluk neebe servisu iha nia gabineti. Ami duvida sira nia intensaun
plitika no imparsialidade atu halau servisu iha gabineti aas liu
hanesan nee," dehan LuOlo.

"Sorte hahalok sala nee buat ida neebe bele hadiak hela ho vontade
diak husi orgaun soberania hotu. Maibe hau husu deit, sei envolve
karik buat seluk neebe labele hadiak fasil hanesan nee? Hanesan
deklarasaun estadu de sitiu ka disolusaun parlamentu por ezemplu?
Entaun oin sa? Sorte ida nee laos deklarasaun funu ida neebe
consekuensia todan liu ba nasaun. Prezidenti halo buat hotu hotu
neebe nia bele atu labele iha impaktu negative ba ita nia rain no
Povo, maibe iha falansu seriu fali tamba hahalok iha nia gabineti
laran."

"Ita abele husik deit hanesa nee. Ita presiza buka hetan lialos. Ita
presiza hatene momos sei ida nee falansu humanu duni ka buat seluk,
hanesan manipulasaun ruma ba Prezidenti nia hakarak, nia dever. Tamba
nee presiza investigasaun klean. FRETILIN apoia Prezidenti republika
total atu halau investigasaun ida neebe seriu no transparent, tanba
kredibilidade gabineti Presidenti republika nian aban bairua iha
duvida hela iha ema barak nia Hanoin sei ita la hetan lialos," LuOlo
taka.

Favor ida, kontaktu: Jose Reis +670 734 1505 (Dili)

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media release
10 August 2008

FRETILIN requests President Ramos-Horta to initiate investigation into
unintended publication of rectifying budget

The President of Timor-Leste's largest and historic party FRETILIN,
Francisco Guterres "Lu Olo" today called upon President Dr. José
Ramos-Horta to order an investigation into why the Revised Budget Law
(also known as the rectifying budget) was sent by his office to the
parliament, and then subsequently published in the official gazette,
thereby bringing it into law, against the President's declared
intentions.

A Public Communiqué issued from the President's Office on the 6th of
August 2008, when the President was already overseas stated, that
prior to his departure the President delivered a speech to the nation,
in which he informed the nation that he would await the decision of
the Court of Appeal regarding a request for a ruling as to the
constitutionality of the rectifying budget, before making a decision
on whether or not to promulgate it.

The Communiqué added that: "The President of the Republic left very
clear instructions to his office to send the rectifying budget for
publication only if the decision of the Court of Appeal declared that
the law was in conformity with all the requirements of the
constitution."

Lu Olo said, "The President's own words, televised to the nation on
the 5th of August 2008, and confirmed by the President's Office
Communiqué on the 6th of August, the following day, were that he left
clear instructions that the rectifying budget was not to be sent for
publication with the official gazette.

"It was clear that this is what he had in mind when he spoke to the
people. We do not believe for one moment the President would have
spoken those words whilst intending to do the exact opposite. Despite
this manifest intent, others in his office took actions contrary to
his clear instructions and sent it on for official publication.

According to Lu Olo this is a very serious situation for FRETILIN, for
the nation's democratic institutions and the Timorese people. He added
that FRETILIN did not blame the President, because it believed he left
clear and explicit instructions with his office before leaving on his
overseas trip.

"However, we do not have confidence in others who work in the Office
of the President of the Republic. We have grave reservations about
their loyalty to the President and their political impartiality to be
working in such a high office," Lu Olo said.

"We are very lucky that these suspect actions are such that may be
fixed with the good will and cooperation of other institutions of our
state. But we have to ask, what if it involved something more
serious, something that could not be so easily reversed or rectified,
such as a declaration of stage of siege or a declaration to dissolve
parliament? Then what? The President had done all he could to ensure
his intent was clear and that his actions would not impact negatively
upon the nation, but even this could not safeguard a serious error
from occurring."

"We cannot simply leave this matter as it is. It is important for us
that state institutions know the truth of what actually happened. We
have to know clearly whether this was the result of human error or
whether there was some more deliberate act or omission to pervert the
expressed will and intent of the President, to usurp his duties and
powers. An in depth investigation must occur into this matter and
FRETILIN give its full support to the President in initiating an
appropriate legal investigation," Lu Olo added.

Lu Olo also emphasized that "this was not just a matter of an
administrative issue in the President's Office, but a matter of great
importance to the government, the parliament, political parties and
the people who need to have confidence that the highest office in the
land is functioning legally and constitutionally, not to mention with
administrative efficiency, whoever the President is or will be."

For more information, please contact Jose Teixeira: +61 438 114 960
(Australia), +670 728 7080 (Dili, Timor-Leste)

Media Release: FRETILIN welcomes President's decision to await outcome of opposition parties' request for judicial review of 2008 revised budget

2008-08-06T17:54:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release

Dili, Timor-Leste, 6 August 2008

FRETILIN welcomes President's decision to await outcome of opposition parties' request for judicial review of 2008 revised budget

FRETILIN today said it welcomed President Ramos Horta’s decision to wait until after the request by FRETILIN, KOTA/PPT and PUN to the Court of Appeal to undertake a constitutional review of key aspects of the revised budget of USD$425.6 million, which will see this year's original annual budget increased to more than USD$773.3 million, before he would move to promulgate it into law.

President Ramos Horta’s decision to await the outcome of the court’s constitutional review of aspects of the revised budget was announced yesterday (Tuesday 5 August) on Timor-Leste’s state owned television.

FRETILIN parliamentary leader Aniceto Guterres said, “The President’s decision is a wise and prudent one, expressing caution and concern over the legality of a number of aspects of the revised budget proposed by the Gusmao de facto Government.

“During the course of the last few months, and in particular during the parliamentary debate for this revised budget (16-31 July), FRETILIN, civil society, international donors and multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and IMF have questioned the need for such a large increase in the budget.

“In particular questions were raised in relation to the transparency and legality of this budget, the capacity to spend it and also as to why such a large amount of the budget was allocated to goods and services as opposed to capital development.

“Despite strong and widespread public opposition, the Gusmao de facto Government refused to listen to the people’s concerns and rammed the revised budget through National Parliament with very few amendments.

“We welcome the President’s decision because it not only reflects concern amongst FRETILIN, but also civil society groups and the broader public in Timor-Leste.”

For more info, please contact: Nilva Guimaraes +670 7340389 (Dili, Timor-Leste)

Media Release: FRETILIN condemns secret plan to create monopoly for vital supplies in Timor-Leste

2008-07-22T18:16:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release

July 22, 2007

FRETILIN condemns secret plan to create monopoly for vital supplies in Timor-Leste

Aniceto Guterres, FRETILIN leader in parliament yesterday condemned the proposal by the Gusmao AMP government to create an Economic Stabilisation Fund using US$240 million of money from the Petroleum Fund. “It is a secret plan to create a monopoly in the supply of vital fuel and building materials, as well as vital rice and other foodstuffs, in the hands of one or two businesses linked to the ruling party and ministers in the government,” said Guterres.

“Information we have indicates this is part of a secret plan to deliver all these vital contracts into the hands of a few well-connected businessmen at the expense of others who would otherwise be able to compete to bring down prices, but cannot do so with the bulk the government is purchasing,” said Guterres.

Business people, including foreign investors, have complained to the FRETILIN leadership that everything is being channeled through one or two companies.

“When FRETILIN raised this both in the parliament and in the media, we provoked a vitriolic response from the Prime Minister but no real explanation. Even members of his own CNRT party say this deal must be explained thoroughly,” said Guterres.

“We are debating the revised budget now, which would increase the money the government will have by 122 per cent, from US$349 million to US$773.3 million. It will also involve taking money out of the Petroleum Fund beyond its Estimated Sustainable Income. Yet the government has presented inadequate justification to either the Petroleum Fund Consultative Council, an independent body nominated to oversee the fund and its sustainability, or to the parliamentary committee for economy, finance and anti corruption.

“Both these bodies say the government should not be authorized by parliament to withdraw the non-sustainable amount until the government provides such a justification,” added Guterres.

“We are not against helping our people against the shocks of the international food and fuel crisis. We are against using the crisis to create a fund lacking in financial controls and monitoring, without any proper planning, which is merely a Trojan Horse for collusion, corruption and nepotism,” closed Guterres.

The Economic Stabilisation Fund would give the government US$240 million to buy food, fuel and building materials that it would then sell to the public at a subsidised price. This is the concept that recently provoked public controversy because rice prices were neither stabilised nor lowered substantively by this mode of government intervention, especially in the districts where prices of rice and other foodstocks are exorbitantly high.

For more information, please contact: Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080

Media Release: FRETILIN: Growing opposition to Gusmão's maladministration and bad governance

2008-07-19T18:23:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release

July 19, 2007

FRETILIN: Growing opposition to Gusmão's maladministration and bad governance

There is growing opposition to the misadministration and corruption of the Gusmão government with members of a key parliamentary committee and a key independent parliamentary consultative body rejecting the government's request to withdraw from the Petroleum Fund an amount greater than the benchmark "sustainable income"*.

The defacto Gusmão government wants the additional money from the Petroleum Fund for its revised budget.

FRETILIN parliamentarian and leader in parliament Aniceto Guterres said, “The Economy, Finance and Anti-corruption parliamentary committee met yesterday (Friday 18 July) and delivered a report on the mid year budget recommending against the government’s request to withdraw USD$290 million in excess of the sustainable income amount.

“The decision of the parliamentary commission comes in addition to the Petroleum Fund Consultative Council’s recommendation to National Parliament that it refuse to authorize the transfer of funds from the Petroleum Fund to the government budget, because the government has failed to justify that it needs the extra money from the Fund.”

The Petroleum Fund Consultative Council is an independent body that is legally mandated to oversee the workings and future of the fund and is made up of civil society and representatives of religious confessions.

The members of the Council are independent from any political party.

Guterres said, “The decisions of the parliamentary committee and the Petroleum Fund Consultative Council reflect the wide spread and growing concern and suspicion about misadministration and corruption within the Gusmão government.

“Even members of Gusmão’s own CNRT party who sit in the parliamentary committee voted against the government's request”.

Guterres added, “The Gusmão government has only actually spent 22%, or USD$77.3 million, of this year's annual budget of USD$347.7 million, which is the largest in Timor-Leste's history and far greater than any of the budgets of the previous FRETILIN governments.

“It is ludicrous that a government that is incapable of spending even a fraction of the budget, and who is also the subject of many allegations of maladministration and corruption, would ask for a mid year budget increase in the amount of USD$425.6 million (taking this year’s revised budget to USD$773.3 million).”

Guterres said that if the excessive withdrawal from the fund is approved by parliament, the government would have used over USD$1 billion in just one year, when you take into account that the government also had a transitional budget of in excess of $300 million for the period between September 2007 to 31 December 2008.

“This will mean that 43% of the Petroleum Fund's current reserves of USD2.3 billion will be spent in just one year.

“We call on other members of parliament and civil society to follow the lead of the Economy, Finance and Anti-corruption parliamentary committee and the Petroleum Fund Consultative Council in expressing their opposition to this irresponsible budget.

“It is not only them or FRETILIN which have expressed concern. Other political parties, including the National Unity Party, ASDT and KOTA/PPT, as well as business groups and civil society in general have expressed their opposition to this irresponsible and questionable budget. But mostly they question the raiding of the petroleum fund, which has been acclaimed around the world.

“If the AMP members in the parliament authorize the withdrawal, then they will be flying in the face of overwhelming public opinion in this country. We urge them to question this government’s direction, just as they did with the government’s ludicrous gun laws that were defeated in this parliament, which was out of step with public opinion on the issue,” said Guterres.

The Timor-Leste parliament began debate on the government's proposed budget revision yesterday (Friday 18 July).

Background notes:

* The Sustainable Income (known formally as the “Estimated Sustainable Income”) is calculated under the Petroleum Fund Law and informs the Government, National Parliament and civil society of the maximum amount of money that should be withdrawn from the Petroleum Fund in any given year to fund government spending. The Estimated Sustainable Income for the 2008 budget is USD$396.1 million.

If the government wants to withdraw more than the Estimated Sustainable Income it must first obtain the approval of National Parliament. As part of that approval process, the Government must set out its reasons why its total annual withdrawals from the Petroleum Fund should exceed the Estimated Sustainable Income and present them to the Petroleum Fund Consultative Council, who in turn provide their opinion to National Parliament. The aim of the Estimated Sustainable Income is to assist Timor-Leste avoid the “resource curse” experienced by other Third World resource rich nations. It does this by acting as a guide to Timor-Leste on how to spend its petroleum wealth sustainably, with the aim of creating inter-generational equity so that both current and future generations can enjoy the benefits of the petroleum resources.

For more information, please contact: Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080

Media Release: FRETILIN opposes Decree Law creating Economic Stabilization Fund

2008-07-18T18:31:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release

July 18, 2008

FRETILIN opposes Decree Law creating Economic Stabilization Fund

"Today FRETILIN expresses great concern about the Economic Stabilisation Fund proposed in the revised budget, which in our view is full of illegalities and lacks transparency."

This statement was made by the FRETILIN Parliamentary Leader, Aniceto Guterres, in a media release yesterday, July 17. The Decree Law was approved by the Council of Ministers and proclaimed by the President of the Republic, Ramos-Horta, on July 14. FRETILIN called on MPs in the government coalition to join it in voting against the proposed law, as they did recently over the proposed firearms law.

Guterres added: “Though there are a lot of areas for concern in this revised budget proposal, the Economic Stabilization Fund is the most worrying because it involves the withdrawal of a large amount of money from the Petroleum Fund without sufficient legal control.

“Although the president of the republic proclaimed the Decree Law, it is yet to be published and come into force. In the meantime the de facto government is seeking the approval of the parliament in its revised budget proposal to withdraw an amount of USD$240 million, which it would spend under this law, which does not detail clearly the legal and financial mechanism for procurement, disbursement and accounting for the funds in a transparent and accountable manner. So much money, representing the total of the Timor-Leste state budget between 2002 and 2005, to be managed simply by a law made up of one and a half pages and 8 sections.

“FRETILIN opposes this Decree Law and the proposal to take these funds from the Petroleum Fund in this way. Among other reasons, we strongly suspect it is nothing more than an attempt to withdraw funds from the Petroleum Fund in a non-transparent and irresponsible manner.

The objectives of the Decree Law, set out in Article 2, are the procurement and distribution of food for food security, fuels and building materials by the government. But the Decree Law does not establish the procedures, rules and mechanisms for the procurement, administration and financial control of the funds or the distribution of the acquired stock in a transparent or accountable manner. Sections 4, 5 and 6 state that these vital transparency and accountability issues will be dealt with by ‘appropriate regulations to be approved.’

“With all due respect, this demonstrates that the de facto government does not regard our peoples' parliament with seriousness and respect,” said Aniceto Guterres.

“We have to ask, what did this de facto government have in mind when it put to this parliament a proposal to approve such a large amount of money to be spent without the appropriate legal and administrative rules and procedures being set out in the law that purports to establish it? How are we, who are asked to approve this large amount of money and who are constitutionally mandated to oversee and hold the government accountable for its spending according to the laws of the land, going to be able to do our job, given that we are not informed of the rules and mechanisms to hold them accountable by?

“This also leads us to think that the de facto government merely intends to use the funds the parliament approves as a slush fund without controls or accountability. It leads us to think that there will be even less procurement through open public tenders in accordance with the applicable procurement law, to procure such large amounts of foodstuffs, fuel and building materials, than there is at the moment. We are led to think that procurement contracts for these will simply be given directly, without open public tenders, to their friends and political allies, just as the recently publicized US$14 million rice procurement contract, which has been widely questioned. This rice procurement process was questioned even by members of the CNRT party in parliament, and the de facto government has thus far not fully explained or justified it to the satisfaction of the public or to our satisfaction.

“It is because of this that FRETILIN says that it will oppose this attempt to withdraw funds from the Petroleum Fund just to allocate contracts to friends and allies of the de facto government.

“With this attempt this AMP government has demonstrated yet again that they are not serious about executing and managing the peoples’ money with seriousness, responsibility, and transparency.

“We have already seen with important dealings that have been made public that they hide things. The agreement proposing to allocate large tracts of land to a foreign company to cultivate sugarcane for bio fuels was hidden for months, despite repeated requests for the agreement to be made public. The agreement to grant the sole and exclusive rights to a foreign oil company to market Sunrise gas remains hidden from the public at the government’s insistence that it is a ‘government secret’, despite requests to make it public. The contract to purchase luxury cars for members of parliament has been hidden from us again, despite requests that they be made available to opposition parties. Now, it’s worse, with an extremely large fund of USD$240 million they are not disclosing how they will spend these funds in regulations yet to be approved.

“FRETILIN already knows that there are parties and MPs who are prepared to exercise their conscience to oppose this proposal. We appeal to these well intended Timorese in our national parliament who otherwise vote with the AMP, who follow the government’s policy orientations, to join us in opposing this proposal that is not in the interests of our people. Just as we did with the gun laws some weeks ago, we ask you to join us in exercising your consciences and vote in the interests of the welfare of our people, the future of this nation, the peace and stability deserved by our people, instead of simply following the path that is not transparent, and will be detrimental to our nation and people.

“FRETILIN agrees with the objective of helping our people to meet the current global food and fuel crisis, but will not support courses of action that are not transparent and accountable, and which serve only to benefit a very few at the expense of our people, who will continue to stay poor and go hungry. During the budget debate FRETILIN will propose measures to confront the hardship faced by our people with seriousness, responsibility and transparency.”

For further information: FRETILIN parliamentary media officer - Nilva Guimaraes +670 734 0389

Comunicado de Imprensa da Bancada da FRETILIN: "Fretilin Contra Dekretu Lei Fundo de Estabilizasaun Ekonomiku"

2008-07-17T15:02:00.000+09:00

BANCADA FRETILIN

COMUNICADO DE IMPRENSA

"Fretilin Contra Dekretu Lei Fundo de Estabilizasaun Ekonomiku"

Ohin Fretilin hakarak manifesta nia preokupasaun kona ba proposta ida iha orsamentu rectifikativu nebe'e tuir ami nia hare'e nakonu ho ilegalidade no laiha transparencia.

Deklarasaun ne'e fo sai hosi Chefe Bankada FRETILIN, Aniceto Guterres, Lio hosi Komunikado Imprensa, Quinta Feira (16/10), relasiona kona ba dekretu lei kona ba Fundo de Estabilizasaun Ekonomiku nebe'e Konselho Ministru Aprova ona ho hetan ona promulgasaun hosi Presidente da Republika Ramos Horta, Maske iha buat barak no seluk iha orsamentu rectifikativu nebe'e ema barak preokupa proposta atu hari'i Fundo de Estabilizasaun Ekonomiku ne'e proposta projetu ida.

Iha loron 14 de Julho 2008, Presidente da Republika promulga (maibe sei hein publikasaun) Dekretu lei nebe'e kria fundo lei ida nebe'e governu de facton ne'e hakarak Parlamentu aprova $ 240 milhoes, no fo kbit ba governu de faktu ne'e atu gasta ba objektivu nebe'e seidauk klaru iha pagina ida ho balun deit no artigu 8 deit.

Osan boot $ 240 milhoens, osan nebe'e representa orsamentu geral de estadu nia ba tinan 2002-2005 hamutuk sei gere ho pagina ida ho balun no artigu 8 deit.

Fretilin contra dekretu lei ne'e no proposta atu hasai osan hosi fundu mina rai tamba tuir ami nia hare'e ida ne'e tentativa suspeita ida atu hasai osan hosi fundu minarai sein liu hosi dalan nebe'e transparenti no responsavel.

Ita hare'e iha aritigu 2 lei ne'e nian katak, objektivu atu sosa aihan combustivel no materia construsaun sivil, maibe depois iha artigu 4,5 no 6 laiha mekanismu ka prosedimentu oin sa bele halo ida ne'e, no halo gestaun ba objektivu ida ne'e. Dehan deit katak ida ne'e sei tuir mai bainhira "diploma propiu sei aprova".

Ho respeitu boot ida ne'e laiha transparensia, no hatudu atitude halimar ho orgaun soberanu povu nian- Parlamentu Nasional.

Governu de factu ne'e hanoin saida bainhira haruka pedidu osan bot nee mai Parlamentu no hein deit Parlamentu aprova deit osan boot ne'e sein hatudu regras no prosedimentu tuir lei hodi nune'e ita bele fiskaliza sira nia lalaok aban bain rua? Tamba laiha duni regras no prosedimentus.

Governu husu deit PN aporova orsamentu osan boot liu ho objetivu atu hari'i fundo ida nebe'e sira atu hodi uza hanesan saku azul. Maibe atu sosa tuir prosidementu no regras konkursu ka atu fo kontratu atu sosa aihan, konbustivel, no material konstrusaun liu hosi prosesu bolu deit no entrega deit ba maluk Partido ida nian deit hanesan ema barak kestiona ohin loron kona ba kontratu $ 14 milhoens sosa fos. Prosesu sosa fos neebe hetan mos kritika husi bankada CNRT rasik maibe seidauk hetan esklaresimentu diak no los husi governu de faktu.

Hodi ida ne'e mak ami FRETILIN dehan, tentativa ida ne'e atu buka dalan hasai osan hosi fundo mina rai no lori ba fahe kontratus ba maluk ne'e, Fretilin sei kontra!.

Ho tentativa ida ne'e governu AMP hatudu dalan ida tan katak sira la seriu atu halao exekusaun no gestaun osan povu nian ho seriadade, responsabilidade, honestidade no transparensia.

Ita hare'e ona ho assuntus importanti barak katak sira subar deit. Akordu fo rai luan Povo nian ba kompanhia husi liur ba tinan atus ida atu kuda Tohu subar. Akordu fo direitu ba kompanha mina rai husi liur atu faan gas hosi greaten sunrise subar. Kontratu sosa kareta luxu ba deputados ho subar. Agora a'at liu maka fundo boot liu ho osan $ 240 milhoens subar iha diploma lei nebe'e Parlamentu seidauk hare'e.

Ami Fretilin hatene ona katak partidu no deputadu balun iha consiensia atu kontra tentativa ida ne'e. Ami apela mos ba maluk sira seluk nebe'e vota bebeik ba AMP, nebe'e tuir governu deit, mai ita hasoru tentativa ida ne'e tamba ladun iha povu nia interese. Hanesan ita halo ba lei kilat, mai ita vota ho konsiensia ba povu nia diak , rai ne'e dia futuru no paz no estabilidade, em vez de tuir deit ema balun nia intensaun nebe'e la transparenti, la mos la diak ba it nia rai no povu..

Fretilin concorda ho inisiativa hodi tulun povu hasoru krizi aihan no kombustivel, maibe laos liu hosi poposta nebe'e laiha transparensia no sei habokur deit balun no povu sei kiak no hamlaha nafatin. Iha debate orcamentu Fretilin sei halo proposta oin sa bele hasoru ida ne'e ho seriadade, responsabilidade no transparensia.

Atu hetan Info bele kontaktu
Media Office Bankada FRETILIN
Nilva G, Hp 7340389

Media Release: FRETILIN condemns secret Timor Sea gas deal

2008-07-15T18:39:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Media Release
15 July 2008

FRETILIN condemns secret Timor Sea gas deal

FRETILIN today condemned a secret deal by Xanana Gusmao’s de facto AMP government to give a foreign oil company the exclusive right to market petroleum from the Greater Sunrise Field in the Timor Sea.

FRETILIN said the multi-billion-dollar deal again raised questions about malpractice and maladministration within the Gusmao administration and demanded that details and copies of the agreement be made public.

FRETILIN parliamentarian and former Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Jose
Teixeira said: “From the little they have told us, the government has given the exclusive right to market petroleum from the Greater Sunrise Field to a single foreign company without an open tender.

“It is internationally recognized best practice that deals such as this should not be secret. Only by treating them with the utmost transparency will you safeguard against corruption,” Teixeira said.

“To pick a company that will do the best job for Timor-Leste requires an open and competitive tender process. The government did not do this and we demand that they be held publicly accountable for their actions.

“The public has the right to know what price the company will pay for obtaining these exclusive rights, exactly how Timor-Leste will benefit from this deal, and exactly what other concessions the government has given this foreign company.

“This contract involves billions of dollars because the marketing company is responsible for finding buyers for our petroleum who will sign long-term contracts with the government of Timor-Leste.”

Teixeira added that the deal also threatened Timor-Leste’s reputation as a favourable investment environment for the exploration of petroleum resources.

“Without naming the company, we are aware it has its own interests in the Timor Sea Joint Petroleum Development Area. The company also does not have any interests in any upstream activities such as processing and refining.

“However, it seems this company may also have been granted participatory rights in any LNG plant which will be built in Timor-Leste.

“This raises potential for conflict of interest which prejudices the rights of other existing contractors in the Timor Sea who invested on the basis that Timor-Leste was committed to a world-class transparent regime. The other Timor Sea contractors would be justified in feeling that their trust has been shattered,” said Mr Teixeira.

“I have asked the de facto government twice in parliament and twice in meetings of the Natural Resources Parliamentary Committee to be transparent and make the agreement public.

“However, on each occasion Secretary of State for Energy and Natural Resources Alfredo Pires has refused to do so, stating that the documents are a government secret.

“I don’t accept Mr Pires’ response and I don’t believe that the people of Timor-Leste, who demand transparency and accountability from government, accept that the details of this deal should be kept secret.”

Teixeira repeated FRETILIN’s public declaration of November 2007 that because it does not accept the legitimacy of the AMP Government, all agreements entered into by this government, especially those relating to sovereignty and natural resources, would be considered on a case-by-case basis when FRETILIN returns to government.

“That consideration would necessarily involve examining the transparency and commercial propriety of natural resources agreements,” he said.

Note: As the former Minister for Energy and Natural Resources under the leadership of former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, Jose Teixeira was instrumental in establishing in Timor-Leste a petroleum regime which has been applauded by industry experts and the international community as a world leader in transparency. In 2005-2006, Teixeira oversaw what has been widely acclaimed as the most transparent international bid round for acreage blocks in Timor-Leste’s exclusive offshore areas.

For further information contact: Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080
Nilva Guimaraes +670 734 0389

Media Release: FRETILIN demands President, Vice Presidents and Secretaries of Parliament release documents on purchase of luxury vehicles for MPs

2008-07-13T18:41:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Media Release
13 July 2008

FRETILIN demands President, Vice Presidents and Secretaries of Parliament release documents on purchase of luxury vehicles for MPs

FRETILIN parliamentary group deputy leader, Francisco Miranda Branco today demanded that the President, Vice Presidents and Secretaries of the National Parliament (known as the
‘Parliamentary Administration’) provide copies of the contract and Commitment Payment Vouchers (‘CPV’) for the proposed purchase of luxury 4 wheel drive vehicles for members of the national parliament.

“Despite repeated calls to do so by our party group, and the National Unity Party group, the Parliamentary Administration have thus far failed to divulge to us copies of the contract and CPV documents. This is not a particularly difficult request, nor does it involve matters that are secretive to either them or the ministry of finance. There is no reason whatsoever not to release the documents we have requested,” said Branco.

According to Branco it is very important for the copies of the documents that were requested to be urgently made public because a controversy is currently raging regarding this issue, and there have even been demonstrations demanding answers to questions like how much these luxury vehicles will cost the state, and where the budget to pay for them exists or will exist.

“It is extremely important to all of us MPs and for civil society to see with our own eyes the details so that we can inform the public of the truth of the matter. Otherwise, this matter will remain a matter of controversy. The continued failure of the Parliamentary Administration to provide us with copies of the documents requested has led many people to conclude that there is no transparency in the management of the parliament’s finances. We tend to agree and ask the administration to quickly reform themselves in this regard,” Branco added.

This week the national parliament will commence to debate the Revised Budget from the de facto AMP government, which seeks to increase the current budget by 122%.

“It is they in the AMP who have defended the purchase of these luxury vehicles. But those parties who have questioned it are unable to obtain the documents regarding the proposed purchase or the documents filed with the ministry of finance. This shows yet again that the AMP regime is not transparent in its administration and does not have the political will to manage the budget and its spending with the minimum of transparency, because they cannot even do something as easy and simple as provide documents that are public and not confidential in any way.

“If they cannot be trusted to show transparency with such a small matter, how can we trust them to execute a budget which is 122% bigger than the existing budget transparently? This is the people’s money, not the administration’s or the parliament’s. Because of this we all have a right as the peoples’ representatives to access the detailed information regarding the process of the proposed purchase,” Branco concluded.

For further information contact: Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080
Nilva Guimaraes +670 734 0389

Komunikadu Imprensa: FRETILIN Ezigi Meza Parlamentu Nasional Fo Sai Kopia Surat Kontratu no CPV Kona Ba Sosa Kareta ba Deputadus

2008-07-13T18:36:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

KOMUNIKADU BA IMPRENSA
13 Julhu, 2008

FRETILIN Ezigi Meza Parlamentu Nasional Fo Sai Kopia Surat Kontratu no CPV Kona Ba Sosa Kareta ba Deputadus

Vice Chefe Bankada FRETILIN, Francisco Branco ohin ezigi dala ida tan ba meza parlamentu nasional atu fo sai kopia dokumentus kontratu no CPV sosa kareta ba deputadus parlamentu nasional.

“Maske ami nia bankada, no bankada PUN mos ezigi ona dalan rua ba meza parlamentu nasional atu fo sai dokumentus kontratus hirak nee, no CPV, meza seidauk hatan ba ami nia pedidu. Buat nee laos buat susar ida, no mos laos buat segredu ba meza deit ka ministeriu finansas. Ida nee Povu nia osan, no mos osan neebe ami deputadus hotu hotu envolvidu iha laran. La iha razaun ida atu la fo sai dokumentus hirak neebe ami husu,” tenik bRANCO.

Tuir Branco, importanti duni atu hetan dokumentus hirak nee tanba iha polemika barak neebe mosu iha komunidade nia leet kona ba, no manifestasaun mos mosu, kona ba osan hirak mak kareta hirak nee sei kusta ba estadu, no orsamentu mai husi neebe.

“Importanti duni ita deputadus hotu hotu, no sosiedade sivil bele hare ho matan rasik detalhus hirak nee atu bele informa povu tomak. Se lae, ita sei dun malu nafatin no konfusaun sei mosu tanba dadus konkretus la too ba publiku. Tanba nee mak hau dehan, importanti no urgenti duni sira fo sai dokumentus hirak nee.”

“Meza nia falansu atu fo sai kopias dokumentus neebe ami husu, halo ema balun iha komunidade hanoin ona katak parlamentu nasional la iha liu transparensia. Ami mos konkorda no husu meza atu halo mudansa lalais ba lalaok hanesan nee,” Branco hatutan.

Aban, Segunda-Feira loron 14 Julhu, Parlamentu Nasional atu hahu diskusaun kona ba Orsamentu Retifikativu tuir neebe governu de facto AMP nian buka atu amuneta orsamentu geral estadu nian 122%.

“Sira AMP mak defendi liu sosa kareta nee. Maibe ami bankadas neebe kestiona sosa kareta nee labele hetan nem kopias dokumentus kona ba sosa kareta hirak nee no CPV neebe hatama ba Ministeriu Finansas. Nee hatudu dalan ida tan katak regime AMP nee la iha transparensia nem vontade politika atu halau minimu transparenti kona ba orsamentu no gestaun orsamentu, tanba sira labele halo buat ida kiik hanesa loke dokumentus neebe lolos dokumentu publiku, laos segredu.”

“Se ita labele konfia sira atu hatudu transparensia ho buat kiik hanesan nee, oinsa ita bele konfia sira ezekuta orsamentu ida neebe atu aumenta ba 122% bot liu tan ho transparensia. Nee povu nia osan, laos meza nian ka parlamentu nian deit. Tanba nee tenki hatudu momos ba povu nia representanti detalhas tomak kona ba prosesu sosa kareta,” Branco taka.

Kontactus: Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080 Nilva Guimaraes +670 734 0389

Media Release: FRETILIN MPs back Amnesty International concern at student arrests

2008-07-09T18:31:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Media Release
July 9, 2008

FRETILIN MPs back Amnesty International concern at student arrests

The Gusmao de facto AMP government and its allies in the national parliament have to listen to Amnesty International's concerns, said the MPs from FRETILIN yesterday, as a further 16 students were arrested while holding another peaceful protest against government corruption.
FRETILIN is the largest party in the Timor-Leste parliament.

“We as Timorese who resisted against the Suharto military regime, in many instances have Amnesty International to thank for helping to save our lives," said Aniceto Guterres, leader of the FRETILIN parliamentary group.

“Many Timorese escaped death and torture because Amnesty International was our defender throughout the world, at a time when we did not have a voice, when there were few who would listen to our cries. They were listening only to the large nations, big powers, listening mostly to the Indonesians.”

On Monday, July 7, Amnesty called on police in Timor-Leste not to use excessive force on student protestors.

They also said: “We urge security forces to respect people’s right to protest peacefully.
Individuals should have the freedom to express their views in public through legitimate protest.

“According to press reports, today saw a number of people detained 'for investigation purposes' at one demonstration in Dili. We also ask for any individuals detained for protesting to be charged with a recognizably criminal offence, or released immediately,” said Amnesty International.

