• Timornewsline

  
  

  Citizens must contribute to Timor-Leste’s Future: President Horta

  Diario Nacional , 24 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
  The President, Jose Ramos Horta, has called for all of the Timorese people to contribute to the country’s stability, following concerns that the country is lacking a foundation of democratic culture.

• National Police to take over Timor’s security by the end of the year

  Timor Post , 24 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
  President Jose Ramos Horta has said that the UN Police will hand over security responsibility to the National Police throughout the country by the end of this year.

• Timorese Penal Code Book Launched

  Timor Post , 24 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
  The Court of Appeal has officially launched a new book that details the country’s Penal Code which was approved by the Parliament last year.

• Social Democratic Party calls for investigation into 2006 crisis

  Timor Post , 24 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
  The Social Democratic Party has called for the creation of an independent commission to investigate the crisis of 2006 in order to work out who was behind the instability.

• Ninja issue just political sensationalism: Fretilin

  Timor Post , 24 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
  The Fretilin Party has said that issue of the so called “ninja” gangs in the Kovalima and Bobonaro district is just political sensationalism.

• President Horta calls for media and NGOs to support peace building

  Timor Newsline , 24 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
  The President Jose Ramos Horta has called for the media and non-government organizations to endorse peace building in Dili, so that the country’s capital becomes a city of peace.

• NGO Luta Hamutuk opens popular school in Bazartete

  Timor Post , 24 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
  The NGO Luta Hamutuk officially launched a new infrastructure project, a monitoring, education and supervision committee, in Bazartete yesterday. This committee will be a popular school for the community to strengthen their skills in overlooking the Government’s progress in creating new infrastructure projects nationwide.

Timor-Leste has made ‘remarkable progress’ but faces daunting challenges – UN

source: UN NEWS CENTRE

Timorese police officer

23 February 2010 – Timor-Leste has made “remarkable progress” since the violence that disrupted it in 2006, but the long-term goals of recovery and development may prove even more challenging, the top United Nations envoy to the small South-East Asian country said today.

“Timor-Leste has reached a new stage, where there is an intensified focus on measures needed to sustain stability, deepen democracy and the rule of law, reduce poverty and strengthen institutions,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative Ameerah Haq told the Security Council at the start of a debate on the country, which the UN shepherded to independence in 2002.

In 2006, after a dispute within the Timorese military spread throughout the country, leaving dozens of people dead and driving some 155,000 people, or roughly 15 per cent of the population, from their homes, the Council set up the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) to tackle the major political, humanitarian and security crisis that ensued.

“Timor-Leste, under the stewardship of its national leaders, is now working to consolidate the gains of the past and to ensure a smooth transition to the recovery and development phase,” Ms. Haq said.

“This will require continued efforts on the part of the Timorese as well as the continued support of the international community. The problems arising from the 2006 crisis were considerable, but the long-term challenges ahead may prove even more difficult to address.”

One of UNMIT’s major tasks is to conduct a comprehensive review of the security sector, training, mentoring and strengthening of the Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL). Ms. Haq said that the resumption of primary policing by PNTL “will require continued concentrated efforts,” adding that that there is “a strong possibility” that the process can be completed by the end of the year.

Although the resumption has taken place in some districts, she noted that the capital, Dili, and the Special Police Unit still do not meet the criteria and need further steps to strengthen their capacities.

Nearly all the Mission’s more than 1,550 uniformed personnel are police. Once the PNTL has fully resumed its functions, UNMIT will concentrate on supporting further skill development in such areas as appropriate use of force, criminal investigations and accountability mechanisms to avoid impunity for abuses, and Ms. Haq called on contributing countries to provide the necessary trainers.

“Long-term security and stability will depend on development of a national police force that is professional and impartial and operates with due respect for the rule of law and human rights,” she declared.

On the political front, she noted that democratic processes are maturing with leaders showing a willingness to work across party lines on issues of national importance such as moving to set up an anti-corruption committee.

“Perhaps the greatest long-term challenges for Timor-Leste will be socio-economic,” she stressed, citing the need to fight poverty, hunger, maternal and infant mortality, and improve access to health care and education. “It is essential that the Government redouble its effort to ensure that development benefits are felt equally in rural and urban areas,” she added.

