Renova Timor

Illuminating the Presidential Office

2012-01-30T23:57:00.000-08:00

By: Lariquino-Lacataru

As we all know that the mandate of the President of the Republic will end on 20 May 2012. Therefore, the election must be held to elect a new president before the end of May.

Today, I am writing this article in acknowledgement of many commentators, analysis, and especially our constituents, who are now eagerly awaiting the presidential election on 17th March because they are the one; once again, stand-forward to give their vote of confidence to the right presidential-candidate.In writing this article, I also wish to explain and discuss some important things about the competencies, responsibilities and powers of a president in accordance with the RDTL Constitution and system of the government. Following are my analysis about the competencies, responsibilities and powers of a president.

First, the president is the head of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. If I am correctly interpreting our Constitution, it transpired to me that our president occupies the same position as President of Portugal - but with soft power. The President is the Head of State and Government is headed by the Prime Minister. The President is the head of state, a symbol and guarantor of national independence and unity of the state, and functioning of democratic institutions. The President is also the supreme commander of defence forces. (Constitution, section74, pargraph.1 & 2).The reason why the Constitution requires that the President must not hold any political office or public services outside of the national level, or in any other circumstances, because he or she must be a non-partisan from political party and above. The President should be someone who is gaining strong support from all our citizens. In other words, president should not be viewed as someone who is not open to the values of dialogue and democracy. Therefore, the President must be in a good position and not to be politicized.

The President should be able to handle the diversity of political, social and economic conditions of Timorese people. He should be admired and respected by all citizens of Timor-Leste, whether they are poor or rich. In other words, the president must be someone who can unite our nation and become the symbol and guarantor of our national unity.

Second, the president plays an important diplomatic role. It is not wrong to call it No 1 Diplomat of Timor-Leste. All Ambassador of Timor-Leste and Special Envoy receives credentials from President. All Ambassador and Special Envoy accredited to Timor-Leste presents their credentials to the president. In addition, the foreign dignitary’s visits our country is usually requested a courtesy call on the President. This is a universal diplomatic protocols observed by all countries around the world concerning to the relationship to one another. In addition, the president can help the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in the development and deepening of the external relations of Timor-Leste.

In this part, I should clarify that the President does not have to pursue an independent foreign policy. He or she has no such power. The President must act with the effective communication, coordination and advice of the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

However, we must remember the high status of a president who can add value through visits to selected countries. Normally, the visits are not done based on the presidential preferences. However, it must be carefully prepared and executed as the visits are envisioned to improve the political and economic benefits for Timor-Leste. Therefore, the president plays an important diplomatic role. Ideally, the president must be knowledgeable and have extensive knowledge about the world, especially in relation to the defence and security issues, and international relations, so that, the president will be able to conserve himself in the disposition of interacting with foreign leaders and dignitaries.

Third, the president can and should use the soft power of his office to defend the good cause. Every president must have something that is close to his or her own heart. In our context, President Francisco Xavier do Amaral was a hero who ventured to defend and proclaimed unilateral independence of Timor-Leste, and recognized as our historical figure as well as the "Proclamador". President Nicolau Lobato defended the values of the revolution. He was our prominent leader of the nationalist spirit for independence and liberation of Timor-Leste. He died in a combat to pave the way for our freedom and liberation. President Xanana Gusmão, currently serving as prime minister, was the first president in the era of restoration of our independence. He is a national hero and successor leaders of the struggle for independence and national unity. He defended our freedom and independence was restored. He also called for our national reconciliation and unity, as well as our reconciliation and friendship with Indonesia. Throughout this period, Timor-Leste enjoyed a wonderful relationship and partnership with the Republic of Indonesia.

Our current President Ramos-Horta, Nobel Peace Prize, is the leading international spokesman for Timor-Leste. He championed our foreign policy. His wisdom and expertise on foreign policy has enriched Timor-Leste’s reputation in the international affairs. Similarly, during his first term, President Ramos-Horta, has acted with great caution as a mediator to bring mutual understanding and cooperation among our political parties to reconcile their differences and perceptions on issues of national interest, particularly in the consolidation of defence and security, democracy, human rights, rule of law and development, peace and stability in our country. He has worked hard in proclaiming the good news of peace, solidarity, reconciliation, development, unity and prosperity for our people.

In this context, I am confident that we Timorese are all hoping that the next president will also use the persuasive power to defend his presidency for virtuous cause or something that close to his or her own heart and thus help build a better future, more comprehensive and inclusive of Timor-Leste.

Fourth, the president is vested with the competencies, roles and powers, in accordance with the Constitution. The competencies, roles and powers are stipulated in the RDTL Constitution articles 85, 86, 87 and 88. For example, President has the power to exercise the right of veto over legislation, or to appoint the President and swear in a President of the Tribunal; or to appoint and dismiss, the proposal of the Government, concerning the Chief Commander for the Armed Forces.
Fifth, underline the importance of the president's competencies, responsibilities and powers as above-mentioned; therefore, in choosing the next president, we must be very careful to exercise our own moral authority to avoid choosing someone who desires to confront government and people’s aspirations. We need a president who had self-control, judicious, thoughtful and wise, experienced and have strategic ideas on matters pertinent to the national interest. But at the same time, we also do not want a president who does not have the courage, conviction or principle to say no.
Therefore, the President should not be overlooked. If the prime minister intends to nominate and appoint someone who is not capable and eligible to serve as President of Tribunal, members of the Cabinet, Chief Commander of Defence Forces, or serving as ambassador, for instance, we certainly want to see a president who has the courage to veto the appointment.

In this context, it is my sincere hope that this article can explain and be an add-valued to the competencies, responsibilities and powers of the president. As I've mentioned previously that it is not wrong if we say that our president is The Number One Diplomat, The Guarantor of our Independence and the Unity of Our Nation.

This year’s presidential contenders have registered more than eight potential candidates, and they are: the incumbent President Ramos-Horta, General Taur Matan Ruak, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, Fernando de Araujo Lasama, Rogerio Lobato, Manuel Tilman, Prof. Dr. Lucas da Costa, Abilio de Araujo, Angelita Pires, José Luis Guterres, and others who may also wish to stand-forward to compete. Indeed, the more we have potential candidates to compete, the better for us to reveal our resources and abilities to lead our country. In availing our Timorese values and uniqueness, it is imperative for us to salute each of the candidates, show to them our profound admiration and highest respect. Each candidate has strengths and weaknesses. It is a call on us, as a people and a nation to vote in the election, using our own moral authority to "choose the right person or the right candidate at the right time". The president-elect must be able to carry out his or her duties in accordance with the RDTL Constitution to safeguard our national unity, development, peace and prosperity for all of us Timorese and our beloved country of Timor-Leste.

* * * * * The author is one of the survivors of the massacre of Santa Cruz, 12th November 1991. He can be contacted via e-mail: hadomit@yahoo.com

Jose Luis Guterres is in difficulty for supporters' signatures

2012-01-30T00:05:00.000-08:00

Dili - STL - A member of Success Team for Jose Luis Guterres , Abel Freitas Ximenes acknowledges that it is difficult find 5000 signatures to fulfill the requirement for Mr. Guterres to join the race to the presidential post.

“We all know that Jose Luis Guterres is a candidate who has great potential to gain people’s confidence to be the president of the republic for the period of 2012 – 2017. Hence the success team would work had to complete the requirement of 5000 signatures supporters. But the reality shows that it is difficult to find 5000 signatures. When we arrive at the base, some have signed for other candidate and their electoral card has not been returned. That is why it is difficult to collect 100 signatures from one districts,” said Mr. Abel Ximenes in Villa Verde, Dili on Sunday (29/1).

The FRENTI MUDANÇA (FM) Party counselor added that the party can easily collect 5000 signatures but it just want to be very detail so as to avoid double signatures or already supporting other candidates.

Ramos Horta re-candidates himself for the Presidency

2012-01-30T00:02:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND The actual president Jose Ramos Horta is candidating himself to the Presidency because he continuously receiving supports from people of the 13 Districts. During his discourse at a meeting with representatives from the 13 Districts at the Canossa Hall, Becora on Saturday (Jan. 29), Dr. Horta thank the supporters and promised that in his second term, he will be focusing on five important areas concerning the people and the country.

“To strengthen peace and unity, take good care and support the formation of our Defense force and Security Force, strengthen the justice system and cooperate with the government to invest more money in the areas of education and health,” said Mr. Horta. The presidential candidate also pleads to all other candidates to respect each other in order to attain a successful election.

The Success Team coordinator for President Horta, Agusto Junior said that though there are many intellectual people who can govern the country but he thinks Timor Leste still needs Ramos Horta to be the President of the Republic.

Currently there are 115,300 signatures collected from the 13 districts in support to president Horta to run the presidency for the second time. According to the plan, the team is to register Mr. Horta’s candidacy to the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, January 31.

Photo: http://timorhauniadoben.blogspot.com

The daunting tasks ahead

2012-01-29T16:43:00.000-08:00

This is an opinion piece by Acácio Angel, editor of the blog Renova Timor. This piece appeared in the opinion section of today's Timor Post. Acácio says that TMR's optimism may be premature, even unwarranted, and Lu Olo may prove to be a more formidable opponent and a better presidential material than he has been given credit for. He says further: "Lu-Olo should break the circulating idea attributing national unity only to independent candidates. This is a fallacy."