Guterres urged members of parliament and the de facto government not to forget that their constitution consecrates the right to demonstrate as a basic right in their democracy. “We want to remind everyone of this basic principle and give our unqualified support to the exercise of this right,” he said.

“All FRETILIN members of parliament would also like to make it clear that after we investigated Monday's events, we found that the students had acted peacefully and in accordance with the law. We condemn the use of what we regard in the circumstances to have been excessive force by the Police," Aniceto Guterres said.

The law on public demonstrations does not require police authorization before a demonstration can proceed. It merely requires notice be given to the police. “We have seen the letter from the police to the students ‘denying authorization’ for the demonstration. This is not required by law,” said Guterres on behalf of the FRETILIN MPs.

As has been widely televised and witnessed, the students involved on Monday were not on the road, they were standing on the verandah of the university. The police entered the verandah to arrest them. The students were standing peacefully and with dignity. “Our view is that Monday’s actions by the police were illegal and we do not accept their actions,” said Guterres.

“FRETILIN members of parliament clearly declare that we have no objections to anyone demonstrating in front of the parliament peacefully and in a democratic spirit. That’s democracy. In 2006 and 2007, the FRETILIN government was faced with many such demonstrations. We do not mind if people want to express their criticism of their politicians. That is their right.

"Long live democracy. Long Live the RDTL. Long live the Maubere People," concluded Guterres.

Contact: Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080
Nilva Guimaraes + 670 727 0458

Timor Leste UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PROTEST IN DILI

2008-07-07T18:35:00.000+09:00

Timor Leste UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PROTEST IN DILI

Petition delivered July 7, 2008

University Students protest will be carried on today in Dili.

A petition was delivered yesterday to the following institutions
- Parliament: Received by the President of the Parliament, Fernando Lasama and the two vice-Presidents of the Parliament, Vicente Guterres and Maria Paixão.
- Office of the President: Received by the Chief of the Cabinet, Ms Natalia Carrascalão
- Office of the Prime Minister: Received by Ms Elisabeth Exposto
- F-FDTL: Received by Colonel Lere

The students will deliver today the same petition to the Court of Appeal and the Office of the Ombudsman.

This petition was presented by ASUTIL (Timor Leste University Students Solidarity Action) and aims at raising concerns of the people of Timor-Leste.

It demands the following:

that state institutions look into measures to decrease food prices to allow people to have greater access to food

that the President of the Republic uses his power of veto to block the rectifiying budget because it is too high, the government is incapable spending it appropriately, it is only going to further benefit the powerful elite, it would lead to corruption and also lead to greater dependency of Timor-Leste on debts when the country stops receiving revenues from the petroleum resources.

This could happen in the very near future.

that the Parliament blocks the proposal on the arms law in which article 4 is a major concern

that the President and the both Vice-Presidents of the Parliament should not change the agreement they had made with the students on the 12 June 2008 in regards to the purchase of the luxury cars for the parliamentarians. On this agreement they were told that only 26 cars would be purchased for the Parliament Committees.

that Mariano Sabino, the Minister of Agriculture should stop making agreements to provide land for foreign companies for sugar cane and rubber plantations because people need this land for food production.

that the President meets the students to hold talks on scholarships which should have taken place on the 11th of February 2008 (the date of the assassination attempt on the President).

that government should resolve the issue of Internally Displaced People to avoid having refugees in our own country

A peace march will be organized to defend people’s rights if the students’ demands are not met.

Action Coordinator: Santiago Ximenes Vaz “Kilikai Mata”

Spokesperson: Marcos Guterres Gusmão “Auraga”

Dili, 7 July 2008
Contact: +670 737 9007

Media Release: Call to investigate Gusmão's rice contract for mates

2008-07-07T18:29:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Media Release
July 7, 2008

Call to investigate Gusmão's rice contract for mates

The de facto Prime Minister of Timor Leste, Xanana Gusmao, is being widely condemned for awarding a US$14.4 million rice supply contract to a ‘mate’, without a competitive tender.

FRETILIN today called for an independent investigation into the contract which went to the company Tres Amigos, headed by Mr Germanu da Silva, Vice-President of Gusmao’s CNRT party, and an old friend and a member of Mr Gusmao’s Finance Department when he was President.

FRETILIN Vice President, former minister and MP Arsenio Bano today condemned the contract and called for a full and transparent independent inquiry into the deal that even some CNRT MPs have criticised as indicative of “Corrupt, Collusive and Nepotistic” conduct, known in Timor-Leste by its Indonesian acronym “KKN”.

“It is well known that Gusmao and Germanu da Silva are long time friends and political allies,” Bano said. “It raises many questions when the Prime Minister gives him a contract for US$14 million, with no public tender or other competitive bidding process.”

Bano said the growing furore in Dili over the rice deal would embarrass Gusmao’s “luminary foreign advisors who have shouted long and loud about the Gusmao government’s anti-corruption credentials”.

Bano said copies of contract documents obtained by FRETILIN, show that an original contract was awarded by Gusmao on 29 February 2008 for the supply and storage of 8,000 tons of rice, at US$510 per ton, with a total contract value of US$4.08 million. This original contract was amended by Mr Gusmao on or about 7 May 2008 to increase the amount of rice to be supplied to 16,000 tons at a unit price of US$900 per ton and a total contract price of US$14.4 million.

“When you read the copies of the contract documents, you see that at first there was one amount to be supplied for the price of US$4.08 million, then it was changed by hand to 10,000 tons, then it was reduced again by hand to 8,000 tons. It looks to us like rice price speculation on the run,” Bano said.

“This is very suspicious especially when it involves a single source contract, without any other competitive bidder being involved. To anyone looking at the documents, it looks like they have colluded to play around with the amount of rice to be supplied to get a better deal for the supplier.”

Critics of the rice deal include two MPs from Gusmao’s own CNRT party – Mr Cecilio Caminha, Vice President of the Parliament's Economics, Finance and Anti-Corruption Committee C (Timor Post 3 July 2008) and Ms Maria Terezinha Viegas (Timor Post 4 July 2008).

Arsenio Bano said Mr Gusmao could not legally commit his government to the contract purchase rice because parliament had not approved the budget.

Bano said there were serious doubts about the integrity of other major contracts awarded by the Gusmao administration, including for two patrol boats and two heavy fuel-oil powered electricity plants.

“To cover these and other contracts, the administration is seeking a supplementary budget increase of 122% for 2008. All indications are that they cannot be trusted with such a huge increase,” Bano said.
Bano said FRETILIN had already referred cases of suspected corruption involving Gusmao’s deputy prime minister and others to the Ombudsman for investigation.

Contact: Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080
Nilva Guimaraes +670 734 0389

Media Release: Timor Leste: Second defeat for controversial gun law

2008-07-02T11:40:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Media Release
July 2, 2008

Timor Leste: Second defeat for controversial gun law

A controversial new gun law proposed by Timor Leste’s de facto government suffered a second defeat in parliament on Monday, and debate on the draft law was postponed.

Article 4 of the draft law, drawn up by Xanana Gusmao’s AMP (Parliamentary Majority Alliance) without any public consultation, would empower the national police commander to licence civilians to obtain and carry firearms.

Following Monday’s vote, FRETILIN’s parliamentary leader Aniceto Guterres called on the AMP leadership to allow MPs a conscience vote on the issue.

“FRETILIN believes Timor Leste needs fewer guns, not more, and many AMP members of parliament agree with us,” Guterres said.

The legislation was first voted down on June 25 (by 23 votes to 11 with 3 abstentions) with AMP members siding with FRETILIN and other opposition parties.
FRETILIN’s parliamentary leader Aniceto Guterres said AMP leaders tried to resurrect Article 4 in parliament on Monday, June 30.

“FRETILIN again proposed the elimination of Article 4, and our position was supported by 25 votes to 17. Everyone in the chamber counted it as such, but the vote was formally declared of 25 votes against our motion and 20 in favour. We objected and a second vote was held immediately which resulted in 23 in favour, 23 against and 7 abstentions – a tie,” Guterres said.

“In the event of a tied vote, the standing rules of parliament provide for another vote after further debate, but that was not immediately possible because parliament became too unruly. Parliament then agreed on a joint motion to suspend the debate.

“Our people have had enough of being subjected to armed groups disrupting their lives. That’s why FRETILIN opposes this legislation and we know that many AMP members agree with us. But they are obviously under pressure to tow the line.”
Guterres said the de facto government had ignored FRETILIN’s offer last week to discuss how to reach consensus on a new draft law, opting instead for a confrontational approach.

“If the gun law comes back in the same form or substantially the same form, we will again oppose it,” he said.

Contact: Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080
Nilva Guimaraes +670 734 0389

DEKLARASAUN POLITIKA HUSI BANCADA FRETILIN

2008-06-29T14:42:00.000+09:00

DEKLARASAUN POLITIKA HUSI BANCADA FRETILIN

ASSUNTO: KONVITE HUSI GOVERNU DE FACTU RDTL BA EXPRESSAUN DE INTERESSE ATU HARII SENTRAL ELETRIKA FOIR RUA NO REDE LINHA ELETRIKA NASIONAL

Parlamentu Nasional RDTL
29 Juñu 2008

Iha loron 17 Junhu 2008, ministerio finansas lansa "Konvite ba Hatama Espresaun Interesse no

Proposta" iha sira nina website atu buka kompania neebe hakarak "harii rede energia nasional no sentral eletrika rua ho kapasidade produz 150 too 200 MWs".

Ida nee halo em vez de halo Tender hanesa ita hotu kompreende. Laos tender.

Iha konvite nee dehan katak proposta hotu hotu tenki simu molok ka iha loron 4 Julhu 2008. Ida nee fob a potensial investidores semana rua no loron tolu deit atu hatama proposta ida neebe representa investimentu publiku bot liu iha Timor-Leste nia historia. Tamba sa mak semana rua deit?

Ami sei esplika ami nia suspeita tamba sa mak semana rua deit tuir mai.

Konvite nee husi governu de facto RDTL nian, husi ministeriu finansas no infraestruturas, tatoli mos katak sentral rua neebe atu harii tenki hodi kombustivel "heavy oil", ka iha tetum dehan "mina todan' ka iha portugues "oleo pezado".

Iha Ingles mos iha naran seluk hanesa "residue oil" (mina restu) ka "numeru 6". Naran hirak nee tamba mina nee, mina neebe mosu depois de porsessu refinasaun neebe hasai te ona bensin, mina rai, solar, no seluk, no hela deit oleo ida neebe foir no todan liu. Tamba nee mak hanaran "mina todan".

Folin tomak ba harii sentral rua nee ita seidauk hatene, maibe ita hatene katak governu de facktu orsamenta iha orsamentu rektifikativu osan dolar US$10 MILHOES.

Rede transmissaun no distribuisaun nasional ami hatene ona tamba governu uluk prepara ona programa investimentu eletrifikasaun nasional.

Mina todan nee ita hatene ona katak mina ida neebe foir liu, no nia teknologia atu produz energia nee ida neebe tuan liu. Iha mundu tomak ohin loron rai itoan deit mak sei halau pordisaun energia husi mina todan. Rai neebe sei halau hela sentral hirak nee barak mak buka dadaun atu taka lalais tamba metodo produsaun nee produz poluisaun makas liu neebe estraga ambiente.
Parlamentu nee mos foin ratifika tratadu Kyoto neebe buka hamenus metodo produsaun energia neebe foir hanesan husi mina todan.

Ita bele dehan deit katak mina todan nee aat liu batuk bara. Uluk dehan iha fatin nee katak batuk bara mak atu uza. Diak liu buka opsaun ida neebe diak liu buat rua nee hotu.

Hau hakarak fo ezemplu ida: iha tinan 1973, 16.65% Estadus Unidus Amerika ninia energia produz husi mina todan, maibe ohin loron 0%. Sira taka tamba sentral hirak nee produz polusaun makas. Laos deit sira, iha rai barabarak iha mundu, no mos iha rai besik ita hanesa Indonesia, Australia, Tailandia, Korea no China, ohin loron hotu buka taka sira nia sentral mina todan.

Maibe Timor-Leste buka loke fali.

Ita hotu kompreendi katak Timor-Leste presiza investimentu makas iha sector eletrisidade.

Governu FRETILIn uluk buka dalan ba ida nee no prepara investimentu iha sector ida nee. Ita hotu hatene kona ba hidro eletriku iha Ira lalara no fatin seluk iha Timor tomak neebe bele harii sentral hidro eletriku, estudu hirak neebe klean los no tomak, no mos kona ba gas natural no solar no buat seluk. Governu uluk la halai deit ba buat neebe fasil maibe foir no nakunu ho problemas.

Ami buka solusaun sustentavel no neebe fo vantage ba Povo no ambiente.

Konvite neebe publika husi governu de facto buka sentral rua ho kapasidade 150-200 MWs, no tuir 3.5 apendix ba dokumentu konvite, "projetu tomak, hodi desenhu to hahu halau, sentral no linha transmisaun tenki remata iha tinan ida nia laran hodi assina kontratu". Nee hodi ita kestiona tan buat barak.

Tuir estudu ADB nian iha tinan 2004, iha tinan 2025 Timor-Leste sei presize 109 MWs deit. Ida nee toma konta ona nesedidade kona ba kresimentu ekonomiku, fabrikas neebe atu harii no turismu etc. Tansa mak harii fali sentral 200 MWs iha tempu badak hanesa tinan ida?

Maski it abele harii sentral hirak nee Povo no industria nia kapasidade sei la too iha neeba too tinan sanulu karik. Povo maubere la iha geleira ka AC ka buat seluk neebe uza energia makas hanesa nee. Entaun it abele dehan governu propoen uza sira nia osan ba se nia benefisiu deit? Laos ba sira entaun ba se?

Tamba iha kolega ruma neebe budu hela ka hein hela ho sentral tuan ida iha rai ruma neebe tenki taka no hakarak mai soi iha Timor-Leste? Atu lori mai ita nia rai dobin, nudar rai ida neebe bele soi besi tuan ka?

Timor-Leste sei la presiza 150-200 MWs iha tinan sanulu nia laran. Loke matan ba realidade ida nee Povo Timor-Leste! Governu de faktu nee hakarak foti imi nia osan atu fo kontratu ba sira nia amigus karik? Kontratu ida neebe sei lakon imi nia osan.

Dokumentu konvite la hatete katak sentral neebe buka atu harii tenki foun. Tamba sa mak la dehan tenki foun? Ida nee kondisaun ida neebe normalmente hakerek iha tender ka konvite.

Tamba hatene ona katak iha ida neebe tuan budu hela ka? Ami la divida katak sira nia intensaun mak sentral neebe atu harii la dun presize foun, tamba sira hatene ona sé mak atu lori sentral tuan ida mai. Los ka lae? Governu de faktu tenki hatan deit. Sei ami sala, ami hein deit imi esklarese. Ami hein imi nia hatan sei la los.

Ami suspeita ida nee makas tamba, la iha kompanhia professional ida neebe atu hatan ba projetu bot ida hanesa nee iha semana rua nia laran deit.

La iha mos kompanhia ida neebe seriu neebe bele hahu harii sentral no buat seluk too ramata iha tinan ida nia laran.

Nee hatudu deit,
1. Sira iha ona ema ida neebe sira hakarak fo kontratu bot nee ba, no
2. Sentral tuan ida budu hela deit atu lori mai.

Buat rua nee la diak ba nasaun no povo Timor-Leste tamba ita sei la hetan nem teknologia ida neebe diak no efisienti, no ita la hetan folin diak no sentral no ekipamentus diak tamba tempu badak la fo oportunidade ba kompanhia ida neebe diak iha mundu laran bele hatama sira nia proposta.

Sosa sentral ida ho folin liu USD$300 milhoes laos hanesa hola taxi ka hola trator tempu CNRT neeba.

Ami dehan ho lian makas: nee hili sala no aat bot husi governu de faktu ida nee. Tansa mak la halau ba oin deit estudu murak no sustentavel kona ba hidro eletriku no gas natural, no biomassa neebe la foir hanesa mina toda?

Tamba laos sira nia maluk ruma mak atu hetan osan karik.

Depois tintinan ita sei tenki hola nafatin mina ho folin aas. Maske ita iha ita nia mina rasik, ita sei buka tama iha kuak bot ekonomiku sei ita buka uza ita nia mina deit, tamba loron ruma mina sei laiha ona nusa? Hare deit ba Indoensia nia problema horas dadaun.

Ou tamba assessor ruma mak agora tau fali hanoin seluk? Iha nee, ohin hikas, ami hakarak fo hatene ba assessors neebe lori sira nia agenda mai katak buat neebe sei mosu aat ba ita nia Povo, neebe osan Povo nian mak lakon, amu sei buka imi atu lori hatan ba justisa iha neebe neebe deit mak imi hanoin imi atu halai.

Hau konvida kolegas deputadus hotu neebe hakarak buka lia los kona ba hau nia deklarasaun atu buka le deit Dokumentu Konvite.

Hau hakfodak liu katak dokumentu konvite nee la iha nem lia fuan ida kona ba Tau Matan ba impaktu Ambiental ka impaktu social negativu. La tau obrigasaun kona ba ida nee.

Projetu ida neebe lori kombustivel ida neebe foir liu iha mundu la iha impaktu ambiental? No ita tenki hanoin, bainhira ita kolian impaktu ambiental katak Povu sira mak moris besik liu sentral hirak nee. Sentral hirak nee atu harii iha neebe mos ita seidauk hatene.

Maibe iha loron badak, semana seit, no fulan deit buat hotu hotu tenki pronto ona.

Ami hanoin katak ho attitude ida nee, Povo barak mak sei terus, no porblema barak mak sei mosu. Problemas oioin deit. Problemas hanesa taxi neebe sai besi tuan no hanesan trator tempu CNRT nian karik.

FRETILIN la iha objesaun bainhira iha proposta atu halau prosessu ida neebe bele dezenvolve Povo no nasaun ho responsabilidae no sustentabilidade.

Maibe buat neebe halo sem plane, sem programa neebe diak ba Povo, ami sei kontra. Liliu tamba ami iha nee atu tau matan ba Povo nia osan, Povo nia riku soin. Keta sentral nee mos marka Prado karik?

Ikus liu, ami seidauk haree estudu viabilidade ekonomiku husi governu kona ba proposta projetu bot ida nee. Nee mos it abele dehan, politika hola taxi deit, tamba la interessa ba sustentabilidade ka viabilidade.

Ami la husik imi halau governasaun hanesa ba hola taxi ka trator.

FRETILIN deklara ona: Ami sei la rekonesi arbiru deit akordu neebe governu ilegitimu ida nee halo. Tamba nee ami fo avisu bot ida: sé sé deit mak atu hatama sira nia proposal ba governu de faktu ida nee, husu ba katak sira lori imi nia proposal tomak mai parlamentu atu ami mos bele hare ho diak no aprova, tamba governu de sei hakarak parlamentu aprova selu imi nia investimentu iha tinan tolu tuir mai.

FRETILIN pronto aprova buat hotu neebe transparente, sustentavel no iha folin ba ita nia Povo.
Projetu ida nee halo la liu pratika diak iha mundu kona ba transparensia nem hatudu katak atu iha folin diak ba Povo. Laos mos sustentavel. Hanesa nee ami chumba. Nee Dr Mari Alkatiri hatete ona ba malai sira iha Washington iha fulan ida nee no sira mos konkorda: governasaun tenki transparent no etikal atu FRETILIN bele apoia projetus nasionais neebe sira halau.

Ami hatete klaru ba maluk kontrator neebe hanoin atu investi iha porjetu ida nee: ami sei la selu imi nia osan tuir kontratu neebe imi halo ho governu ilegitimu sei la transparente no sei la aprovadu husi parlamentu nasional.

No mos, sé sé deit mak buka halo kolusi iha prosessu nee nia laran, ami sei hakotu imi nia kontratu tamba kolusi nee krime, no ami sei buka imi iha neebe neebe deit.

Nee avisu todan, maibe ita hotuhotu iha responsabilidade todan: tau matan ba Povo nia osan no rikusoin. Tamba nee mak ami nia liafuan mos todan.

Mak nee deit. Ami sei tau matan kroat ba kestaun ida nee.

Komunikadu Imprensa - Sekretáriu Jeral FRETILIN nian, Dr Mari AlkAtiri fila hikas mai ona Timor Leste

2008-06-28T04:46:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONARIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

KOMUNIKADU IMPRENSA
Dili, 28 Juñu 2008

Sekretáriu Jeral FRETILIN nian, Dr Mari AlkAtiri fila hikas mai ona Timor Leste, sabadu kotuk hafoin halo vizita semana lima ba Europa, Áfrika no Amérika.

Iha konferénsia imprensa halo iha sede partidu nian iha Komoro, Dr. Alkatiri explika katak delegasaun FRETILI lao lemorai, la'os atu fasi roupa foer uma laran nian. Sira husu komunidade international atu continua tulun nafatin Timor-Leste. La'os atu fó osan deit maibé tenke halo mo'os fiskalizasaun ba programas ne'ebé halao ho osan ne'ebé Timor-Leste simu hosi komunidade internasional.

Dr. Alkatiri esklarese katak nia la simu premiu iha Amérika, maibé, simu elojiu bo'ot no hosi ema barak kona ba Fundu Minarai ne'eb hari iha tempu I Governu Konstusional ne'ebé nia rasik lidera.

Kona ba orsamentu rectifikativu ne'ebé Governu ható ba Parlamentu Nasional, ne'ebé a'as liu Orsamentu Jeral de Estadu ba tinan 2008, Dr. Alkatiri hatete : "N'ee hanesan orjia do poder, halo nar'naran deit. Iha orsamentu retifikativu, governu hakarak mo'os hari'i Fundu estabilizasaun ekonómika, ne'ebé husu tokun rihun rua lima nulu , USD$250 milhoens. Dr Alkatiri dehak katak nia la konkorda tamba ne'e "inkonstutusional no la tuir orsamentu minimu. Governu la aprezenta justifikasaun ho programas konkretus ba fundu ne'e. Ida ne'e bele sai deit saku azul hanesan iha tempu Suharto nian. Fundu ne'e ba duni estabilizasaun ekonomika ka bele sai fali fundu ba instabilizasaun polítika?", Dr. Alkatiri husu.

Kona ba presus ne'ebé aumenta ba bei'beik Dr. Alkatiri hatete: " Governu tenki hola medidas urjentes ho tempu badak tebes. La'os fó deit subsídiu. Tenke aumenta produsaun, aumenta servisu, hanoin ba agrikulturam, peskas, atividade lor'loron povu nian, reforsa saúde, edukasaun, trasnporte, ligasaun agrikultura ho komérsiu. La'os aumenta dependénsia povu ba subsídiu. Ne'e la'os governasaun".

Bainhira Dr. Alkatiri hetan ho MCC – Milenniun Challenge Corporation, iha Amérika, sira hatete ba nia katak iha 2006, Timor-Leste avansadu ba simu apoiu hosi MCC, maibé, falha deit maka iha kritériu konsulta popular, la'os tamba iha korupsaun.

Ba mo'os konferénsia ne'e, Prezidenti ASDT, Sr. Franscisco Xavier, Prezidenti Kota, Sr. Manuel Tilman no Reprezentante Prezidenti PPT nian.

Iha sira nain rua nia diskursu sira hatete katak sira hakarak tanen Tilor-Leste no hamo'os korupsaun.

Militantes no simpatizantes FRETILIN hatudu sábadu kotuk katak sira hadomi no iha respeito ba Dr. Alkatiri núdar Sekretáriu Jeral FRETILIN nian no núdar líder istótiku partidu FRETILIN nian ne'ebé sei importante nafatin ba futuru partidu nian no mo'os ba Timor-Leste.

Kontaktu: José Teixeira, tel 727 7080
_______________________________________________________________________
Nota adisional: Enkontrus halo iha Amérika: Dr. Alkatiri no José Teixeira, deputadu FRETILIN nian, no eis Ministru Rekursus Naturais, hetan malu ho responsáveis hanesan Sr. Christopher Hill, Asistente Sekretáriu Estadu, Sr. Scott Marciel, Secretáriu-Adjuntu ba Ázia-Pasífiku no Sr. David Price, Prezidenti Komité Demokrasia nian hosi Kaza Reprezentantes nian responsáveis, Nia mo'os hetan funsionárius hosi "United States Agency for International Development", "National Democratic Institute for International Affairs" , " International Republican Institute", "Millennium Challenge Corporation", "Peterson Institute for International Economic Development" no Banco Mundial.

Media Release:Key aspect of Gusmao gun law defeated in Timor Leste parliament

2008-06-26T12:00:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release
June 26, 2008

Key aspect of Gusmao gun law defeated in Timor Leste parliament

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão’s de facto AMP government suffered a stunning defeat in the national parliament late yesterday afternoon, when its proposal to grant the sole discretionary power to license civilians to have firearms to the Timor-Leste National Police Commander was defeated. By a vote of 23 votes in favor, 11 against and 3 abstentions, the operative section in the draft proposed law (section 4) was deleted, said FRETILIN’s parliamentary leader, Aniceto Guterres.

FRETILIN holds the largest block of seats in the Timor-Leste National Parliament, 21 seats from a total of 65.

“An alternative motion to amend the important section 4, by considerably limiting the category of persons entitled to be authorized to obtain and carry firearms, was withdrawn during the heated and emotive debate, because the mover of the motion became convinced that the law was too liberal and should be more restrictive of who can have and carry firearms. FRETILIN is happy that the debate was so fulsome and productive that it resulted in even members of parliament allied to the AMP seeing the inappropriateness of the draft law,” said Guterres.

With section 4 struck out, the draft law is in tatters. This was the operative section, and without a substituting clause, the law has no mechanism to authorize the issuing of firearms licenses.

“Those who need to carry weapons in the course of their duties, such as the Defense Forces and Police are able to do so. They have their own laws that permit it. The public do not want to widen that category to include persons for whom it is not essential they have firearms to perform their duty effectively and lawfully. We reject totally the argument by some AMP MPs that many others are potentially in danger whilst performing their duty and should therefore be able to carry firearms. If we apply this category, then Timor-Leste will potentially be like the ‘Wild West’, where everyone will be toting guns. We don’t want that kind of society and its clear neither do our people. Like our people, we reject this ‘armed to the teeth’ approach to living,” added Guterres.

Guterres says that this episode has given both the de facto government and its parliamentary wing the chance to consult with FRETILIN, PUN, PD, PSD, KOTA/PPT and ASDT, as well as its own MPs who opposed the direction of the draft gun laws, to try to find acceptable changes.

“We need consensus on laws such as these. We in FRETILIN will always be open to dialogue towards enacting a sound, workable anti-gun law that embodies our people’s aspirations and that has been attained by consensus. We need a strong law that says, ‘Less Guns in Our Midst! Let’s End the Culture of Violence!’ That's what we all want,” Guterres said in closing.

Contact: Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080
Nilva Guimaraes +670 734 0389

Media Release: FRETILIN opposes Gusmao government’s liberal and suspect gun laws

2008-06-25T18:59:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release
June 25, 2008

FRETILIN opposes Gusmao government’s liberal and suspect gun laws

FRETILIN, Timor-Leste’s largest party, vigorously opposed attempts by Mr Gusmão’s AMP de-facto government to have parliament pass a law giving the Police Commander the sole and discretionary power to authorize civilians to obtain and possess firearms, said FRETILIN's parliamentary leader, Aniceto Guterres in Dili today.

Guterres also chaired Timor-Leste's historic Truth, Reception and Reconciliation Commission and sat as a member of the Truth and Friendship Commission established to investigate and uncover the truth behind the Indonesian military atrocities in Timor-Leste in 1999. “The history of firearms in the hands of civilians has contributed to all the bloody episodes in our country’s tortured history. I have no doubt every citizen rejects any notion of licensing civilians to possess firearms,” he said.

The draft of the proposed law currently being debated in the national parliament has been opposed by members of Mr Gusmão’s own coalition parties, including the President of Social Democratic Party, Mario Carrascalão, who yesterday voted against the introduction of the law in general terms. KOTA, the Democratic Party and other parties also criticized the move on the basis that the people of Timor-Leste had already been traumatized by firearms and are not ready for a law permitting civilians to possess firearms.

“This proposed law, just like most proposed laws that the de facto government is putting forward, has not been released for public consultation and comment. There has been no scrutiny by the public. Don’t they trust the people of Timor-Leste and our civil society? There is no way this draft law would have come this far had it been the subject of public consultation. Since the debate started yesterday FRETILIN has received expression of concern from many in the public and civil society regarding the proposals to permit civilians to be armed. We will fight to promote the public’s desire to prevent weapons falling into the hands of civilians,” said Guterres.

FRETILIN is also concerned that there are no oversight or appeal mechanisms over the sole and discretionary power of the Police Commander to authorize and decline licenses to people. The Timor-Leste National Police was identified as a highly politicized and weak state institution by the 2006 UN International Commission of Inquiry. The Commission of Inquiry also highlighted the impact of the breakdown of its command in the ensuing violent crisis that engulfed the nation.

“What also concerns us, given the inadequate oversight and appeal mechanisms, are that this legal discretion could be used politically and improperly - that is to allow civilians with one political inclination access to firearms and deny others access because of their political affiliations. This makes this draft law far too dangerous and very, very suspicious,” concluded Guterres.

Contact: Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080
Nilva Guimaraes +670 734 0389

Media Release: Timor-Leste petroleum law opens door to corruption

2008-06-23T13:05:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release
23 June 2008

Timor-Leste petroleum law opens door to corruption

Timor-Leste's new petroleum law has been drawn up in secrecy and haste and opens the door to corruption and mismanagement of the country's gas and oil revenues, FRETILIN said today.

“Greater public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny of this law is critically important to the future of our nation,” said FRETILIN MP and former Minister for Natural Resources, Minerals and Energy Policy, Jose Teixeira.

Xanana Gusmão's Parliamentary Majority Alliance de facto government (known by its Portuguese acronym AMP) enacted its National Petroleum Authority Decree Law on June 18.

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) will replace the Timor Sea Designated Authority (TSDA) for the Joint Petroleum Development Area shared between Timor Leste and Australia. The NPA will also be responsible for regulating all petroleum exploration, production, processing and sales activities offshore and onshore in Timor-Leste.

“This law should not have been passed by decree of the Council of Ministers meeting in secret but should have been sent to parliament for scrutiny and approval,” Teixeira said.

“Also, the public was only given five working days to comment on the draft law, making a mockery of public consultation,” he said.

He said the draft law violates basic principles of the constitution and existing petroleum law and weakens parliamentary control over the petroleum sector and petroleum fund spending.

"Whenever the former FRETILIN government enacted any laws in the petroleum sector, we held wide public consultation and took time to receive and examine all public input. To us it was critically important for all stakeholders, especially our people and civil society, to understand fully and give their views on the laws we proposed to enact.”

Timor-Leste’s petroleum fund created by the former FRETILIN government now totals almost US$3 billion in savings, and was rated the third most transparent sovereign wealth fund by the Peterson Institute for International Economics, second only to those of Norway and New Zealand.

“Petroleum is vital to the future of our nation. It has also has caused untold problems of corruption and environmental damage, and led to social and political conflict, in many countries,” Teixeira said.

“Meaningful public consultation that allows all stakeholders to contribute to enacting good law and reach consensus is the only way to avoid such conflict arising in Timor Leste.

“It is clear that many national and international stakeholders are disappointed and concerned with the secrecy and unnecessary haste with which this draft law has been managed.

“Parliament's own Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee did not even see a draft of the law. For the past six months, FRETILIN members have been asking the de facto Minister responsible for Natural Resources and/or his Secretary of State to appear before the Committee to outline developments in the petroleum sector, without any response.

“The de facto government's own press statements mention agreements with foreign oil companies to provide technical assistance to draft laws regarding the national optimisation objectives for Timor Leste's downstream petroleum sector.

“However, these agreements are shrouded in unnecessary secrecy, arousing suspicion amongst civil society and other stakeholders in the petroleum sector.”

On 10 April 2008 President Jose Ramos Horta called on the Gusmão de facto government to work with FRETILIN to gain national consensus on management of petroleum resources and revenues.

In a media release on 13 June 2008 La´o Hamutuk, a leading civil society group intimately involved with the development of the petroleum sector in Timor-Leste from its inception, was highly critical of the de facto AMP government's secret handling of the NPA law.

In its submission to the de facto government

(http://www.laohamutuk.org/Oil/PetRegime/NPAlaw/08RestructIndex.htm)

La´o Hamutuk said: “One of the 2002-2007 Government's proudest achievements was transcending party differences to achieve a unanimous parliamentary vote for the Petroleum Fund Act. This consensus model should be emulated, not circumvented. Involvement of elected representatives from both the governing parties, and the opposition is essential to provide stability for the future.'

Jose Teixeira said: “In 2006, the then FRETILIN government received wide national and international acclaim for the unprecedented highly transparent manner in which Timor-Leste's inaugural offshore exploration licensing round was managed. The Bid Tender Independent Evaluation Commission's report was published and the minister's decision to award the successful bidders their areas and the full reasons were published. Then the production sharing contracts were published.

“Only the highest levels of transparency can ensure a corruption-free environment.

"Our highly transparent approach has been replaced by one of secrecy and obscurity. Vital questions are now being frequently and widely asked about conflict of interest and potential for collusion and unfair advantage.”