“Also, significant efforts by Government and Parliament in areas such as gender responsive budgeting will require continued and intensified commitment in order to ensure the empowerment and meaningful participation of women in all sectors of society.”

More than 20 speakers are taking part in the debate which is considering Mr. Ban’s latest report on Timor-Leste, in which he called for the mandate of UNMIT to be extended for 12 more months, warning that many of the underlying causes of the 2006 crisis remained despite recent encouraging signs. He said the country’s security and justice institutions were fragile and possibly unable to withstand another major crisis.

“I think the overall agreement in the Council chamber was that the mandate of UNMIT will be renewed for an additional 12 months,” Ms. Haq told reporters afterwards, adding that the members also cautioned against some fragility and the need to strengthen not only security institutions but also state institutions and capacity building.

News Tracker: past stories on this issue

Encouraging signs in Timor-Leste but core challenges persist, Ban warns

Suara Timor Lorosae, 23 February 2010 language source: Tetun

The Prime Minister José ‘Xanana’ Gusmão has announced that he will not reshuffle his cabinet because he believes that his current team is functioning well and that there is no substantiated reason for it.

The Prime Minister’s announcement comes after weeks of speculation about a possible change in the cabinet following allegations of corruption. President Jose Ramos Horta also called for a change in the front bench.

However, the Prime Minister has denied the allegations.

“If they are a thief, this I cannot tolerate but I haven’t reshuffled (the cabinet) simply because I have confidence in the members of my government,” Mr Gusmao said.

Mr. Gusmao explained that the reshuffle can only be done if the ministers are not worthy of their positions, are incompetent, or have not spent their budget wisely, but he says he’s confident that his ministers are working well.

According to Xanana, another reason for not doing the reshuffle is to ensure the stability of his current leadership coalition which consists of five parties including CNRT, PD, PSD, UNDERTIM, and ASDT.

The bench leader for the Opposition in the National Parliament, Francisco Branco, said that Xanana is not willing to reshuffle his cabinet because he wants to protect corrupt ministers within his cabinet.

Related stories:

* Horta Still Ask Xanana to reshuffle Government - Tempo Semanal, 20 Feb 2010

* Horta Ask PM to reshuffle East Timorese cabinet - pacific.scoop.co.nz, 28 Jan 2010

Get Maids From Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Timor Leste - Papa

By Syed Azwan Syed Ali KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies (Papa) has urged the government to consider recruiting maids from Papua New Guinea, Myanmar and Timor Leste. Its president, Alwi Bavutty said this would ease the dependence on maids from Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines. "We are submitting this proposal to the Human Resources Ministry due to high demand for maids," he told Bernama when contacted Monday. He was commenting on Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam's statement that Malaysia and Indonesia were currently in talks to find a "middle path" in resolving the outstanding Indonesian maids salary issue after their previous discussions ended in a deadlock. Alwi said maid agencies were allowed to recruit maids form Cambodia and the Philippines following the freeze on maid intake by the Indonesian government since the middle of last year. Alwi said however, Muslims were barred from employing non-Muslim maids from the two countries. Supporting the government's stand that maids salary should be based on market forces as well as negotiations between employers and employees, he said it should be a win-win situation for both parties. "Maids are getting at least RM500 a month. If their work is excellent, employers should raise their pay. Their qualifications should also be taken into consideration," he added. Meanwhile, Bocehe Dewe Association, an association made up of 32,000 Indonesian workers, supported a condition imposed by the ministry that all new maids and their respective employers must attend a seminar meant to educate them on their rights and responsibilities. Its chairman, Ambar Setiowibowo said Malaysia and Indonesia should iron out perennial issues like minimum wage, maid abuse and transgression of rules and conditions by employers. "As we have not agreed on minimum wage, there should be an understanding between employers and maids on a reasonable wage and maids, who performed well, should be rewarded with an increment," he added. SOURCE: BERNAMA

Press Release

Tomada de Posse Komisariu KAK
“Halakon Korupsaun Sei Sai Hanesan Mehi Deit”

Iha loron 22 de Febreiru de 2010, ofisialmente Parlamentu Nasional halao ona Tomada de Posse Sr. Aderito de J.Soares nudar Primeiru Komisariu ba Komisaun Anti-Korupsaun iha Republika Demokratika Timor Leste, nebe mak mos haktuir ona iha Lei Anti-Korupsaun Artigu 7.