Source: www.diakkalae.com

Angelita Pires joins the Presidential Race for injustice Cause

2012-01-27T00:08:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND - Angelita Pires is another women candidate for the presidential election in 2012. The former girlfriend of late Alfredo Reinado candidated herself for the presidency on injustice cause. “11 of February 2008 was an incident that caused many people because victims. There were 100 allegations against me but those were false and no legal base. This shows that one Timorese woman became victim,” said Ms. Pires during the press conference in Mati-aut, Dili (26/1).

According to Ms. Pires, the 11 February event has made her popular nationally and internationally. Hence she would like to use the fame to advocate for justice in Timor Leste if ever she is elected to be the President of the Republic. “I would like to use my position in the international to defend women’s rights and I would like to make it clear that my candidacy is not to pay back many favors in relation to February 11. The priority is the people and not event itself,” added Ms. Pires.

Currently there are up 8000 signatures supporting her for the presidential bid but she will use only 5000 signatures to be qualified for the bid. Despite of being the vice president of UNDERTIM party, Angelita Pires joins the presidential race as an independent candidate.

Portugal continues assisting Timor Leste’s education

2012-01-25T23:46:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND - Portuguese Minister of Education Nuno Crato is on his visit to Timor Leste in order to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the area of education. “The Minister visited me, he is here to visit the referral schools in Dili and the other districts. He is here to strengthen the relations that we have. We know that our cooperation is going very well and the minister affirmed that he wants to do all that he can for the cooperation to continue well so that we can better upgrade our teaching system in the country,” said the Interim Prime Minister Jose Luis Guterres at the Government palace after meeting with the Portuguese Minister of Education.

Mr. Guterres added that the meeting with him focused more on referral schools that was founded by Portuguese Government in Timor Leste. “We also talk about Portuguese teachers who are teaching here. The Minister reasserted that they will continue helping us in the area of education,” said Mr. Guterres.

During his stay in Timor Leste, Minister Crato will visit Portuguese schools in the District of Baucau, Viqueque, Same and Ermera.

The National Parliament is strongly against the Education Ministry’s policy of implementing mother tongue

2012-01-25T18:41:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND (25/1) Members Parliament from FRETILIN party and Democratic Party (PD) urged the Minister of Education to stop the pilot project of implementing mother tongue in primary schools in 3 districts of Timor Leste because it threatens national unity.

“I think at the last mandate, the minister of education should not create another laboratory for several pilot projects. The Ministry has to focus on implementing its own plan. He should not be a minister who implements the project of international groups like UNESCO,” said MP Joaquim Amaral during a plenary session at the Parliament on Tuesday (24/1). MP Amaral also questions about the end of the pilot project because so far it not effective and it has no continuation at the higher studies.

MP Ilda Maria da COnceição added that “it is lamentable because we are about to divide our people and create clanism in our country.” MP Getrudis Moniz from PD asked the ministry to present success countries implementing the project before actually applying the project here in Timor Leste.

Otherwise, the government has to urgently implement the Resolution number 32 issued in September 2007 on teaching Portuguese language to elementary schools in the country.

The Court of Appeal registers 5 Presidential Candidates

2012-01-25T18:39:00.001-08:00

Dili - JND (25/1) Beginning from January 16 – 24, the Court of Appeal has registered 5 candidates for the President of Republic. These five candidates are Taur Matan Ruak, an independent candidate, Francisco Gomes as a candidate from Peasant Liberty Party (PLPA), Angela Freitas from Labor party, Angela Pires as an independent candidate and Rogerio Lobato as an Independent candidate.

The chief of Administration at the Court of Appeal, Jose Simões informed that the four candidates have presented their documents in the Court while there is one candidate who have not fulfill the documents yet. The candidates list is said to have been sent to the Electoral Technical Assistance Secretary (STAE) for further verification in relation to its legality.

According to the requirements, every candidate has to have 5000 supporters or above and there should be at least 100 supporters in each district. The application is open for presidential candidate until February 4.

Jose Luis Guterres to present his candidacy to The Court of Appeal soon

2012-01-24T00:29:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND (24/1) The General Secretary of FRENTI – MUDANÇA, George Teme said that his party is soon to present their presidential candidate, Jose Luis Guterres to the Court of Appeal to be registered as a presidential candidate for 2012 election. “We are currently collecting signatures, hopefully 2 – 3 more days the signatures are ready to be registered at the Court of Appeal,” said Mr. Teme at the CNE office on Monday (23/1). According to the temporary data on signatures collected, there are 1200 signatures collected from Oecusse and another 1000 signatures collected from Baucau while lists from other districts are to arrive soon so that they can fulfill the requirement and present it to the Court of Appeal soon.

TL is threatened to lose Greater Sunrise

2012-01-24T00:27:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND (24/1) The Director of NGO Luta Hamutuk, Mericio Akara said that Timor Leste is urgently in need of renewing the contract with Australia in relation to Greater Sunrise development because the Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea (CMATS) is about to expire in 2013.

“The CMATS contracts ends in 2013, from the Australian’s side, when the CMATS contract ends, it is not a big problem for them because they have many natural resources to develop their country. Australia also said that 79 – 80% of the area falls into their jurisdiction area. Hence, we will lose the resources because they will develop it alone and we will not,” said Mericio Akara during a press conference on Monday (23/10).

According to Mr. Akara, the AMP government always says that they will bring the pipeline to Timor Leste but it has never made any decision on the development of the greater sunrise with Australia. Hence, the director of Luta Hamutuk urged the government to review the contract soon in order to avoid losing the negotiation process with Australia.

Jose Luis Guterres: “The petroleum fund is close to US$10 billion

2012-01-22T23:36:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND (23/1) Responding about the amount of TL’s money from the Oil Fund at the US Treasury bond, the Vice Prime Minister Jose Luis Guterres said that there are about US$10 billion of the money at the US Treasury Bond. “When the Government entered this governance, there were a maximum of US$1, 6 billion at the Bank. After several years, today it is close to US$10 billion which signifies that during these days, the government does not only spend but it also saves for the future generation,” said Mr. Guterres on Friday (20/1). Hence the VPM expects that there would be enough money for the incoming government to spend on development of the country. Mr. Guterres recognizes that his government does do a lot of good things as well as some things bad. However, he urges the coming government to continue the good things that this IV constitutional Government has done because every Timorese families want progress and development.

Jose Luis Guterres is better candidate than the others

2012-01-19T00:04:00.000-08:00

Photo: wikipedia

Dili - TP (19/1) The vice president of FRENTI – MUDANÇA party (FM), Egidio de Jesus said that the party’s candidature is better than other presidential candidates who are competing the highest post in the country in March 17. According to the former ambassador to Cuba, FM’s candidate is a person who is a national leader and has diplomatic quality like that of president Ramos Horta.

“FM’s candidate is unquestionable because he has shown it several times,” said Mr. Egidio.
The success team of Guterres’ presidency has taken several steps and efforts and the party is very sure that Guterres will be the head of the state in the coming 5 years.

“We cannot tell out our strategies because other party might and are copying it,” added Mr. the vice president of FM.

Taur Matan Ruak: I candidate myself to win

2012-01-18T23:57:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND (19/1) Presidential candidate Taur Matan Ruak said that he enters into presidential race in order to win and not to lose the election. “I candidate myself to the presidential post so that I can win, not so that I will lose the election. If I were to lose the election, I will not resign from the General post. Hence, I stepped down from military general in order to win the presidential post,” said Mr. Ruak during a meeting with representatives of the success team from the 13 districts in Cannossa Becora hall (18/1).

Mr. Ruak added that he is ready to compete with other candidates in the election, including FRETILIN’s presidential candidate Francisco Lu – Olo. “I am ready to compete with whomever, just as I contributed to the military life. I can contribute (my life) once more as a politician. I contributed to the independence, I am very happy to contribute to good life now.

However, my candidature is independent. Second, my candidature does not oppose anyone and third, my candidature does not divide, gather all parties because Timorese should be together,” added Mr. Ruak. The veteran also asked the supporters of Lu – Olo to be responsible if the FRETILIN party president lose the race against him which he thought unnecessary (for Lu – Olo to run for the presidency).

Horta to announce his Presidential Bid after visiting Japan and Hollywood

2012-01-17T23:59:00.000-08:00

Dili - TP (18/1) President Ramos Horta left Timor Leste to Japan on Tuesday to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The President of the republic was accompanied by the Minister of Economy, João Gonçalves and the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alberto da Silva.

“During the visit, the head of the state is to meet with the new Prime Minister of Japan, and to visit Toyota and other places that were affected by Tsunami and earthquake. After that we will also meet with a Japanese artist who will become goodwill Ambassador to Timor Leste,” said Vice Minister Alberto to the journalist at the VIP lounge at the Nicolao Lobato International Airport, Dili.

Mr. Alberto added that after the official visit to Japan, the president will return to Timor Leste on Saturday, rest for 24 hours and depart again to the United States of America to attend a ceremony at Hollywood, Los Angeles. At the end of the visit to the United States, the president will return to Timor Leste, to announce his candidature on 1st of January together will all the listed candidates at the Court of Appeal in order to compete in the 2012 presidential election.