For more information contact:
Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080 (Dili, Timor-Leste)

Komunikadu Imprensa: Timor-Leste nia lei foun kona ba mina rai loke odomatan ba korupsaun

2008-06-23T12:06:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONARIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETLIN

Komunikadu Imprensa

23 Junu 2008

Timor-Leste nia lei foun kona ba mina rai loke odomatan ba korupsaun

Lei foun kona ba mina rai Timor-Leste nian halo lalais liu no halo subar hosi públiku (sekretu) no ida ne'e sei loke odomatan ba korupsaun no jestaun a'at ba rendimentu gaz no mina rai nian, FRETILIN hatete ohin.

" Importante ba ita nia nasaun nia futuru halo konsulta públika makas liu ta'an no ható lei ne'e ba Parlamentu atu diskute didiak , dehan José Teixeira, eis- Ministru Rekursus Naturais , Minerais no Politika Enerjétika nian.

Maioria Aliansa Parlamentar governu defaktu Xanana Gusmão nian ( koñesidu nudar AMP) aprova dekretu-lei kona ba Autoridade Nasional Mina Rai nian iha 18 Juñu 08.

Autoridade Nasional Minarai (ANM) mak sei halao ba oin knaar Autoridade Dezignada ba Tasi Timor nian atu tau matan ba Área Dezenvolvimentu Konjuntu Minarai nian ba Timor-Leste no Australia. ANM mak sei simu responsabilidade ba regula esplorasaun hotu-hotu iha Timor-Leste kona ba minarai, produsaun, prosesamentu no knaar fan nian, iha tasi no iha rai laran.

" Konsellu Ministrus la devia pasa deit lei ne'e ho deit Governu ninia dekretu , maibé, devia haruka ba Parlamentu diskute no aprova" , Teixeira hatete.

"Sira fo deit loron lima ba públiku halo komentariu kona ba lei ninia esbosu, ne'e hanesan goza fali ho konsulta públika ", nia hatete.

Nia mo'os hatete katak esbosu ne'e viola prinsípius bázikus Konstituisaun RDTL nian no mo'os lei mina rai nian no hamenus kontrole Parlamentu nian ba sektor minarai no despezas fundu minarai nian.

" Hori uluk bainhira FRETILIN sei kaer governasaun, molok ami aprova lei kona ba sektor minarai, ami halo konsulta públika barak no lori tempu naruk ba simu no analiza buat ne'ebé públiku ható ba ami. Ba ami, importante tebes katak parte interesada hotu-hotu, liu-liu ita nia povu no sosiedade sivil atu kompreende didiak no ható sira nia hanoin ba lei ne'ebé ami hakarak aprova".

Fundu Minarai Timor-Leste nian ne'ebé Governu FRETILIN harii, iha ona besik dólar amerikanu bilian tolu iha poupansa, no hetan terseiru lugar núdar avaliasaun ne'ebé "Paterson Institute for International Economics" halo ba fundu oi'oin estadu nian kona ba transparénsia,; kona ba kritériu ida ne'e Timor-Lsete tuir kedas Noruega no Nova Zelândia.

" Minarai importante tebes ba ita nia nasaun nia futuru. Maibé, minarai mo'os hamosu ona problema korupsaun no halo a'at ba ambiente ne'ebé loke dalan ba konfliktu sosial no polítiku , iha rai barak", Teixeira hatete.

" Dalan diak ba ita hase'es a'an hosi konflitu iha Timor-Leste maka Konsulta públika diak ida hodi hetan hotu-hotu nia kontribuisaun no konsensu".

" Ita haré duni katak parte hotu, nasional no internasional sira, laran taridu no preokupa tamba governu halo lei ne'e sub'subar deit no ansi demais".

"Parlamentu ninia Komisaun rasik – Komisaun ba Rekursus Naturais, Agrikultura no Ambiente la haré esbosu lei ne'e ninian. Iha fulan ne'en nia laran, deputadu FRETILIN nian husu bei'beik atu Ministru Rekursus Naturais ka Sekretáriu Estadu atu explika kona ba knaar ne'ebé sira halao kona ba sektor minarai nian, maibé, sira la hatán".

"Governu defaktu ninia komunikadu imprensa rasik hatete sai katak sira halo akordu ho kompañia minarai estranjeiru atu fó asisténsia téknika ba halo esbosu lei nian atu sektor minarai bele hetan benefísiu diak liu. Maibé sira halo akordu sekretu; sira la presiza halo segredu ba ida ne'e, maibé tamba sira halo nonók deit, sosiedade sivil no partes intersadas sektor minarai nian deskonfia sira"

Iha 10 Abril 2008, Prezidenti Ramos Horta husu governu defaktu Gusmão nian atu servisu hamutuk ho FRETILIN atu hetan konsensu nasional ba jestaun minarai no ba ninia rendimentu.

Iha komunikadu imprensa 13 Juñu 2008 La'o Hamutuk, organizasaun importante hosi grupu sosiedade sivil nian, ne'ebé involve a'an fou-foun kedas iha sektor minararai Timor-Leste nian, kritika makás governu AMP tamba prepara nonok deit lei kona ba ANM.

Ne'e mak dokumentu ne'ebé Lao Hamutuk ható ba governu defaktu:
(http://www.laohamutuk.org/Oil/PetRegime/NPAlaw/08RestructIndex.htm)
Lao Hamutuk hatete: "Hosi susesu Governu nian hahú 2002 to 2007, buat ida ne'ebe halo mo'os ita sente orgullu liu, mak bainhira partidu sira se'es hosi buat sira ne'ebé fahe sira hodi hamutuk vota iha Parlamentu ba aprova lei fundu minarai nian. Tenke habelar konsensu ne'e, la'os hamonu fali. Importante involve reprezentantes hosi governu no opozisaun hodi bele hetan estabilidade iha futuru."

José Teixeira hatete: "Iha 2006, ema barak , nasional no internasional sira, mak haklaken makas governu FRETILIN tamba hahú fó lisensa ba esplora ba minarai iha tasi laran tuir mekanism ida ké transparente tebes . Relatóriu Komisaun Independente ba Avaliasaun Konkursu (Tender) publika; publika mo'os sá kompañia mak hetan kontratu no tamba sá ministru deside fó ba sira mak esplora. Hafoin kontratu produsaun fahe ba kompañia no Timor-Leste mo'os publika.

" Ita la tuir ona dalan transparénsia nian, maibé, hili fali dalan sekretu no konfuzu. Ema barak maka husu dala barak ona pergunta importante kona ba konflitu interese, koluzaun no injustisa "

Kontaktu: José Teixeira, tel 7287080

Media Release: Alkatiri urges continuing US support for Timor Leste

2008-06-23T12:02:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release
23 June 2008

Alkatiri urges continuing US support for Timor Leste

FRETILIN Secretary General Dr Mari Alkatiri has concluded a successful visit to the United States where he urged government and congressional representatives to continue US support for Timor Leste's development.

In Washington DC, Dr Alkatiri met officials including US Assistant Secretary of State, Ambassador Christopher Hill, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia Pacific, Scott Marciel and Representative David Price, Chairman of the US House Of Representatives Democracy Committee.

"The people and state institutions of Timor Leste will continue to need the assistance of the people of the United States to consolidate national peace and stability so as to guarantee continuing social, political and economic progress,' Dr Alkatiri said.

"As the largest political party in Timor Leste with a plurality of seats in parliament, FRETILIN feels a responsibility to make every effort to help in this regard.

"Whatever internal political differences FRETILIN has with other parties in Timor Leste, we all have a responsibility to foster positive external relationships and seek productive outcomes for our nation."

In Washington, Dr Alkatiri also met senior executives and officials of the United States Agency for International Development, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, International Republican Institute, the World Bank, the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the Peterson Institute for International Economic Development.

Dr Alkatiri was accompanied by former Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers, Gregorio da Sousa and FRETILIN MP and former Minister for Natural Resources, Minerals and Energy Policy, Jose Teixeira.

"We made it clear during all our meetings that as the de facto opposition in parliament, FRETILIN and it's allies want to play a positive and constructive role in supporting the state of the Timor-Leste, to build on the foundations laid by the former FRETILIN government to secure sustainable development for our people," Alkatiri said.

"We stressed that in doing so we sought continued assistance and advice of and from these organizations. Their response was very positive and I believe we can expect more from them than we have attained to date. They are very enthusiastic and willing to assist us playing this positive role," Alkatiri added.

During the meetings Dr Alkatiri was praised for his leadership of the first constitutional government that established the foundations of an independent state –especially the Petroleum Fund, legal framework and functioning public administration –which enabled Timor-Leste to withstand the crisis of 2006 and allow a return to normalcy much faster than many expected.

Alkatiri said he assured the Millennium Challenge Corporation that the process of attaining a "compact", which commenced under the former FRETILIN government, would have FRETILIN's ongoing support.

Also in Washington, Dr. Alkatiri briefed ambassadors and representatives of the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language

Countries) on positive developments towards peace and stability in Timor-Leste in recent weeks.

For more information contact:
Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080 (Dili, Timor-Leste)

Media Release: Alkatiri urges continuing US support for Timor-Leste

2008-06-23T04:51:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Media Release
23 June 2008

Alkatiri urges continuing US support for Timor-Leste

FRETILIN Secretary General Dr Mari Alkatiri has concluded a successful
visit to the United States where he urged government and congressional
representatives to continue US support for Timor Leste's development.

In Washington DC Dr Alkatiri met officials including US Assistant
Secretary of State, Ambassador Christopher Hill, Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Asia Pacific, Scott Marciel and Representative David
Price, Chairman of the US House Of Representatives Democracy
Committee.

"The people and state institutions of Timor Leste will continue to
need the assistance of the people of the United States to consolidate
national peace and stability so as to guarantee continuing social,
political and economic progress,' Dr Alkatiri said.

"As the largest political party in Timor Leste with a plurality of
seats in parliament, FRETILIN feels a responsibility to make every
effort to help in this regard.

"Whatever internal political differences FRETILIN has with other
parties in Timor Leste, we all have a responsibility to foster
positive external relationships and seek productive outcomes for our
nation."

In Washington, Dr Alkatiri also met senior executives and officials of
the United States Agency for International Development, National
Democratic Institute for International Affairs, International
Republican Institute, the World Bank, the Millennium Challenge
Corporation and the Peterson Institute for International Economic
Development.

Dr Alkatiri was accompanied by former Secretary of State for the
Council of Ministers, Gregorio da Sousa and FRETILIN MP and former
Minister for Natural Resources, Minerals and Energy Policy, Jose
Teixeira.

"We made it clear during all our meetings that as the de facto
opposition in parliament, FRETILIN and it's allies want to play a
positive and constructive role in supporting the state of the
Timor-Leste, to build on the foundations laid by the former FRETILIN
government to secure sustainable development for our people," Alkatiri
said.

"We stressed that in doing so we sought continued assistance and
advice of and from these organizations. Their response was very
positive and I believe we can expect more from them than we have
attained to date. They are very enthusiastic and willing to assist us
playing this positive role," Alkatiri added.

During the meetings Dr Alkatiri was praised for his leadership of the
first constitutional government that established the foundations of an
independent state – especially the Petroleum Fund, legal framework and
functioning public administration – which enabled Timor-Leste to
withstand the crisis of 2006 and allow a return to normalcy much
faster than many expected.

Alkatiri said he assured the Millennium Challenge Corporation that the
process of attaining a "compact", which commenced under the former
FRETILIN government, would have FRETILIN's ongoing support.

Also in Washington, Dr. Alkatiri briefed ambassadors and
representatives of the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language
Countries) on positive developments towards peace and stability in
Timor-Leste in recent weeks.

For more information contact:

Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080 (Dili, Timor-Leste)

Alkatiri na SIC: "O MUNDO TEM OS OLHOS EM TIMOR" (tirado do Timor Lorosae Nacao)

2008-06-10T07:27:00.000+09:00

Alkatiri na SIC: "O MUNDO TEM OS OLHOS EM TIMOR"
.

O ex-primeiro-ministro de Timor-Leste, Mari Alkatiri, preside o maior partido da oposição e senta-se no Parlamento no lugar de deputado. Actualmente em Portugal, vindo de Angola e em vias de partir para os EUA, o secretário-geral da Fretilin anda pelo estrangeiro a reunir apoios. Alkatiri considera que falta pouco para o Governo de Xanana Gusmão chegar ao fim.
.
"O mundo inteiro tem os olhos postos em Timor-Leste", diz Mari Alkatiri, mas não pelas melhores razões. "Logo depois da restauração da independência fomos quase sempre elogioados pela forma como estávamos a conduzir a reconstrução do país e na criação de um estado democrtático de direito", descreve o secretário-geral da Fretilin.
Mas esta situação mudou com a crise de 2006 e com "novo governo que não tem nenhum sentido de Estado", acusa Alkatiri. "Xanana não tem legitimidade para governar o país porque perdeu as eleições, e nos últimos nove meses de governação só gastou dinheiro", acrescentou.
.
Alkatiri descarta a possibilidadede um golpe de Estado: "Não vamos fazer o que outros fizeram em 2006 contra o governo da Fretilim. Vamos fazer um trabalho político mais profundo com a população para esta entender a situação e ver a diferença entre estes dois governos".
O secretário-geral da Fretilim diz que a actual aliança está a sofrer baixas e que falta pouco para mostrar que o governo de Xanana Gusmão "tem os dias contados". "Vai haver auditorias às contas do governo porque há muitas alegações de corrupção", afirmou.

.
ENTREVISTA DE MARI ALKATIRI À SIC - Transcrita por Margarida
.
SIC: (...) Qual é o objectivo desta sua viagem pelo estrangeiro?
Mari Alkatiri: Eu penso que todo o mundo tem ainda os olhos postos em Timor-Leste e há necessidade que como o maior partido do país, não é o maior partido da oposição, somos realmente o maior partido do país, consigamos fazer chegar aquilo que nós entendemos ser a versão mais correcta da explicação da situação actual em Timor-Leste.
.
SIC: Quando diz que o mundo inteiro tem os olhos postos em Timor-Leste já não é pelas melhores razões, pois não?
Mari Alkatiri: Há uma preocupação muito grande do mundo em relação a Timor-Leste porque logo depois da restauração da independência fomos quase sempre elogiados pelas instituições internacionais e não só pelos países amigos pela forma como estávamos a conduzir o processo de reconstrução do país e fundamentalmente o processo da criação de um Estado democrático de direito.
.
SIC: Não está concretizado?
Mari Alkatiri: Naturalmente que sofreu um recuo tremendo a partir de 2006 com a crise que se verificou no nosso país e que ainda está em curso e com o novo governo que não tem nenhum sentido de Estado, não tem noção de Estado e que tudo tem feito no sentido de impor a vontade pessoal de uma só pessoa.
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SIC: Xanana Gusmão?
Mari Alkatiri: Naturalmente...
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SIC: Que o senhor considera que não tem capacidade para governar o país?
Mari Alkatiri: Eu considero sim que para além de não ter legitimidade para governar o país, porque perdeu as eleições, já demonstrou durante 8 meses de governação, quase 9 meses, que a governação para Xanana é gastar dinheiro e pouco mais...
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SIC: O Senhor esteve em Angola, li declarações suas a dizer que tinha o apoio do MPLA, estes apoios que reúne o que é que pretende fazer com eles, pretende antecipar eleições em Timor?
Mari Alkatiri: A situação que vai determinar a antecipação das eleições é a situação interna no país...todos acompanharam...
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SIC: Mas não há uma demissão de Xanana Gusmão ou há um golpe de Estado?
Mari Alkatiri: Não, não haverá um golpe de Estado. Nós já demonstrámos que não vamos repetir aquilo que os outros fizeram em 2006 contra o governo da Fretilin.
Nós pensamos que há a necessidade de um trabalho político mais profundo com a população para a população compreender perfeitamente a situação e ver a diferença entre a governação da Fretilin e a governação agora de Xanana e dos seus aliados. Naturalmente que a própria dita Aliança da Maioria Parlamentar já sofreu baixas. Há um partido da aliança que já abandonou a aliança, há outro que é a oposição interna da própria aliança portanto há baixas sistemáticas da própria aliança...
Neste momento podemos dizer que faltam só algumas medidas a serem tomadas para mostrar claramente a Xanana que a governação dele tem os dias contados.
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SIC: Que medidas são essas?
Mari Alkatiri: São medidas que têm a ver com auditorias a contas do governo para tirar absolutamente dúvidas, há alegações de corrupção de toda a ordem, de esbanjamento do erário público, há alegações de má governação, de actos legislativos que são ilegais e inconstitucionais, portanto tudo isso acho que é o suficiente para mostrar a Xanana Gusmão que não só não tem capacidade para governar como não tem legitimidade.
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SIC: Quem são os seus apoios em Portugal?
Mari Alkatiri: Eu naturalmente que eu não quero de forma alguma que Portugal apoie A, B, ou C, eu quero que Portugal deve apoiar é o projecto nacional de criação de um Estado de direito democrático, e isso significa o reforço do primado da lei na vida do país, na área do reforço da justiça, uma administração pública transparente, uma boa governação para o país.
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SIC: Se o Senhor não quisesse que Portugal tomasse posição não estaria em Portugal a tentar contactos com algumas individualidades. Com certeza que é a sua opinião que lhes veio transmitir?
Mari Alkatiri: Naturalmente que trago a minha opinião...
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SIC: Por isso é que lhe perguntei que apoios já conseguiu com estas suas viagens...
Mari Alkatiri: O que eu acho que é fundamental, o que eu acho que é fundamental é continuarmos a manter em Portugal um consenso em torno de um Estado viável em Timor-Leste. Eu trago factos para comprovar que com Xanana não teremos um Estado viável.
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SIC: O senhor geriu o petróleo com a criação de um fundo que já ultrapassou em muito as expectativas, que já atingiu o valor que era esperado ter em 2019. O que é que acontece em Timor para que este projecto não se consiga traduzir numa melhor qualidade de vida para a população?
Mari Alkatiri: Se Xanana continuar no governo com a sua aliança naturalmente que isto não acontecerá. Xanana está a governar o país com um orçamento equivalente a quatro anos de Orçamento de Estado do meu tempo. Mesmo assim há pura e simplesmente o esbanjamento. Subsidia consumos, o que cria mais dificuldades a uma certa competitividade da produção interna com o produto importado. O produto importado torna-se tão barato, tão barato pelos subsídios que ele impõe que naturalmente que desincentiva a produção interna o que significa que desincentiva a própria economia, o desenvolvimento da economia nacional. A continuar-se com esta maneira de governar naturalmente que o fundo de petróleo algum dia esgota e nada se faz no sentido de criar uma alternativa ao próprio fundo de petróleo.
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SIC: O que justifica após todos estes anos, com as riquezas naturais que Timor-Leste tem que não tenha havido da parte do investimento estrangeiro vontade de entrar no território e de o fazer desenvolver também. Há entraves por parte da governação?
Mari Alkatiri: Não, de forma alguma. A própria situação objectivamente desde 2002 a 2006 não era propícia a uma atracção de investimento externo, porque havia ausência de instituições com capacidade para gerir esse investimento, e ausência de infra-estruturas. Portanto a partir do momento em que começámos a receber as receitas do petróleo, do fundo de petróleo estaríamos em condições de avançar para o investimento público com agressividade, com ousadia para poder criar essas condições infra-estruturais e ao mesmo tempo capacitar as nossas instituições internas, as nossas instituições do Estado e também privadas, públicas e privadas e para poder realmente entrar para o mercado e também gerir esse investimento.
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SIC: Mas há alguma economia capaz de absorver e de aproveitar esses fundos ou tinha tudo de ser feito com investimento público?
Mari Alkatiri: Não, o investimento público deve ser feito para criar as condições para que pudesse atrair mais investimento privado internacional.
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SIC: Qual o papel de Ramos Horta no país neste momento?
Mari Alkatiri: Neste momento Ramos Horta representa um papel de equilíbrio no país, porque no fundo apesar de ter sido eleito contra o candidato da Fretilin tem o apoio da Fretilin para poder garantir o equilíbrio político, o equilíbrio social em Timor-Leste.
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SIC: Com quem é que o Senhor tem relações de Estado. O Senhor dá-se bem com Ramos Horta?
Mari Alkatiri: Relações de Estado com Ramos Horta são boas, naturalmente que há diferenças, sempre houve diferenças entre nós, mas neste momento ele está a ocupar uma posição cimeira no Estado de Timor-Leste e tem o nosso apoio no sentido de poder realmente ajudar a criar condições para se ultrapassar a crise.
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SIC: Mari Alkatiri muito obrigado (...)
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A Fábrica dos Blogs agradece à Margarida pela transcrição
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DEKLARASAUN BANKADA PARLAMENTAR FRETILIN NIAN KONA BA LEI TRIBUTÁRIA, IHA 5 JUÑU 2008

2008-06-05T07:16:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Dili, 5 Juñu 2008

DEKLARASAUN BANKADA PARLAMENTAR FRETILIN NIAN KONA BA LEI TRIBUTÁRIA, IHA 5 JUÑU 2008

Bainhira ita hakarak halo reforma, ita nia objetivu atu hodi hari sistema administrasau no jestaun finanseira ida ke diak no efisiente atu nuné bele servi interese povu no nasaun rai doben ida ne’e. Ne’e duni ita hakarak hari sistema tributáriu ida ke diak hodi servi povu no intereses nasaun nian. Sistema ne’ebé hari mos tenki kontribui ba hametin justisa sosial hodi nune’e bele mos hasae kbit moris ita nia povu nian. Ne’e duni ita tenki hari sistema ida ke hametin interese nasional no mos loke dalan atu lori investimentu estranjeirus mai rai laran.

Maibé ami haré katak Governu de faktu ida ne’e halo sasán arbiru deit tamba la halo/aprezenta politika no la halo estudu ida kona ba implikasoens makro-ekonómikas sistema tributáriu ida ne’e. Estudu ida ne’e importante hodi haré nia impaktu ba kreximentu ekonómiku no ba ita nia povu nia moris. La iha estudu ida ke fo’o justifikasau klaru kona ba impaktu sistema tributáriu ida ne’e ba dezenvolvimentu ekonómiku no riku soin ita nian. Governu ida ne’e la hato’o argumentu ida ke bele konsidera sustentável bainhira sira implementa sistema tributáriu ida ne’e.

Governu de faktu ida ne’e hatete katak sira hakarak simplifika sistema tributáriu maibé, tuir ami nia haré, sistema ida ne’e sei kria kofuzaun, liliu kuandu tau hamutuk no kahur arbiru deit sistema tributáriu ida ne’e ho fali sistema tributáriu ba mina rai no gaz nian. Ida ne’e halo kunfusaun bo’ot i bele halo ita lakon osan ka reseitas barak ne’ebé bele hetan husi explorasaun gaz no mina rai.

Governu de faktu AMP ida ne’e hatete katak sira hatún impostu/taxa tamba;

- ohin loron ita iha osan barak mai husi mina rai no gaz, ne’e duni ita lalika preokupa ho kobransa ba reseitas doméstikas naun- petrolíferas;

- Sasan nia folin bele tun tamba impostu/taxa importasaun tun;

- Bele lori investimentus estaranjeirus barak mai ita nia rain i nune’e bele loke servisu barak ba timor oan sira.

Ami, Bankada FRETILIN haré katak ho sistema tributáriu ida ne’e:

- Ita nia rain sei depende makás liu tan ba fundu mina rai i nune’e Governu tenki hasai deit osan barak husi Fundu Mina Rai ba tau iha Orsamentu Jeral du Estadu;

- La iha justisa tamba timor oan ne’ebé sevisu iha rai laran selu impostu/taxa oituan i sira ne’ebé servisu iha mina rai selu impostu barak liu;

- Fo’o oportunidade ba Kompanhia bo’ot sira atu halai se’es a’an hosi impostu/taxa i dala barak bele la selu tan impostu/taxa ba sira nia rendimentu;

- Ita nia rai ne’ebé depende barak liu ba importasaun, lei ida ne’e sei la fo’o protesaun ba ita nia sektor produtivu no emprezariadu nasional;

- Kobransa ba reseitas doméstikas sei tun makás liu tamba Governu AMP hatún tiha kobransa impostus ba sasán luxu;

- Sasán nia folin sei la tún no inflasaun sei sa’e makás i nune’e sei fo’o todan liu tan ba povu ki’ik nia moris;

- Kareta luxu sira sei baratu ba ema riku maibé povu ki’ik sei hein deit esmola hodi bele moris ho sasán, hanesan fo’os no aihan seluk folin a’as ba bebeik;

- Ema riku sei riku ba bei’beik maibé, povu kiak sei kiak liu tan.

Ita bele haré katak ho sistema tributáriu ida ne’e, bele halo ema barak sei halai husi foho mai sidade tamba produtus ne’ebé sira iha [produtus lokal] sei labele kompete ho produtu importadus mai husi rai liur ne’ebé sei baratu liu.

Governu AMP nia Lei Tributária ida ne’e fo’o mos vantajen ba importadores produtus sira hanesan tabaku no tua ne’ebé bele fó impaktu negativu tebe’tebes ba saúde ita nia povu nian, liliu ba jovens sira moris. Ema barak mak sei moras nafatin tan hemu tua no fuma tabaku. Estadu sei gasta osan barak hodi halo tratamentu ba moras hirak ne’e.

Ami fiar katak investidores sira la mai investe iha ita nia rain tan deit impostu ki’ik maibé, sira sei haré mos ba kondisoens hanesan estabilidade, justisa, infraestruturas, rekursus umanus ne’ebé diak ho tan buat seluk.

Media Release:Alkatiri to pursue defamation action following US court vindication

2008-06-04T07:21:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release

June 4, 2008

Alkatiri to pursue defamation action following US court vindication

FRETILIN today welcomed a United States District Court decision to dismiss a legal action by the US company Oceanic Exploration, which falsely alleged a competitor gained access to Timor Sea petroleum fields by bribing Timor-Leste officials and politicians.

Oceanic’s claims included an absurd allegation that former Timor-Leste Prime Minister and FRETILIN Secretary General, Dr Mari Alkatiri was paid a bribe of US$2 million to sign and push through the Timor Sea Treaty.

Dr Alkatiri said today he would pursue legal action for extensive defamation over a period of three years by Timor-Leste politicians and media, which had used Oceanic’s baseless slanders to engage in a political witch-hunt against him.

FRETILIN President Francisco Guterres ‘Lú-Olo’ said today it was noteworthy that local and foreign media, which have repeatedly reported Oceanic’s baseless allegations, had failed to report the US District Court judgement issued six weeks ago.

Oceanic and its Portuguese subsidiaries (collectively known as ‘Petrotimor’) had sought damages against US company Conoco Phillips, which operates the biggest petroleum field in the Timor Sea, alleging corrupt conduct by Phillips Petroleum (the forerunner to Conoco Phillips) in paying bribes.

On 16 April 2008, Judge Lynn N Hughes of the US District Court in Houston, Texas dismissed the 30-billion-dollar lawsuit brought by Petrotimor and Oceanic Exploration against ConocoPhillips, the Timor Sea Designated Authority (TSDA) and others in March 2004.

Judge Hughes described Oceanic’s “evidence” as “over 50 pages of trivia”, “a list of gossip and debris”, “not cogent” and “assumptions –nothing more”.

Dr Alkatiri has strenuously denied the allegations from the outset and started legal action for defamation against Timor-Leste political figures who repeated the allegations publicly.

Lú-Olo said today he always believed the allegations were politically motivated and the court would vindicate Dr Alaktiri.

Lu Olo said: “In throwing out this case the court has also called to account politicians such as the current President of the Parliament, Fernando Araujo Lasama, who defamed Dr Alkatiri at the time by demanding his resignation because of these baseless allegations. Fernando Araujo Lasama and the others should apologise to Dr Alkatiri and his family, without delay.

“These allegations were the beginning of a political witch-hunt against Dr Alkatiri and his family, aimed at forcing his resignation as Prime Minister.

“Dr Alkatiri vehemently denied these nonsensical allegations, but even foreign ambassadors repeated them in an attempt to malign the then prime minister’s good name and reputation. I want to see him get justice for the malicious campaign against him.”

Lu Olo said it would be difficult to pursue legal remedies in Timor Leste given the notoriously partisan behaviour of the highly political Prosecutor General.

“Dr Alkatiri earlier lodged a complaint with the Prosecutor General in Dili for action against Mr Fernando Araujo Lasama, then President of the Democratic Party, which was in opposition to the former FRETILIN Government headed by Dr Alkatiri. Despite repeated requests the Prosecutor General has refused to prosecute Dr Alkatiri’s defamation complaint, which under The Timor-Leste Criminal Code is a criminal offence.

“This failure, neglect or refusal to act by the Prosecutor General is politically motivated, like so many of his activities,” concluded Lu Olo.

Contact: Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080; Nilva Guimaraes +670 734 0389

To obtain a copy of the judgment please email fretilin.media@gmail.com

Comunicado de Imprensa: ALKATIRI PROSSEGUIRÁ COM O PROCESSO LEGAL CONTRA A DIFAMAÇÃO

2008-06-04T07:18:00.001+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

_______________________________________________________________________
COMUNICADO DE IMPRENSA

4 de Junho de 2008

ALKATIRI PROSSEGUIRÁ COM O PROCESSO LEGAL CONTRA A DIFAMAÇÃO

A FRETILIN saudou o Tribunal Distrital dos Estados Unidos da América por ter decidido rejeitar a acção legal levantada pela companhia americana “Oceanic Exploration” que alegava que uma outra companhia concorrente tinha conseguido ganhar o contrato de exploração às jazidas petrolíferas do Mar de Timor-Leste por ter pago suborno aos governantes e politicos timorenses.

A queixa incluía uma alegação absurda que dizia que o antigo Primeiro-Ministro de Timor-Leste e Secretário-Geral da FRETILIN, Dr. Mari Alkatiri, tinha recebido um suborno de 2 milhões de dólares americanos para a assinatura e o avanço do Tratado sobre o Mar de Timor-Leste.

Dr. Alkatiri disse no passado dia 4 de Junho que prosseguirá com o processo legal contra a difamação extensiva de que foi vítima durante três anos, movida por políticos e pelos media que se basearam em calúnias infundamentadas para fazer a sua politica de “caça às bruxas” contra ele.

O juíz Hughes descreveu as “evidências” da Oceanic como “ mais de 50 páginas banais” , “uma lista de fofocas e disparates”, “não convincente” e “suposições – nada mais”.

Dr. Alkatiri negou vigorosamente estas alegações desde o início e meteu na altura uma acção legal por difamação contra as figuras políticas que fizeram eco dessas alegações em várias ocasiões públicas.
Lu’Olo disse que sempre acreditou que estas alegações tinham motivação política e que o tribunal haveria de demonstrar a inocência de Alkatiri.
Lu Olo disse: “ Por ter rejeitado este caso, o Tribunal também chamou a contas os politicos tais como o actual Presidente do Parlamento, Fernando de Araújo Lasama, que difamou Dr. Alkatiri na altura ao exigir a sua resignação com base nessas alegações infudamentadas. Fernando de Araújo Lasama e as outras pessoas que o difamaram, deveriam pedir desculpas ao Dr. Alkatiri e à sua família sem qualquer demora”.

“Estas alegações foram o começo de uma política de “caça às bruxas” movida contra o Dr. Alkatiri e a sua família com o objectivo de forçar a sua resignação como Primeiro-Ministro”.
O Presidente da FRETILIN, Francisco Guterres Lu’Olo disse que era digno de nota que os medias locais e estrangeiros que tinham feito tanto eco das alegações infundamentadas da Oceanic não tenham divulgado a decisão do tribunal distrital americano emitida há seis semanas.
A Oceanic e as suas subsidiárias portuguesas (melhor conhecidas colectivamente por "Petrotimor") tentaram obter compensação da companhia americana Conoco Phillips que explora o maior campo petrolífero no Mar de Timor-Leste alegando prática de corrupção por parte da Phillips Petroleum ( antecessora da Conoco Phillips) por ter pago subornos para ganhar o contrato de exploração.
Em 16 de Abril 2008, o Juíz Lynn N. Hughes do Tribunal Distrital dos EUA, em Houston, Texas, rejeitou a acção legal de 30 biliões de dólares americanos iniciada pela Petrotimor e a Oceanic Exploration contra a ConocoPhillips, a Autoridade Nomeada para o Mar de Timor-Leste (TSDA) e outros, em Março de 2004.

Dr. Alkatiri negou veementemente essas alegações infundamentadas mas embaixadores estrangeiros também tentaram servir delas para manchar o seu bom nome e reputação. Houve uma campanha maliciosa contra ele e eu quero que se faça justiça “.

“É difícil de perseguir soluções legais em Timor-Leste porque o Procurador-Geral está altamente politizado e actua com parcialidade , disse Lu’Olo”.
“Dr. Alkatiri iniciou anteriormente uma acção legal em Dili contra o sr. Fernando Araújo Lasama, Presidente do partido democrático, na altura partido de oposição ao governo liderado pelo Dr. Mari Alkatiri. Apesar de vários pedidos, o Procurador Geral da República recusou-se a processar a queixa levantada pelo Dr. Mari Alkatiri queixa essa que se referia a uma ofensa criminal no âmbito do Código Criminal de Timor-Leste.”.