Luta Hamutuk nudar instituisaun sosiedade sivil, hakarak hato’o mos parabens ba Sr. Aderito de J.Soares nebe demokratikamente nomeadu nudar Komisariu Komisaun Anti Korupsaun iha Timor Leste. Luta Hamutuk hakarak kongratula komisaun KAK nebe mak iha nia intervensaun hateten mos katak sei nakloke an ba entidade hotu inklui sosiedade sivil sira atu koopera hamutuk hodi halakon korupsaun.

Tuir Luta Hamutuk nia observasaun ba iha intervensaun Sr. Aderito de J.Soares iha Parlementu Nasional, nebe Komisariu ne’e hato’o lia-fuan sira nebe mak nakonu ho esperansa ba Timor oan sira atu monu dala ida tan ba politika governu hodi kombate korupsaun iha governu. Nudar Luta Hamutuk sei la fiar ba manovras politka ida ne’e Tamba istorikamente hatudu ona katak, governu AMP laiha kapasidade naton atu halakon korupsaun nebe mak lemo-lemo iha governasaun ida ne’e, tamba korupsaun nebe mak akontese ne’e impaktu husi sistema nebe mak fraku no mentalidade korupsaun nebe mak sei daet makas iha governante balun nia isin lolon.

Realidade hatudu ona mai ita katak antes atu hari’i governu ne’e mak hanaran IV Governu Konstitusional, Sr.Xanana Gusmao rasik halo promesa furak teb-tebes ba povu timor liu husi kampaña politika katak “ Se Mak Naok $5 cent, sai.....” maibe to ohin loron seidauk hasae ema ida husi governu maske osan mak lakon liu $5 cent. PDHJ nebe nudar institusaun independente nebe mak halao nia knar tinan barak ona, maibe to ohin loron, defaktu PDHJ mos seidauk prosesa ka hatama koruptor ida ba iha prizaun Becora. La kleur mosu fali politika reforma administrativa iha IV governu konstitusional nia laran, nebe hamosu II Vice Primeiru Ministru atu hare’e ba asuntu Administrasaun no Boa Governasaun, hodi nomea ona Sr. Mario Viegas Carascalão mak asume kargu ida ne’e. Realidade hatudu katak Sr. Mario V.Carascalão mos halo promesa oi-oin ba timor oan katak atu halakon korupsaun, ne’e mos la konsege. Agora dadaun mosu fali Komisaun Anti-korupsaun nebe mak sei lidera husi Sr. Aderito de Jesusu.

Husi Fenomea politika hirak nebe mak akontese iha tinan hirak nia laran, Luta Hamutuk fiar katak prezensa primeiru Komisariu Komisaun Anti Korupsaun nebe atu halakon korupsaun iha Timor Leste, sei sai hanesan mehi no mehi deit !!! Tamba ne’e Luta Hamutuk hakarak dezafia ka fo deadline ba Komisariu Anti Korupsaun katak iha intervalu tempu tinan 2 nia laran, karik KAK la konsege halakon korupsaun iha governasaun ida ne’e, Luta Hamutuk sei organiza manfestasaun publika ida hodi husu atu Komisariu ne’e resigna-an no desolve Komisaun Anti Korupsaun.

Relasiona ho lei anti korupsaun nebe mak promulga ona husi Presidente da Republika iha 7 de Julho de 2009 (Artigu 9; Incompatibilidades), Luta Hamutuk husu ba Sr. Aderito de Jesus nudar Komisariu Komisaun Anti Korupsaun atu iha tempu badak nia laran, ofisialmente hato’o ka deklara nia Karta Rejignasaun husi organizasaun politika “Fretilin Mudansa” ba publiku, tamba grupu Fretilin mudansa nudar grupu nebe mak halo parte iha IV Governu Konstitusional. Kestaun ne’e importante atu nune bele minimiza Konflitu de Interese wanhira komisariu ne’e halao nia knar. Tamba Luta Hamutuk hakarak hateten katak Karik laiha rejignasaun formal husi Sr. Aderito de Jesus husi nia pozisaun iha estrutura politika grupu Fretlin mudansa, Luta Hamutuk sei kestiona nia pozisaun nudar komisionariu nebe mak independente.


