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