“Esta falha, quer por negligência, quer por recusa em actuar, demonstra que o Procurador Geral da República actua com motivações politicas tal como tem acontecido noutras ocasiões ”.

Para mais informações, contacte com José Reis, tel. +670 7340382 ou José Manuel Fernandes, tel.7342174

Komunikadu Imprensa: ALKATIRI SEI HALAO PROSESU HASORU DIFAMASAUN

2008-06-04T07:14:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN
__________________________________________________________________________

KOMUNIKADU IMPRENSA

Dili, 4 Juñu 2008

ALKATIRI SEI HALAO PROSESU HASORU DIFAMASAUN

Ohin FRETILIN haksolok tamba Tribunal Distrital Amérika nian deside husik no taka asaun legal ne’ebé kompañia minarai Oceanic Exploration foti hasoru kompañia amerika nian ne’ebé manan direitu ba esplorasaun minarai iha Tasi Timor. Oceanic alega katak kompañia ne’e manan kontratu tamba sira fó osan súbar ba politiku no ukun nain sira Timor-Leste nian.

Iha alegasaun ida ne’ebé la iha sentidu, Oceanic Exploration alega mo’os katak eis-Primeiru Ministru no Sekretáriu Jeral FRETILIN, Dr. Mari Alkatiri simu dolar amerikanu tokon rua (US$2.000.000) hodi asina no dudu Tratadu Tasi Timor bele lao ba oin.

Dr. Alkatiri hatete ohin katak nia sei halo tuir asaun legal ne’ebé nia foti tiha ona hasoru politiku sira no media ne’ebé uza lia bosok hosi Oceanic Exploration, durante tinan tolu nia laran, hodi buka halo foer nia naran atu sira bele hetan vantajen polítika.

Prezidente FRETILIN, Francisco Guterres Lu’Olo hateten nia haré katak media lokal no estranjeira sira ne’ebé hori uluk tatoli bei’beik lia bosok hasoru Alkatiri, oras nee nonok hotu kona ba desizaun ne’ebé tribunal distrital Amérika foti tia ona semana nen liubá.

Oceanic hamutuk hó nia subsidiaria sira (hó naran hanesan “Petrotimor” foti asaun hasoru kompañia amerikana Conoco Phillips, nebee oras nee kaer kampu minarai boot liu iha Tasi Timor, dehan katak uluk kompañia Phillips Petroleum (nebee ikus mai fila án bá Conoco Phillips) hetan contrato tamba deit halo korupsaun, foo osan hosi kotuk. Sira alega katak Phillips Petroleum (prekursor ba Conoco Phillips) mak hetan kontratu tamba halo subornu – halo korupsaun ho osan fó hosi kotuk..

Iha loron 16 Abril 2008, juíz Lynn N. Hughes hosi Tribunal Distrital Amerikanu, iha Houston, Texas, taka ona asaun legal ne’ebé Oceanic Exploration no Petrotimor foti hasoru Conoco Phillips, Autoridade Nomeada Tasi Timr (TSDA) no seluk ta’an, iha Marsu 2004. Oceanic husu selu sira dolar amerikanu biliaun 30 (US$ 30.000.000.000) .

Fou’foun kedas Dr. Alkatiri nega makás alegasaun sira ne’e no foti prosesu legal hasoru figura polítika sira ne’ebé halo difamasaun públika bei’beik hodi halo foer nia naran.

Lu’Olo hatete ohin nia sempre fiar katak ema halo alegasaun sira ne’e ho motivasaun polítika no katak tribunal sei hamo’os Dr. Alkatiri nia naran.

Lu’Olo hatete: “ Tamba tribunal taka kazu ne’e , desizaun ida ne’e bolu mo’os atensaun ba polítiku sira hanesan daudaun Prezidente Parlamentu, Fernando Araújo Lasama, ne’ebé halo difamasaun ba Dr. Alkatiri . Sira uza alegasaun sira nee arbiru deit hodi eziji Dr. Alkatiri tuun hosi fatin núdar Primeiru-Ministru. Fernando Araújo Lasama no sira seluk tenke husu ona deskulpa ba Dr. Alkatiri no nia família”.

“ Politika hafoer Dr. Alkatiri no nia familia nia naran hahú ho alegasaun sira ne’e ho objetivu atu obriga nia tuun hosi nia kargu Primeiru-Ministru nian”.

“Dr. Alkatiri nega makás alegasaun ne’ebé ema halo arbiru deit hasoru nia, maibé, embaixador estranjeiru balu mo’os repete duni alegasaun sira ne’e hodi tenta hafoer, iha tempu nebaa Primeiru-Ministru, nia naran no reputasaun. Hau hakarak nia atu hetan justisa. Ema ne’ebé halo kamapaña a’at hasoru nia, tenke hamo’os nia naran.”

Lu’Olo hatete katak súsar uituan iha Timor-Leste atu foti no halao solusaun legal tamba haré bá ninia hahalok, hatudu momós katak Prokurador Jeral ida nee polítiku liu.

“Dr Alkatiri hatama tiha ona keixa ida ba Prokurador Jeral iha Dili hasoru Sr. Fernando de Araújo Lasama, núdar Prezidente Partidu Demokrátiku, partidu opozisaun durante tempu governasaun FRETILIN nian ne’ebé Dr. Alkatiri mak sei kaer hela. Biarbá husu dala barak ona, Prokurador Jeral lakoi halao kazu Dr. Alkatiri aprezenta ne’ebé tuir Kódigu Kriminal Timor-Leste, difamasaun ne’e konsidera núdar ofensa kriminal, ”

“Falha ka neglijensia ka rekuza hosi Prokurador Jeral nee hanesan hó motivasaun polítika, hanesan duni hahalok ninian barbarak ona”.

Kontaktu: José Teixeira +670 723 7080, Nilvia Guimarães +670 734 0389

Media Release: FRETILIN opposes Decree Law creating Economic Stabilization Fund

2008-06-02T18:38:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release

June 2, 2008

FRETILIN opposes luxury vehicles for MPs

FRETILIN has criticised a proposal by Timor Leste’s ruling coalition to give each of the impoverished country’s 65 members of parliament a new luxury Toyota Prado 4WD vehicle, costing USD$39,000 each.

“This arrogant and selfish move by the AMP coalition is a scandal when most Timorese live on a dollar a day and many lack basic necessities such as adequate food, water and electricity,” said FRETILIN parliamentary leader Aniceto Longuinhos Guterres on behalf of all FRETILIN MPs.

The proposal to buy the vehicles was put forward last week by the AMP President of Parliament, Fernando Araujo Lasama, and Vice-President of the Parliament Vicente Guterres.

Aniceto Guterres said acquisition of the 65 vehicles was not provided for in the current budget, meaning funds would have to be diverted from other spending programs. He said parliament had already approved a smaller budget to buy fewer and cheaper vehicles, to allow parliamentary committees to work more effectively.

“However, AMP MPs have insisted that parliamentarians be given one luxury vehicle each, to be fully maintained by the State, claiming that it is a question of maintaining the ‘dignity’ and ‘importance’ of MPs. We reject that totally,” added Guterres.

“During the last parliament there were fewer vehicles available for MPs to undertake committee work, yet the committees did more work more effectively than they do now.

“MPs already receive US$10 per day as transport assistance. That is sufficient compensation for us to undertake our work as MPs.”

Guterres said Fernanda Borges, leader of the National Unity Party (known by its Portuguese acronym PUN), has also rejected the Toyota Prado largesse proposal.

“In contrast, many AMP MPs have complained about the delay in acquiring and delivering the luxury vehicles, declaring that, if they are not forthcoming, then they will not attend parliament, including when the AMP de facto government brings the proposed Budget to parliament early next month.

“We encourage those AMP MPs to act on their threat, because we believe the foreshadowed budget is irresponsibly and unnecessarily large.

“We will seek the support of all MPs, including certain disenchanted AMP MPs, to work with us to make the Budget more responsible and directed at effectively providing sustainable development for our people and nation, instead of lurks and perks for politicians.”

Guterres said there had been rumors that a ‘development partner’ of Timor-Leste has proposed topping up the budget’s vehicle allocation to pay for the Toyota Prados.

“FRETILIN calls on donor countries not to engage in such inappropriate, irresponsible and insensitive support. Luxury vehicles for MPs are not poverty eradication - pure and simple,” Guterres concluded.

Contact: Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080, +61 438 114 960; Nilva Guimaraes +670 734 0389

Petrotimor v. ConocoPhillips lawsuit dismissed by United States District Court

2008-06-02T07:07:00.000+09:00

Petrotimor v. ConocoPhillips lawsuit dismissed by United States District Court

By Charles Scheiner, La'o Hamutuk
2 June 2008

On 16 April 2008, Judge Lynn N. Hughes of the U.S. District Court in Houston, Texas dismissed the 30-billion-dollar lawsuit brought by Petrotimor and its parent company Oceanic Exploration against ConocoPhillips, the Timor Sea Designated Authority (TSDA) and others in March 2004. Although the Timorese and international media repeatedly reported on Petrotimor's sensational charges (including alleged ConocoPhillips bribing of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri) over the last four years, the final judgment rejecting the lawsuit has not been reported anywhere in the six weeks since it occurred.

For more information and links to Judge Hughes's ruling and other key documents, see www.laohamutuk.org/Oil/Oceanic/OcexConocoLawsuit.htm .

Legal Process

In the U.S., any individual, group or company can file a civil case against anyone else without providing evidence or proof before the case is heard. Often, such cases are privately negotiated away in an out of court settlement, with the defendant (the person being sued) paying the plaintiff (the person bringing the suit) to drop the case. That did not happen in this case.

A lawsuit like this goes through several phases before the alleged wrongdoing is evaluated:

1. After determining that correct procedures have been followed and the court has jurisdiction, the judge decides if each of the defendants' wrongful actions would have caused harm to the plaintiffs, assuming that the facts are as the plaintiff claims. In this case, the judge ruled that some defendants, including the TSDA, could not be responsible even if everything the plaintiff charged was true, but allowed the case to proceed against ConocoPhillips.

2. Then, still assuming everything the plaintiff charges is true, the judge evaluates whether the harm that the plaintiff claimed was done to them was caused by the defendants' alleged actions, and whether that harm would not have occurred if the defendants had not acted improperly. This case was dismissed because the judge found Oceanic's claim of harm implausible, and did not believe that Oceanic would have secured rights to develop Timor Sea oil even if the defendants had not done what Oceanic claimed.

3. If the judge had found that Oceanic's rights were injured by ConocoPhillips' alleged actions, the court would then have heard witnesses and evaluated evidence to determine if ConocoPhillips had actually done the misdeeds claimed by Oceanic. However, this case was dismissed before that became necessary.

4. Finally, if the court had found that wrongdoing by the defendant had injured the plaintiffs, it would have ordered the defendant to pay the plaintiff.

Chronology

In 2004, the U.S. company Oceanic Exploration and its Petrotimor subsidiary filed a multi-billion dollar lawsuit against ConocoPhillips, the Timor Sea Designated Authority (TSDA), Pertamina and others. The civil lawsuit initially alleged that ConocoPhillips benefited illegally from the Indonesian occupation of Timor-Leste, and that ConocoPhillips (then known as Phillips Petroleum) bribed Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and other Fretilin officials to continue contracts it had signed with the Australian-Indonesian Timor Gap Joint Authority during the illegal Indonesian occupation, rather than have a new bidding process in 2002 or revoke Indonesian-era contracts in favor of Portuguese-era ones. Oceanic claimed that in 1974 Portugal awarded it an exclusive exploration contract for the entire Joint Petroleum Development Area (JPDA), and that ConocoPhillips' illegal activities deprived Oceanic of its legal right to exploit Timor Sea Oil. Although Oceanic alleged that Timorese officials took bribes, it did not name any Timorese as defendants in the lawsuit

The case was filed in U.S. Federal District Court in Washington, DC and assigned to Judge Emmet G. Sullivan. Oceanic demanded US$10.5 billion in damages, multiplied by three because they claimed that racketeering and corruption deprived them of their rights. Their allegations got a lot of media coverage, and were immediately denied by the Prime Minister and others.

A year later, Judge Sullivan rejected Oceanic's initial complaint, and Oceanic filed a revised version on 1 March 2005, dropping some allegations and adding others.

In September 2006, the judge dismissed the case against the TSDA and subsidiaries of ConocoPhillips, but allowed it to proceed against the parent ConocoPhillips company. ConocoPhillips responded to the substantive allegations the following month, and asked that the case be transferred to Houston, Texas.

In February 2007, Judge Sullivan agreed to move the case to Texas, where it continued before judge Lynn N. Hughes. Some hearings and filings took place over the next four months.

Dismissal

On 16 April 2008, Judge Hughes dismissed the entire case, issuing a final judgment on 22 April. About the bribery allegations, he wrote

Oceanic’s asserts abstract operative facts – bribery, hostility, causation, and damage. It supports the abstractions with over 50 pages of trivia. The details are not cogent; we are left with a metaphysical leap from this list of gossip and debris of ConocoPhillips’ working in the region to Oceanic’s particular interpretation of why it lost in Timor. For instance, Oceanic pleads that the president of ConocoPhillips flew to East Timor to hand an official a suitcase of cash. Implausibility aside, Oceanic simply can not link this fact with its injury. That is, it can not possibly have an idea why the president of an international corporation would personally deliver cash in a briefcase to an official of East Timor. It has assumptions – nothing more.

Judge Hughes concluded:

Oceanic speculates that absent the bribery:
* East Timor would have chosen to abrogate the concessions.
* Australia would have acquiesced.
* East Timor would have reopened bidding.
* Oceanic would have been permitted to bid.
* Oceanic would have won the bid.
* Oceanic would have profitably developed the concession.
To recover, Oceanic must show what would have happened absent the bribe to a high degree of probability. It can not. Assuming ConocoPhillips bribed officials of East Timor not to reopen bidding, the decision was made not by any one official but by an entity representing all of East Timor. This court will not imagine the decision-making process of East Timor, Australia, Indonesia, Oceanic, and dozens of oil companies.
In Oceanic’s long complaint – twice amended, not counting its practice run in the Australian courts – it has not pleaded facts that, if true, show its injury is connected to the acts it describes. If ConocoPhillips acted corruptly in East Timor, Oceanic was injured in common with oil companies, consumers, and the rule of law everywhere.
Assuming its facts – as opposed to assumptions and contentions, legal theories, and demands – to be true, Oceanic Exploration Company’s pleadings do not show that the wrongful acts of ConocoPhillips and ConocoPhillips Company proximately caused the harm it claims.
Oceanic may well have been the victim of international politics in 1974 when it lost its Portugese concession to the Indonesian invasion. It cannot recover for its losses to political risk 30 years ago – not from Indonesia, not from ConocoPhillips.
Oceanic Exploration Company and Petrotimor Companhia de Petroleos, S.A.R.L. will take nothing from ConocoPhillips and ConocoPhillips Company.

Oceanic appealed the decision to the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on 15 May 2008.

Although this case, including Oceanic's detailed allegations, has been on the public record for more than four years, no prosecuting authority anywhere brought criminal charges against anyone named by Oceanic's allegations. Most likely, prosecutors in the United States, Australia and elsewhere did not find the allegations of bribery, racketeering and corruption credible enough to bring alleged perpetrators to trial.

***********************************************************
La'o Hamutuk (The Timor-Leste Institute for Development Monitoring and Analysis)
P.O. Box 340, Dili, Timor-Leste (East Timor)
Telephone: +670-3325013 or +670-734-0965 mobile
email: cscheiner@igc.org website: http://www.laohamutuk.org skype: cscheiner

Media Release: Timor-Leste faces new institutional crisis

2008-06-01T17:32:00.002+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release

31 May 2008

Timor-Leste faces new institutional crisis

Early this week, on May 27, the Social Democratic Association of Timor, with five MPs, withdrew from the Parliamentary majority coalition, AMP, providing a trigger for President Jose Ramos Horta to dissolve the Gusmão government and ask another party to try to form a workable majority.

José Reis, Assistant Secretary General of Timor-Leste's largest party, FRETILIN, said today that Timor-Leste has entered a new institutional crisis, which must be resolved quickly if the country is to regain stability and security.

ASDT entered a political alliance with FRETILIN on May 1 and signed a joint program on May 8, citing incompetence and corruption on the part of the AMP de facto government.

FRETILIN has 21 MPs, its ally KOTA/PPT has two MPs, and Fernanda Borges' PUN has three. The combined vote of CNRT, PD (Democratic Party), PSD (Social Democratic Party) and Undertim (comprising of some veteran fighters) is 34, still a majority in a parliament of 65.

However, PSD, with six MPs, is also now highly critical of CNRT.

“If the AMP, to which the President of the Republic gave his confidence to form government, has fallen, it means that Mr Gusmao’s party, CNRT, will have to seek to form a new alliance and form a new government,” Reis said.

“It really does depend on the President as to whether he continues to give confidence to Mr Gusmao to continue as head of government or give someone else the opportunity,” Reis added.

“In August 2007 President Ramos-Horta invited Mr Gusmão as leader of the AMP to form government, because he was able to cobble together a post-election coalition made up of disparate political groups and parties, many bought off by positions in the government. Mr Gusmao managed to find only a narrow majority in the parliament.

“We always believed the AMP would not last, and in less than a year we can see that its slim majority has now been eroded by the withdrawal of ASDT. That’s why we pushed for the creation of a government of grand inclusion, with a prime minister chosen with the consensus of all parties, but with government posts being selected in proportion to parliamentary seats held.

“Now we have a very unstable and undesirable situation, which must change if Timor-Leste is to get back on track.

“ASDT has traditionally been a very united and disciplined political force. We expect them to continue to behave accordingly and respect Mr Xavier do Amaral, their party President, the man who was a founder of the first ASDT and who proclaimed National Independence in 1975,” said Reis.

Reis stressed that the ASDT move to quit the AMP demonstrates that the AMP leadership does not value the historic role of parties that led the struggle for Timor-Leste's independence from Indonesia.

“ASDT have made it clear that they have been ignored. ASDT also have made it clear that they have not been happy with the policy direction of the AMP de facto government. They clearly say there has been no benefit to the people from the large budgets that have been approved by the parliament and yet no one seems to know where the money has gone.”

Contact: Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080, +61 438 114 960; Nilva Guimaraes +670 734 0389

The ASDT statement of May 27 reads in full as follows:

DECLARATION OF POLITICAL POSITION

ASDT PARTY

No.06/V/P.ASDT/2008

Given the current situation and the political stance of the AMP government that at this time no longer benefits the people of Timor-Leste, and least of all members and supporters of the ASDT Party.

Given also that the ASDT Party has put forward to the AMP government a proposal as follows:

Persons to substitute the Minister and Secretary of State (Mr Gil Alves and Mr Abilio Lima),
Persons who should be nominated to posts such as ambassador,
Persons who should be nominated Interim Administrators in Districts and Sub-Districts where the ASDT Party won majorities in the parliamentary election.

To date no response has been received from the Prime Minister to the proposals made.

The political dynamics as a result of the impact of the economic crisis, such as the constantly rising price of everyday basic necessities have made the Maubere people unhappy and lose confidence in the AMP government.

The situation caused by the fact that the people are not seeing anything concrete from the large amounts of money that we have all heard was approved by the National Parliament for the General Budget of the State in order to help with the development of our people, and we all ask, where has it all gone? The ASDT Party sees the current very difficult living conditions of the people, and the National Executive Council (CNE) therefore states the following:

It declares to the people that they can no longer blame the ASDT Party, because as they can see for themselves the ASDT Party's representatives no longer participate in the AMP Government;
It declares to the people that starting today, the 27th of May 2008, whenever the AMP Government does anything that negatively affects the people, they should ask the CNRT, PD and PSD Parties directly because the ASDT Party is no longer responsible and no longer participates in the decisions taken by the AMP government, as the AMP Government has shown no consideration for the views expressed by the ASDT Party.

Dili this 27th day of the month of May in the year 2008.

The National Executive Council of the ASDT Party:

Francisco Xavier do Amaral

President of ASDT Party

Francisco Gomes

Secretary General

LUSA: Alkatiri pede a Presidente angolano para ajudar a ultrapassar crise

2008-05-31T07:05:00.000+09:00

Lusa - 31 de Maio de 2008, 16:23

Timor-Leste: Alkatiri pede a Presidente angolano para ajudar a ultrapassar crise política timorense

Lisboa - O secretário-geral da FRETILIN, Mari Alkatiri, pediu ajuda ao Presidente angolano, José Eduardo dos Santos, para ultrapassar a crise política institucional em Timor-Leste, adianta hoje a edição online do Jornal de Angola.

Segundo o jornal, o líder da Frente Revolucionária de Timor-Leste Independente, que foi recebido sexta-feira pelo Presidente angolano, considera que, tendo em conta a sua experiência na resolução de conflitos em África, os conselhos de José Eduardo dos Santos podem ser úteis.

Em declarações aos jornalistas no final do encontro, Mari Alkatiri disse que a situação política em Timor-Leste tem melhorado e já não há violência, mas a crise não está resolvida por persistir a "contradição no seio da liderança nacional", cita o Jornal de Angola.

Resolver o problema dos mais de 100.000 deslocados, das deserções nas Forças Armadas e da articulação desta instituição com a Polícia Nacional contribuirá, segundo Alkatiri, para ultrapassar a crise política em Timor-Leste.

Sobre o actual primeiro-ministro timorense, Xanana Gusmão - que fundou um novo partido que governa em coligação - Mari Alkatiri considerou que "não tem legitimidade para governar", declarando-se preocupado com a sua "falta de competência" para dirigir o executivo, ainda segundo o Jornal de Angola.

O líder da FRETILIN declarou igualmente que a relação entre o Presidente timorense, José Ramos-Horta, e o primeiro-ministro "tem sido difícil".

Mari Alkatiri, antigo primeiro-ministro de Timor-Leste, estará segunda-feira em Lisboa para proferir a conferência "Timor no Caminho do Futuro", promovida pela Comissão Asiática da Sociedade de Geografia e pelo Instituto Luso-Árabe para a Cooperação.

Após a conferência Alkatiri, receberá a Medalha de Mérito da Cooperação daquele Instituto.

PAL-Lusa/fim

Media Release: FRETILIN exposes wholesale land giveaway by Agriculture Minister

2008-05-29T18:45:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Media Release
May 29, 2008

FRETILIN exposes wholesale land giveaway by Agriculture Minister

The Deputy Leader of FRETILIN, Francisco Miranda Branco, on Tuesday (27 May) called on the de-facto Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Mariano Sabino, to release all details of a deal he signed with Indonesian company GTLeste Biotech to give away 100,000 hectares of agricultural land for sugarcane cultivation and to build a sugar and ethanol processing plant. FRETILIN is the largest party in Timor-Leste’s National Parliament.

The deal gives exclusive rights to GTLeste Biotech to grow and process sugarcane and to sell and export sugar and ethanol in and from Timor-Leste for a period of 50 years, with an option for a further 50 years. Timor Leste has an estimated arable land area of 400,000 hectares, so the GTLeste Biotech deal alienates 25% of the arable land to biofuel production.

Branco and others criticized the deal as being non-transparent and not in the national interest, because one company has been given exclusive rights to an industry and land for 100 years without other potential bidders having had the opportunity, and because of its impact on food security.

“To keep the deal so secretive violates every principle of good governance and the public interest, not to mention the national interest,” said Branco.
But it is not the only deal which has been questioned in parliament. Last month, the President of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Mario Carrascalao MP, queried a deal allegedly signed by the same Minister for 200,000 hectares to plant rubber trees, in addition to the GTLeste Biotech deal.

“We share Mr Carrascalao's concerns. But because we were unable to obtain a copy of the agreements from the government, we have been unable to scrutinize the benefits and value of the agreements. Now that we have a copy of the agreement, it is clear why the minister and the government have kept the agreement away from public scrutiny,” explained Branco.

“Given our alarm at the GTLeste Biotech, we are extremely anxious about what is in the agreement to give 200,000 hectares for rubber tree planting. It has been even more secretive. No substantial details have yet been made available to either the parliament or civil society, despite requests. There is no transparency in how the de facto government deals with these questions,” stressed Branco.

“FRETILIN contends that if the second agreement does give away 200,000 hectares to a foreign company, then this minister has given away nearly five percent (5%) of our total land mass in less than his first year as Minister without any opportunity whatsoever for public scrutiny of these deals.

“At this rate, if this minister remains in his post for a full five years, he could well give away close to half of the country to foreign interests. During the election campaign we warned that this minister's party, the Democratic Party, favored too much the access by large foreign investors to Timor-Leste. It seems we were very right, unfortunately,” added Branco.

“The Prime Minister announced his intention to establish an anti corruption commission. If that ever gets up and running, this deal with GTLeste Biotech would be among the first matters it would have to investigate. FRETILIN is considering requesting the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, the constitutionally mandated anti-corruption watchdog, to investigate this deal,” said Branco in closing.

Contact: Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080; Nilva Guimaraes +670 734 0389

Media Release: FRETILIN welcomes President's call for respect for Petroleum Fund, commits to cooperation

2008-05-26T18:43:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Media Release
May 26, 2008

FRETILIN welcomes President's call for respect for Petroleum Fund, commits to cooperation

Dili: The leader of the FRETILIN parliamentary group, Aniceto Guterres, has welcomed calls from President Jose Ramos-Horta for the de-facto AMP government to operate within the existing petroleum fund laws and not to unnecessarily and unilaterally withdraw additional revenue from the Fund.

"FRETILIN supports the president and what he said regarding the management of petroleum receipts and budget preparation and execution," said Guterres. FRETILIN is the largest party in the National Parliament.

In his speech to the nation on the sixth anniversary of Timor-Leste's restoration of independence on 20 May 2002, President Ramos-Horta praised the work by the Alkatiri government in establishing a strong petroleum revenue stream for the people of Timor-Leste.

This was President Horta's second major address since returning from Australia after having survived an attempt on his life on February 11, 2008

Dr Ramos-Horta said: "…we should acknowledge the success of the negotiations regarding petroleum, which culminated in the Timor Sea Treaty and the creation of the Petroleum Fund, an institution recognized internationally as among the best in the world.

"At this time, we have a Petroleum Fund with nearly USD$3 billion that can be utilized by the current government, without needing to amend the law in force, as long as the government can demonstrate its capacity to bring about good budget management and execution, and it can put forward convincing plans and programs to the mandated institutions," President Ramos-Horta added.

Mr Guterres commented: "These are very clear and strong indications of the President's desire to see a responsible, inclusive and consultative approach to ongoing management of the National Petroleum Fund establishment by the FRETILIN government. It reflects what we have been saying since the fund began in 2005 and when we opposed Mr Xanana Gusmao's calls for amendments and more money to be used from the petroleum fund. These statements by the President clearly support our prudent and realistic approach to revenue management and budgeting."

In November 2007 Timor-Leste's much praised Petroleum Fund was ranked No. 3 in the world out of 32 similar state-owned funds in 28 countries, by the renowned Washington think tank, the Peterson Institute for International Economics. It has been widely acclaimed by international donors, the multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and IMF and other international experts, for its transparency, accountability and security.

The current Petroleum Fund Law is also domestically valued and respected, having attained national consensus in its establishment. It won unanimous approved in the previous parliament, with every political party (except CNRT) which is now represented in today's parliament voting in favor of it, though current CNRT members of parliament who were in the last parliament (as members of other parties) also voted for it.

"No changes should be made to this petroleum fund institution and petroleum revenue management framework without undertaking an equally wide public consultation process over the same period of time. Any legislative amendments without this will lack legitimacy. However, we also believe that the de-facto government would find it hard to get the numbers to make any of the proposed changes," added Gueterres.

One changes would allow the government to take more revenue annually to have a larger budget. The current budget is already twice the last FRETILIN government budget and four to five times the average budget FRETILIN had available for 2004-2006.

"FRETILIN stands by its election promise to strongly defend Timor-Leste's Petroleum Fund from irresponsible and wasteful spending raids by the de-facto AMP government. They have delivered nothing for the poor of our country despite having had two huge budgets between August 2007 and today. But what we now see are only a lot of new cars, a lot of corruption, a lot of handouts that do not benefit all of the very needy in our society, and a very few from the business and political elite getting very rich. We see the diversion of resources away from those who truly need them, but little for the people," said Guterres.

"As President Ramos-Horta said, they have to demonstrate better budget execution and acceptable plans and programs to the parliament and society. We agree with that. It is too dangerous to the Petroleum Fund to do otherwise until these assurances are in place. We will hold the de-facto government accountable in the parliament on this," added Guterres.
In his first address to the National Parliament on his return from Australia after the February 11 attempt on his life, President Ramos-Horta asked the AMP de-facto government to utilize the extensive governance knowledge and experience of former FRETILIN ministers, such as Dr Mari Alaktiri, Estanislau da Silva, Jose Teixeira and Ana Pessoa to address the critical question of how to ensure the petroleum fund revenues are used to help the poorest of the poor in Timor-Leste, in light of the current world food price crisis.

"FRETILIN has stood ready to work together with all the political forces in our country to find a consensus-based approach to try to resolve the nation's problems and overcome the challenges before us all as Timorese," said Guterres.

"In his May 20 address to the FRETILIN faithful, which also included the presence of a number of foreign ambassadors, our Secretary General, Dr Mari Alkatiri, publicly stated that he is prepared to meet at any time with Mr Xanana Gusmao to discuss how we can all move the country forward. He awaits Mr Gusmao's response," concluded Guterres.

Contact: Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080;
Nilva Guimaraes +670 734 0389

Angola: Fretilim Secretary General in Country

2008-05-26T18:38:00.000+09:00

Angola: Fretilim Secretary General in Country

Angola Press Agency (Luanda)

26 May 2008

Posted to the web 26 May 2008

Luanda

The general secretary of East Timor's ruling FRETILIM [sic] party, Mári Alkatiri arrived Sunday evening in the country in light of the existing bilateral relations between that party and Angola's ruling MPLA party.
Mári Alkatiri did not speak to the press on his arrival, but promised to do so at the end of the four-day visit.
According to MPLA's secretary of the foreign affairs, Paulo Teixeira Jorge, who was at Luanda's "4 de Fevereiro" International Airport to welcome the East Timorean politician, said that FRETILIM expressed interest to visit Angola to carry out an objective analysis of the current situation in East Timor, after the dramatic events that occurred.
The director of the department of foreign affairs, Nelo Rua was with Paulo Jorge at the airport.

Media Release: FRETILIN expresses solidarity with victims of China earthquake

2008-05-16T14:58:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media release
16 May 2008

FRETILIN expresses solidarity with victims of China earthquake

FRETILIN, the largest political party in Timor-Leste (East Timor), has
expressed its solidarity with the families of the victims of the
earthquake in south western China which has left more than 50,000
people dead.

FRETILIN Secretary General Mari Alkatiri said, "The earthquake in
China is a tragic event and we support all reconstruction efforts to
help the region recover."

"We also reiterate our full solidarity to the People and Government of
People's Republic of China and to the Communist Party of China in
their efforts to assist the in the region to recover from the
destruction" added Mari Alkatiri

The earthquake which measured 7.9 on the richer scale hit the
southwestern province of Sichuan on Monday (12 May) afternoon.

For more information, please contact:

Jose Teixeira (+670) 728 7080

Media Release: FRETILIN MPs walk out of parliament in protest

2008-05-07T10:45:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Media Release
May 7, 2008

FRETILIN MPs walk out of parliament in protest

FRETILIN MPs walked out of yesterday afternoon's session (Tuesday 6 May 2008) of Timor Leste's Parliament in protest at attempts to prevent questioning of two government ministers involved in dubious commercial transactions worth many millions of dollars.

FRETILIN said the President of the National Parliament, Fernando Lasama Araujo misused parliament’s standing orders to restrict questioning of the Mr Mariano Sabino, Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, and Mr Gil Alves, Minister for Tourism, Commerce and Industry, to one question per party.

FRETILIN parliamentary leader Aniceto Guterres said today he wanted to ask the Minister for Tourism, Commerce and Industry why a multi million dollar contract for rice importation was single sourced instead of through an international tender.

“The de facto Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries needs to confirm or deny reports that he has signed agreements granting foreign companies 300,000 hectares for rubber plantations and another 100,000 hectares for sugar cane for bio fuel, when our people are facing high prices for all food commodities and our country is still importing most of its rice needs,” Guterres said.

Guterres accused parliamentary President Lasama of misusing standing orders to protect the de facto Ministers and the de facto AMP government from being held accountable to the people's representatives on these very serious questions.

“This is contrary to parliamentary rules and the practice in the previous parliament. This is an undemocratic trend and shows how desperate the de facto government’s allies are becoming in the face of a wave of allegations of maladministration and highly questionable deals involving government tenders worth many millions of dollars,” added Guterres.

“These latest cases of maladministration follow revelations that Deputy Prime Minister Jose Luis Guterres, used public funds to increase his wife’s salary as a diplomat in New York, whilst he was Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. The money was used to purchase a grand piano.

“For over one week we have formally requested the parliament to call the de facto AMP government to attend parliament to respond to our queries about the level of success in spending the budget for the transitional period 1 July to 31 December 2007. But to date we have had no response. Given the restrictions by the President of the Parliament yesterday, we fear that our efforts to hold the government accountable on budget execution will be similarly thwarted,” said Guterres.