Luta Hamutuk, 22 de Fevereiro de 2010

East Timor swears in new anti-graft boss

AFP/File – East Timor policemen parade during a ceremony in the nation's capital, Dili. The country?s government …

Mon Feb 22, 12:53 am ET

DILI (AFP) – East Timor?s first anti-corruption commissioner was sworn in Monday during a parliamentary ceremony that was broadcast live around the tiny nation.

But on his first day in the job former human rights lawyer Aderito Soares was obliged to play down concerns that Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao's government is not fully behind him.

"There is great political will from the government and all parts of society," he told AFP after the ceremony. "I see today as a very important moment."

Gusmao and senior lawmakers welcomed Soares to his new position with handshakes and hugs before a champagne toast outside parliament.

Soares was confirmed as anti-corruption chief after winning 40 of 65 votes from lawmakers on February 1.

A founder and board member of East Timor?s respected La'o Hamutuk civil society organisation, he has pledged to plough straight into cases already with the nation?s prosecutors.

East Timor?s government has faced multiple accusations of corruption, implicating senior officials including Justice Minister Lucia Lobato and Finance Minister Emilia Pires.

The government denies any wrongdoing.

In October, Sebastiao Ximenes, then East Timor?s Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, said a lack of political will had hampered the work of his unit.

Opposition Freitlin lawmaker Arsenio Bano has questioned what chance the Anti-Corruption Commission has for success if it does not have the unconditional support of the government.

"Given that (Gusmao) has ignored and obstructed the opposition's efforts in parliament to investigate allegations of corruption against his government, which institution will provide the checks and balances in relation to his governance of Timor-Leste?" he said earlier this month.

source: news.yahoo.com

• • • • • Timornewsline

          
          

          New anti-corruption laws approved by the Council of Ministers

          Suara Timor Loro Sa’e , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
          The State Secretary for the Council of the Ministries, Hermenegildo Pereira, has confirmed that new anti-corruption laws were approved by the Council of Ministers last Thursday.

        • No Violations during Bobonaro and Kovalima Intervention: State Secretary for Defense

          Suara Timor Loro Sa’e , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
          The State Secretary for Defense, Julio Tomas Pinto, has said that the Timorese National Police and Defense Force have not committed any violations of citizen’s rights during their current operation to hunt down so called “ninja” crime gangs in the districts of Bobonaro and Kovalima.

        • Maldives Govt ready to support Timor-Leste’s Development

          Suara Timor Loro Sa’e , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
          The President, Jose Ramos Horta, has confirmed that the Maldives Government has committed to working together with the Timorese Government to better develop the country.

        • Text Laws not benefiting the Timorese people: NGO leaders

          Suara Timor Loro Sa’e , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
          A National Consultant on Petroleum for the NGO Sharis Haburas, Viriato Seac, has said that the thinking behind a newly created law for goods regulation by the Government is a positive step, although he believes has the current system is not controlled well and is not having overly positive effects on the country.

        • Industry Minister denies staff’s involvement in missing rice

          Diario Nacional , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
          The Director General for the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce and Industry, Manuela Corte-Real, has denied that her staff were involved in eighty-four missing sacks of rice from the Government’s warehouse.

        • 118 captured and 7 imprisoned for criminal activity in Bobonaro and Kovalima

          Diario Nacional , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
          The National Police Commissioner, Longuinhos Monteiro, has said that one hundred and eighteen people have been captured and seven people were imprisoned in operations connected with “ninja” gang activities in the districts of Kovalima and Bobonaro.

        • Govt officials should declare their wealth three times

          Diario Nacional , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
          The Government through the Council Ministries had approved a new strategic plan to combat corruption presented by the Deputy Prime Minister for Management and Public Administration, Mario Viegas Carrascalão.

        • LABEH is ready to hand over corrupt cases to the anti-corruption commission

          Diario Nacional , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
          A national NGO LABEH’s Director, Christopher Henry Samson, has said that they are ready to hand over some allegation of corruption appear within the Government’s institutions and Ministries to the anti-corruption commission for further legal charge.