CNRT party supports Taur Matan Ruak

2012-01-17T23:55:00.000-08:00

Dili - TP (18/1) The success team of CNRT party declared in Viqueque that the party supports the candidacy of former General Taur Matan Ruak to be the president of Republic because MR. Ruak is an independent candidate. Based on the party rules released recently on supporting presidential candidate, the party militants are urged to give support to a presidential candidate who is independent or not from a political party.

“The Viqueque district deigns to support Taur because he is not a party man. CNRT set criteria that the figure has to be someone who lives with the people and know people’s difficulties,” said MR. Manuel Pinto, a member of the success team from CNRT at Colegio Orfanato Beloi, Viqueque on Sunday (15/1).

The reason of the CNRT militants supporting Mr. Taur is that he has shown leadership experience during the resistance up to the independence.

Avo Xavier gives confidence to La Sama

2012-01-12T00:28:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND (12/1) The proclamator of the independence and the President of ASDT party Francisco Xavier do Amaral gives his support to Fernando La Sama de Araujo to be the President of the Republic. Calling Mr. La Sama to visit him at the National Hospital (HNGV) on Wednesday, Avo Xavier told Mr. La Sama that he is confident in La Sama. “My confidence in you,” said the Proclamator several times to Mr. La Sama who was standing at his bed at the Hospital.

Responding to the support and confidence of Avo Xavier, the PD president said “why are we working hard? We are working hard to realize your dream, we are following Avo’s footstep. In a short while we are going to approve the land law which will guarantee the rights of Maubere people as Avo wishes.”

Mr. Xavier was shed in tears listening to the words of Mr. La Sama and he raised his two thumbs while saying his confidence is in him. Mr. La Sama has been seen as a leader of the new generation and is to continue the dream of old generation.

SERN hands over the negotiation on Greater Sun Rise to the New Government

2012-01-12T00:23:00.000-08:00

Dili - TP (12/1) The IV constitutional government will hand over the negotiation on the Greater Sun Rise exploration to the coming government to resolve. According to the State Secretary for Natural Resources (SERN) Alfredo Pires said that though the government was not able to bring gasholder to Timor Leste, this is a good success because it has already a specific studies on the option of bringing the pipeline to Timor Leste.

“I guarantee that once the mandate ends, the pipe line for the Greater Sun Rise will not move to some other place. We will continue to defend our position that the pipeline should come to Timor Leste,” said Mr. Pires recently. At the moment, the actual government is preparing to delegate documents relating to gasholder to the government to come in the election.

Reacting to Mr. Pires’ statement, FRETILIN MP Jose Teixeira said that the agreement signed by the previous government has been the guideline to all the negotiations that came afterwards and that the present executive fails call for another negotiation because it has no power to negotiate well.

Mr. Teixeira added that the statement of Mr. Pires is just another promise that the AMP government does not fulfill and they have to be responsible to the hanging project.

The National Parliament sworn in 3 members of Intelligence work inspection

2012-01-11T00:26:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND (11/1) The National Parliament on Tuesday sworn in 3 members of the National Council of Monitoring Intelligence works (CFSNI) at the National Parliament. The 3 members are Alexandrinho Xavier de Araujo who was appointed directly by the President of the Republic, MP Antonhino Bianco from FRETILIN party and MP Duarte Nunes from CNRT party. On the occasion, the president of NP Fernando La Sama said that the work of the CFSNI is to keep their eyes on the work of intelligence, its activities and finally report it to the Parliament.

“We all know that the work of the intelligence is not ‘mauhu’ but instead it wants to see the national interests especially its threats, the use of Timor’s resources, putting together Timor Leste’s resources to give solution to the problem that the state faces,” said Mr. La Sama on Tuesday (10/1).

The appointment of the CFSNI is based on law number 8/2008, articles 7 – 11 where its job is clearly defined to regulate the council’s activities in serving the country and the people.

FRENTI – MUDANÇA guarantees to win 95% in Ermera

2012-01-11T00:08:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND (11/1) The National Political Commissioner of FRENTI – MUDANÇA (FM) for Ermera district, Ricardo Nheu declared that his party will win 95% in the district of Ermera because of the camaraderie political approach it uses. “I, Ricardo Nheu guarantee that FRENTI – MUDANÇA will win 95% in Ermera, I will put effort to that and this will happen,” declared Mr. Nheu at FM headquarter in Pantai Kelapa, Dili (10/1).

Mr. Nheu confessed that in order to guarantee the victory in Ermera, the party has spent 70% of the time live with people daily, the people who majority live as agriculture.

The FM political commissioner added his party has long develop the politics of camaraderie in the area to make the party members close friends and understand each other’s problems, ideas and desires and bring the information to all the structure to discuss about it.

The Police recoveres US$156,740.00 of the money stolen from BNU Baucau

2012-01-09T23:54:00.000-08:00

Diili - JND (10/1) The Police unit of Criminal Investigation (ICN) was able to find back US$156,740.00, almost half of the money, of US$209,600.00 that was stolen from BNU Baucau branch on January 4. The police found the money after holding a sudden house checking at 2 a.m. to the suspected houses. From checking 4 houses, the police were able to discover half of the money that was stolen.

“We can see that in the checking of the houses, the police was able to find almost half of the money in the houses of a two former BNU staff, about US$58,740.00. Searching in the house of a BNU staff, the police also found 585 Euro and AUS$535 together with US$9000.00. When the police continued searching a house in Buibau, it found US$60,000.00 which all sum up to reach US$156,740.00,” said the Operation commander of Baucau District, Chief Inspector João Baptista at the Baucau Police Headquarter (9/1).

The money stolen was hidden in caves, in pipes, in dirty oil cans and some in plastic rolls.

Mari Alkatiri: when UNMIT mandate ends, do not afraid to be orphans

2012-01-09T23:49:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND (10/1) The former Prime Minister and the General Secretary of FRETILIN party, Mari Alkatiri said that many people are afraid of being left alone as orphan after UNMIT fulfills its mission at the end of this year. However, Dr. Alkatiri said that there is no reason for the people to be afraid of the UNMIT’s departure because it is just a psychological illness caused by trauma and it is not the reality.

“Maybe many are afraid that they will become orphans after UNMIT leave this country. I think it is time, after 10 years we are the one thinking of UNMIT as our father and mother. But it is time UNMIT should leave. They are not our father or mother. We fought the war for 24 years alone. But why is it that after the independence, other people come to guarantee our independence? That is because there is no political maturity,” said Dr. Alkatiri recently.

When asked the question about the need of forming a government of National Unity, which is believed to avoid conflict, Mr. Alkatiri answered saying not everybody should be in the government in order to create peace. That is, his party was not in the government but it creates peace and stability in the country.

Hence, the bases for national unity and peace are respecting the constitution and the rights of every individual in the country.

CNRT decides to support an Independent Candidate for PR

2012-01-08T23:52:00.000-08:00

Photo: www.partidocnrt.com

Dili - JND (9/1) The General Secretary of CNRT party, Dionisio Babo said his party will give its support to an independent candidate who fulfills the criteria set by the party and not supporting a candidate from a political party or an independent candidate from a political party. “CNRT does not support a candidate of political party or an independent candidate from a political party,” said Mr. Babo at the Dili Convention Center on Saturday (7/1).

The General Secretary added that CNRT does not candidate its men for the presidency because it wants to focus on the Parliamentary election where they target to win 45+ seats (P45+) so that they can use that power to amend the present constitution.

CNRT is only to announce its support to any independent presidential candidate after President Ramos Horta announces the official date for presidential election.

PD guarantees La Sama to win in the District of Dili

2012-01-08T23:50:00.000-08:00

Dili - STL (9/1) Coordinator of Democratic Party of the District of Dili Nino Pereira is optimist that the presidential candidate, Fernando La Sama de Araujo will win in the District of Dili. The optimism is based on the number of voters found in Dili where 75% among the voters are youth. PD has long identified themselves as the party of the young. “La Sama is an important figure to strengthen democracy in Timor Leste observing from his success during chairing the Parliament’s presidency which shows also the success of the new generation. This is what makes us optimist that La Sama will win the Capital of Dili, including the other 12 Districts,” said Mr. Pereira to the media on Sunday (8/1). Meantime, La Sama also a low profile figure who is honest and accommodative. That convinces the PD leader of the District of Dili that La Sama would win the presidential election in 2012.

3 PNTL members being investigated for involving in martial arts fight

2012-01-05T23:47:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND - (5/1) PNTL commissioner Longuinhos Monteiro said 3 of PNTL members are submitted to the process of investigation because they are suspected to have involved in martial arts. “It is in the process at the moment, the department is still investigating on it, looking for concrete facts, concrete judicial witness also shows this institution has rules for the members to obey,” said Mr. Monteiro after a meeting at the Dili Convention Center (5/1). The PNTL commander took the opportunity to “alert communities to keep their eyes on the police members, do inform to the General Commander to find ways to discipline them because our eyes and ears are not sufficient and the communities’ participation is very important to transform this institution forward.”

The commander for the department of Justice, Superintendent Chief Jose Neto Mok, rejected to give comments on the investigation process of the 3 police members involved in the martial arts group activities.