Despite the lack of quorum once FRETILIN and ASDT were not present, the parliament continued to proceed, another serious issue with the conduct of the President of the Parliament.

Contact:

Jose Teixeira +670 728 7080
Nilva Guimaraes +670 734 0389

Comunicado de Imprensa: Deputados da FRETILIN abandonam o parlamento em protesto

2008-05-07T10:43:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Comunicado de Imprensa
Maio 7, 2008

Deputados da FRETILIN abandonam o parlamento em protesto

Deputados da FRETILIN abandonaram ontem a sessão da tarde (Terça-feira 6 Maio 2008) do Parlamento de Timor-Leste em protesto por tentativas de evitar o questionamento de dois ministros do governo envolvidos em transacções comerciais duvidosas no valor de muitos milhões de dólares.

A FRETILIN disse que o Presidente do Parlamento Nacional, Fernando Lasama Araújo usou mal as regras em vigor no parlamento para restringir o questionamento do Sr Mariano Sabino, Ministro da Agricultura e Pescas e Sr Gil Alves, Ministro do Turismo, Comércio e Indústria, a uma pergunta por partido.

O líder parlamentar da FRETILIN Aniceto Guterres disse hoje que queria perguntar ao Ministro do Turismo, Comércio e Indústria porque é que um contracto de muitos milhões de dólares para importação de arroz foi feito com um único fornecedor e não através dum concurso internacional.

“O Ministro da Agricultura e Pescas de facto precisa de confirmar ou negar relatos de que assinou acordos para dar a companhias estrangeiras 300,000 hectares para plantações de borracha e outros 100,000 hectares para cana de açúcar para bio-combustível, quando o nosso povo está a enfrentar altos preços para bens alimentares e o nosso país está ainda a importar a maioria do arroz que precisa,” disse Guterres.

Guterres acusou o Presidente do parlamento Lasama de usar mal as regras em vigor para proteger os Ministros de facto e o governo AMP de facto de serem responsabilizados pelos representantes do povo nestas questões graves.

“Isto é contrário às regras parlamentares e à práctica no parlamento anterior. Esta é uma tendência não democrática e que mostra como estão a ficar desesperados os aliados do governo de facto perante uma vaga de alegações de má-administração e de negócios altamente questionáveis envolvendo encomendas do governo no valor de muitos milhões de dólares,” acrescentou Guterres.

“Estes últimos casos de má-administração seguem-se a revelações de que o Vice-Primeiro-Ministro José Luis Guterres, usou fundos públicos para aumentar o salário da mulher como diplomata em Nova Iorque, quando ele era Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros e Cooperação. O dinheiro foi usado para comprar um piano de cauda longa.

“Durante mais de uma semana requeremos formalmente ao parlamento para chamar o governo AMP de facto para comparecer no parlamento para responder às nossas perguntas acerca do nível de sucesso nos gastos do orçamento para o período transitório de 1 Julho a 31 Dezembro 2007. Mas até à data não tivemos nenhuma resposta. Dadas as restrições levantadas pelo Presidente do Parlamento ontem, receamos que os nossos esforços para responsabilizar o governo pela execução do orçamento sejam igualmente frustrados,” disse Guterres.

Apesar da falta de quórum uma vez que a FRETILIN e a ASDT não estiveram presentes, o parlamento continuou em funcionamento, o que é outra questão grave na conduta do Presidente do Parlamento.

Contacto:

José Teixeira +670 728 7080
Nilva Guimarães +670 734 0389

PLATAFORMA POLITICA DA ALIANCA ESTRATEGICA ASDT/FRETILIN

2008-05-07T10:26:00.000+09:00

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Media Release: Party quits Gusmao's coalition to ally with FRETILIN

2008-05-05T10:49:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

MEDIA RELEASE
5 May 2008

Party quits Gusmao's coalition to ally with FRETILIN

The Timorese Social Democratic Association (ASDT), a member of Timor Leste's de facto government, has withdrawn from the governing coalition and formed an alliance with FRETILIN.

Leaders of ASDT and FRETILIN signed an agreement in Dili on Saturday to enter into a "solid coalition" to form the next constitutional government of Timor Leste.

Their joint statement criticised the de facto government led by Xanana Gusmao as "full of nepotism and corruption".

In the 2007 parliamentary election the ASDT/Social Democratic Party alliance won 18 per cent of the vote and 11 seats, making it the third most popular force after FRETILIN (21 seats) and Gusmao's CNRT (18 seats). ASDT had two ministers in the de facto government.

The joint statement was signed by ASDT President Francisco Xavier do Amaral (the first President of FRETILIN and of Timor Leste and the man who proclaimed national independence in November 1975) and current FRETILIN President Francisco Guterres Lu Olo (who proclaimed Timor Leste's restoration of independence on 20 May 2002).

The statement said both ASDT and FRETILIN were born as political forces to achieve the total liberation of the people and nation of Timor Leste.

It continued: "Today, despite the people of Timor Leste having been liberated from centuries of foreign domination, the people are once again living under a government full of nepotism, corruption, collusion and injustice, and we are witnessing the persecution of our patriots. The situation has once again dragged our people into living lives of fear of those in political power and of a loss of hope for the economic development of their nation."

The ASDT/FRETILIN agreement opens the way for both parties to immediately prepare a policy platform for a future government. It guarantees a just and proportional participation by ASDT members in the executives of a future government and parliament.

The original ASDT was formed on May 20, 1974, and re-named FRETILIN later that year. Xavier do Amaral re-formed ASDT for the elections in 2001, when he stood against Xanana Gusmao for the presidency.

For information please contact: José Teixeira on +670 728 7080
For further information from ASDT, please contact João Correia on +670 724 9524

Comunicado de Imprensa: Partido sai da coligação de Gusmão para se aliar à FRETILIN

2008-05-05T10:48:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

COMUNICADO DE IMPRENSA
5 Maio 2008

Partido sai da coligação de Gusmão para se aliar à FRETILIN

A Associação Social Democrática Timorense (ASDT), um membro do governo de facto de Timor-Leste, retirou-se da coligação do governo e formou uma aliança com a FRETILIN.

Líderes da ASDT e FRETILIN assinaram um acordo em Dili no Sábado para entrar numa "coligação sólida" para formar o próximo governo constitucional de Timor-Leste.

Na declaração conjunta criticaram o governo de facto liderado por Xanana Gusmão como "cheio de nepotismo e corrupção".

Nas eleições parlamentares de 2007 a aliança ASDT/Partido Social Democrático ganhou 18 por cento dos votos e 11 lugares, tornando-se a terceira maior força popular depois da FRETILIN (21 lugares) e do CNRT de Gusmão (18 lugares). A ASDT tinha dois ministros no governo de facto.

A declaração conjunta foi assinada pelo Presidente da ASDT Francisco Xavier do Amaral (o primeiro Presidente da FRETILIN e de Timor-Leste e o homem que proclamou a independência nacional em Novembro de 1975) e o corrente Presidente da FRETILIN Francisco Guterres Lu Olo (que proclamou a restauração da independência de Timor-Leste em 20 de Maio de 2002).

A declaração disse que ambas ASDT e FRETILIN nasceram como forças políticas para alcançar a libertação total do povo e da nação de Timor-Leste.

Continuava: "Hoje, apesar do povo de Timor-Leste ter sido libertado de séculos de domínio estrangeiro, o povo está mais uma vez a viver sob um governo cheio de nepotismo, corrupção, conivências e injustiça, e estamos a testemunhar a perseguição de patriotas nossos. A situação arrastou mais uma vez o nosso povo a viver vidas de medo dos que estão no poder político e e de perda de esperança pelo desenvolvimento económico da nação."

O acordo ASDT/FRETILIN abre o caminho para ambos os partidos prepararem imediatamente uma plataforma política para um futuro governo. Isso garante uma participação justa e proporcional por membros da ASDT nos executivos dum governo e parlamento futuros .

A ASDT original foi formada em 20 de Maio de 1974, e re-chamada FRETILIN mais tarde nesse ano. Xavier do Amaral re-formou a ASDT para as eleições em 2001, quando se afirmou contra Xanana Gusmão para a presidência.

Para informações por favor contacte: José Teixeira no +670 728 7080
Para mais informações da ASDT, por favor contacte João Correia no +670 724 9524

ACORDO ASDT/FRETILIN de 1 de Maio de 2008

2008-05-01T10:05:00.000+09:00

Media Release: FRETILIN rejects ceremony to receive rebels

2008-04-30T10:53:00.001+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Media Release
April 30, 2008

FRETILIN rejects ceremony to receive rebels

The FRETILIN parliamentary group yesterday rejected participating in a ceremony to receive the rebel group led by Gastao Salsinha, saying the rebels should have faced the courts first, rather than be presented at the government palace.

The Salsinha group is linked to the alleged attack on the de facto Prime Minister on February 11, 2008.

The leader of the FRETILIN parliamentary group, Aniceto Guterres, made this clear in response to media questions. Mario Carrascalao, the Social Democratic Party leader and Member of Parliament, is also believed to have refused to attend the ceremony.

"This ceremony organized by the AMP de facto government is inappropriate. It portrays a negative image of our nation state. We cannot treat rebels in the same way we would undertake a family ceremony or a traditional ceremony. We must treat these questions of state with much more seriousness. These actions have diminished the dignity of our nation state," said Guterres.

According to Guterres these rebels should be immediately presented to the justice authorities and processed accordingly. Guterres added that as a state under the rule of law all those who violate the law are answerable to the courts and not political figures.

"The AMP de facto government has organized a reception ceremony whilst ignoring the warrants for the immediate apprehension of these rebels allegedly responsible for engaging in serious criminal action against this state. From what we hear, the rebel Salsinha and his group did not even formally surrender to authorities yesterday, but were permitted to participate in a public ceremony that was a charade. It was simply a farce for political gain."

Guterres also added: "FRETILIN views this undignified attitude by the state as projecting a negative image to our people and will only promote disrespect for the law and the constitution. It is also a blatant display by those who govern Timor-Leste today of their lack of respect for the rule of law."

Guterres said in closing that once again the FRETILIN parliamentary group congratulated the Joint Operation Command for the success in bringing the rebels to heel and acknowledged the personal efforts by Gastao Salsinha and his group as citizens of Timor-Leste to peacefully submit themselves to justice.

For further information please call Nilva Guimaraes in Dili: +670 7340389

Media Release: FRETILIN rejects ceremony to receive rebels

2008-04-30T10:53:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Comunicado de Imprensa: FRETILIN rejeita a cerimónia para receber amotinados

2008-04-30T10:52:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Comunicado de Imprensa
Abril 30, 2008

FRETILIN rejeita a cerimónia para receber amotinados

O grupo parlamentar da FRETILIN rejeitou ontem participar numa cerimónia para receber o grupo amotinado liderado por Gastão Salsinha, dizendo que os amotinados devem enfrentar os tribunais primeiro, em vez de serem apresentados no palácio do governo.

O grupo de Salsinha está ligado ao alegado ataque ao Primeiro-Ministro de facto em 11 de Fevereiro de 2008.

O líder do grupo parlamentar da FRETILIN, Aniceto Guterres, deu esta resposta clara a perguntas dos media. Pensa-se que Mário Carrascalão o líder do PSD e deputado, recusou também estar presente na cerimónia.

"Esta cerimónia organizada pelo governo de facto da AMP é incorrecta. Dá uma imagem negativa do Estado da nossa nação. Não podemos tratar amotinados da mesma maneira que trataríamos uma cerimónia da família ou uma cerimónia tradicional. Devemos tratar estas questões de Estado com muita mais seriedade. Estas acções diminuíram a dignidade do Estado da nossa nação," disse Guterres.

De acordo com Guterres estes amotinados deviam ter sido imediatamente apresentados às autoridades da justiça e processados correctamente. Guterres acrescentou que num Estado sob o domínio da lei todos os que violaram a lei respondem perante os tribunais e não perante figuras políticas.

"O governo de facto da AMP organizou uma cerimónia de recepção ao mesmo tempo que ignorava o mandato para a apreensão imediata desses amotinados alegadamente responsáveis por se engajarem em acções criminosas graves contra o Estado. Pelo que ouvimos, o amotinado Salsinha e o seu grupo nem mesmo se renderam formalmente às autoridades ontem, mas foram autorizados a participar numa cerimónia pública que foi uma charada. Foi simplesmente uma farsa para ganhos políticos."

Guterres acrescentou ainda: "A FRETILIN vê esta atitude indigna pelo Estado como projectando uma imagem negativa para o nosso povo e apenas promoverá desrespeito pela lei e pela constituição. É também uma mostra descarada pelos que hoje governam Timor-Leste da sua falta de respeito pelo primado da lei."

Guterres disse a fechar que mais uma vez o grupo parlamentar da FRETILIN saúda o Comando da Operação Conjunta pelo sucesso em trazer os amotinados e reconheceu os esforços pessoais de Gastão Salsinha o o seu grupo como cidadãos de Timor-Leste para se entregarem pacificamente à justiça.

Para mais informação por favor ligue a Nilva Guimarães em Dili: +670 7340389

Komunikadu Imprensa: "Fretilin Husu PM de Facto Demite Jose Luis Guterres"

2008-04-08T13:02:00.000+09:00

PARLAMENTU NASIONAL

BANCADA PARLAMENTAR FRETILIN

Comunicado Imprensa

"Fretilin Husu PM de Facto Demite Jose Luis Guterres"

Bancada Fretilin liu hosi Plenaria Parlamentu Nasional ejije ba Primeiru Ministru de Facto Xanana Gusmao hanesan Chefe do governu atu demite/hasai Jose Luis Guterres hosi governu i halo investigasaun ba kazu autorizasaun transferensia osan povu nian hodi aumenta nia kaben nia salario, hanesan diplomata iha Nova Yorke..

Deklarasaun Bancada Fretilin nian ne'e, hato'o hosi Deputada Ilda da Conceicao, Iha Plenaria Extraordinaria, Tersa Feira, (08/04), iha Uma Fukun Parlamentu Nasional.

"Iha fulan Fevereiru 2008 iha Uma Fukun Parlamentu Nasional, ami Bankada Fretilin aprezenta kazu kona ba Sr. Jose Luis Guterres bainhira nia sei kaer kargu Ministru Negosiu Estranjeirus, momentu ne'e nia fo autorizasaun ba finansas halo transferensia salariu ida ke aa's teb-tebes ba nia kaben nebe'e hala'o knar iha Embaixada TL nian iha Nova Yorke America, Bancada Fretilin konsidera kazu ne'e grave tamba ami hare'e katak involve abuzu de poder, korpusaun no nepotismu,"Tenik Ilda.

Tuir Deputada Ilda katak, bainhira Bankada Fretilin aprezenta kazu ne'e iha Fulan Fevereiru liu ba, Senhores Deputadus sira hatete katak tengki aprezenta evidensias no provas, ne'e duni ohin ami hakarak hato'o provas nebe'e Sr. Jose Luis nia kaben rasik hakerek liu hosi email, hanesan tuir mai ne'e

"
As transfências feitas para a minha conta pessoal pelo Ministério das Finanças foram até agora respectivamente $ 10,673.33 no dia 24 de Novembro (referente ao primeiro trimester) 2006, $ 8,005.00 no dia 11 de Janeiro (referente ao segundo trimester) e 18,667.14 no dia 11 de Abril, (referente ao terceiro trimester) isto poder-se-á certamente comprovar no Ministério das Finanças. Vim só a saber na altura da verificação que por Lei, mesmo que eu possua passaporte Diplomatico Timorense, não me é dado o direito de cidadania por não ter vivido em Timor no minímo 8 anos. Por essa razão não poderia ser classificada Diplomata para efeitos de contracto nem benefícios."

"Sr. José Luis Guterres, núdar Ministru dos Negosios Estranjeirus, hatene katak nia kabem, nudar ema estranjeiru, labele hetan estatutu núdar diplomata iha Embaixada Timor-Leste nian, iha Nova Yorke. Tamba sá nia foti desizaun ida ne'e? Ne'e la'os kazu abuzu de poder, korupsaun no nepotismu?

Ami mos hatene katak Sr. Jose Luis Guterres nia kaben , uza osan ne'e hodi sosa mos Grand Piano, pianu bo'ot ida ba sira nia uma iha Amerika,"Tenik Deputada Ilda

Deputada Ilda esplika liu tan katak, Governu liderado husi Sua Exsia Sr. Jose Alexandre Gusmao hatene kona ba asuntu ida ne'e, maibe to'o agora, la halo buat ida. Tan sa'a? Ida ne'e hatudu katak governasaun ida ne'e laiha transparensia no integridade. Hatudu momos katak bo'ot sira, iha governu, hakarak taka falta ba malu deit.

Ami. Bankada FRETILIN husu ba Mesa PN atu hato'o ba Governu kazu Sr Jose Luis Guterres nian, maibe to'o ohin loron, ami sei dauk hatene buat ida.

Dala ida tan ami eziji ba S. E. Sr Jose Alexandre Gusmão hanesan Xefe do Governo atu demite/hasai Sr. Jose Luis Guterres husi Governu i halo investigasaun ba kazu autorizasaun transferencia osan povu nian hodi aumenta nia kabem nia salario, hanesan diplomata, iha Nova York

Atu hetan informasaun

Bele kontaktu no hp:+670 7340389-7383872

Media Release: FRETILIN asks National Parliament to invite Prosecutor General to explain his Report on the Stage of Siege

2008-04-01T22:01:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release

April 1, 2008

FRETILIN asks National Parliament to invite Prosecutor General to explain his Report on the Stage of Siege

FRETILIN MP and Vice President Arsenio Bano asked the National Parliament today to invite the Prosecutor General of the Republic, Longuinhos Monteiro, to explain the result of his investigation into the 11 February attempts on the President and de facto Prime Minister, as well as the implementation of the state of siege.

Bano’s move was in response to the Prosecutor General's report, which was tabled in parliament today. “The report that has been tabled in parliament is not clear or detailed, and reads more like a novel,” said Bano.

“It is important that we as the peoples’ representative in this National Parliament get a thorough and detailed explanation from the Prosecutor General of the Republic regarding the results of his office’s investigation of the February 11 attempts, as well as the impact of the state of siege on our community and our citizens’ rights.

“We need to know what action has been taken by the police and military forces and against how many people arrest warrants have been issued,” said Bano.

“The Prosecutor General should come to parliament personally to answer questions from the MPs,” Bano concluded.

For further information please call Nilva Guimaraes in Dili: +670 7340389

Media Release: FRETILIN calls on Brigadier Baker and Health Minister Nelson to attend Parliament

2008-03-26T21:59:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release

March 26, 2008

FRETILIN calls on Brigadier Baker and Health Minister Nelson to attend Parliament

FRETILIN today called for the International Stabilisation Force Commander in Timor Leste (East Timor), Brigadier James Baker and Minister for Health Dr Rui Nelson to appear before parliament to answer questions about the shooting of President Ramos Horta on February 11 2008.

FRETILIN’s Deputy Parliamentary Leader, Francisco Miranda Branco, said Brigadier Baker and Dr Nelson needed to clarify reports that efforts to give urgent medical attention to the gravely wounded President were impeded, and to explain the ISF’s failure to swiftly launch an operation to pursue and capture the attackers.

“It is vital to clarify these and other matters that are presently the subject of public concern and speculation. The only way to do this effectively and transparently is for the Commander of the ISF and the health minister to appear in parliament to answer questions,” said Branco.

He said there had been widespread public discussion of reports that an ambulance was prevented from crossing the ISF security cordon outside the President's residence.

“When an ambulance did arrive, there were no doctors accompanying it despite there being a team of doctors assembled at the hospital to attend to the President at the site of the shooting. How and why did this occur when our President was lying on the ground seriously injured and losing blood?” he asked.

“The events of February 11 highlighted serious weaknesses and failure on the part of the defence and security apparatus. Together with the government and the United Nations, the ISF have a tripartite responsibility for defence and security. We therefore feel it necessary to ask the people responsible for these sectors, such as the ISF, to come and address the concerns of the representatives of the people who have been waiting for answers to such basic questions since February 11.”

Branco said the ISF commander should also explain how the attackers were able to travel undetected from Ermera district to the president’s residence in Dili without detection or forewarning, and why there was a long delay in launching an operation to pursue and capture the attackers.

“We are moved to make these requests in parliament by the strange silence that we and the public have been faced with from those responsible for defence and security in our country. A silence that has caused leading figures in our country such as the Bishop of Baucau, Dom Basilio do Nascimento to refer to the ‘mystery of February 11’. We share his views. We do not want any more mysteries, we want transparency for our people, so that we can hold the government and others accountable in light of these serious events. So far no one is prepared to take the least bit of responsibility for the demonstrated failures and weaknesses,” said Branco.

At a media conference in Dili today, Branco criticised the de facto Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao’s admission to parliament yesterday that the government had done nothing to establish an International Commission of Investigation into the 11 February events.

“Parliament demanded a month ago that the government establish an international investigation. Only 17 of the 65 MPs voted against the resolution,” Branco said.

"The de facto Prime Minister’s statement shows a lack of seriousness and lack of will on the part of the government to implement the parliament's resolution.

"Our country needs a transparent and independent investigation that can only be undertaken by international experts and lawyers.

‘The current investigations, being assisted by the FBI and Australian Federal Police, are only within the ambit of establishing criminal responsibility, and we need an independent international investigation to establish the broader truth and justice,” he said.

For further information please call Nilva Guimaraes in Dili: +670 7340389

DEKLARASAUN POLITIKA BANKADA FRETILIN IHA PLENARIA EXTRAORDINARIA

2008-03-20T21:57:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

DEKLARASAUN POLITIKA BANKADA FRETILIN IHA PLENARIA EXTRAORDINARIA
LORON 20 MARSU 2008
Dili, RDTL

Ho sentido de estadu bankada FRETILIN hakarak halo parte iha plenaria
extraordinaria ida nee hodi fo nia kontribuisaun ba kestaun bot estadu
nian. Bankada parlamentar FRETILIN depois de hare besik ba impaktus
neebe horas nee lori ba povu kiik kiak iha base no rona mos reasoens
barak hosi ita nia sosiedade sira neebe mosu hanesa konsekuensia husi
dekretu estadu de sitiu neebe halakon daudaun direitus basikus
sidadaun barak ninian, maske situasaun de poder ida nee lori hakmatek
ba ema balun.

Ami nia bankada hanoin lolos la presiza akontese dekreta estadu do
sitiu ida neebe hahu husi 48 horas ikus mai extende ba loron 10 tuir
mai extende tan ba loron 30. Tuir lolos se governu hare presiza duni
tamba situasaun estadu ninian husu dalan ida loron 30, depois make
hare. Se hau la sala estadu de sitiu ka estadu de emergensia neebe
naruk hanesa nee karik la iha presediensia iha mundu tomak.

Operasaun konjunta F-FDTL/PNTL ami apoia atu halau nafatin tamba
Timor-Leste hetan iha tempu kotuk experiensia rua operasaun militar,
ida mak operasaun ba Atsabe no Hatolia iha tinan 2003 ida fali mak
operasaun ba Manufahi 2006, iha tempu neeba estadu Timor-Leste la
presiza dekreta estadu de sitiu ka estadu de emergensia hodi halau
operasaun militar. Ami mos regista iha tempu neeba governu husi Dr.
Mari Alkatiri, liu te operasaun Atsabe Hatolia desidi halau
governasaun aberta iha Atsabe no la presiza dekreta estadu de sitiu ka
emergensia no governasaun aberta nee hetan susessu no ajuda tan
servisu seguransa nian.

Exigensia ato dekreta kontinuidade estadu de sitiu no estadu de
emergensia nee bele hatudu deit imkapasidade governu de facto ida nee,
ato ukun iha situasaun ida normal, tamba nee mak halo opsaun hodi
halakon direitus basikus sidadaun sira nian liu husi estadu de sitiu
ka estadu de emergensia neebe mos prejudika dadaun ona sidadaun kiik
sira nia moris loroloron. Ukun iha kondisaun ida nee bele loke dalan
ba halakon estadu de direitu iha Timor-Leste no hari fali estadu neebe
sidadaun sira lakon sira nia direitu. Ami hanoin ukun iha kondisaun
ida hanesan nee, nee governu la ukun, maibe governu komanda, no
situasaun ida nee halo ita hanoin fila fali ba tempu resistensia neebe
hotu hotu iha komandu ida deit nia okus.

Ami mos hare ho preokupasaun bot horas nee dadaun mosu ona tauk iha
sidadaun sira nia leet kona ba asoens operasaun polisia inteligensia
ninian hanesan ohin primeiru ministru de facto rasik hateten
"situasaun ida nee hanesan tempu 24 anos iha Indonésia nia okupasaun".

Horas nee ita iha estadu ida neebe la iha primado de lei, ita iha
estadu ida neebe, ema neebe ukun goza, laos deit imunidade maibe mos
impunidade. Ami hakarak hato ami nia preokupasaun ato uma fukun
parlamentu nasional ida nee labele sai hanesa kavalo mandadu deit hodi
tau karimbu ba desizaun hotu hotu neebe mai, eseptu ba deputadus balun
no mos opozisaun FRETILIN. Situasaun ida nee bele lori ita nia
estadu lao lalais los ba ditadura, tamba bankada FRETILIN hare ba
kondisoens neebe nasaun hasoru oras nee la iha ameasa bot ba ordem
konstitusional demokratika, tamba nee bankada FRETILIN labele apoia
deklarasaun ba prorogasaun estadu de emergensia muito menus ba estadu
de sitiu iha ita nia nasaun. Maibe ami hakarak iha nee fo nafatin ami
nia apoiu tomak ba operasaun konjunta F-FDTL/PNTL hodi halau operasaun
tamba nee bankada FRETILIN husu ba povu tomak liuliu ba militantes no
simpatizantes FRETILIN ato tulun komandu konjuntu F-FDTL/PNTL ato
halau nia operasaun ho susesu.

Bankada FRETILIn hakarak repeti fila fali nia mensagem liu husi
plenária ida nee, hodi husu ba Slasinha, tamba nia mos ema
resistensia, ho nia grupu armados sira ato voluntariamente entrega aan
ba forsas seguransa neebe halau hela operasaun militar hasoru sira,
operasaun neebe lori estadu RDTL ninia desizaun, tamba nudar ema moris
deit mak bele fo kontribuisaun bot ba lialos no justisa iha
Timor-Leste.

Husi:

FRANCISCO MIRANDA BRANCO
VICE PREZIDENTI BANKADA FRETILIN
PARLAMENTU NASIONAL RDTL NIAN

Media Release (Tetum and English): FRETILIN ejije naran ho prosesu hasoru ema ne’ebé alegadu impede Salsinha ho nia grupu atu rende, FRETILIN demands

2008-03-17T21:58:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

17 Marsu 2008

Komunikadu de Imprensa

FRETILIN ejije naran ho prosesu hasoru ema ne'ebé alegadu impede Salsinha ho
nia grupu atu rende

Lideransa FRETILIN iha Parlamentu Nasionál ejije ohin katak Prokuradór Jerál
ho Prezidente da Repúblika interinu fó-sai naran no hahú prosesu kriminál
hasoru ema ne'ebé sira dehan iha públiku katak deskonfia sira maka halo
impedimentu ba eis-tenente Salsinha ho ninia grupu atu entrega an.

Francisco Branco, bainhira reponde ba reportajen hosi mídia kona-ba
deklarasaun hosi Prezidente interinu, Fernando de Araújo Lasama, ho
Prokuradór Jerál, Longuinhos Monteiro, katak sira (Lasama ho Monteiro)
deskonfia iha parte terseiru maka interfere hela hodi prevene Salsinha ho
ninia grupu atu entrega an dezde insidente violenta iha dia 11 de Fevereiru,
hatete katak "interese nasionál ejije sira atu halo buat ida ne'e, envés de
hamosu fali espekulasaun oioin, soe rumór tun-sa'e ho hamosu konfuzaun iha
ita-nia komunidade liu hosi komentáriu oioin ne'ebé laiha sentidu no laiha
substánsia iha imprensa.

"Se iha karik ema ne'ebé maka sira deskonfia mete iha hahalok ilegál ida
ne'e, ema sira ne'e tenke hetan akuzasaun no fó-sai sira-nia naran iha
públiku, no lori sira ba tribunál. Buat ne'e tenke la'o tuir lei," Branco
kontinua.

"Lideransa FRETILIN tomak ho ninia membru parlamentu kontinua fó apoiu
totál ba operasaun konjunta F-FDTL/PNTL no reitera sira nia apelu ba
Timor-oan tomak, inkluindu membru ho militante FRETILIN, atu servisu hamutuk
ho asiste operasaun konjunta ne'e iha fatin hotu-hotu atu garante operasaun
ne'e nia susesu.

FRETILIN mós repete ninia apelu ba Sr. Salsinha ho ninia grupu armadu atu
rende kedas ba forsa seguransa, ne'ebé oras-ne'e hala'o hela operasaun
hasoru sira. Só ho evita violénsia ho raan-fakar maka sira bele kontribui ba
prosesu buka lia-loos ho justisa iha ita-nia rain," Branco hakotu.

Sr. Branco nia apelu ne'e hanesan ho Bispo Dioseze Baucau, Dom Basilio do
Nascimento. Liu hosi mídia lokál ida ohin, Bispo Basilio dehan katak
Prokuradór Jerál-nia deklarasaun iha públiku katak iha terseira parte ida
maka impede hela Salsinha ho nia grupu atu rende, fomenta fali populasaun
atu hamosu no haburas espekulasaun ho rumór oioin.

Atu hetan tan komentáriu: Nilva Guimarães, Media Officer, Grupu Parlamentár
Dili, +670 734 0398; José Teixeira, Deputado, +670 728 7080

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

March 17, 2008

MEDIA RELEASE

FRETILIN demands naming and action against alleged impeders of
Salsinha group surrender

The FRETILIN leader in the Timor-Leste National Parliament demanded
today that Timor-Leste's Prosecutor General and interim President of
the Republic name and commence criminal action against persons they
have publicly stated are suspected of actively impeding the surrender
to authorities of former army Lieutenant Salsinha and his armed group.

Francisco Branco, reacting to media reports of statements by both the
interim President Fernando de Araujo Lasama, and Prosecutor General
Monteiro Longhuinos, that they suspected that a third party or parties
had been actively interfering to prevent Salsinha and his armed group
from surrendering since the violent incidents of 11th February, said
that it was in the "national interest that they do so instead of
opening up speculation, rumour mongering and confusion in our
community by making vague and unsubstantiated remarks in the press.

"If there are people who are suspected of engaging in such unlawful
conduct, then they should be charged and publicly named and brought
before the courts. That is how it works in a state under the rule of
law," added Branco.

"The whole of the FRETILIN leadership and its parliamentarians
continue to give their full support to the joint F-FDTL/PNTL operation
and reiterate their appeal to all Timorese, including FRETILIN members
and supporters, to cooperate and assist the joint operation in every
way they can to ensure the operation succeeds.

"FRETILIN also repeats its appeal to Mr. Salsinha and his armed Group
to surrender forthwith to the security forces, who are presently
undertaking operations against them. Only by avoiding further violence
and bloodshed will they be able to contribute to the process of
seeking truth and justice in our country," Branco concluded.

Mr. Branco's calls were echoed by the Bishop of the Diocese of Baucau,
Basilio do Nascimento. In local media today, the Bishop said that the
Prosecutor General's public statement that third parties had been
impeding Salsinha and his group from surrendering had opened the door
to needless public speculation and rumour.

For further comment: Nilva Gimaraes, Media Officer, FRETILIN
Parliamentary Group +670 734 0389

Jose Teixeira MP in Dili +670 728 7080

Media Release: FRETILIN calls for support to military operation and urges peaceful surrender

2008-02-25T18:37:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

MEDIA RELEASE

Dili, 25.02.08

FRETILIN calls for support to military operation and urges peaceful surrender

FRETILIN today urged its supporters to give every assistance to the military operation underway to capture army mutineers suspected of having carried out the attacks in Dili on February 11.

At the same time, the party appealed to armed fugitives to surrender peacefully, in order to avoid further death and suffering.

FRETILIN President Francisco Guterres LuOlo and General Secretary Mari Alkatiri made the appeal at a press conference at the parliament in Dili.

Both speakers stressed that FRETILIN did not want to see the people of Timor-Leste undergo any further death or suffering during the extended State of Siege and military operation authorized by the government against groups involved in the attacks on the President of the Republic and the de facto Prime Minister.

“On behalf of FRETILIN and its parliamentary wing we appeal to all armed groups of fugitives led by Mr. Gastao Salsinha to voluntarily surrender themselves to the security forces,” party president LuOlo said.

FRETILIN Secretary General Dr. Mari Alkatiri said: “We appeal to the people, including FRETILIN members and supporters to provide every assistance they can to the F-FDTL/PNTL joint command operation to enable them to undertake their operations with success.”

Dr Alkatiri appealed “especially to Gastao Salsinha and his armed group not to resist the military operations being undertaken against them. It is better for you to surrender. You will only be able to contribute to the process of achieving the truth and justice if you remain alive.”