        Domestic Violence number in Viqueque district staying in high

        Suara Timor Loro Sa’e , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
        Viqueque Distrcit Police Commander, Inspector Justinho Menezes, has said that domestic violence in the Viqueque district continue increasing in 2010, because of family and economy problem.

      • President Horta should show his assassination’s scar to the court

        Suara Timor Loro Sa’e , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
        The lawyer for the ex-rebel leader, Gastão Salsinha, Jose Pedro Camoes, has said that he will not believe that President Jose Ramos Horta was really shot by the rebel on February 11th 2008, if the president not yet to show his assassination scars to the court.

      • The bodyguard that saved Xanana in 11 Feb. attack died

        Diario Nacional , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
        A bodyguard that saved the life of Prime Minister in February 11 attack, Adolfo Soares dos Santos, died last Friday (19/2) in Denpasar, Bali (Indonesia) due to a complication of high blood pressure, kidney and stomach problems.

      • 20 years sought for attackers

        Diario Nacional , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
        The Timorese public prosecution office has sought prison sentence ranging from two to 20 years for those 28 people involved in the February 11th attack on the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister.

      • President Horta will show his scars to the public

        Radio Televisaun Timor Leste , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
        The President Jose Ramos Horta said that he would show his scars to the Timorese public sometime in the future as there are some who disbelieve that he was shot on by rebel soldiers led by Alfredo Reinado on February 11, 2008.

      • Former Rebel Gastão Salsinha denies allegations made by public prosecution

        Radio Televisaun Timor Leste , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
        The ex-rebel leader, Gastão Salsinha, has denied the allegation made by the Public Prosecution that he, and the other rebel followers, were involved in the assault and attempted assassination of the President Jose Ramos Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão on February 11th 2008.

      • Alleged assassin Marcelo Caetano denies shooting President Horta

        Radio Televisaun Timor Leste , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
        The man accused of shooting President Horta on February 11th 2008, Marcelo “Susar” Caetano, yesterday denied the charges against him in testimony before the courts.

      • Alleged assassination mastermind Angelita Pires claims her innocence

        Radio Televisaun Timor Leste , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
        The accused, Angelita Pires, has claimed that she, along with the twenty-seven other former rebels alleged to involve in the attempted assassination of 2008, are innocent.

      State Secretary for Defense says Bobonaro and Kovalima intervention is going well
      Radio Televisaun Timor Leste , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
      The State Secretary for Defense, Julio Tomas Pinto, has confirmed that operations by the Timorese National Police and Army to reduce crimes by so-called “ninja gangs” in Bobonaro and Kovalima districts are going on well.

    • Prosecution calls for former rebel Marcelo Caetano to face twenty years in prison

      Radio Televisaun Timor Leste , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
      The Public Prosecution has called for the court to sentence the former rebel, Marcelo Caetano, to twenty years in prison.

    • Prosecution calls for alleged conspirator Angelita Pires

      Radio Televisaun Timor Leste , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
      The public prosecution has called for the court to sentence Angelita Pires, an alleged conspirator in the attempted assassination of the President Jose Ramos Horta, under article 55 of the Indonesian penal code.

    • Jury should consider Marcelo Caetano could have been shooter: Prosecution

      Radio Televisaun Timor Leste , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
      Public Prosecutor, Felisminho Cardoso, has said that the jury should consider both the witness testimony and ballistic examinations which suggest that the accused, alleged former rebel Marcelo Caetano was the man who shot President Horta in the assassination attempt of 2008.

    • Public Prosecution calls for alleged assassination conspirators to face 10 year sentence

      Radio Televisaun Timor Leste , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
      The public prosecution has called for the court to sentence those involved in the attempted assassination of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, including Gastão Salsinha, to ten years in prison.

    • Timor International Company forged Govt Logo: Industry Minister

      Diario Nacional , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
      The Minister for Tourism, Commerce and Industry, Gil Alves da Costa, has said that the Timor International Company forged the Government logo “MTCI,” on importation forms, so that they could illegally import seven tons if rice into the country.

    • Inspectorate General is weak to carry its work

      Diario Nacional , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
      Inspector General Leader, Francisco de Carvalho, has confirmed recent comments by the Deputy Prime Minister, Mario Viegas Carrascalao, that his department is severely restricted due to a lack of human resources and facilities.