TL donates US$750.000 each to the Philippines and Thailand

2012-01-05T00:09:00.000-08:00

Dili - TP (5/1) The government decided on Wednesday to extend its solidarity to people who are suffering natural disaster in the Philippines and Thailand by donating US$750.000 to each country. “The support is an expression of solidarity of Timorese to the two countries that suffered the natural disaster. That is why the council of Ministers agreed on the amount and solemnly handed over the voucher to the Ambassador of Thailand and the Philippines with an amount of US$750.000 to each country,” said Minister for Social Solidarity Maria Domingas “Micato”. The ambassadors were thankful for the donation for their people suffering of the natural calamities.

In January 13, PR is to announce the day for Presidential election

2012-01-03T23:37:00.000-08:00

Dili - TP - (29/12/2011) After meeting the President of the Republic, PM Xanana said that it is fixed that the president is to announce in January 13 the date for presidential election. “I presented to the president the preparations that CNE, PNTL, STAE on relation to the election. Hence, the president decided 13 of January as the fixed date for (announcing the date for) presidential election,” said Mr. Gusmão on Wednesday (28/12) at the Presidential palace.

Mr. Gusmão added on the announcing date for the presidential election, the president would be accompanied by all the sovereign bodies like the National Parliament, the Court of Appeal, the Government, the President as well as the Media.

Alkatiri and Dionisio Babo: Horta should not meddle with Political Party’s decisions on Presidential candidates

2012-01-03T23:35:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND - Responding to President Ramos Horta’s suggestion that big Political Parties should not busy themselves with the presidential election but instead the Parliamentary election because the nature of parties are to govern, the General Secretary of FRETILIN as well as CNRT party reacted saying no one should meddle with the decision of political parties on presidential candidates because it is an internal affairs. “PR should no talk a lot because he has no support from other political parties. (In 2007) they all considered FRETILIN to be enemy and that was why they all join together and vote for him (against Lu-Olo). But if he dares, he can candidate himself, still there are many who sympathize him and probably vote for him,” said Mr. Alkatiri Wednesday (21/12).

When asked about PR Horta’s suggestion, the General Secretary of CNRT Party, Dionisio Babo said he agreed with Mr. Alkatiri saying no one should meddle with the internal decision of the Party because it is the party’s prerogative to make such decision based on democratic principles. “To me, whether or not the political party to decide giving or not giving its support to a candidate, that is a democratic case.

Hence, we cannot force a political party to do this or that. Instead, let the decision come from within the house of the party so that the people involved feel satisfied and feel that they also took part in the decision,” said Mr. Babo.

Alkatiri: AMP’s 5 years rule fails

2012-01-03T23:31:00.001-08:00

Dili - JND - The General Secretary of FRETILIN party as well as Ex-Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said the AMP’s to end 5 years rule fails in most of the important areas during their governance. In an exclusive interview with Jornal Nacional Diário, Dr. Alkatiri emphasized areas of failures such as the legality of the government, the competency of the Prime Minister and his members in the area of knowledge and Management.

“Personally I do not recognize this government to be constitutional but de facto government. Mr. Xanana also has shown that he has the capacity to lead the resistance but he has shown he has no competence, capacity and has no management. The management of human resources fails; he was unable to form a team that is solid to conduct a program with one politic and Mr. Xanana continues to be like guerrilla commander. There is also no justice in this government because there are a lot of corrupt ministers but Xanana continues not to stop them because he needs them. Another big failure is also that this government has no plan; it has no program and so as it has no project. There are only emergency projects and emergency governance during 4 years,” said Dr. Alkatiri at the Party’s headquarter in Comoro, Dili.

According to the historic party’s leader, the failures were all the result of grabbing power away from FRETILIN and out of the hand of Mr. Alkatiri himself. As a matter of fact, he said, FRETILIN has never lost election and will always be because FRETILIN is like a beautiful girl that attracts many men now – with all the failures in AMP government, many parties are approaching to ally with it.

When ask the question about possibility of allying with CNRT, the General Secretary answered saying so far there has not been effort for such and that he would prefer to form it with a small party so as to continue grow a strong opposition at the Parliament. (JND/28/12/2011)

Felis Natal e Um Prospero Ano Novo to all the readers and friends

2011-12-23T00:20:00.000-08:00

Photo: Timor Plaza Blogspot

Seja Um feliz Natal e um Prospero Ano a vos todos....

May your CHirstmas be Blessed with Love, joy and New year bring more hope...

CNRT is ready to be Opposition in the Parliament

2011-12-23T00:16:00.000-08:00

Dili - STL - The Member of Parliament from CNRT party, Arão Noé said that even though his party is confident to win the 2012 election but it is also prepared to play the role as opposition in the parliament if it does not get a majority seats.

“In 2012 election, we believe we will win, we will implement these plans. However, if we do not win, as the president of the party has said, we will stay as opposition. If less than 33 seats and play the role of opposition like other party is normal,” said MP Noé at the Parliament on Wednesday (21/12).

He added that the dream to win the election is the dream of every party but our party wants to win it so that we can implement all the programs we have approved.

Horta praises the ideology of the Socialist Party of Timor Leste (PST)

2011-12-23T00:15:00.001-08:00

Attending the closing day of Socialist Party of Timor Leste (PST), President Jose Ramos Horta commented that PST has clearer ideology than some other parties in Timor Leste. “Their ideology is very clear, not like some parties that have ideology like the clouds,” commented President Horta at the Dili Convention Center (CCD) on Thursday (22/12). In the occasion, the president also praised the General Secretary of PST party, Avelino Coelho due to his works and contribution as the State Secretary for Strategic Energy policies in order to implement the IV Government’s programs.

L-7 urged the government to apply Dictatorship responding to continuous youth fight

2011-12-21T00:18:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND- The president of UNDERTIM party, Cornelio Gama ‘L-7’ condemned strongly the criminal acts of martial art groups that resulted in the killing and destroying people’s properties in Comoro recently. With the present political system seems not to guarantee peace and security that the Veteran suggested Dictatorship style of government so peace and freedom can be restored.

“Our message to the youth is that we have suffered, killed and imprisoned so that we can get independence but even after the independence our youth are fighting each other and killing some. Maybe it is better to set up dictatorship so that, at least, the issues of violence do not occur again,” said MP L-7 at the National Parliament on Tuesday (20/12).

If the violence continues, Mr. L-7 said the veterans would be together and talk to the President of the Republic to consider other form of governing that can establish peace and security in the country.

Horta advices FRETILIN and PD not to candidate their men for the presidential election

2011-12-21T00:12:00.001-08:00

Dili - JND - President Jose Ramos Horta has urged the big political parties like FRETILIN and PD to not to busy themselves with the presidential election but instead to the parliamentary election because their nature is to govern the country.

“My advice to FETILIN and PD and other big parties, especially those who want to name their candidates for the presidential election, it is better for them not to candidate themselves because the vocation of political parties are to govern, to win the legislative election so that they can form government. But if parties are pushing their party presidents to the presidential candidacy, their credibility wound be wounded if they end up losing in the election,” said President Horta at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday (20/12).

The head of the state added “I give counsel, as a politician, I respect all parties and I would like to tell you that even if the big parties do not present any candidate, they should not support one candidate; they should be neutral and should tell their followers that they are free to vote with clear conscience whomever candidate you consider deign to.”

Currently, PD has officially applied the candidacy of La Sama to the presidential election while FRETILIN’s Lu-Olo is only to declare his official candidacy once the president of the republic officially announce the presidential election in January 2012.

Republican Party to fight for Tetum to be the number 1 official language in Timor Leste

2011-12-19T00:29:00.000-08:00

Dili - STL - The president of Partidu Republikanu (Republican Party), João Mariano Saldanha said that urged Timorese to fight together for Tetum to be the first official language in Timor Leste. “Whether we like it or not we have to show our identity to the world that all Timorese want to use Tetum as the first official language in Timor Leste. This is the first general campaign for the election in 2012,” said Mr. Saldanha during the ceremony of reception in the 5th anniversary of PR on Saturday (17/12).

During the anniversary celebration, PR also inaugurated its new office in Palpasu, Farol – Dili. Present in the ceremony were representatives of the party from the districts, youth groups, U.N. representative and a Catholic priests.

PR was founded in December 18, 2006 and joined the 2007 election without having any representative in the Parliament. This coming election, PR is one of the 23 political parties running for the 2012 presidential and parliamentary election.

1200 civil servants are to retire in 2012

2011-12-19T00:26:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND - The president of Public Function Commission (KFP), Liborio Pereira said that the government is to retire 1200 public servants in 2012 according to the established law. The law states that people who work for the government and of the age 60 are to be retired so as to honor them to rest at the same time give time to the new generation to take up the job.

“The transitory regime is being implemented at the time from 60 years old to 75 actual year, and waiting for the definitive regime function,” said Mr. Liborio to the journalist at the Dili Convention Center on Friday (16/12).

When asked about the retirement of members of F-FDTL, Mr. Liborio answered that there is no law yet to reform or give pension yet. However, such retirement can be done if the law has been approved yet by the national parliament. “In such public administration, once the law for pension in general is approved, the other institution can adapt without having to have separate law,” added Mr. Liborio. The public function president highlighted that most of people likely to retire are people from the Ministry of Education, mainly teachers and the Ministry of Health or old nurses.