He added: “Our people have suffered enough, with many still living under tents and tarpaulins. Some are still suffering effects of injuries from violence and some have died. Our country does not need any more dead or wounded. For this reason, our party, who is accountable to the people, appeals to all armed groups to surrender themselves and their weapons, so that we can resolve this issue with justice and peace.”

Both LuOlo and Alkatiri vowed that FRETILIN would continue to work hard in the parliament to ensure that Timor-Leste does not experience any more unnecessary death or suffering during the State of Siege.

“FRETILIN repeats its call made from the beginning of the crisis, that any persons providing assistance to the fugitive armed groups should cease doing so because it will only bring grief and suffering to them and their families,” added LuOlo.

Finally, FRETILIN appealed to all major institutions in Timor-Leste, including the Catholic Church, other religious organizations and NGOs to contribute to seeking a path that will enhance the welfare of all Timorese in this time of national crisis.

For Further Information call Nilva Gimaraes, Media Officer, FRETILIN Parliamentary Group +670 734 0389

Media Release: Police investigation misused to smear Fretilin and silence MP

2008-02-20T16:46:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday February 20, 2008

Police investigation misused to smear Fretilin and silence MP

The police investigation into last week’s shooting of Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta is being misused for political purposes to intimidate and discredit Fretilin, the party’s general secretary, Mari Alkatiri said today.

Dr Alkatiri said Fretilin member of parliament and media spokesman Jose Teixeira was taken to Dili police headquarters last night in a blatant attempt to blacken his name and damage Fretilin’s image.

“This is political persecution – Teixeira is an effective media spokesman and someone in authority wants to shut him up,” he said.

“I demanded an explanation from Timor Leste Police commander Afonso de Jesus who was unable to give any explanation why Teixeira was taken in.

“It is a disgraceful attempt to politicise the police force and use the investigation into the shooting of the president for party-political gain.”

Jose Teixeira, the minister for energy in the former Fretilin government, said six car loads of armed Timorese police took him from his home at 7.15pm on the orders of deputy police commander (operations) Mateus Fernandes.

“They had no warrant for my arrest and the operation apparently was conducted without the knowledge of the senior police investigating officer,” Teixeira said.

“I was brought before the senior police investigator who said my questioning would take place the following day (Wednesday) because he had not yet been briefed on the line of questioning to be taken.

“I was released after a protest from Dr Alkatiri.

“The police asked me to present myself at police headquarters for questioning this morning.

“Given the heavy handed manner in which I was dealt with, without any legal justification, I am taking legal advice as to my options. I have nothing to hide from the investigation, but this is still a country under the rule of law and it is the law which should prevail in dealing with citizens’ rights.”

Contact: Jose Teixeira in Dili phone +670 728 7080

Media Release: FRETILIN condemns attacks on President and Prime Minister, calls for resignations, Independent International Commission of Inquiry,

2008-02-12T11:01:00.000+09:00

MEDIA RELEASE

Dili, 12.02.08

FRETILIN MPs call on Timor-Leste's Secretaries of State for Security and Defence to resign: Demand Independent International Commission of Inquiry

FRETILIN MPs Arsenio Bano and Estanislau da Silva, today called in parliament for the resignation from the AMP de facto government, of the Secretary of State for Security, Francisco Guterres and the Secretary of State for Defence, Julio Tomas Pinto, citing negligence and incapacity by them to properly manage their portfolios.

"We call on the Secretary of State for Security, Francisco Guterres and the Secretary of State for Defence, Julio Tomas Pinto to resign as a result of their demonstrated negligence and incapacity in coordinating and ensuring that both the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister of this country were adequately protected," Bano said.

"We have a large number of police that have now been reactivated. We have sufficient active F-FDTL soldiers. We have over 1,700 UN police and 900 International Military Forces in this country. It is not simply a matter for the police or the forces to be answerable. As the responsible members of government, it is they who ultimately have to account to the public and have been found wanting. As the responsible members of government they have the responsibility of ensuring that these resources available to us are coordinated to adequately protect the constitutional leaders of this country and the people. If they cannot guarantee the security of the President and the Prime Minister, how are they going to guarantee the security and defence of our people?" asked MP Arsenio Bano, who is also FRETILIN Party Vice President.

Another FRETILIN MP, and former Timor-Leste Prime Minister Estanislau da Silva, informed the parliament there had been a grave act of negligence with regard to the lack of timely response to the assistance needed by the President.

"In the case of the President there is the added unforgivable neglect of medical assistance not arriving for well over half an hour after there had been a call for assistance by him whilst he was lying bleeding on the ground. He telephoned his chief of staff who in turn called the ambulance, but it took over half an hour for them arrive, whilst there was an UNPOL roadblock less than a kilometer away."

"But this is not all. There were many serious questions that needed to be answered that have not been answered. Questions as to why despite over one hour having lapsed between the shooting of the President and the attempt on the Prime Minister, action had not been taken by either members of government responsible for security to immediately secure the security of the Prime Minister," Da Silva told the parliament.

Da Silva closed in saying that there were many questions of lapses of security and regarding the criminal attempts themselves that the people of Timor-Leste demand be answered. "We need an International Commission of Inquiry to fully and properly investigate this in an independent and transparent manner, so that justice can prevail and the perpetrators of these crimes can be punished by the law," he said.

For further information contact José Teixeira on +670 7287080 or Filomeno Aleixo on +670 734 0383

MEDIA RELEASE

Dili, 12.02.08

FRETILIN condemns criminal attacks on Timor-Leste's President and Prime Minister: Demands Independent International Commission of Inquiry

The FRETILIN leader in the Timor-Leste National Parliament Francisco Miranda Branco yesterday (11 February 08) strongly condemned the criminal attacks on the President of the Republic, Dr. José Ramos-Horta, and de facto Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao in a formal statement to the parliament. In his statement on behalf of all FRETILIN members of the parliament Branco reiterated yesterday's strong condemnation by the FRETILIN Secretary General, Dr. Mari Alkatiri, and gave FRETILIN's full support to cooperate with the state security authorities, the UN and international forces in any way it can to maintain peace and stability in their wake.

"Each and every FRETILIN member in this parliament, vehemently condemns this act, which is without doubt a criminal act against the state of Timor-Leste. We hope and pray that the President makes a speedy recovery from this brutal attack on him. Our sympathies are with him and his family in this very difficult time."

"As a party in this parliament we vow to work with all our capacity and cooperation with the other state institutions and authorities to ensure that these criminal acts do not disrupt further the peace and stability and the country and for its full restoration," Branco said.

"Like all other Timorese, we are shocked that this event has occurred precisely when the President had reached excellent progress in his efforts to bring the political leadership of the country together to find a path towards resolving our nation’s current problems in a consensual way," Branco added.

"FRETILIN in this parliament is also concerned that the President of the Republic could be shot by a would be assassin, lead by an identified and widely known fugitive from justice, so close to his residence, and that the Prime Minister could be ambushed on a regular route he takes to his office each day, whilst we have such a large UNPOL and International Stabilization Force presence in this country," questioned Branco.

Branco added that these questions demanding accountability from the authorities responsible for security are graver given the public disclosure of the fact that there was information that the authorities had obtained late last week of potential security related actions this week.

For further information contact José Teixeira on +670 7287080 or Filomeno Aleixo on +670 734 0383

Media Release: FRETILIN condemns reports of attack on Timor-Leste’s President and Prime

2008-02-11T11:06:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN
MEDIA RELEASE

Dili, 11.02.08

FRETILIN condemns reports of attack on Timor-Leste’s President and Prime
Minister: Demands answers from UN and ISF

The Secretary General of FRETILIN Dr. Mari Alkatiri strongly condemned the reported
attacks on the President of the Republic, Dr. José Ramos-Horta, and Xanana Gusmao,
and gave FRETILIN’s full support to cooperate with the security authorities in any way it
can to maintain peace and stability in their wake.

There have been separate unconfirmed reports of an attempt also on the de facto Prime
Minister. Dr. Alkatiri and FRETILIN have issued a strong condemnation of both
reported attacks.

“We are shocked that this has happened, if the media reports are true. This comes as a
total surprise given the recent positive developments, as a result of the President’s tireless
efforts to find a mechanism of national political consensus to find solutions to the critical
issues that are faced by our country,” said Alkatiri.

“FRETILIN is also concerned that the Head of our State and Head of Government could
be so easily reached by a breach in security. UNMIT and the International Stabilization
Forces are principally responsible for security in our country at this time. We demand
answers as to how these breaches in security could possibly happen if the reports are
proven to be true,” closed Alkatiri.
For further information contact José Teixeira on +670 7287080

Media Release: FRETILIN says: “AMP Government cannot defend the State.”

2008-01-24T20:51:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Dili, 24 January 2008

FRETILIN says: “AMP Government cannot defend the State.”

Timor Leste’s largest political party FRETILIN today accused the “AMP” government
of failing totally in its responsibility to defend and strengthen the key state institutions of
an independent Timor-Leste.
Speaking at a press conference today in Dili, FRETILIN Secretary-General Mari Alkatiri said that over
the last few weeks there have been many more examples of the Gusmão government behaving
illegitimately and irresponsibly.
“We see examples almost daily of illegal and unconstitutional decisions, especially in the way public
money is being spent and public assets are being used,” said Mr. Alkatiri.
“Last week, thousands of hectares of Timor-Leste’s scarce agricultural land was handed over to a foreign
investor to grow sugar cane, without consulting local communities and with no reference to any overall
plan for agricultural land use and development.”
Mr Alkatiri continued: “Tendering processes are not transparent. Ministers are acting without taking
advice from their own Directors. Instead of working through our Timorese Public Service, task forces
are set up, increasing dependence on foreign advisers.”
FRETILIN’s President Lu’Olo reinforced Mr Alkatiri’s statement. “The undermining of the justice
sector is obvious,” said Lu’Olo. “Reinado remains free even though he is accused of the most serious
crimes against the State. The security forces cannot provide security and defend the rule of law because
different institutions issue different instructions. The IDPs will never return home if there is no security.”
FRETILIN is also demanding investigation of other examples of maladministration, including the
dismissal or downgrading of public servants without due process; inappropriate public service selection;
excessive expenditure by government members on their own security; overseas trips taken without any
clear program; and attacks on freedom of the press and the institution of parliament
“The parliament is a key institution in a democracy,” said Mr. Lu’Olo. “The AMP government treats it
with no respect, using its majority to force matters through without proper discussion, breaking the
Parliament’s own rules. The Budget was approved without any transparency about the process of
execution.”
Mr Alkatiri concluded: “Timor-Leste is in danger of becoming a failed state. FRETILIN has clear
proposals to stop this. We put forward a proposal to the UN Secretary General, to use high-level
Commissions which include FRETILIN representation to investigate and resolve the problems in key
including Security, Justice, Reinado & the petitioners, the IDPs, and Reform of the Public
Administration, PNTL and F-FFDTL.”

For further information, contact Arsenio Bano 7339416

COmunicado de Imprensa: “O Governo AMP não consegue defender o estado”, afirma a FRETILIN

2008-01-24T20:49:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

Dili, 24 Janeiro 2008

“O Governo AMP não consegue defender o estado”, afirma a FRETILIN

A FRETILIN, o maior partido político de Timor-Leste, acusou hoje o governo “ÄMP”de ter falhado
totalmente por não ter assumido a sua responsabilidade de defender e reforçar as instituições chaves do
estado de Timor-Leste como nação independente.
Em conferência de imprensa que decorreu hoje em Dili, o Secretário-Geral da FRETILIN, Mari Alkatiri
disse que, nas últimas semanas, registaram-se várias actuações ilegítimas e irresponsáveis do Governo
de Xanana Gusmão.
“Quase diariamente verificamos que são tomadas decisões ilegais e inconstitucionais, especialmente no
tocante à forma como são feitas as despesas públicas e à utilização dos bens públicos”, disse Alkatiri.
“Na semana passada, milhares de hectares da escassa área de terras agrícolas foram concedidos aos
investidores estrangeiros para a produção da cana -de-acúcar sem consulta prévia às comunidades locais
e sem qualquer referência ao plano de uso e desenvolvimento de terras para fins agrícolas”.
Alkatiri continuou: “ Os processos de aprovisionamento não são transparentes. Os Ministros não
consultam os seus Directores antes de tomarem decisões. Utilizam task force em vez das instituições já
existentes aumentando assim a nossa dependência em relação às assessorias externas”.
O Presidente da FRETILIN, Lu Olo, reforçou a declaração de Alkatiri afirmando: “ O sector de justiça é
claramente menosprezado”, disse Lu’Olo. “Reinado continua a viver em liberdade apesar de ser acusado
de ter cometido crimes graves contra o estado. As forças de segurança não podem providenciar
segurança e não podem defender o estado de direito porque os nossos órgãos de soberania emitem
orientações diferentes. Os deslocados não regressarão às suas casas se não houver segurança”.
A FRETILIN exije que haja investigação dos casos de má administração, incluindo a demissão ou
despromocão de funcionários públicos sem recurso a processos devidos; selecção inapropriada de
funcionários públicos; gastos excessivos dos membros do governo nos serviços de protecção pessoal;
viagens ao estrangeiro realizadas sem programas claros; ataques à liberdade de imprensa e ao
Parlamento.
“O Parlamento é uma instituição chave na democracia”, disse Lu Olo. “O governo AMP não respeita o
Parlamento, utiliza a maioria para forçar a aprovação de propostas indevidamente discutidas e viola os
regulamentos do Parlamento.
O orçamento geral do estado foi aprovado apesar de o processo de
execução do mesmo não ser transparente.
Alkatiri concluiu: “Timor-Leste corre o risco de se tornar num estado falhado. A FRETILIN tem
propostas claras para travar isto. Apresentamos a nossa proposta ao Secretário-Geral das Nações Unidas
para a criação de Comissões de alto nível que incluam a FRETILIN, para investigar e resolver os
problemas principais, incluindo a Segurança, a Justiça, Reinado e os peticionários, e as Reformas na
Administração Pública, PNTL e F-FDTL”.

Para mais informacões, contactar com Arsénio Bano pelo telephone 733 9416

Komunikadu Imprensa: FRETILIN hatete: “Governu AMP la konsege defende estadu”

2008-01-24T20:47:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Dili, 24 Janeiru 2008

FRETILIN hatete: “Governu AMP la konsege defende estadu”

FRETILIN, partidu bo’ot liu iha Timor-Leste akuza governu “AMP” la iha responsabilidade
atu defende no reforsa instituisoens estadu ne’ebé importante ba Timor-Leste nudar nasaun
independente.
Iha konferénsia imprensa ne’ebé halao ohin iha Dili, Sekretáriu Jeral FRETILIN nian, Mari Alkatiri
hatete katak iha semana hirak liu ba, ita bele haré katak Governu Xanana Gusmão nian halo sasan barak
ne’ebé hatudu irresponsabiliade no la tuir lei.
“Quazi lor’loron ita haré sira foti dezisaun illegal no inkonstitusional, liu-liu bainhira sira uza osan povu
nian no riku soin povu nian,” dehan Sr. Alkatiri.
“Iha semana kotuk, maske rai ba agrikultura oituan deit, Governu fó hektar rihun ba rihun ba investidor
estranjeiru atu kuda tohek, maibé, la konsulta komunidade lokal no la haré uluk ba planu oinsá atu uza
no dezenvolve rai ba agrikultura.”
Sr. Alkatiri hatete tan: “Prosesu tender la’os transparente. Ministru sira la konsulta diretor sira. Sira la
uza instituisoens ne’ebé ita iha ona, maibé, hari fali task force no sira tuir liu konselleiru estranjeiru nia
hanoin no hakarak.”
Prezidente FRETILIN nian, Sr. Lu Olo, reforsa Sr. Alkatiri nia deklarasaun. “Ita haré momós katak sira
la respeita justisa”, Lu Olo hatete. “Reinado sei iha liberdade nafatin maske nia hetan akuzasaun katak
nia komete krimes graves hasoru Estadu. Forsa seguransa la bele fó seguransa no defende estadu de
direitu tamba instituisaun ida-idak fo orientasaun oi’oin. Deslokadus sira labele fila ba sira nia uma
tamba la iha seguransa”
FRETILIN eziji investigasaun ba kazus administrasaun ne’ebé la tuir dalan lo’os, hanesan duni sai ka
hatún funsionárius nia nível, maibé, la tuir prosesu; hatama ema ne’ebé la tuir kritérius ba servisu; gasta
osan bar-barak hodi fó seguransa ba membrus governu; halo viajen ba tasi balu, maibé, la iha programa
klaru; ataka liberdade imprensa nian no Parlamentu.
“Parlamentu maka instituisaun importante liu ba demokrasia”, Lu Olo hatete. “Governu AMP la trata
Parlamentu ho respeitu, la diskute assuntus didiak, maibé, uza deit maioria hodi pasa tuir sira nia
hakarak; sira la tuir Parlamentu nia regulamentus. Sira aprova orsamentu jeral estadu nian, maibé, la
hatudu momós oinsá sira atu gasta osan povu nian”
Sr. Alkatiri hatete ikus liu: “Iha perigu Timor-Leste atu sai estadu falladu. FRETILIN iha proposta
klaru atu hapara ida ne’e. Ami ható proposta ba Sekretáriu Jeral Nasoens Unidas nian atu ita hari
Komisaun altu nível ne’ebé inkui mo’os FRETILIN atu investiga no rezolve problemas iha áreas
importantes hanesan seguransa, justisa, Reinado no petisionárius, deslokadus, reforma ba
Administrasaun Públika, PNTL no F-FDTL”.

Atu hetan ta’an informasaun, bele kontakta Arsénio Bano, tel. 7339416

TOPICOS DA CONFERENCIA DE IMPRENSA DIRIGIDA PELO PRESIDENTE E SECRETARIO GERAL DA FRETILIN

2008-01-24T20:42:00.000+09:00

CONFERENCIA DE IMPRENSA DIRIGIDA PELO PRESIDENTE E SECRETARIO GERAL DA FRETILIN

TOPICOS

1. A FRETILIN não retira nenhuma virgula da sua posição de que o Governo de Xanana é inconstitucional - (O somatório de ilegitimidades não pode ser igual a uma legitimidade).

2. Mas a FRETILIN entende que há questões vitais de interesse nacional onde todos devem contribuir para encontrar solução : i. problema dos peticionários, ii. Problema do Alfredo Reinado, iii. Problema dos deslocados;

3. Contudo, a acrescer a todos estes problemas que são a raiz e as consequências da crise de 2006, temos ainda outros: i. a gestão desatrosa do bem publico feita pelo Governo inconstitucional de Xanana, ii. O escangalhamento e a desestruturação da administração pública, colocando-a na dependência total dos assessores pagos a preço de ouro, iii. A informação e opinião cada vez mais corrente da proliferação de corrupção e nepotismo, iv. A incompetência generalizada, v. o esbanjamento de dinheiro público, vi. A caça às bruxas (directores que são demitidos sumariamente só por serem da FRETILIN ou suspeitos de o serem), vii. A ausência total de Planos e Programas (solução para os problemas sociais e económicos não é encontrada através da definição e execução planos e programas de combate à pobreza, mas sim através da generalização de subsídios distribuidos anarquicamente. O Estado converteu-se numa instituição de misericórdia. Por este andar, teremos inevitavelmente o golpe de misericórdia no desenvolvimento do país.

4. A interferência na Justiça por parte do Presidente e do Governo: i. A não captura do Alfredo Reinado, ii. O envio pelo Governo de medicos para avaliar o estado de saúde do RL;

5. As inconstitucionalidades e ilegalidades dos Actos públicos: i. Verba “alocada” para Task Force do Presidente para o combate à pobreza, ii. Aprovação de normas no PN discriminando os Partidos não representados no PN, iii. A tentativa de excluir a participação de candidatos de Partidos Políticos nas eleições dos Sucos;

6. Ameaças aos jornalistas e deputados pelo Xanana Gusmão perante o silêncio cúmplice da “AMP” e do PR;

7. Tentativa de revisão dos Estatutos dos Combatentes de Libertaçãoi Nacional de modo a reduzir os seus direitos já reconhecidos por Lei;

8. A intenção de se rever a Lei sobre Fundo de Petróleo de modo a poderem retirar mais dinheiro para a sua politica de esbanjamento;

9. Gastos excessivos em relação a segurança privada dos membros do Governo;

10. Para além de todos estes problemas, torna-se claro que o encontro de toda a verdade sobre a crise de 2006 é uma prioridade nacional. Assim, ninguém pode-se sentir intocável, acima da Lei. Todos edevem estar prontos para responder perante a Justiça.

11. Por tudo isso, a FRETILIN endereçou ao SG da ONU propostas claras de saída da crise com vista a abrir espaços para a participação da FRETILIN na conslidação do Estado de Direito Democrático e no combate à corrupção e ao nepotismo.

12. Importa tornar claro que nenhum acordo se chegou como resultado das proposta acima referidas. Nenhum mecanismo foi criado até hoje de modo a permitir tornar realidade p desejo da FRETILIN contribuir para a solução dos problemas. Mantem-se pois o status quo. O país caminha a passos largos no sentido da desestruturação social, politica e institucional.

Dili, 24 de Janeiro de 2008.

Komunikadu / Communique: Misreport

2008-01-15T09:21:00.000+09:00

KOMUNILADU HO TETUM

Ohin Radio Netherlands fo sai reportagem ida neebe tenik katak Dr Alkatiri atu ba visita eis prezidenti Indonesia nian, Suhrato, neebe horas nee moras todan.

Reportagem nee sala bot no la iha baze ho faktus nem itoan. Dr Alkatiri nunka iha intensaun atu halo visita ruma ba Suharto no ezige kedas radio Netherlands atu halo korresaun ba reportagem ida nee neebe la los no neebe sira halo sem buka konfirmasaun ruma husi Dr Alakatiri ka FRETILIN.MEDIA.

Dr Alkatiri lakoi halo komentariu ruma kona ba assuntu ida nee.

ENGLISH COMMUNIQUE: MISREPORT OF VISIT BY DR ALKATIRI TO SUHARTO

Radio Netherlands reported today that Dr. Mari Alkatiri would be visiting the gravely ill former Indonesian President, Suharto.

These reports are false and without any factual basis whatsoever. Dr. Alkatiri has never intended to undertake such a visit and hereby calls on Radio Netherlands to retract this misreporting which was done without the benfit of even a cross check with Dr Alkatiri or FRETILIN.MEDIA.

Dr. Alkatiri does not wish to make any comments on this matter.

HUSI FRETILIN.MEDIA
DILI, 15 JANEIRU 2008

FROM FRETILIN.MEDIA
DILI, 15 JANUARY 2008

Media Release - FRETILIN CONGRATULATES LABOR WINNING GOVERNMENT IN AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS

2007-11-25T10:15:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

Media Release

Dili, Sunday, 25 November 2007

FRETILIN CONGRATULATES LABOR WINNING GOVERNMENT IN AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS

FRETILIN congratulates Prime Minister Elect Kevin Rudd and his front bench team for being elected the new government of Australia at yesterday's general election, said party Secretary General, and former Timor-Leste Prime Minister, Dr Mari Alkatiri.

We know Kevin Rudd. He has been a friend of Timor-Leste for a long time, even before the 1999 referendum. We are elated that the Australian people have embraced he and his Partys vision for a more compassionate, respecting and forward looking society," said Dr Alkatiri.

In September 2001, Kevin Rudd offered his standing as a senior leader of the Australian Labor Party to assist FRETILIN gain membership to the international community of progressive political parties, the Socialist International, of which the Australian Labor Party has played a leading historical role. Because of this FRETILIN is today a fraternal colleague of the Australian Labor Party. We are always positive and happy to see a party from our Socialist International family be entrusted by their people with the task of governing; entrusted to put in place the democratic and social justice ideals we all share as International Socialists, added Dr Alkatiri.

Our two countries have historical links going back for more than half a century, to World War II. FRETILIN and most in the Australian Labor Party have a historic fraternal relationship which grew out of the 24 years of our struggle for independence. We are committed to continuing to build on these links, to continue to nurture future relations based on mutual respect, real fraternity, oriented towards a mutually beneficial and economically and environmentally sustainable future.

Dr Alkatiri concluded with underscoring that as the largest political party in Timor-Leste, FRETILIN looks forward to positive and meaningful dialogue at the earliest opportunity with the new Labor Government with regard to how Australia can engage positively and meaningfully towards stabilizing the security and political situation in Timor-Leste.

We look forward to a mutually respectful and productive dialogue to address any issues which may impede our mutually shared goals of building lasting and trusting relations between our two parties and nations, said Dr Alkatiri in closing.

For further information, please contact:

José Teixeira, Member of National Parliament, Tel. 728 7080, email: fretilin.media@gmail.com

Komunikadu ba Imprensa - FRETILIN FÓ PARABÉNS BA PARTIDU TRABALLISTA NE’EBE MANÁN ELEISOENS BA KAER GOVERNU AUSTRALIA NIAN

2007-11-25T10:09:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KOMUNIKADU BA IMPRENSA
25 Novembru 2007

FRETILIN FÓ PARABÉNS BA PARTIDU TRABALLISTA NE’EBE MANÁN ELEISOENS BA KAER GOVERNU AUSTRALIA NIAN

FRETILIN fó parabéns ba Primeiru –Ministru foun Austrália nian, Sr. Kevin Rudd no nia bankada parlamentar tamba manan eleisoens ba kaer governu iha eleisoens jerais halao horseik iha Austrália, dehan Dr. Mari Alkatiri, Sekretáriu-Jeral FRETILIN nian no núdar ex-Primeiru-Ministru RDTL nian.

“Ami koñese kleur ona Kevin Rudd. Nia belun Timor-Leste nian kleur ona molok referendu 1999. Ami haklaken tebes katak povu Australianu hili nia no ninia partidu núdar matadalan sosiedade nian ne’ebé sei lao ba oin ho laran luak no respeitu liu no hateke ba futuru”, Alkatiri hatete.

Ïha Setembru 2001, Kevin Rudd, núdar membru sénior Partidu Traballista Austrália nian, oferese a’an ba ajuda FRETILIN sai membru asosiasaun partidus polítikus progressistas hosi rai oi’oin, naran INTERNASIONAL SOSIALISTA, asosiasaun ida ne’ebé Partidu Traballista Austrália halo parte kleur ona no sai mo’os mata dalan. Tamba ida ne’e FRETILIN sai partidu irmaun Partidu Traballista nian. Ami laran haksolok tebes tamba haré partidu ne’ebé halo parte família INTERNASIONAL SOSIALISTA hetan konfiansa hosi povu atu kaer governu; ami kontente tamba povu fiar partidu ne’e atu hametin demokrasia no justisa sosial – ideal ne’ebé ami, núdar sosialistas internasionais, haksolok no hakarak halao,” hatutan Dr. Alkatiri.

“Austrália ho Timor-Leste iha ligasaun istórika liu ona tinan atus ha’at liu mo’os hosi Segunda Guerra Mundial. FRETILIN no membru barak hosi Partidu Traballista Austrália iha relasaun istórika diak tebes ne’ebé hametin liu ta’an durante tinan 24 luta libertasaun Timor-Leste nian. Ami fó laran tomak ba halao nafatin relasaun ida ne’e no halao relasaun ne’e ba oin ho respeitu ba malu, haré malu núdar maun alin ne’ebé buka hamutuk benefísius ekónómikus ne’ebé bele hetan ohin no aban bai rua tamba haktuir politika dezenvolvimentu ida ké sei la estraga meiu-ambiente”, hatutan Dr. Alkatiri.

Dr. Alkatiri hatete katak núdar partidu politiku bo’ot liu iha Timor-Leste, FRETILIN hakarak koalia lalais ho governu foun Austrália nian, ne’ebé partidu traballista kaer ohin loron, atu haré oinsá Austrália bele halao diak liu ta’an sira nia knaar atu ajuda hametin seguransa no situasaun polítika iha Timor-Leste.

“Ami hakarak halo diálogu ke diak no halao relasaun ho respeitu ba malu, hodi se’es hosi problemas ne’ebé haketak ita ho sira, hodi nuné bele hametin relasaun diak ba aban bai rua entre partidu FRETILIN no Partidu Traballista no entre Austrália no Timor-Leste, hatutan Dr. Alkatiri.

Hakarak hetan ta’an informasaun, bele dere arame ba José Teixeira, tel. 728 7080, e-mail: fretilin.media@gmail.com

President of the Republic Interferes with Justice in Timor-Leste

2007-11-20T11:13:00.000+09:00

President of the Republic Interferes with Justice in Timor-Leste

(Declaração Politica: 13 de Novembro 2007)

Statement to National Parliament
By Arsenio Bano, Member of Parliament, FRETILIN

Tuesday, 13 November 2007

Today I take this opportunity to make a statement to bring to this place my big concern with the interference by the President of the Republic in the Timor-Leste Justice system.

This interference is demonstrable in the statements made by the ISF commander Brigadier J.M.B. Hutcheson on 31 October 2007 in response to the letter sent by the Judge to the ISF regarding the arrest warrant for Alfredo Reinado.

The response of the ISF commander to the judge stating that the ISF cannot arrest Alfredo Reinado pursuant to the arrest warrant issued by the court because the President of the Republic ordered that the arrest warrant not be enforced.

This conduct demonstrates clearly that the Rule of Law has almost been lost in Timor-Leste. The interference by the President of the Republic with the functioning of another constitutional state institution like the Courts is an indication for us all that justice is no longer functioning in accordance with the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste but is functioning pursuant to the wishes of President Ramos-Horta.

Article 118 of the Constitution of Timor-Leste states that:

The Courts are our constitutional state institution which have the powers to administer justice in the name of the people;

In the exercise of its functions, the courts are entitled to the assistance of the other constitutional state institutions like the Parliament, the Government and the President;

The decisions of the courts are to be compulsorily obeyed and prevail over the decisions of all other constitutional state institutions.

If the statements of the ISF commander are true, this shows that our President of the Republic has interfered with justice in such a way that breaches article 118 of our Constitution as stated above. This conduct by the President of the Republic reminds us of the conduct of Suharto during the time Indonesia ruled our country and law and order in our country was administered in accordance with Suharto’s wishes.

This interference has also aroused many doubts regarding the functioning of our justice system, and is a negative precedent for justice in the future, because on one hand we can see that F-FDTL members are confronting justice in the Dili Courts but on the other hand the President of the Republic does not want some people to account for their actions pursuant to law and order and justice in Timor-Leste.

Lastly, I am also concerned with the role of the international community, the UN presence, including our Australian neighbors who speaks a lot about democracy, law and order and the rule of law, but their Security Forces, who are in Timor-Leste, are not performing their role in accordance with the law, or promoting a respect for rule of law in Timor-Leste. Instead they act in accordance with one person’s wishes as stated by the Commander of the ISF last week in relation to Alfredo Reinado’s case.

If this National Parliament as the representative of the People wants to see our country functioning with law and order, in accordance with the rule of law and the Constitution of the RDTL, this National Parliament has to speak up forcefully so as not to allow justice to be administered in accordance with one person’s wishes.

I have also made a copy of the dispatch from the Court written by Judge Ivo Nelson de Caires Batista Rosa on the 9th of November 2007 published on the internet, on this issue, and I ask that the Chair request the Secretariat of the National Parliament to make photocopies for all Members of this Parliament.

Presidente da República interfere com a Justiça em Timor-Leste

2007-11-20T11:10:00.000+09:00

Presidente da República interfere com a Justiça em Timor-Leste

(Declaração Politica: 13 de Novembro 2007)

Declaração no Parlamentp Nacional
Por Arsénio Bano, Membro do Parlamento, FRETILIN

Terça-feira, 13 Novembro 2007

Hoje uso esta oportunidade para fazer uma declaração para trazer a este local a minha grande preocupação com a interferência feita pelo Presidente da República no sistema de Justiça de Timor-Leste.

Esta interferência está comprovada nas declarações feitas pelo comandante das ISF Brigadeiro J.M.B. Hutcheson em 31 de Outubro de 2007 em resposta à carta que lhe foi enviada pelo Juiz às ISF em relação ao mandato de captura para Alfredo Reinado.

A resposta do comandante das ISF ao juiz afirmava que as ISF não podem prender Alfredo Reinado no seguimento do mandato de captura emitido pelo tribunal porque o Presidente da República lhe deu ordens para não entregar o mandato de captura.

Esta conduta demonstra claramente que o Primado da Lei está quase desaparecido em Timor-Leste. A interferência pelo Presidente da República no funcionamento doutra instituição constitucional do Estado como os Tribunais é uma indicação para todos que a justiça já não está mais a funcionar de acordo com a Constituição da República Democrática de Timor-Leste mas que está a funcionar conforme os desejos do Presidente Ramos-Horta.

O Artigo 118 da Constituição de Timor-Leste consagra que:

Os tribunais são as nossas institucionais de Estado que têm os poderes para administrar a justiça em nome do povo;

No exercício das suas funções, os tribunais têm direito à assistência das outras instituições constitucionais de Estado como o Parlamento, o Governo e o Presidente;

As decisões dos tribunais são de cumprimento obrigatório e prevalecem sobre todas as decisões de quaisquer outras instituições constitucionais de Estado.