    • Fretilin and Democratic Party trade insults over ninja gang allegations

      Diario Nacional , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
      The Fretilin and the Democratic Party have taken part in recent battle in Parliament regarding accusations that the followers of the Democratic Party were involved in crimes committed by ninja gangs in the Bobonaro and Kovalima districts.

    Ex-resistance leader calls for individuals to take responsibility for allegations against his organization
    Diario Nacional , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
    The Timorese Ex-resistance organization (CPD-RDTL) President, Antonio Aitahan Matak, has called for those people making allegations that his organization was involved in the recent crimes committed by ninja gangs, to face court.

  • Parliament house should used to discus national issues, and is not place for farthing

    Timor Post , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
    The National Director for the NGO Luta Hamutuk, Mericio Akara, has said that parliament house should be a place to discuss national interests, not a house for fighting.

  • Businesses need to provide evidence of customs bribery: Acting Inspector General

    Timor Post , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
    Acting Inspector General, Francisco de Carvalho, has called for the international businesses to show any evidence that they have to his department, so that they can take any necessary action against the Customs department.

  • Govt should produce new environmental laws on heavy oil production

    Timor Post , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
    The National Director for the NGO Luta Hamutuk, Mericio Akara, has said that it is important that the Government produce new laws for the environment in order to secure Timor-Leste’s interests regarding heavy oil power production projects.

  • Minister da Costa threaten to bring the Timor International Company to the court

    Suara Timor Loro Sa’e , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
    Director General for the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, and Industry (MTCI), Georgina Manuela Cortereal, has said that Minister Gil Alves da Costa had threatened to bring the Timor International Company to the court over defamation on the MTCI.

  • Homicide case in Bobonaro district not politically motivated

    Radio Televisaun Timor Leste , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
    The Program Manager for the Timorese Human Rights Association (HAK), Rogerio Viegas, has confirmed that recent criminal activities taking place in the Bobonaro district have left two young women dead.

  • Bua Malus group members allegedly claiming money from Venilale residents

    Radio Televisaun Timor Leste , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
    Bua Malus Group members have allegedly been involved in criminal activities, claiming money from residents in the Fatulia Village in the Venilale sub district.

  • Likisa district Police seize illegal weapons from vehicle passengers

    Radio Televisaun Timor Leste , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
    Likisa district police Commander, Orlando Gomes, says his officers have seized seven air-rifles, sixty-six swords and a number of knives in roadside searches held within the district.

  NGO Director says Deputy PM’s statement kills “anti-corruption commission’s spirit”

  Timor Post , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
  The National Director for the NGO LABEH, Christopher Henry Samson, has said that the recent statement of the Deputy Prime Minister for Management and Public Administration, Mario Viegas Carrascalão, has seemed to “kill the spirit” of the anti-corruption commission.

• State Secretary Julio Tomas Pinto confirms Defense Force deployed to hunt ninja gangs

  Timor Post , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
  The State Secretary for Defense, Julio Tomas Pinto, has confirmed that Timorese Defense Force (F-FDTL) officers have been deployed in the Bobonaro and Kovalima districts to provide support to the Timorese National Police (PNTL) to hunt ninja gangs.

• President Horta Calls for Timorese and Maldives Govt to form Climate Change Platform

  Timor Post , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
  The President Jose Ramos Horta has called for the Timorese and Maldives Governments to put together a joint platform to provide information to the Asiatic block on climate change.

• Monsignor Ricardo calls for Timorese Christians to pray for the nation

  Timor Post , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
  The Dili Diocese Bishop, Monsignor Alberto Ricardo da Silva, has called for Timorese Christians to pray for the country and to continue to show a good attitude based on the Christ doctrine.

• Fretilin followers manipulating parliament: Parliamentary President Araujo

  Diario Nacional , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
  The parliamentary President, Fernando “Lasama” de Araujo, has said that Fretilin members have manipulated important facts in the Parliamentary session.

• Fretilin MP questions the work of national intelligence

  Diario Nacional , 22 February 2010- Summary by Alberico Junior
  Fretilin MP, Francisco Miranda Branco, has questioned the work of the national intelligence in a parliamentary session, saying that they have not successfully identified the criminals behind recent violent attacks by ninja gangs in the west of the country.