Horta suggests to give amnesty to Cristopher

2011-12-09T00:06:00.000-08:00

Dili - TP - On the case of Cristopher Samsong, the director of NGO LABEH who was discovered to have falsified documents to be a Timorese citizen, President Ramos Horta said that it is better to grant Amnesty to the Nigerian because he has done some work for society and Timorese State. “This is the first time I heard about it. What a pity, it is better that we grant the guy amnesty to this person so that he can be free. Let the person keep living in Timor Leste,” pledged President Horta (6/12). Dr. Horta continued saying he promised he will help the accused to get him passport because he has stayed in Timor Leste for 10 years and helped the country to fight against corruption. Mr. Cristopher was recently sentenced to 3, 5 years imprisonment for falsifying documents to be a Timorese.

The Court found Christopher did falsified documents to be a Timorese

2011-12-05T17:25:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND - The Dili District Court (TDD) on Friday (2/12) sentenced Cristopher Henry Samsong to 3 years and 6 months in prison for falsifying documents. Testimony from Berta Moniz (65) , an adopted daughter of Cecilia de Jesus whom Mr. Samsong claimed to have been his mother, said that “before Cecilia died, she told me that she married to a Portuguese Military from Angola and had 3 children but two of them died while only one survived, Domiggos, and brought to Angola who was not too dark and he was baptized in Bobonaro church.” The fact that the person Mr. Samsong is taking the identity is indeed still alive in Angola and has asked recently a Timorese Judge to find his baptism certificate in Bobonaro Church.

Mr. Samsong is said to have different names in four identity cards recognized in the country like Baptism Certificate, Electoral Card, UNTAET card and passport. The director of LABEH also has entered Timor Leste using American passport. With more testimonies proving him falsifying documents to be a Timorese, the Court finally decided to sentence Mr. Samsong 3,5 years of imprisonments.

However, Mr. Sergio Hornay, the lawyer of Mr. Samsong said he will re-appeal to the Court of Appeal because he thinks his client has become victims of the elite political players.

La Sama - Assanami are re-elected to be the President and General Secretary of PD

2011-12-05T17:23:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND - The Democratic Party (PD) has just re-elected to its party president Fernando L Sama and General Secretary Mariano Sabino on Sunday after the four days congress from December 1 – 4. The two leaders of the party were elected through a private and secret vote held on Sunday night where Package B got most of the votes, 2043 of the total 3674 voters. Hence, with the votes, the President is La Sama, the Vice President 1 is Adriano Nascimento, Vice II Jose Buras, Vice III João Boavida and Vice IV Lourdes Bessa. On the other hand, the General secretary is Mariano Assanami Sabino, Vice Gen. Sec I Samuel Mendonça, Vice II Francisco Borlaco, Vice Gen. Sec. III Eugebio Guterres and Vice Gen. Sec. IV is Mario de Araujo.

In his discourse, the Party president La Sama said he is confident PD would win both in the presidential as well as parliamentary election in 2012. “I have a strong confidence that PD will make blue the whole Timor Leste and PD will win both the presidential and Parliamentary election in 2012,” said Mr. La Sama on Sunday at the closing ceremony of the PD 2nd congress (4/12). Mr. La Sama also added that his party is committed to contribute peace, stability, economy and social in the country and if Timorese people trust him to rule the country, he would be the president for all Maubere people from East to West, from north to south.

Parliament Members urged Timor Leste to create Amnesty Law

2011-11-29T23:59:00.001-08:00

Dili - JND (30/11) In responding to President Horta demand of an amnesty law, the representative of people in the National Parliament agreed that Timor Leste should have amnesty law which becomes the basis for legal decision of the leaders. “We need to have an amnesty law so that the competent bodies in the country can act based on the law. Otherwise, there could be abuse of power,” said MP Francisco Miranda Branco from FRETILIN party (29/11).

Adding to the need of an amnesty law, MP Carrascalão from Social Democratic Party (PSD) said that “the amnesty law that we would have should be educative and not to be impunity. There should be clear rules so that it goes well in the implementation.” Mr. Carrascalão added that there should also be good consultations so that it goes smoothly in its implementation.

Mari Alkatiri: “Taur and Horta are two strong candidates for the presidential election”

2011-11-29T23:47:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND (30/11) The General Secretary of FRETILIN party, Dr. Mari Alkatiri said that Mr. Taur is a new candidate to the presidential election and Dr. Ramos Horta is also seeking to re-candidate himself for the presidency, they are two strong candidates but he thinks the candidate of his party is stronger than the two candidates.

“The two candidates are all strong. Taur is also a strong candidate and so as Ramos Horta. The strongest candidate of them all is only FRETILIN’s candidate, this I tell you with honesty,” said Mr. Alkatiri to the Newspaper during a meeting in Comoro recently.

The General Secretary also guaranteed that his party’s candidate would also win the first round of election. “We can win the first round of the election with absolute majority but we have to think. If the presidential candidate, our brother Lo-Olo proceeds to the candidacy and wins the election, he cannot continuously be the president of FRETILIN, the party has to consider this,” added the ex-Premier.

Hence, Mr. Alkatiri added that peace and stability in this country has to start from and within FRETILIN and the transition from older generation to the new generation has to start among FRETILIN members.

Mari Alkatiri: Timor Leste is not prepared yet to join ASEAN

2011-11-25T00:27:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND (25/11) The Former Prime Minister and the actual General Secretary of FRETILIN party declared honestly that Timor Leste is not ready yet to join ASEAN. “If we want to be honest, we are not prepared to join ASEAN. This is just to tell the truth,” affirmed Mr. Alkatiri to the Newspaper at his residence in Comoro, Dili (24/11) when asked about the expression of welcome from the ASEAN members. Dr. Alkatiri affirmed that institutionally TL is not prepared yet – there are no vocal points yet for each ministers – and still lack of human resources to participate in the high level meeting of ASEAN. “Hence, a gradual enter, joining slowly would be good for us. Otherwise we start paying the account. But, we pay it in order to gain something, aren’t we? Furthermore, what are the things are we going to sell to them? Salt or coffee? But even so, our coffee can only be sold to one country and it is finished. It is not much. On the contrary we buy a lot,” added the former Prime Minister. However, the second person of the biggest party, FRETILIN, said TL should still thanked the good will and efforts of Indonesian in supporting TL’s bid to join ASEAN. (DN)

Timor Leste’s Inflation increases drastically

2011-11-25T00:25:00.001-08:00

Dili - JND (25/11) An evaluation of International Monetary Fund (IMF) says that TL experiences very high inflation this year. “We all know that IMF has played very important role in the monitoring the development in Timor Leste. They conducted an evaluation on the progress of the economic development and they show that inflations in the month of September has risen up to 13,8%,” said the General Director of the Minister of Finance, Mr. Antonio Freitas on Thursday (24/11). Although the inflation is high, Mr. Freitas asserted, it has no impact to Timor Leste’s economy because the country is still in the category of low - income country. On the other hand, the IMF also has no obsession on the government to put more money in the infrastructure because indeed the country needs basic infrastructure in place to begin developing Timor Leste. (DN)

Taur: “My candidature is to gather all people”

2011-11-22T23:47:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND (23/11) During an interview with the Radio of the Diocese of Baucau, Taur Matan Ruak said that his candidacy for the presidency is to unite and not to scatter people. “My candidacy can unite and not dividing Timorese, it is a thing that I want. My candidature can also contribute to, first, stability, second, consolidating democracy and third, to development for prosperity to our country,” said Mr. Ruak to the Radio interview.

The former military general also added that he was surprised at the number of people who have turned out during his visits to districts and sub districts and he urged people not to misunderstand him to be doing campaign. The presidential campaign is yet to be announced in January next year, after which candidates can do the proper campaigning during 30 days and end with the election which would be in March 2013.

FRETILIN is to announce its presidential candidate on 27th of November, Lu – Olo might proceed

2011-11-22T23:44:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND (23/11) On 27th of November this year, the leaders of the historic party FRETILIN would gather at the Central Committee of FRETILIN, Comoro, to decide of the presidential candidate for 2012 election. There is a possibility that the Party President Francisco Lu-Olo proceed to be the candidate for the presidential election.

“It is true that Timor Leste public is waiting for FRETILIN’s position and to announce its candidate for the President of the Republic. On September 27th, FRETILIN would start the process of presenting its candidate to the President of the Republic,” declared the vice president of FRETILIN, Arsenio Bano on Tuesday (22/11).

Mr. Bano added that “Timorese want to see and hear the FRETILIN candidate and FRETILIN has a candidate. I personally can say that FRETILIN is ready to work for its candidate.” The party vice president also added that there is a possibility for the president of the party to advance to be the candidate and Mr. Bano recognized that Mr. Lu-Olo has a sufficient profile to move forward.