Se forem verdadeiras as afirmações do comandante das ISF, isto mostra que o nosso Presidente da República interferiu na justiça dum modo tal que rompe com o artigo 118 da nossa Constituição como acima indicado. Esta conduta pelo Presidente da República lembra-nos a conduta de Suharto durante o tempo em que a Indonésia governou o nosso país e a lei e a ordem no nosso país eram administrados de acordo com os desejos de Suharto.

Esta interferência tem ainda levantado muitas dúvidas relacionadas com o funcionamento do nosso sistema de justiça, e é um precedente negativo para a justiça no futuro, porque por um lado podemos ver que os membros das FDTL estão a enfrentar a justiça nos Tribunais de Dili mas por outro lado o Presidente da República não quer que algumas pessoas respondam pelas suas acções em conformidade com a lei e a ordem e a justiça em Timor-Leste.

Por fim, estou também preocupado com o papel da comunidade internacional, a presença da ONU, incluindo a dos nossos vizinhos Australianos que falam muito de democracia, lei e ordem e o primado da lei, mas as suas Forças de Segurança, que estão em Timor-Leste, não estão a realizar o seu papel de acordo com a lei, ou a promoverem o respeito pelo primado da lei em Timor-Leste. Em vez disso, eles actuam de acordo com os desejos de uma pessoa conforme foi afirmado pelo Comandante das ISF na semana passada em relação ao caso de Alfredo Reinado.

Se este Parlamento Nacional, sendo o representante do Povo quer ver o nosso país a funcionar com lei e ordem, de acordo com o primado da lei e da Constituição da RDTL, este Parlamento Nacional tem de fazer ouvir com força a sua voz para não permitir que a justiça seja administrada de acordo com os desejos de uma pessoa.

Fiz ainda uma cópia deste despacho do Tribunal escrito pelo Juiz Ivo Nelson de Caires Batista Rosa em 9 de Novembro de 2007 e publicado na internet, sobre esta questão, e peço que o Presidente requeira que o Secretariado do Parlamento Nacional paça fotocópias para todos os Membros deste Parlamento.

Media Release - Attempt on Lu'Olo's life marks new low in Timor Leste politics

2007-11-16T11:01:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

MEDIA RELEASE
November 16, 2007

Attempt on Lu'Olo's life marks new low in Timor Leste politics

At about 4.40 am on Friday November 2, a drive-by shooting of the house of FRETILIN President Francisco Lu'Olo Guterres marked the first attempted assassination of a national leader and a new low in Timorese politics despite the mid-year presidential and parliamentary elections.

Lu'Olo was the commander of the FALINTIL guerrilla resistance at the time of the Indonesian defeat in the 1999 UN referendum, and the first President of the National Parliament, elected in May 2001. He is a member of the current parliament. All this makes him a living symbol of the Timor Leste liberation struggle, and this shooting a major incident.

Since the new government was installed in early August, FRETILIN has maintained its view that the Prime Minister, Jose Xanana Gusmao, was not properly appointed, and has maintained a vigorous role as an Opposition. It has held two well-attended 'retreats' at which its policies and grassroots structures have been reviewed and strengthened.

"This resilience was not expected by our opponents, and this may explain the underlying tensions behind this, which I personally regard as, at best, a serious act of criminal intimidation, and at worst attempted assassination, the latter which we cannot rule out given that this matter has still to be investigated," commented FRETILIN MP Jose Teixeira.

Lu'Olo's house is in the beachfront suburb Dili suburb of Farol. The vehicle from which the shots came had tinted windows, according to an account made to the parliament by FRETILIN MP Inacio Moreira.

Based on information from Lu'Olo himself and his close protection unit, Mr Moreira said, "A car was seen, having come from the direction of Praia dos Coqueiros (Coconut Beach) – Campo Alor, which, when in front of the residence of the former President of the National Parliament, drove by slowly, firing off four guns shots.

"After firing the shots, it left the location immediately. When the close protection security of the former President of the NP came out from the residence reconnoitre the situation, the group left the location. After three minutes, UNPOL arrived at the location to gather details regarding the occurrence, having found still hot spent bullet cartridges, which were taken to the police station", Mr Moreira explained in an interview published in the local newspaper, Jornal Nacional Semanário, on November 10.

The FRETILIN parliamentary group considers the shooting to be an act of terror and is demanding a full investigation to identify the culprits. Mr Moreira expressed strong concern that he had to raise the incident in parliament before it was reported in any local media outlet.

The FRETILIN group was supported by the Vice President of the National Parliament, Vicente da Silva Guterres (CNRT), who considered the shooting as a grave incident and requested the competent authorities to undertake an extensive investigation.

While no one was injured in the shooting, the family living at Lu'Olo's house is terrified. The house is a demountable structure which offers no protection against bullets, and was hit four times.

For further comment: Jose Teixeira MP +670 728 7080 / 0407 293 365

Comunicado de Imprensa - Tentativa contra a vida de Lu'Olo marca um novo ponto baixo na política em Timor-Leste

2007-11-16T11:00:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

COMUNICADO DE IMPRENSA
Novembro 16, 2007

Tentativa contra a vida de Lu'Olo marca um novo ponto baixo na política em Timor-Leste

Por volta das 4.40 am na Sexta-feira 2 de Novembro, disparos de tiros dum carro contra a casa do Presidente da FRETILIN Francisco Lu'Olo Guterres marcou a primeira tentativa de assassínio dum líder nacional e um novo ponto baixo na política Timorense apesar das eleições presidenciais e legislativas em meados do ano.

Lu'Olo foi o comandante da guerrilha da RESISTÊNCIA FALINTIL na altura da derrota Indonésia no referendo da ONU em 1999, e o primeiro Presidente do Parlamento Nacional, eleito em Maio de 2001. É deputado no corrente parlamento. Tudo isto o torna um símbolo vivo da luta de libertação de Timor-Leste e estes tiros são um incidente maior.

Desde que foi instalado o novo governo no princípio de Agosto, a FRETILIN tem mantido a sua opinião que o Primeiro-Ministro, José Xanana Gusmão, não foi nomeado de maneira adequada, e tem mantido um papel vigoroso como Oposição. Realizou dois “retiros” bem participados nos quais as sua políticas e estruturas de base foram revistas e reforçadas.

"Esta resiliência não era esperada pelos nossos opositores, e isto pode explicar as tensões subjacentes por detrás disto, que pessoalmente encaro, no melhor, um sério acto criminoso de intimidação, e no pior como uma tentativa de assassínio, sendo que não podemos descartar o último visto que esta matéria está ainda a ser investigada," comentou o deputado da FRETILIN José Teixeira.

A casa de Lu'Olo fica no subúrbio frente ao mar em Dili o subúrbio de Farol. O veículo donde partiram os tiros tinha janelas pintadas, de acordo com o relato feito no parlamento pelo deputado da FRETILIN Inácio Moreira.

Com base nas informações do próprio Lu'Olo e da sua unidade de protecção próxima, o Sr Moreira disse, "Foi visto um carro a vir da direcção da Praia dos Coqueiros – Campo Alor, que, quando passava em frente da residência do antigo Presidente do Parlamento Nacional, afrouxou a marcha, disparando quatro tiros de pistola.

"Depois de disparar os tiros, deixou de imediato o local. Quando a segurança de protecção próxima do antigo Presidente do PN sairam da residência, para fazer o reconhecimento da situação, o grupo deixou o local. Três minutos depois, chegou a UNPOL ao local para recolher detalhes sobre a ocorrência, tendo encontrado os cartuchos das balas ainda quentes, que foram levados para a esquadra da polícia", explicou o Sr Moreira numa entrevista publicada no jornal local, Jornal Nacional Semanário, em 10 de Novembro 10.

O grupo parlamentar da FRETILIN considera que os tiros são um acto de terror e exige uma investigação completa para identificar os culpados. O Sr Moreira expressou fortes preocupações por ter de levantar o incidente no parlamento antes de ser sido relatado em qualquer media local.

O grupo da FRETILIN foi apoiado pelo Vice-Presidente do Parlamento Nacional, Vicente da Silva Guterres (CNRT), que considerou os tiros como um incidente graves pediu às autoridades competentes para fazerem uma investigação extensa.

Conquanto não tenha ficado ninguém ferido, a família a viver na casa de Lu'Olo está aterrorizada. A casa é uma estrutura desmontável que não oferece protecção contra balas, e foi atingida quatro vezes.

Para mais comentários: deputado José Teixeira +670 728 7080 / 0407 293 365

Media Release - Timor-Leste Petroleum Fund one of the best in the world

2007-11-15T09:46:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONARIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Media Release - November 15, 2007

Timor-Leste Petroleum Fund one of the best in the world

Timor-Leste’s much praised Petroleum Fund, which was established in 2005 by the Alkatiri FRETILIN government, has been ranked No. 3 in the world out of 32 similar state-owned funds in 28 countries, evaluated by the renowned Washington think tank, the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Dr Mari Alkatiri, the former Prime Minister of Timor-Leste and Minister responsible for petroleum development when the fund was established, said, “This has placed Timor-Leste in reality as No. 1 in ASEAN, having ranked higher than even Singapore, which is renowned as one of the top most transparent nations in the world, and above even countries like Australia, Canada and the USA internationally”.

The Peterson Institute analysed the Funds using a set of criteria based on the Structure, Governance, Transparency and Accountability and Behaviour of the funds, awarding them points under a system with a maximum 25 points, to determine their “corporate citizenship” ranking.

“Timor-Leste scored a total of 21.75 points. Just behind Norway with 23 and New Zealand who topped the ranks with 24. But what was especially pleasing is that on the vital criteria of transparency and accountability Timor-Leste’s fund ranked second with 11.75 points from a maximum of 12 points (which New Zealand’s superannuation fund attained), and ahead of Norway whose pension fund with 10.5 points.

“Now that is truly something for us to be proud of,” said Dr Alkatiri. “After all it was the Norwegians whom we invited to be the main source of advice because they had many years ago established a petroleum fund of their own with a sound track record for transparency and accountability. They themselves said that what we had established was a “Norway Plus” petroleum fund model, that is Norway’s best practice but with the added safeguards and measures they would like to have added with the benefit of their extensive experience”, said Dr Alkatiri.

“What is even more impressive is that the funds were evaluated on their actual operational capabilities and on information and data publicly available, which also indicates a high level of transparency. It means this is an extremely valuable objective international measurement of the political will and determination we showed in legislating to protect this most valuable non human/non renewable natural resource for our people’s future and for future generations,” added Dr Alkatiri.

“To be ranked number three in such a few years is an astounding feat. President Ramos-Horta recently remarked to the UN General Assembly that the international community has to show more patience because Timor-Leste is only five years old and it takes more than five years to establish a Chinese restaurant in Manhattan!

“All jokes aside, we have shown the world and now we can see what was possible over the last five years when the political commitment and determination was there to deal with such high stakes matters as the prudent, responsible, transparent and accountable management of our petroleum wealth, to help us avoid the ‘petroleum curse’ many oil rich nations have unfortunately experienced”, said Dr Alkatiri.

“During the election campaign, and even now, some sections of those parties opposed to FRETILIN speak of ‘making changes’ to the Petroleum Fund. We say, ‘don’t make too many changes unless we can all agree they are for the best and make the fund No. 1 and does not take back from No. 3.

“I am concerned that this has already happened but it hasn’t shown up in this report from the Peterson Institute. I am talking about the parliament’s decision to authorize a transfer of US$40 million without first consulting the Independent Petroleum Fund Consultative Council as required by the fund’s law despite loud FRETILIN’s protestations.

“When the next Peterson Institute ranking is done, I think we will find that the actions of parliament will affect the transparency and accountability ranking of the operation of our fund.

That would be very, very, sad indeed. But FRETILIN will not just stand by and allow its good work to be undone. That we can guarantee. We will make sure the Fund remains the high quality model which the world has recognized it to be, for the benefit of this and future generations.”

“Mr. Gusmão and Mr. Horta always speak of needing to spend more money from the fund, because we need to spend the money today not save it for tomorrow. They show a gross misunderstanding because Fund money is being spent today, but it is being spent sustainably - because we also have to look at our needs tomorrow. There will be more than enough money than we can spend without waste and corruption this year and next year”, Dr Alkatiri said.

“What they don’t tell you is that we have many limitations as to how fast and how much money we can spend. They think that we can just get foreign consultants and foreign companies to come and do work that we or our business sector is not yet capable of doing. I disagree with that approach and I believe most of our people do too. You cannot pour more than one litre of water into a one litre bottle. The water will just run out and waste.

“With our money it will mean that big international companies and fat cats will benefit from that spilling over, at the cost of our people, to whom that money belongs. That is the difference between them and us, and that is why it is dangerous to open up or free up the Petroleum Fund more, as they want to,” Dr Alkatiri said.

Timor-Leste’s petroleum fund today has a credit of over US$1.3 billion accumulated in just a few years. By 2010 it could be in excess of US$10 billion, the current value of the highest ranking fund - New Zealand’s superannuation fund - which started decades ago. “This is the value of this third place ranking. We are starting with the benefit of the experience of countries who experimented and lost part of their funds in the process. We must protect our fund and how it operates,” concluded Dr Alkatiri.

For further comment: Jose Teixeira MP +670 728 7080 / 0407 293 365

Comunicado de Imprensa - Fundo do Petróleo de Timor-Leste é um dos melhores do mundo

2007-11-15T09:43:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONARIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Comunicado de Imprensa - Novembro 15, 2007

Fundo do Petróleo de Timor-Leste é um dos melhores do mundo

O muito louvado Fundo do Petróleo de Timor-Leste, que foi criado em 2005 pelo governo da FRETILIN de Alkatiri, ficou classificado em 3º lugar no mundo, entre 32 fundos similares de propriedade estatal em 28 países, avaliados pelo conhecido think tank, o Instituto Peterson para a Economia Internacional.

O Dr Mari Alkatiri, o antigo Primeiro-Ministro de Timor-Leste e o Ministro responsável pelo desenvolvimento do petróleo quando o fundo foi criado, disse, “Isto na realidade colocou Timor-Leste como No. 1 na ASEAN, tendo ficado melhor classificado do que mesmo Singapura, que é reconhecido como uma das nações do mundo no topo das mais transparentes, e mesmo internacionalmente acima de países como a Austrália, Canadá e os USA”.

O Instituto Peterson para a Economia Internacional analisou os Fundos usando um conjunto de critérios baseados em Estrutura, Governação, Transparência e Responsabilização e Comportamento dos fundos, dando-lhes pontos num sistema com um máximo de 25 pontos, para determinar a sua classificação de “cidadania empresarial”.

“Timor-Leste obteve um total de 21.75 pontos. Imediatamente atrás da Noruega com 23 e da Nova Zelândia que ficou no topo com 24. Mas o que foi especialmente agradável é que nos critérios vitais de transparência e responsabilização o fundo de Timor-Leste ficou em segundo lugar com 11.75 pontos num máximo de 12 pontos (que o fundo de pensões da Nova Zelândia atingiu), e à frente do fundo de pensões da Noruega com 10.5 pontos.

“Isto é de facto algo para termos orgulho ,” disse o Dr Alkatiri. “No fim de contas foram os Noruegueses quem nós convidámos para ser a fonte principal de aconselhamento porque eles tinham há já muitos anos criado o seu próprio fundo de petróleo com um sólido historial de transparência e responsabilização. Eles próprios tinham dito que o que criámos era um modelo de fundo de petróleo “Noruega Plus”, que juntava a melhor prática da Noruega com acrescentadas medidas e protecções que eles gostariam de ter juntado à sua grande experiência”, disse o Dr Alkatiri.

“O que é ainda mais impressionante é que os fundos foram avaliados pelas suas actuais capacidades operacionais e com informações e dados disponíveis publicamente, o que indica também um alto nível de transparência. Isso significa que isso é uma medida objectiva internacional extremamente valiosa da vontade política e da determinação que mostrámos ao legislar para proteger os mais valiosos recursos naturais não humanos/não renováveis para o futuro do nosso povo e para as gerações futuras,” acrescentou o Dr Alkatiri.

“Ficar em terceiro lugar em tão poucos anos é um feito impressionante. O Presidente Ramos-Horta recentemente lembrou à Assembleia Geral da ONU que a comunidade internacional tem de mostrar mais paciência porque Timor-Leste tem apenas cinco anos e demora mais do que isso a criar um restaurante Chinês em Manhattan!

“Anedotas à parte, mostrámos ao mundo e podemos ver o que foi possível fazer nos últimos cinco anos quando havia determinação e comprometimento político para lidar com matérias de tão alto nível como a gestão prudente, responsável, transparente e responsabilizadora da nossa riqueza petrolífera, para nos ajudar a evitar a ‘maldição do petróleo' que muitas nações ricas em petróleo infelizmente experimentaram”, disse o Dr Alkatiri.

“Durante a campanha eleitoral, e mesmo agora, alguns sectores desses partidos que se opuseram á FRETILIN falaram em ‘fazer mudanças’ no Fundo do Petróleo. Nós dizemos, ‘não façam demasiadas mudanças a não ser que possamos todos concordar que são para melhor e que tornem o fundo em No. 1 e não nos façam regredir do No. 3.

“Estou preocupado que isto já tenha acontecido mas isso não apareceu neste relatório do Instituto Peterson. Estou a falar da decisão do parlamento de autorizar uma transferência US$40 milhões sem ter primeiro consultado o Conselho Consultivo Independente do Fundo do Petróleo, conforme é exigido pela lei do fundo apesar dos fortes protestos da FRETILIN.

“Quando for feita a próxima classificação do Instituto Peterson, penso que descobriremos que as acções do parlamento afectarão a classificação da transparência e responsabilização do operar do nosso fundo.

Isso será, na verdade, muito, muito triste. Mas a FRETILIN não ficará parada a ver e a permitir que se desfaça um bom trabalho. Isso podemos garantir. Faremos de certeza tudo para que o Fundo mantenha o modelo de alta qualidade que o mundo reconheceu ter, para o beneficio destas gerações e das futuras.”

“O Sr. Gusmão e o Sr. Horta falam sempre da necessidade de gastar mais dinheiro do fundo, porque precisamos de gastar o dinheiro hoje e não poupar para amanhã. Eles mostram uma grande incompreensão porque o dinheiro do Fundo está a ser gasto hoje, mas está a ser gasto de maneira sustentável – porque temos também de olhar pelas nossas necessidades de amanhã. Haverá dinheiro mais que suficiente do que aquele que podemos gastar sem desperdício e corrupção este ano e no próximo ano”, disse o Dr Alkatiri.

“O que eles não lhes dizem é que temos muitas limitações sobre a rapidez e sobre como se pode gastar muito dinheiro. Eles pensam que basta arranjarmos consultores estrangeiros e companhias estrangeiras para virem e fazerem o nosso trabalho ou o trabalho que o nosso sector de negócios não é ainda capaz de fazer. Eu discordo desta abordagem e acredito que a maioria do nosso povo também discorda. Não se pode pôr mais de um litro de água dentro de uma garrafa de um litro. Se se puser, a água corre para fora e estraga-se.

“Com o nosso dinheiro isso significaria que grandes companhias internacionais e gatos gordos beneficiariam desse derramamento à custa do nosso povo, a quem pertence esse dinheiro. É esta a diferença entre eles e nós, e é por isso que é tão perigoso abrir mais o Fundo do Petróleo, como eles querem fazer,” disse o Dr Alkatiri.

O fundo de petróleo de Timor-Leste tem hoje um crédito de mais de US$1.3 biliões acumulados em apenas poucos anos. Em 2010 pode ter em excedentes US$10 biliões, o valor corrente do fundo mais classificado - o fundo de pensões da Nova Zelândia – que começou há décadas. “É este o valor desta classificação de terceiro lugar. Estamos a começar com o benefício da experiência de países que experimentaram e perderam partes dos seus fundos no processo. Devemos proteger o nosso fundo e o modo como opera,” concluiu o Dr Alkatiri.

Para mais comentários: deputado José Teixeira +670 728 7080 / 0407 293 365

Komunikadu Imprensa -FUNDU MINARAI TIMOR-LESTE: TERSEIRU LUGAR IHA MUNDU

2007-11-15T09:40:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

KOMUNIKADU IMPRENSA
15 Novembru 2007

FUNDU MINARAI TIMOR-LESTE: TERSEIRU LUGAR IHA MUNDU

Fundu Minarai Timor-Leste ne'ebé Governu FRETILIN lidera hosi Alkatiri
hari'i iha 2005 no ema rekoñese diak tebes, hetan terseiru lugar iha
mundu liu hosi avaliasaun ne'ebé " Peterson Institute for
International Studies" halo ba fundu 32 estadu nian ne'ebé hari iha
rai 28. . Timor-Leste hetan pontus barak liu rai barak ne'ebé
independente kleur ona no dezenvolvidu liu hosi avaliasaun ne'ebé
halo hosi "think tank" ida ne'e iha Washinton.

Dr. Mari Alkatiri, ex- Primeiru Ministru RDTL nian no Minsitru ne'ebé
responsável ba dezenvolve minarai bainhira Fundu ne'e hari'i iha
Timor-Leste, hatete " Avaliasaun ida ne'e halo Timor-Leste sai númeru
1 iha ASEAN ( Asosiasaun rai ne'ebé halo parte Sudeste Aziátiku).
Timor-Leste iha pontus a'as liu Singapura, rai ne'ebé rekonesidu
katak iha transparénsia a'as tebes no Timor-Leste hetan mo'os pontus
internasional barak liu rai barak hanesan Austrália, Canadá no
Amérika".

Institutu Petersen uza kritérius oi'oin ba halo avaliasaun ne'e
hanesan Estrutura, Governasaun, Transparénsia no Prestasaun Kontas no
mo'os Fundu ninia komportamnetu no sukat Fundu ida –idak ninia
pozisaun tuir sistema ne'ebé fó pontuasaun máxima 25.

"Timor-Leste hetan 21.75 pontus. Nova Zelándia maka hetan primeiru
lugar ho 24 pontus, tuir fali Noruega ho 23 pontus.Buat ne'ebé halo
ita nia laran kmanek tebes maka kritériu importante kona ba
transparénsia no prestsaun kontas tamba ita nia Fundu Minarai hetan
segundu lugar ho11.75 pontus hosi pontuasaun máxima 12. Kona ba
kritéiru ida ne'e , ita hetan pontus liu Fundu Minarai Noruega nian.
Iha área estrutura nian, Fundu Minarai Timor-Leste nian hetan
pontuasaun máxima (8 pontus)".

:"Ida ne'e halo ita sinti orgullu tebes", " Dr Alkatiri hatete. "Ita
konvida ema Noruega nian mai to Timor-Leste hodi hatudu dalan diak
mai ita tamba sira halao Fundu Minarai tinan barak ona no hatudu
katak sira halao ho transparénsia no halo prestasaun kontas diak
tebes. Sira rasik hatete mai ami katak Fundu Minarai Timor Leste nian
sai núdar "Norway plus" katak Timor-Leste tuir sira nia modelu,
modelu ida ké diak tebes, maibé Timor-Leste nian diak liu sira nian,
tamba adopta mo'os medidas foun balu ne'ebé kaer metin liu ita nia
Fundu Minarai. Sira dehan mai ami katak sira hakarak mo'os haktuir
medidas ne'ebé Timor-Leste adopta hodi hadia diak liu tan sira nia
Fundu".

"Ita haklaken tebes katak avaliasaun ne'e halao ho dadus kona ba
kapasidade operasional ne'ebé ita nia Fundu iha ohin loron hammutuk
ho informasaun no dadus ne'ebé sai ona ba publiku. Ho ida ne'e sira
hatudu katak sira halao avaliasaun ne'e ho transparénsia a'as. Ida
ne'e signifika katak sira sukat lolós ho valor internasional ita nia
dezeju politiku no determinasaun ne'ebé ita hatudu bainhira ita aprova
lei Fundu Minarai atu proteje rikusoin ne'ebé iha valor a'as tebes ba
ita nia povu nia futuru no ba jerasaun foun aban bai rua nian", Dr.
Alkatiri hatete.

".Ita foin mak ukun tinan balu deit, hetan ona terseiru lugar iha
mundu. Ne'e hahalok ida ke halo ema admira tebes ita. Prezidente
Ramos Horta foin lalais ne'e hatete iha Assembleia Jeral Nasoens
Unidas katak komunidade internasional tenke iha pasiénsia tamba
Timor-Leste foin mak ukun a'an tinan lima. Atu harii deit restaurante
China iha Manathan –Amerika, tenke lori liu tinan lima", Ramos Horta
hatete.

"Lalika halimar ta'an. Ita timor oan hatudu duni ba mundu tomak no
ita mo'os bele haré saída maka ita halo iha tinan lima nia laran tamba
ita iha dedikasaun polítika no determinasaun ba halao jestaun diak ba
ita nia riku soin minarai. Halao ho kuidadu, responsabilidade,
trasnparénsia no prestasaun kontas hodi ita labele haktuir esperiénsia
a'at rai barak hetan. Minarai sai fali "maldisaun" - rai barak uluk
riku ho minarai, maibé, ikus mai, kiak rabat rai no tusan barak"
Dr. Alkatiri hatutan.

"Iha kampaña ba eleisaun , no ohin loron mo'os, ema balu kontra
nafatin FRETILIN bainhira ami koalia hasoru "mudansas" ba Fundu
Minarai. Agora ami hatete : " Labele halo mudansa barak. Halo deit
bainhira bainhira ita bele hadia Fundu ne'e atu hetan primeiru lugar,
la'os atu hakiduk husi nº 3."

" Hau preokupa tebes katak ida ne'e akontese tiha ona, maibé, sei
dauk tama iha avaliasaun ne'ebé Institutu Peterson foin halo. Hau
refere ba osan tokum 40 (US$40 milloens) ne'ebé Parlamentu Nasional
autoriza Governu foti hosi Fundu Minarai. Molok autoriza foti osan
ne'e, sira la konsulta uluk Konsellu Konsultivu ba Fundu Minarai tuir
lei Fundu Minarai nia ezijénsia. Bankada FRETILIN protesta makas
kontra ida ne'e, maibé, deputadus sira seluk la simu".

"Hau hanoin katak bainhita Institutu Peterson halo fali avaliasaun, ,
Parlamentu ninia desizaun sei afekta pozisaun Fundu Minarain
Timor-Leste nian kona ba transparénsia no prestsaun kontas. Ida ne'e
halo ita nia laran taridu teb'tebes. Maibé FRETILIN sei la tu'ur nonók
deit atu husik ema seluk sobu hahalok ne'ebé halao diak. Ami garante
ida ne'e. Ami sei tuba rai metin hodi Fundu ne'e metin nafatin ho
kualidade a'as,ne'ebé mundu rekoñese tiha ona, hodi bele fó
benefísiu ba gerasaun ohin loron nian no ba aban bai rua nian".

" Sr. Gusmão no Sr. Horta koalia bei'beik katak ita tenke hasai ta'an
osan hosi Fundu Minarai tamba ita presiza gasta osan ohin kedas, la'os
atu rai ba aban bai rua. Sira nain rua hatutu katak sira la
kompreende oinsá maka ita uza osan hosi Fundu Minarai. Ita gasta
dadauk, mai bé, ita gasta ho sustentatibilidade, katak ita hanoin no
haré mo'os ba nesesidade aban bai rua nian. Ita sei iha osan barak ba
ita gasta sé ita la uza arbiru deit no la halo korupsaun iha tinan ida
ne'e no tinan seluk", Dr. Alkatiri hatete.

"Sira la hatete mai ita katak ita iha limitasaun barak atu oinsá gasta
lalais no osan hira maka ita bele gasta. Sira hanoin katak ita bolu
deit konsultor internasional no kompañia estranjeiru mai Timor-Leste
halo servisu ne'ebé ita nia negosiantes seidauk bele halo. Hau kontra
hanoin ida ne'e no hau fiar katak maluk barak hanoin hanesan hau. Ita
labele fui be'e liu litru ida, iha botir litru ida nian. Be'e sei suli
sai no estraga deit."

"Ita nia povu sei la simu benefísius. Kompañia internasional bo'ot
sira no ema balu mak sei habokur a'an ho ósan ne'ebé pertense ba ita
nia povu.. Ne'e maka diferensa bo'ot entre sira ho ami. Tamba ne'e
perigu bo'ot tebes bainhira sira loke Fundu Minarai atu kokir bei'beik
osan hosi ne'ebá, tuir sira nia hakarak, " Dr. Alkatiri hatete.

Kréditu ohin loron Fundu Minarai Timor-Leste nian iha ona osan liu
1.8 billioens dólares amerikanus no konsegue ne'e iha tinan balu
deit. Iha tinan 2010 bele liu US$10 billioens, ósan ne'ebé Fundu Nova
Zelândia iha ohin loron, ne'ebé a'as liu iha mundu, maibé sira halao
iha tinan barak nia laran. "Importante katak ita hetan terseiru lugar.
Ita haktuir esperiénsia rai sira seluk nian no aprende ho sira nia
esperiénsia. Sira lakon osan balu iha prosesu ne'e. Ita tenke proteje
no haré oinsá maka halao Fundu ne'e", Dr. Alkatiri hakotu.

Hakarak hatene ta'an informasaun, bele dere arame ba: José Teixeira,
deputadu FRETILIN, tel. +670 728 7080/0407 293 365

VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS (Mari Alkatiri's View)

2007-11-08T16:12:00.000+09:00

Favor klik iha imajen atu aumenta.

Por favor clique na imagem para aumenta-la.

Please click on the image to enlarge it.

The Times - Sainsbury’s suitor ranked second-worst in survey of sovereign wealth funds David Robertson in Doha

2007-11-05T16:55:00.000+09:00

The Times - October 26, 2007

The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), which has put in a £10.6 billion bid for J Sainsbury, the supermarket chain, lacks appropriate transparency and accountability, according to new research into sovereign wealth funds.

The Peterson Institute for International Economics, a Washington think-tank, has ranked the world’s sovereign wealth funds according to their good citizenship. Peterson, which analyses each fund’s structure, governance, transparency, accountability and behaviour, ranks the QIA as second-worst in the world in these terms.

The growing power of sovereign wealth funds owned by oil-rich countries has raised concern in the West about blue-chip assets falling into the hands of foreign governments. Little is known about many of these funds, which has fuelled jitters about their motivation and ambition.

The QIA is bidding for Sainsbury’s through the Delta Two investment vehicle and it has also taken a 14 per cent stake in the London Stock Exchange. The fund is run by Sheikh Ha-mad bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, but little is known about its operations. Its value is thought to have soared in recent years as oil has shot to more than $90 a barrel, enabling Qatar to direct its vast surpluses into the QIA.

Sources in Doha said that the QIA had only six staff three years ago but now has more than 60 after a step-up in its acquisition drive. However, the fund’s secrecy has prompted concern over its ties to British institutions such as Sainsbury’s and the London Stock Exchange. The QIA turned down requests for an interview.

The QIA, estimated to have assets exceeding $50 billion (£24.3 billion), is ranked second-worst by the Peterson Institute. Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is rated the worst. QIA ranks behind Iran’s oil stabilisation fund and Algeria’s revenue regulation fund.

The best government-owned fund belongs to New Zealand. The $10 billion superannuation fund ranks just ahead of Norway’s government pension fund and East Timor’s petroleum fund.

Sovereign wealth funds have existed for many years, but with oil’s recent rise, those of Middle Eastern countries have leapt in value. The entire market is thought to be worth $2 trillion and the largest single fund, Abu Dhabi’s, is estimated to be worth $500 billion to $875 billion. Norway has the second-largest fund, worth about $329 billion.

Qatar’s gas reserves have given the once undistinguished desert emirate the funds for an investment drive to diversify its economy for long-term prosperity. Part of this strategy is to build a portfolio of foreign assets, which includes the Four Seasons hotel chain.

Qatar has become an important Middle East power broker and yesterday declared its candidacy to host the 2016 Olympics. A huge party sent the message that the cost is no hurdle.

Fund of information

Peterson Institute rankings for sovereign wealth funds

Top 5
New Zealand Superannuation Fund $10bn
Norway Government Pension Fund $329bn
Timor-Leste Petroleum Fund $1bn
Canada Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund $15bn USA Alaska Permanent Fund $40bn

Bottom 5
UAE Mubadala Development Company $10bn
Brunei Investment Agenc $30bn
Singapore Investment Corporation $100bn-330bn Qatar Investment Authority $50bn UAE Abu Dhabi Investment Authority $500bn-875bn

Source: Peterson Institute (some fund sizes are estimates) ###

LUSA: Timor: «Fretilin não assumirá compromissos deste Governo»

2007-10-29T15:21:00.000+09:00

Timor: «Fretilin não assumirá compromissos deste Governo»
Diário Digital / Lusa
29-10-2007 4:34:00

Um «futuro governo» da Fretilin não assumirá compromissos do actual Executivo timorense, afirmou o secretário-geral do partido, Mari Alkatiri, à Agência Lusa.

«Não haverá reconhecimento automático das decisões assumidas por este Governo inconstitucional», declarou Mari Alkatiri, entrevistado pela Lusa em Díli.

«Na melhor das hipóteses, os compromissos serão revistos caso a caso por um futuro governo da Fretilin«, acrescentou o secretário-geral do maior partido timorense, no regresso de um retiro de dirigentes e quadros no sul do país.