Good plan and big budget is needed to fix roads in Timor Leste

2011-11-18T00:04:00.000-08:00

Dili - JND (18/11) Commenting on the government’s intention to build roads in 2012, the General Director of TINOLINA Company, Agustinho Gomes who have involved in the areas of building bridges and roads commented that there is the need of big amount of money in order to build roads in Timor Leste. “I can say that Same has a big potentiality in the area of agriculture because it has coffee and other things. But when the road is in poor condition, it can feel the impact directly by not being able to sell their products to the market. Hence, building the road is one of the biggest priorities,” said Mr. Gomes at his working place in Fomento (17/11). However, the boss of TINOLINA added that to build roads in Timor Leste, it requires a large amount of money, billions of dollars and not just $10 million or $20 million. According to him, spending small amount of money would not have any impact because costs of things in Timor Leste are very expensive.

TL to join ASEAN in 2013

2011-11-17T00:09:00.000-08:00

Dili - TP (17/11) The Minister of Foreign Affairs Zacarias Albano da Costa said that right now there is no fixed date yet for TL to join ASEAN but good scenarios can go in favor of TL joining the association. “I think we cannot anticipate scenarios but I can say a scenario can help TL to join ASEAN with a fixed date in 2013,” said Mr. Zacarias. In relation with the visit of President Ramos Horta to Indonesia, the Minister said the head of the state delivers the desire of TL joining ASEAN to the Foreign Ministers of the members so that they can recommend to the leaders of the SUMMIT that would start with a meeting in Jakarta on how ASEAN receives Timor Leste’s decision to join. The meeting of ASEAN ministerial meeting has started on Wednesday, yesterday, and the foreign ministers attended in order to see the decision resulting from the meeting and to see the issue relating to the 3 pillars of ASEAN’s objectives.

East Timor aims to triple infrastructure spending in 2012

2011-11-17T00:02:00.000-08:00

JAKARTA Nov 16 (Reuters) - East Timor plans to triple its infrastructure spending to more than $1 billion next year, in an effort to develop the economy to reduce its reliance on energy revenues, the government said on Wednesday.

The 2012 budget, approved by the country's parliament, calls for development spending of $1.06 billion to fund better roads, irrigation systems, new schools and hospitals, defence facilities, sea ports and a national electricity grid.

Although all this is unlikely to happen by next year, the investment is part of a 20-year development plan that aims to establish a more diversified economy and turn the tiny Southeast Asian nation into a middle income country.

"This is a budget for our development. It is ambitious but this is because it seeks to invest in our people and change our nation," said government spokesman Agio Pereira in a statement.
The former Portuguese colony is hoping to use oil and gas resources to rebuild the economy after the country was crippled by violence during its bid for full independence a decade ago.
But development has been slow. Talks with Australia's Woodside Petroleum to develop a massive gas field that would give a huge boost to government revenues have been stalled, though East Timor is still hopeful of a deal. (Writing by Neil Chatterjee; Editing by Ramthan Hussain)

Timor Plaza is to build 1 school and 2 clinics

2011-11-04T01:24:00.000-07:00

Dili - JND (4/11) The Owner of Timor Plaza, Jape Kong Su said that if one he makes money out of the Plaza, he would build 1 school and two clinics to serve those who are sick and poor. “I come here to develop Timor Leste. After two to three years, if the Plaza makes some money, I would build 1 school and 2 or three pharmacies or clinics,” said Mr. Jape at his working place at Timor Plaza (31/10). He added that Timor Plaza was built as the result of his business of hotels both in China as well as in Australia. Mr. Jape said he sold all those hotels and come to Timor Leste to develop the country.

PR Horta is against the Idea of US Deploying force in Timor Sea

2011-10-31T00:21:00.000-07:00

Dili - President Jose Ramos Horta said he disagreed with the Australian Government's plan to deploy the US Navy in the Timor Sea. "I disagree that the Timor Sea should become base for the US Maritime Force," Horta said. President Horta made the statements regarding the recent information saying that Australia will ask US to deploy their navy the Timor and Darwin Sea. He stressed that there is no fundamental reason for deploying USA MarineForce in the Timor Sea. The president added further saying he would agree if the nature of the US Naval presence would be life that of Singapore where the US Military boats stay overnight to fill water, to get food and rest for a while. (DN, TP)

East Timor: Asean's sleeping beauty

2011-10-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

Kavi ChongkittavornThe Nation October 31, 2011 10:23 am

Asean is losing East Timor big time. After a few moments of intensive discussion early this year over the possible membership of the world's youngest democracy, Asean's decision-makers remain noncommittal. In a nutshell, the issue of East Timor's membership is lying dormant. At the upcoming Asean Coordinating Council Meeting on November 16 ahead of the Asean Summit in Bali, the membership issue is on the agenda but nobody knows what kind of decision will be made.

Youth of FRETILIN party warns the militants not to be influenced by other Political agitation

2011-10-27T00:55:00.000-07:00

JND - Representatives of Fretilin youths in the Dili District have called on the party's leaders and followers to firmly face political influences that other political parties have started for the Presidential as well as parliamentary election next year. A Fretilin Youth Spokesperson, Paulo Soares made the comments during a press conference in Quintal-Boot, Dili, saying “the militants and the sympathizers of FRETILIN party not to be influenced by some political parties who agitate among you.” Instead, the youth spokesperson urged the members to stand firm and uphold the party’s principles and values to march for the coming election. Meantime, Mr. Soares said Fretilin will nominate its candidate to run for president, but it is still waiting for announcement from the president of the republic about the date of elections. The ex-guerilla fighter commander, David "Daitula" Alex's son, Alarico said they keep firmly supporting, the ex-Timorese Defense Force Commander, Taur Matan Ruak to run for president.

The Timor Leste Task force is conducting a study of Road analysis to bring on shore the Greater Sun Rise exploration

2011-10-24T01:31:00.000-07:00

Dili - JND - The head of Task Force team for Greater Sun Rise Project, Francisco Monteiro said that his team has conducted a study on pipeline road analysis to locate the pipes as well as to put in consideration the aspects of geo-techniques and geo-physics. “We have conducted some studies to see the underground situation, to see if there are obstacles in the radius of one kilometer where the pipelines are to be placed. We will have to look into the technical studies, geo-physics and geo-chemist as well,” said Mr. Monteiro on Saturday (22/10).

East Timor mulls Temasek-style investment firm

2011-10-23T21:40:00.000-07:00

By Agence France-Presse, Updated: 10/21/2011 11:57 AM

East Timor is mulling an investment firm based on Singapore's Temasek Holdings to invest part of the country's billions of dollars in petroleum revenues, President Jose Ramos-Horta said Friday.

He said East Timor can use the money not only to build roads and other infrastructure but also to buy strategic assets overseas in such sectors as telecommunications, property and renewable energy.

New legislation now allows the government to invest 50 percent of the country's Petroleum Fund into domestic infrastructure and a diversified asset portfolio abroad, up from only 10 percent previously.

The other 50 percent is invested in US Treasury bonds.

East Timor's Petroleum Fund has been growing at an average 10 percent over the past decade and is expected to reach nearly $9.0 billion in December, the president told the Foreign Correspondents Association in Singapore.
"We are looking into some model like Temasek," he said.
"Our minister of finance has been investigating these experiences (of Temasek) to see how we can... invest domestically and internationally."

Temasek is one of two state-linked Singapore investment companies that has stakes in companies locally and overseas, including Singapore Airlines and other firms in telecoms, finance and real estate, among others.
"The first priority is to invest the money in infrastructure development in the country," Ramos-Horta said.

He cited a planned $600 million dollar project to redevelop the existing airport in Dili by extending the runway and building a new terminal.
Part of the Petroleum Fund could also be invested in "sovereign debt or in strategic assets (and) that can be anywhere from China to India to Europe -- whether in telecoms or renewable energy," he said.

Resource-rich East Timor won formal independence in 2002, three years after a UN-backed referendum that saw an overwhelming vote to break away from Indonesia, whose 24-year occupation cost an estimated 200,000 lives.

PM Xanana: “Some Ministers will face the Court” for Corruption

2011-10-14T01:17:00.000-07:00

Dili - JND (14/10) The Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão said that some of his ministers would face the court on corruption allegations just like what his Vice Prime Minister did. “Talking about corruption, my Minister had answered to the court and I mention my minister Arcango Leite, Lucia Lobato, Emilia Pires will go to answer to the court,” said Mr. Gusmão to the Journalists in Dare (13/10). According to the Prime Minister, his government recognizes the separation of power in this country but that everything has to go through process if a minister is to be fired due to corruption.

Responding to MP Tilman, Taur: I know the system of Timor Leste State

2011-10-14T01:14:00.000-07:00

Dili - JND (14/10) Responding to the MP Manuel Tilman who commented Military Generals should not rule the country but civilians who are well prepared, Mr. Taur Matan Ruak said that he knows the system of Timor Leste State and that the country is democratic and it has a constitution. “I know the system in Timor Leste,” said Mr. Ruak on Thursday (13/10). Both Mr. Tilman and Mr. Ruak are two independent candidates for the Presidential election that is to come in 2012.

The Timor Leste Government is to borrow US$33.1 million

2011-10-12T01:01:00.000-07:00

Dili - TP (12/10) The Minister of Finance, Emilia Pires said that the Government is considering to borrow a total of US$33,1 million from abroad because the 2012 state budget that comes from petroleum fund is not enough. “We made a proposal to be allowed to borrow only US$33 million, not more, and we will investigate if there is a cheaper loan,” declared Ms. Emilia Pires at the National Parliament on Tuesday (11/10). There are countries and Banks which are ready to give loan like China, ADB, JICA and European Union but they still have to look into its life sustainability.

Taur announces his candidacy for the presidential election in 2012

2011-10-11T00:40:00.000-07:00

Dili - TP (11/10) The Ex-Commander of F-FDTL, Taur Matan Ruak has publically announced his bid for the presidential election in 2012. According to Mr. Taur, his candidature will not come from any political party. He instead wants to candidate himself independently in order to continue to create good relation with any party. “If there are more people candidating for the presidency, it would be good because then there would be more options for people to choose,” said Mr. Ruak during his birthday celebration in Mertutu Village, Ermera District, on Monday (10/10).

His candidacy for the presidential post aims at protecting the orphans, the poor, the veterans and the youth. Mr. Ruak acknowledged that some of this work he has done during his leadership at the Defense Force. On the occasion, the speaker of the orphans and veterans of region 6 of Ermera said that all of them are behind Taur in his bid of becoming the president. “The orphans from Sub-Regino 6 of Region IV, Ermera District are ready to give support to your candidacy,” declared Mr. Natalino Alves.

Colonel Falur: “Please forgive Brigadier General Meno Paixão, CPD-RDTL”

2011-10-10T01:21:00.000-07:00

Dili - STL (10/10) The Chief of Staff of the F-FDTL, Colonel Falur Rate Laek asked the CPD-RDTL members to forgive the Brigadier General Meno Paixão for what he did in the past. “When in war, we do not only do good things but bad things as well. That is why he met us in Makikit to explain the situation. We listened to his situation and we hugged him,” said Colonel Falur responding to the demand of CPD-RDTL members to ask Brigadier Meno Paixão to explain to the public the reason of surrendering with a big battalion and weapons to the Indonesian army during the time of resistance. Colonel Falur explained that when Brigadier Meno came to ask for apology, the leaders apologized him and gave him the second chance to serve the country with the condition of not repeating the mistake for the second time. The Chief of Staff of F-FDTL added that the Defense force institution is in need of Brigadier Meno in transforming it to be a modern force.

Major General Lere: “The statutes of the Petitioners are decided by Law”

2011-10-10T01:18:00.001-07:00

Dili - JND (10/10) Responding to the demand of former petitioners asking for a clear statute, Major General Lere Anan Timor said that their statute has been decided by law, not by anyone else. “Talking about their statute, it is not one person decides but the law and therefore we have to maintain the decision that has been made,” declared Major Lere at the presidential palace in Dili (6/10). The Major General informed the public that he will continue making decision based on the law that is derived from the constitution.

The 2012 state budget stops the National Parliament Visiting Abroad

2011-10-07T01:09:00.000-07:00

Dili - JDN (7/10) Member of Parliament (MP) Jacinta Pereira said that the 2012 state budget stops the Commission of the Parliaments to travel abroad because all the MPs will be involving in preparation for presidential and Parliamentary election. “The budget for yearly foreign visits of the Parliament commissions is canceled because next year there will be two important events, the elections, that is why the parliament cancels it,” said MP Jacinta Pereira to the Journalist at the Parliament on Thursday (6/10). However, MP Jacinta added that in case of emergencies, the Parliament members still can do the foreign visit. MP Aderito Hugo added that “the visits for the commissions are stopped but other visits, especially those in relation to the Parliament’s work in relation to region’s and international interests as well as those of treaties we signed, the parliament still can go.”

Major General Lere: “F-FDTL does not affiliate to a Political Party”

2011-10-07T01:04:00.000-07:00

Dili - JND (7/10) The new Defense force commander, Major General Lere Anan Timor said that F-FDTL does not affiliate to any political party that exists in Timor Leste. “I would like to take this opportunity to affirm once more that from the beginning and according to our constitution, F-FDTL is an institution that is of non-party, impartial and neutral,” said Major General Lere during his speech at the promotion ceremony on Thursday (6/10). According to Major General Lere, F-FDTL will only obey to the order from the constitution and to the civil run state according to the needs of the Nation. Although the new job is challenging, it is an honor for him to lead the institution that has unique history in relation to the liberation and freedom of the country. Major General Lere highlighted that the role of the Defense Force today is different from that in the past. The Force’s new role is to collaborate and contribute to the state for the national development according to the constitution, to strengthen stability and peace.

PR Horta” “CPD-RDTL should not threaten the State”

2011-10-05T00:37:00.000-07:00

Photo: STL online

Dili - JND (5/10) The President of the Republic Jose Ramos Horta said that CPD-RDTL should not threaten the State because the recent demobilization of FALINTIL was organized by the competent organ of the State. “It is better (for CPD-RDTL) not to threaten the State because our people do not accept threats from one group or another,” said President Horta at the Presidential Palace in Aitarak Laran (4/10). However, the president recognized that it is the rights of the citizens to express their opinion according to the consecrated rules and regulation.

Malaysian Helicopter Service (MHS) gives 2 helicopters to facilitate the works in Kitan oil Field

2011-10-03T17:02:00.000-07:00

Dili - JND (3/10) The Government of Timor Leste is happy to receive the offer of two helicopters from the Malaysia Helicopter Service (MHS) in order to facilitate workers doing their works in the newly offshore oil reserve Kitan. “Timor GAP is founded on a joint venture with Malaysian company. That is why, these two helicopters would help better facilitate the works in the Kitan oil field,” said Alfredo Pires at the Press conference in Dili Airport on Sunday (2/10). The helicopters are 100% belongs to Timor Leste Government but it still hires pilot from Malaysia while 6 Timorese are still being trained in Australia to become future helicopter pilots. Hence, the State Secretary for Natural Resources added that “in October this year, when the Kitan Production process starts, these helicopters would fly in and out to facilitate our people there”.

The National Parliament has approved Land Law

2011-09-30T01:09:00.000-07:00

Dili - JND - The National Parliament, through its Plenary Session on Wednesday, approved the proposed law on real estate, on disposition and on real estate finance fund. The parliament approved the proposed law to be brought into general discussion and later to special discussion. The Government is hopeful that through the Ministry of Justice, the land issue can be solved. “This land law can solve the issue of people holding one, two to three certificates of land so that people who are really entitled to a land be given the rights to own it. The law would also make sure that the State acknowledges community land, they should be benefitted from that land and that there should also be a specific law to regulate and define on community law as to be protected zones,” declared the Minister of Justice, Lucia Lobato at the National Parliament (28/9). Mrs. Lobato believed that the law would not solve 100% the land dispute issue but at least it is a first step to regulate our people’s properties through the General approval at the National Parliament.

On the same occasion, the President of the National Parliament, Fernando La Sama de Araujo commented that the proposed law was an effort to solve the land issues that are growing severely. “I think we will try to approve the law in the middle of the month of October this year. I will talk to the Members of the Parliament so that the law would be approved within that month,” said La Sama.

Xanana Gusmao walks out on meeting with Timorese students moments after its commencement

2011-09-29T21:39:00.000-07:00

JEE - LUSA

Coimbra, 28 Sept (Lusa) ---- The Timor-Leste Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao, walked out of a meeting this afternoon with Timorese who have been studying in Portugal, shortly after the meeting having commenced, at the Law Faculty of Coimbra University.

Xanana Gusmao left the room when a Timorese who has lived “in Portugal for 30 years”, and who is a master’s graduate in Legal Science at that Faculty, Gaspar da Costa Sobral, affirmed at the start of his statement, that “speeches delivered for the moment are all very nice”, but “what is needed was an education policy.

The Timor-Leste Prime Minister stood up from the table where he was chairing the session, in the presence of a hundred Timorese, headed for Gaspar da Costa Sobral and, after having told him that he was not there “to listen to politics”, left the room, in an accelerated pace.

As he was heading outside the building to immediately leave in the vehicle that took him to Lisbon, where he will end his visit to Portugal this Thursday, Xanana Gusmao was accompanied, in addition to his party, by other participants of the meeting, who were trying in vain to “calm him down” and “to change his mind,” without even eliciting one word of response from the Timor-Leste head of government.

At the meeting, as well as Xanana Gusmao, were also the Timorese ministers for Education and Foreing Affairs (the minister for Infrastructure was also in attendance), the contry’s ambassador to Lisbon and the Rector of UC.

After a short speech for the President of the Association of Timorese Students in Coimbra, Ivo Pinto, the Timor-Leste ambassador appealed for all participants to ask their questions in a brief and objective form, as as that as many doubts as possible could be clarified.

It was then that emerged the statement from Gaspar da Costa Sobral, that was the cause of Gusmao abandoning the meeting, which had commenced about five minutes before, leaving those present generally “surprised: and divided between those who supported and were against that decision.

“I did not expect this attitude from the Prime Minister, who is building a democracy in Timor-Leste with diffculty,” but we cannot have “anti-democratic” behaviour such as this, gaspar da Costa Sobral told Lusa News Agency.

Gaspar da Costa Sobral “committed a wrong, but I did not expect” this reaction from Xanana Gusmao, Pinto said, who “most of all”, was “surprised and very saddened.”

The meeting should have been for “the Timorese students in Coimbra to raise their issues and proposals and to hear about the Minister of Education’s plans,” added the ATSC leader, lamenting the way the meeting turned out.