Mari Alkatiri explicou que a revisão recomendada pelo retiro da Fretilin visa «em particular os compromissos internacionais que violem a nossa soberania, ponham em causa a nossa independência e a exploração dos nossos recursos».

O ex-primeiro-ministro reafirmou a sua convicção de que «a Fretilin está condenada a vir ao poder, mais tarde ou mais cedo, e mais cedo do que tarde».

Os três dias de retiro em Holarua, distrito de Manufahi, serviram para a Fretilin «encontrar as brechas que permitiram que o golpe acontecesse em 2006 e que a conspiração, surgida já em 2002, se perpetuasse», afirmou Mari Alkatiri.

Segundo o dirigente da Fretilin, «agora está mais claro que Xanana Gusmão é um dos conspiradores e, se a justiça funcionar, chegar-se-á aos outros».

«Xanana Gusmão tem aliados internos e externos, mas não quero antecipar uma investigação mais séria», respondeu o ex-primeiro-ministro quando questionado sobre a quem se referia.

Mari Alkatiri adiantou que a Fretilin vai continuar a divulgar «provas», referindo a gravação de uma conversa telefónica, sem origem e sem data, que envolve um ex-deputado, o Procurador-Geral da República e o ex-chefe de gabinete de Xanana Gusmão.

«Esperávamos do Presidente da República uma reacção mais sensata à gravação«, explicou Mari Alkatiri sobre José Ramos-Horta, que questionou apenas a proveniência da gravação.

«Talvez ele esteja comprometido.»

«Temos mais dados que, em tempo oportuno, vamos divulgar», prometeu Mari Alkatiri.

Interrogado pela Lusa sobre a origem das alegadas «provas» e o acesso da Fretilin a elas, Mari Alkatiri respondeu apenas que «há muitas coisas».

«Este país é pequeno e as pessoas começaram a ficar frustradas« com o novo Governo», comentou o secretário-geral da Fretilin.

No retiro de Manufahi, a Fretilin «definiu estratégias para ultrapassar as dificuldades e acelerar a queda do Governo de Xanana Gusmão», afirmou Mari Alkatiri.

«De modo algum vamos colaborar com o Governo inconstitucional», sublinhou.

«Temos sido suficientemente tolerantes e tem sido nossa estratégia mostrar que eles são incapazes de governar, para que quando o Governo cair não digam que fomos nós que não permitimos que eles governassem».

A Fretilin, vencedora das eleições legislativas de 30 de Junho, não reconhece o IV Governo Constitucional, da Aliança para Maioria Parlamentar, chefiado pelo ex-Presidente da República Xanana Gusmão.

Os mais de mil participantes no retiro de Manufahi analisaram ainda os «problemas» herdados da luta de libertação nacional.

«A verdade é que a luta foi bem sucedida mas criou alguns problemas mal resolvidos, que nós herdámos nesta geração de liderança», afirmou Mari Alkatiri. «Temos que assumir isso e não podemos passar as culpas para os mortos, como muitas vezes Xanana Gusmão faz. Quem já morreu, já morreu.»

Coincidindo com o final do retiro da Fretilin, foram exibidos e homenageados os restos mortais de Vicente Reis, líder da resistência morto em 1979, enterrado em Manufahi.

COMMUNIQUÉ - "One Only Foundation, One Only Vision, One Only Party"

2007-10-29T13:47:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

COMMUNIQUÉ

"One Only Foundation, One Only Vision, One Only Party"

From the 25th to the 28th of October 2007, FRETILIN met in a National Retreat which was in Fahi-Luhan, Suku Holarua, District of Manufahi (Same).

The theme for the retreat was Past, Present and Future Challenges, and had the following specific objectives:

1. Undertake an analysis of the Partys history, the affirmation of the goal of constructing the Rule of Law and the consequences of the coup plan against the FRETILIN government, which commenced on the 4th of December 2002 up to the crisis of 28 April 2006, and FRETILINs position regarding the current government.

2. Debate the Partys perspectives for the consolidation of the Democracy and the Rule of Law, Sovereignty and National Independence and Timor-Lestes relations with South East Asia, principally Australia and Indonesia, the Pacific, and the rest of the world.

During two days, Party representatives from thirteen districts, together with the Political Leadership debated the above mentioned issues and analyzed the many challenges that the Party confronts today, as well as its future challenges.

The many speeches during the retreat identified the following problems:

§ The need for an immediate readjustment of the Partys grassroots structure;

§ The need for a review of the methods for implementing decisions taken by the Central Bodies of the Party;

§ Systematic diffusion of information to the public and mainly the members and supporters of the Party at grassroots level;

§ The need to re-establish payments of membership contributions, as already previously decided, in accordance with the Party Statutes, so as to guarantee the financial resources of the Party;

§ Increase the capacity of the organization at grassroots level, where weak;

§ Develop Party activities in accordance with the regulations and statutes of the Party;

§ Define a Plan of Action and Strategy to respond to the current situation and guarantee the defense of the national interest in accordance with the Constitution of the RDTL;

§ Develop an environment of mutual trust inside the Party to eliminate misunderstandings between the leadership and the members;

§ Increase the capacity of the management and membership through political training;

§ Increase the participation of women, Veterans, Former Combatants in the political activities of the Party, at all levels;

§ Within the context of advancing the Second Struggle for National Liberation, increase the patriotic conscience of the Maubere People;

§ Combat regionalist sentiments and develop the sentiment for the Party.

During the two days the Leadership and the Party representatives from thirteen districts, decided:

1. To hold open dialogue meetings in all districts to:

1.1 Consolidate the support base of the Party (Clandestine Organizations, Former Combatants and Veterans);

1.2 Mobilize and organize a National March for Peace, the Defence of Democratic Rights, Justice, Freedom and National Integrity.

2. Recommend to the Party leadership to decide formally on the restructuring/readjustment of the party at middle and grassroots levels.

3. Recommend to the Party Leadership, mainly the FRETILIN Central Committee and the National Political Committee to emit a Declaration that a future FRETILIN government will not recognize and will review on a case by case basis all international undertakings and agreements, such as any eventual debts with the World Bank, the IMF or other countries, which compromise the sovereignty of the nation, for exploration for oil and gas, and any others, which the de facto government led by Jose Alexandre Gusmao may enter into during the term of its unconstitutional governance.

4. Appeals to all Party members and the Maubere People to remain calm desist from any form of violence which can lead to instability in Timor-Leste.

5. Solidify the existing alliances with political forces such as the Democratic Alliance (KOTA and PPT parties), Timor-Leste Democratic Republican Party, Council for Popular Defence Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and others.

6. Develop relations with internal and external political forces who hold a common interest.

7. Unconditionally reaffirm and support the appeal by the Party Leadership for National Peace and Stability.

Manufahi, 27 October 2007

Comunicado - UMA SÓ RAÍZ, UM SÓ PENSAMENTO E UMA SÓ CASA

2007-10-29T10:48:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONARIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE

FRETILIN

COMUNICADO

De 25 a 28 de Outubro de 2007, a FRETILIN, reuniu em Retiro Nacional em Fahi-Luhan, Suko Holarua, no distrito de Manufahe (Same).

O retiro teve como tema “Desafios do passado, do presente e futuro”, com os seguintes objectivos específicos:

1 – Retrospectiva histórica do Partido, Afirmação para a Construção do Estado de Direito e consequências do plano e do golpe contra o Governo da FRETILIN, que teve início no dia 4 de Dezembro de 2002 até à crise de 28 de Abril de 2006.

Posição da FRETILIN acerca do governo actual.

2 – Perspectivas do Partido para a consolidação do Estado de Direito Democrácrito, Soberania e Independência Nacionais e relações de Timor-Leste com o Sudeste Asiático, principalmente Austrália e Indonésia, Pacífico, e o resto do mundo.

Durante dois dias, representantes dos treze distritos, em conjunto com a Direcção do Partido, debateram os assuntos acima referidos e analisaram os muitos desafios que o Partido hoje enfrenta, bem como os desafios futuros.

Os participantes analizaram também as fraquezas que o Partido enfrenta e as acções necessárias para responder a estes desafios.

As muitas intervenções durante o retiro, identificaram os seguintes problemas:

- Necessidade de reajustamento imediato das Estruturas do Partido na base;

-Necessidade de revisão do método de implementação das decisões já tomadas pelo Órgão Central do Partido;

- Difundir informação de modo sistemático ao público e principalmente aos militantes e simpatizantes na base;

- Necessidade de restabelecer o pagamento da quota, decisão já tomada, segundo o Estatuto do Partido, de forma a garantir recursos financeiros para o Partido;

- Aumentar a capacidade da organização nas bases ainda fracas;

- Desenvolver as actividades do Partido segundo o Regulamento e Estatuto do Partido;

- Definir um Plano de Acção e Estratégia para responder à situação actual e garantir a defesa do interesse nacional de acordo com a Constituição da RDTL;

- Desenvolver o ambiente de confiança mútua dentro do Partido para eliminar o desentendimento entre os quadros e entre os militantes;

- Aumentar a capacidade dos quadros e militantes através de formação política;

- Aumentar a participação da mulher, Organizações de Massas Juvenis, Veteranos e Antigos Combatentes nas actividades políticas do Partido, a todos os níveis;

- Aumentar a consciencialização Patriótica do Povo Maubere para o avanço da Marcha da Paz no contexto da segunda luta de Libertação Nacional;

- Combater o sentimento regionalista e desenvolver o sentimento partidário;

Durante os dois dias a Direcção e os Representantes do Partido dos 13 distritos, decidiram:

1 – Promover Diálogo Aberto em todos os distritos para:

1.1 - Consolidar as Bases de Apoio do Partido (Caixas Clandestinas, Antigos Combatentes e Veteranos).

1.2 – Mobilizar e organizar a Marcha Nacional Para a Paz, Defesa dos Direitos Democráticos, Justiça, Liberdade e Integridade Nacional.

2 – Recomendar à liderança do Partido para decidir a respeito da reestruturação/reajustamento estrutural do Partido nos níveis Médios e de Base.

3 – Recomendar à Direcção do Partido, principalmente ao Comité Central da FRETILIN e Comissão Política Nacional para emitir uma Declaração que o futuro Governo da FRETILIN não reconhece e fará uma revisão caso a caso de todos os compromissos internacionais, como eventuais dívidas ao Banco Mundial, FMI e outras nações, que comprometam a soberania nacional, exploração de petroleo, gaz, e outros, que o governo inconstitucional e de facto, liderado pelo senhor José Alexandre Gusmão concluir durante a sua governação inconstitucional.

4 – Apelar aos militantes do Partido e ao Povo Maubere para se manterem calmos e afastados de qualquer tipo de violência que provoque instabilidade em Timor-Leste.

5 - Solidificar as alianças com as forças políticas já existentes como AD (KOTA e PPT), PDRT, CPDR-DTL, e outros;

6 - Desenvolver relações com outras forças políticas internas e externas que acreditam no interesse comum.

7 – Reafirmar o apoio incondicional ao apelo da Direcção do Partido para a Paz e Estabilidade Nacional.

Manufahe, 27 de Outubro de 2007

Francisco Guterres “Lu-Olo” Mari Bin Amude Alkatiri

- Presidente - - Secretário Geral -

COMUNICADO : ABUT IDA DEIT, NEON IDA DEIT UMA IDA DEIT

2007-10-29T10:47:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONARIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Komunikadu

Hahu husi loron 25 to’o 28 fulan Outobro tinan 2007, Partidu FRETILIN hala’o RETIRU Nacional iha Distritu Manufahe ( Same ) Suku Holarua, Aldeia Fahi-Luhan.

Objektivu bo’ot retiru nian mak ne’e: Desafius iha Tempo Uluk, Tempo Agora no Tempo Aban nian.

Objektivu Espesifiku mak :

Retrospektiva Historika Partidu, afirmasaun ba Konstrusaun Estadu de Direitu no mos konsekuensia planu Golpe hasoru Governu FRETILIN nian nebe hahu husi 4 de Desembru 2002 to’o krise 28 de Abril tinan 2006; Pozisaun FRETILIN nian kona ba Governu agora daudaun ( aktual );

Perspektivas Partidu nian ba konsolidasaun Estadu Direitu Demokratiku, Soberania no Independesia Nasional, relasaun Timor Leste nian ho Rai Sudeste Asiatiku -liu liu Australia ho Indonesia-no Mundo tomak.

Durante loron rua nia laran, representantes nebe mai husi Distritus 13 hamutuk ho Direksaun Partidu nian debate asuntus hirak iha leten no hare katak desafius barak ba Partidu iha ohin loron no mos ba Futuru. Nune’e, partisipantes sira hare mos ba frakezas hirak nebe Partidu hasoru no mos saida mak atu halo nu’udar resposta ba desafius hirak ne’e.

Intervensoins barak hato’o iha Retiru ne’e identifika problemas makmai ne’e:

Precisa halao Reajustamentu imediatu ba Estruturas Partidu nian iha Base;

Precisa halo revisaun ba metodo implementasaun ba Decisaun hirak nebe mak orgaun central hola tiha ona;

Habelar informasaun nebe sistematiku ba publiku liu-liu ba Militantes no Simpatizantes iha Base;

Precisa hametin fila fali dever selu Quota nebe mak decide tiha ona, tuir Estatuto haruka, atu nune’e bele hamoris rekursu financeiru Partidu nian;

Hasae kapasidade organizativa iha Base nebe sei fraku;

Haburas aktividade Partidu nian ho Regulamentu tuir Estatuto Partidu nian;

Hametin Unidade Partidu nian no resolve kontradisaun iha tempo badak;

Defini Plano de Aksaun no Estrategia atu hatan ba situasaun aktual no kaer metin interese nasional tuir Konstituisaun RDTL nian;

Hamoris ambiente konfiansa (ka fiar malu) iha Partidu nia laran atu halakon desintendimentu entre Quadrus no Militantes;

Hasa’e kapasidade Quadrus no Militantes liu husi formasaun Politika;

Hasa’e partisipasaun Feto no Organizasaun Massas Juvenis, Veteranus no Antigus Kombatentes iha Aktividade Politika Partidu nian iha nivel hotu-hotu;

Hasa’e konsiensializasaun Patriotika Povu Maubere nian hodi hakat ba Marsa Paz iha segunda luta ba Libertasaun Nasional iha 2008;

Kombate sentimentu rejionalismu, no hamoris sentimentu de pertensa bo’ot ba Partidu;

Decisaun:

Durante loron rua ne’e, Direksaun ho Representante Partidu nian husi Distritu 13 decide:

Katak sei promove Dialogo Nakloke iha Distritu hotu-hotu hodi:

1.1 Konsolida Bases de Apoio Partidu nian ( Caixa Clandestina, Antigos Combatentes no Veteranus )

1.2 Mobiliza no Organiza Marsa Nasional ba Paz, defesa ba Direitus Democratikus, Justisa, Liberdade no Integridade Nasional.

Rekomenda ba Lideransa Partidu hodi hasai desizaun atu halo Restruturasaun/Reajustamentu Estrutural Partidu nian iha Nivel Media no Base

Rekomenda ba Direksaun Paritdu liu-liu ba CCF no CPN atu hasai Deklarasaun katak Futuro Governu FRETILIN nian la simu no sei halo revisaun kasu ba kasu ba kompromissus Internasionais hotu-hotu, hanesan halo tusan ba Banko Mundial, FMI no Rai seluk no Kompromissu ba Soberania Nasional, ekplorasaun ba Mina Rai, Gas no selu-seluk tan, nebe Governu Inkonstitusional no de Faktu lidera husi Senhor Jose Alexandre Gusmão hala’o durante sira nia Governasaun Inkonstitusional;

Apela ba Militantes Partidu nian no Povu Maubere tomak atu tu’ur hakmatek no hakse’es an husi hahalok violensia hotu-hotu nebe bele hamosu instabilidade iha ita nia Rain;

Hametin aliansas ho forsas politikas no sociais nee’be iha tiha ona hanesan AD, ( Kota-PPT), PDRT, CPD RDTL no seluk tan;

Haburas no hametin relasaun ho forsas politik no sociais iha rai laran no railiur nebe fiar iha interese komum

Reafirma apoiu inkondisional ba apelo Direksaun Partidu nian ba Paz no Estabilidade;

Manufahe, 27 Outubro 2007

Francisco Guterres “ LÙ-OLO
Presidente

Mari Bin Amude Alkatiri
Secretariu-Geral

Comunidade de Quintal Bot rejeita "mentiras" do comandante militar

2007-10-29T10:46:00.001+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Comunidade de Quintal Bot rejeita "mentiras" do comandante militar
Australiano, exige justiça às vítimas das agressões

Nota do encontro com os media de:
Francisco Branco, líder Parlamentar em exercício da FRETILIN
(Para mais detalhes contacte: deputado José Teixeira +670 728 7080)

Dili 22 Outubro 2007

Em baixo está a tradução duma declaração de vítimas e testemunhas dum
ataque contra três civis Timorenses por tropas Australianas no
subúrbio de Dili, Quintal Bot, em 14 de Outubro. A declaração foi lida
numa conferência de imprensa, no Edifício do Parlamento, Dili, em 19
de Outubro.

A conferência de imprensa foi organizada pelo responsável da
organização de juventude em Quintal Bot, Carlito B. e pelo líder da
comunidade Teki Liras.

Ambos Carlito e o Sr Teki Liras que a sua comunidade local rejeitam as
declarações do Comandante da Força Australiana e que apoiarão que as
vítimas obtenham justiça através dos tribunais.

Disseram que acreditam que as tropas Australianas se comportaram de
modo agressivo porque o seu subúrbio é considerado uma praça-forte da
FRETILIN e os soldados ressentiram o esvoaçar da bandeira da FRETILIN.
O ataque ocorreu em frente duma loja sob a qual esvoaça uma grande
bandeira da FRETILIN.

Carlito disse que a comunidade de Quintal Bot é respeitadora da lei e
que não tem havido nenhuma confusão no subúrbio. Perguntou porque é
que tropas Australianas andaram a criar problemas no seio da sua
comunidade a usarem violência e agressões, especialmente contra um
guarda de segurança empregado para proteger instalações do Estado – um
armazém de arroz?

Carlito acusou directamente o Comandante das Forças Australianas de
mentir quando negou que os seus homens tinham assaltado os três
Timorenses. Carlito disse que a comunidade de Quintal Bot tinha levado
as suas queixas ao parlamento, de modo a garantir que o assunto fosse
levado ao tribunal. "Não queremos ser vitimizados vezes repetidas,"
disse.

As próprias vítimas declararam elas próprias que a afirmação feita
pelo Comandante Australiano era uma mentira, e exigiram que ele vá a
Quintal Bot e que indique quem é que estava a lutar conforme alegou.

As vítimas disseram que têm cerca de 10 testemunhas do ataque cujas
declarações estão a recolher (já recolheram 3: António Barreto alias
"Mauliar", Paulo Soares e Chiquito) e que essas declarações serão
dadas aos investigadores.

Na Quinta-feira 18 Outubro a queixa foi entregue ao Procurador dos
Direitos Humanos e Justiça. A polícia já começou uma investigação da
queixa apresentada na Segunda-feira 15 Outubro.

A FRETILIN apoia acima de tudo o desejo da comunidade de Quintal Bot
duma investigação rigorosa e transparente pelas autoridades policiais
e pelo Procurador dos Direitos Humanos e Justiço conforme expressado
na sua declaração pública. A FRETILIN espera ainda que o Comando da
Defesa Australiana disponibilize o pessoal da Força da Defesa
envolvido no incidente, para ser entrevistado pelas autoridades
relevantes para se determinar a verdade do que de facto ocorreu.
Outros partidos políticos no parlamento nacional expressaram também
apoio em relação a esta consideração.

DECLARAÇÃO DA COMUNIDADE E VÍTIMAS DE QUINTAL BOT

Caso: Tortura pelas Forças Australianas
Data: Domingo, 14 Outubro 2007, 1030 da noite

Local: Quintal Bot

Gostaríamos de comentar a declaração pública do Comandante das Forças
Australianas na TVTL em 17 de Outubro 2007, às 830 da noite que –
vieram a Quintal Bot para separar duas pessoas que estavam a lutar e
que não agrediram a vítima Abílio Fátima.

Sobre isto, nós as vítimas destas acções queremos responder
imediatamente às declarações públicas do Comandante da
ForçaAustraliana:

1. Lamentamos grandemente a declaração do Comandante da Força
Australiana porque temos ouvido muitas vezes estes argumentos falsos e
mentiras para cobrirem actos criminosos contra as pessoas pequenas de
Timor-Leste.

2. Se como ele afirma houve de facto uma luta entre membros da nosso
comunidade, pedimos que o Comandante da Força indique quais foram os
elementos criminosos porque na realidade foram as Forças Australianas
quem atacaram brutalmente a vítima Abílio Fátima à noite.

3. Com base nos factos que foram divulgados acima, pedimos às
autoridades (ao Parlamento Nacional, ao Estado, ao Governo e ao
Tribunal de Recurso) para investigar este crime rapidamente para que
rapidamente possa ser levado ao tribunal.

Quintal Bot, 18 Outubro 2007

Vítimas:

1. Abílio Fátima
2. Januário
3. Fernando

Testemunhas:
1. António Barreto, alias Mauliar
2. Paulo Soares
3. Chiquito

* Nota: Januário e Fernando dizem que foram esmurrados e esbofeteados
pelas tropas Australianas. Por isso identificaram-se eles próprios
como vítimas, e apresentaram queixas na polícia, apesar dos seus
ferimentos serem menores comparados com os que sofreu Abílio Fátima.

Media Release - FRETILIN questions Australian military presence after civilian bashing complaint

2007-10-17T11:13:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Media release

October 17, 2007

FRETILIN questions Australian military presence after civilian bashing complaint

Reports that a Timorese security guard was severely beaten by six Australian soldiers opened up a parliamentary debate yesterday about the legal status, role, command structure and duration of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) presence in Timor Leste.

FRETILIN MP Antoninho Bianco presented parliament with a complaint by Mr Abilio Fatima, 41, who is employed by Maubere Security to protect the warehouse of the Ministry of Social Security in the Dili suburb of Kintal Bot.

In a complaint to the police, Mr Fatima alleged that at 10.30pm last Sunday, October 14, he was on duty, talking to some neighbours, when two ADF vehicles arrived, with about 12 soldiers, six of whom alighted and ordered Mr Fatima and the neighbours to disperse and go indoors.

Mr Fatima explained through a Tetum language interpreter attached to the soldiers that he was on duty, that regular police patrols never ordered him to leave his post, and asked why the soldiers were so concerned with ordinary civilians like him instead of with cases like Alfredo Reinado, the rebel soldier, and his armed group.

Mr Fatima alleged that after he mentioned Reinado he was immediately struck with rifle butts many times in the head, upper arms and back, and then bitten on the right upper arm by a soldiers' guard dog. Two of his neighbours were also assaulted and fled to their homes, but Mr Fatima stayed at his post.

Next morning, Mr Fatima made a complaint to Fretilin MPs at Parliament House, and then went to the National Hospital for treatment, before going to the Dili Police Headquarters to register his complaint.

Many MPs including from the non-FRETILIN side of parliament supported a call for a full and thorough investigation into this incident as one of a string of incidents of ADF maltreatment of civilians.

The President of the Parliament, Fernando Lasama Araujo MP (Democratic Party), directed that the matter be referred to parliamentary Committee A (Constitution, Rights and Justice) so that the Secretaries of State for Defence and Security respectively could be requested to come to the parliament and respond to these issues raised regarding the ADF conduct.

FRETILIN MP Estanislau da Silva said the time had come to re-evaluate the presence of the ADF, to determine how many, for what purpose and for how long they should remain in Timor-Leste. He stressed that there was a sentiment of hostility building up because of some of the actions of the ADF and that the parliament should be careful that this sentiment did not become overwhelming and manifest itself in negative ways. "We have to act to prevent this from occurring, as we have had a history of this occurring with occupying armies in the past," said Mr Da Silva.

These views were supported by CNRT MP Cecilio Caminha who called for transparency in dealing with cases of abuse of power by the ADF. FRETILIN MP Jose Teixeira called for the Australian military force to come under the UN command, to make it more accountable.

FRETILIN MP Francisco Branco argued that even if the presence of the ADF in Timor-Leste was ultimately ratified by the National Parliament, the officers who ordered operations, such as when ADF troops shot dead Timorese at the Dili Airport IDP Camp or in the attack on the Alfredo group in Same, should be investigated for the legality of their actions.

For further comment: Jose Teixeira MP +670 728 7080

Comunicado de Imprensa - FRETILIN questiona a presença militar Australiana depois de vergonhosa queixa de um civil

2007-10-17T11:11:00.000+09:00

FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA DO TIMOR-LESTE INDEPENDENTE
FRETILIN

Comunicado de Imprensa

Outubro 17, 2007

FRETILIN questiona a presença militar Australiana depois de vergonhosa queixa de um civil

Relatos de um guarda de segurança Timorense ter sido severamente espancado por seis soldados Australianos abriram ontem um debate parlamentar sobre o estatuto legal, o papel, a estrutura de comando e a duração da presença da Força Australiana da Defesa (ADF) em Timor-Leste.

O deputado da FRETILIN Antoninho Bianco apresentou no parlament uma queixa do Sr Abílio Fátima, de 41 anos, que está empregado pela Maubere Security para proteger o armazém do Ministério da Segurança Social em Kintal Bot, subúrbio de Dili.

Numa queixa à polícia, o Sr Fátima alegou que às 10.30pm do Domingo passado, 14 de Outubro, ele estava de serviço, falando com alguns vizinhos, quando chegaram dois veículos da ADF, com cerca de 12 soldados, seis dos quais desmontaram e ordenaram ao Sr Fátima e aos vizinhos para dispersarem e irem para dentro.

O Sr Fátima explicou por intermédio de um intérprete de língua Tétum ligado aos soldados que estava de serviço, que patrulhas regulares da polícia nunca lhe tinham dado ordens para sair do seu posto, e perguntou porque é que os soldados estavam tão preocupados com civis comuns como ele em vez de com casos como o de Alfredo Reinado, o soldado amotinado, e o seu grupo armado.

Alegou o Sr Fátima que depois de ter mencionado o Reinado que foi imediatamente agredido com os cabos das carabinas muitas vezes na cabeça, parte superior dos braços e costas, e depois mordido na parte de cima do braço direito pelo cão de guarda de um soldado. Dois dos seus vizinhos foram também atacados e fugiram para as suas casas, mas o Sr Fátima permaneceu no seu posto.

Na manhã seguinte, o Sr Fátima fez uma queixa aos deputados da Fretilin no edifício do Parlamento e depois foi ao Hospital Nacional para tratamento, antes de ir ao Quartel da Polícia de Dili registar a sua queixa.

Muitos dos deputados incluindo do lado não-FRETILIN apoiaram um pedido para uma investigação completa e adequada a este incidente como um de uma fiada de incidentes de maus tratos da ADF a civis.

O Presidente do Parlamento, Fernando Lasama Araújo (Partido Democrático), indicou que a material deve ser enviada para a Comissão Parlamentar A (Constituição, Direitos e Justiça) para que os Secretários do Estado de Defesa e Segurança respectivamente possam ser chamados a virem ao parlamento e responderem a estas questões levantadas em relação ao comportamento da ADF.

O deputado da FRETILIN Estanislau da Silva disse que chegara a altura para re-avaliar a presença da ADF, para determinar quantos, para que propósito e durante quanto tempo devem permanecer em Timor-Leste. Sublinhou que há um sentimento de hostilidade a construir-se por causa de algumas das acções da ADF e que o parlamento deve ter em atenção que este sentimento não se torne proeminente e que não se manifeste ele próprio de maneiras negativas. "Temos de actuar para prevenir que isto ocorra, dado que temos uma história disto acontecer com exércitos ocupantes no passado," disse o Sr Da Silva.

Estas opiniões foram apoiadas pelo deputado do CNRT Cecílio Caminha que exigiu transparência no tratamento de casos de abuso de poder pela ADF. O deputado da FRETILIN José Teixeira exigiu que os militares Australianos fiquem sob comando da ONU, para os responsabilizar mais.

O deputado da FRETILIN Francisco Branco argumentou que mesmo que a presença da ADF em Timor-Leste fosse por fim ratificada pelo Parlamento Nacional, os oficiais que ordenaram operações, como quando tropas da ADF mataram a tiro Timorenses no Campo de deslocados do Aeroporto de Dili ou no ataque ao grupo de Alfredo em Same, deviam ser investigados sobre a legalidade das suas acções.

Para mais comentários: deputado José Teixeira +670 728 7080

FRETILIN Parliamentary Group - Statement (Declaracao Politica) to the Parliament

2007-10-15T11:19:00.000+09:00

FRETILIN Parliamentary Group

Statement (Declaracao Politica) to the Parliament
Regarding Confidence and Dismissal of the Prosecutor General of the Republic

We all know that the newspaper, Jornal Tempo Semanal (on 1 October 2007) published a news item of a telephone conversation between Mr. Longuinhos Monteiro, prosecutor general of the republic and Mr. Leandro Isaac, but which also involved Mr. Herminigildo Pereira, also known as “Agio”, former Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic, and actual Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers.

Until now, none of us know when, how or who recorded this telephone conversation, but we know that suddenly the recording of the conversation was disseminated by mobile telephone “Bluetooth”, and lately its contents were published by newspapers. This is also news to FRETILIN, but it is not this fact which concerns FRETILIN.

Mr. President of the National Parliament,

The FRETILIN Parliamentary Group is extremely concerned on hearing this recording of a telephone conversation that involves the Prosecutor General of the Republic as a party. It demonstrates clearly to the Timor-Leste public as a whole, but most of all to us Members of this Parliament, that the Prosecutor General of the Republic has not conducted himself in a manner which is fitting with his position as a representative of our state in investigating judicial cases, and has raised doubts as to the ongoing neutrality and independence of the justice system in our country.

This telephone conversation, which has already been made public, also shows everyone that the Prosecutor General of the Republic is extremely close to politicians, especially those who were involved with the 2006 crisis to bring down the FRETILIN government and create instability in our country. In this conversation the Prosecutor General of the Republic displays that he has a friendship and political trust with Mr. Leandro Isaac who was involved with the crisis last year and who the International Commission of Inquiry Report handed down on 2 October 2006 recommended be investigated, so as to determine whether he was involved in any criminal conduct. There is also other evidence which was shown on Television of Mr. Leandro Isaac armed during the crisis and in the company of a group who had mounted an assault on the home of Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak in Lahane on 24 May 2006.

The FRETILIN Parliamentary Group is also concerned with the threats made by Mr. Longuinhos Monteiro against the journalists from Jornal Tempo Semanal, especially the journalist who wrote the article of 1 October 2007, that he may open the case against an NGO which raised allegations of corruption involving him personally. This demonstrates conduct involving abuse of both power and of the position he holds as Prosecutor General of the Republic.

During the parliamentary election campaign the National Elections Commission referred a complaint by FRETILIN of unlawful use of its symbols to the Prosecutor General of the Republic for investigation. This case had grave consequences and prejudice for FRETILIN during the election campaign and created confusion amongst the voters. But until this day, an investigation has not been initiated by the Prosecutor General of the Republic, no legal action has been taken; it has not moved forward at all. Is it because the case involved a complaint by FRETILIN, whom the Prosecutor General has been conspiring from the beginning to bring down, that it was decided to be left unattended?

Mr. President of the National Parliament,

Illustrious Members of Parliament.

The FRETILIN Group also finds it regrettable that the conversation referred to involved the Chief of Staff of the then President of the Republic and current Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers in this de facto government, Mr. Herminigildo Pereira. His involvement also shows everyone that another institution of state sovereignty such as the Presidency of the Republic through his Chief of Staff was involved with groups who took action to bring down the FRETILIN government, which resulted in nearly 150,000 Timorese becoming internally displaced and nearly 6,000 homes destroyed, as well as deaths and injuries to persons.

The facts regarding the involvement of certain persons shown here today, has already resulted in a negative precedent for the state of Timor-Leste, especially in the area of justice, because we can see that persons who have a duty and obligation to perform their functions in accordance with the law, with objectivity, with neutrality and with exception, easily subject themselves to political influence, especially from the government. Today we see those persons who are the subject of this statement still occupying their positions and some even attained positions in the de facto government.

For these reasons this FRETILIN Parliamentary Group, as representatives of the people in the National Parliament through the mandate from 120,000 voters in the parliamentary elections of 30 June last, declares that Mr. Longuinhos Monteiro no longer has the requisite trust to continue to perform the functions of the Prosecutor General of the Republic for the state of Timor-Leste with independence, in accordance with the law and without political influence.

As such the FRETILIN Group requests the institutions with the responsibility, especially His Excellency the President of the Republic to remove Mr. Longuinhos Monteiro as Prosecutor General of the Republic in accordance with the terms of the Constitution, and to initiate an in depth inquiry or investigation with respect to Mr. Longuinhos Monteiro, Mr. Herminigildo Pereira and any others, for their involvement in the crisis and for any other abuse of power for which there may be indications similar to in this case.

Thank You,

Dili, 15 October 2007

From the Leader of the FRETILIN Parliamentary Group
Aniceto L. Guterres Lopez