When asked by Lusa News Agency, The UC Rector, Joao Gabriel da Silva, thought the episode an “internal Timor-Leste issue,” that “does not put in question minimally the objectives” of the trip by Xanana Gusmao to Coimbra.

“With respect to UC, everything ran very well,” salineted the Rector, remembering that the main objective was the awarding of the tile of a doctorate “honoris causa” by that institution to the Timor-Leste Prime Minister (which ceremony occurred that morning) to “strengthen the relations” between that country and Portugal and the “defence of the Portguese language.”

What was at stake, added Joao Gabriel Silva, “is the Lusofone space” and the “universality of the Portuguese language” that, without Timor-Leste, would remain reduced to “almost only an Atlantic issue.” (Ends)

The Newly approved Law on General Procurator does not threaten Ana Pessoa

2011-09-27T01:22:00.000-07:00

Dili - JND (27/9) The new law on Public Ministry that was recently approved does not threaten the General Procurator of the Republic, Ana Pessoa Pinto, because the law would only take effect when the present term ends next year. “The position of the General Procurator is like anywhere else in the world, that is, the law that recently approved does not work backward to oust Dra. Ana Pessoa from her position. The law will be applied when her term ends next year,” said MP Getrudes Moniz on Monday at the National Parliament (26/9). According to MP from PD party, normally people create law to benefit others and not to topple people from their position. Although MP Arão No’e from CNRT party demanded the current General Procurator to resign from her position, other political parties shared different opinion. MP Francisco Miranda Branco from FRETILIN party and MP Manuel Tilman from KOTA party both added that the law is only to be implemented after being promulgated by the President of the Republic and it does not threaten the position of Ana Pessoa. The approved law only allows people of practicing law and has no politics related can occupy the General Procurator’s position. When asked the question about possible future General Procurators, MP Moniz commented that there are a lot of young judges who have long career in law but the problem they face is the Portuguese language, the language in which all the laws are written.

Taur – Horta asked for the support of PSD

2011-09-26T01:17:00.000-07:00

Dili - TP (26/9)The President of the Republic Jose Ramos Horta and the Major Taur are said to have approached Social Democratic Party to support them for the presidency. “There are already two candidates who came to us and asked us to candidate them for the presidency. Those are the actual President Ramos Horta and the Major General Taur who talked to our President of the Party,” said Mr. Marito Magno, the General Secretary of the PSD party, to his party militants during the recent party’s consolidation in 05 Village in Mascarenhas, Dili. However, Mr. Magno declared PSD has not proposed any name for the presidential election nor it has said to give its support to a candidate. “We have not proposed any name nor have given any support to any candidate. Our politics is to let other parties name their candidates before we name ours,” said Mr. Magno.

Lere to be the New Commander of F-FDTL while Filomeno Paixão to be the Vice Commander

2011-09-26T00:38:00.000-07:00

Brigadier Lere Anan Timor

Dili- DN (26/9)In the meeting of the Superior Council for Military Defense that were held on Friday (23/9), Major General Taur proposed names for the new commanders of F-FDTL, Brigadier Lere to be the General Commander, Colonel Filomeno Paixão to be the Vice

Colonel Falur

Commander and Colonel Falur to be the Head of Chief of Staff. “In the meeting, the General Taur proposed the names of Lere to be the General Commander, Colonel Meno Paixão to be the Vice General Commander and Colonel Falur to be the Major Chief of Staff,” said Mr. Julio Tomas Pinto after the meeting the Major General at the Government Palace (23/9). According to the State Secretary for Defense, the proposed names from the F-FDTL commander would be brought to the Council of Ministers for approval after which the President will make the nomination.

Taur: there is a big possibility to candidate myself for the president

2011-09-22T00:59:00.000-07:00

Dili - TP (22/9)The Major General Taur Matan Ruak has given the sign that there is a possibility for him to run for the presidency in 2012 election. “If people give me their trust, why should I not be ready to serve the people? I want to develop people’s lives. That is why I have been fighting this far,” declared the Major General Taur at the TVTL headquarter (21/9). It is obvious now that the General wants to be one of the candidate running for the presidential candidate in the next year’s election.

F-FDTL received 3 military boats from South Korea

2011-09-21T01:09:00.000-07:00

Photo: Lina
Dili - JND (21/9)The F-FDTL on Tuesday (September 20) has just received another 3 war boats from the Government of South Korea. The 3 boats were directly welcomed by the Major General of F-FDTL, Taur Matan Ruak, accompanied by the Brigadier General, Lere Anan Timor, Colonel Filomeno Paixão and the Maritime Unit Police Commander Lino Saldanha. One of the boats is of 30 meters long while the other two boats are of 20 meters long. On the occasion, Major General Taur urged the Government to allocate budget for its maintenance and train people to operate it. “It just adds another burden for us. It is more for the Government to help create conditions to maintain it,” said Major General Taur at the ceremony. On the same occasion, the Colonel Filomeno Paixão added that two of the new boats might not be used to operate in the southern coast where the tides are strong. “I believe the small boats cannot go to the southern coasts, only the two boats we bought from China plus one more from Korea can patrol the area. Nonetheless, it is a good beginning,” said Colonel Meno Paixão. (DN)

Lere Replaces Taur to be the commander of F-FDTL

2011-09-20T00:53:00.000-07:00

Dili - TP (20/9) The Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão said that Brigadier Lere Anan Timor becomes the Commander of F-FDTL replacing Major General Taur. “According to the decision of the Council of Ministers that Brigadier Lere is the one who replaces Major General Taur. Because I cannot elect a Sergeant to replace Major General Taur,” said PM Xanana to the journalists after meeting the PR Horta at the Presidential Palace (19/9). The head of the Government also added that electing Brigadier Lere to replace Taur to lead F-FDTL is a good inspiration for the new generation of F-FDTL to hold on to the principle of the Defense Force that it is the barrier and the security wall to the nation and the people. As a sign of thanksgiving to the sacrifices and service of Taur to the country, the Government is to plan an official thanksgiving ceremony that will take place on October 6 after the PM returns from New York.

PM Xanana pleas citizens to stop speculating on the illegal ammunition issue

2011-09-20T00:45:00.000-07:00

Photo: Google Image

Dili - TP (20/9) The Prime Minister of Timor Leste, Xanana Gusmão asked the public not to mention again the issue of two containers of ammunitions because they have settled the issue. “I would like to inform the public that we have settled the issue on ammunitions. Hence, from now onwards, we close this topic,” stated the PM Xanana at the Presidential Palace on Monday (19/9). Mr. Gusmão added that the part of the Government, UNMIT and FSI have reached an agreement to destroy weapons including the ammunitions that were imported by UNMIT and FSI. Another part of the agreement was that UNMIT and FSI to inform Government on any military related materials to Timor Leste in the future.

There will be a tight competition in the 2012 Presidential election, says Horta

2011-09-19T00:54:00.001-07:00

Dili - JND (19/9) The President of the Republic, Jose Ramos Horta acknowledged that the 2012 presidential election would be very tough because there are a number of good candidates. “I personally have not announced on whether to continue serving this heavy responsibility or to put it down, because as a president, I cannot make a decision now. I will make a reflection and around January I will announce it,” said the President at his palace on Friday (16/9). When asked the question about the resignation of Major General Taur and the possibility of him running for the president, Dr. Horta answered that MR. Taur is a good person and if people vote for him, he will be a good president. However, the President added that whoever the next president would be, there should be a consensus for it and people should not simply fight for it. Only that the President doubted there would be a consensus because there are already 7 candidates running for the Presidency in the coming election.

FRETILIN is yet to decide on its presidential canditate

2011-09-15T01:08:00.000-07:00

Dili - TP (15/9) The General Secretary of the FRETILIN party, Dr. Marí Alkatiri said that his party has not decided yet on the candidate for the president of the Republic in 2012 and that it wants to announce its candidate after other parties have announced theirs. “We have not decided, we want to watch first other parties. As a big party, we know we will win in 2012,” explained Dr. Alkatiri during the transformation ceremony of BPA to Central Bank on Tuesday. The Ex-prime Minister added that the Party’s Central Committee is to meet on September 24-25 to decide on possible candidate. FRETILIN has made it clear that it wants a president who is neutral and create equilibrium to all parties, denouncing the like of President Xanana who was the president of opposition while Dr. Horta as the president who was against the opposition though he is a little bit balance now.

La Sama to chair the presidency in the CPLP meeting

2011-09-15T00:53:00.001-07:00

Dili - TP (15/9) Timor Leste hosts the Commission for Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) that is to take place on 19-23 September, 2011 in Dili. The President of the Parliament, Fernando La Sama de Araujo said that he will preside the meeting as well as become the president of the CPLP Commission for one year (2011 – 2012). “I will be the responsible person for this meeting and the president of the assembly of CPLP for a year,” declared Mr. La Sama to the journalists at the National Parliament on Tuesday (14/9). The President of the Parliament added that while presiding as the president of the commission of CPLP, he will the opportunity to express the condition that Timor Leste is facing now as well as to look into economic benefits that human resource cooperation.

Today, Major General Taur bids his farewell to F-FDTL members

2011-09-14T01:23:00.000-07:00

Dili - TP (14/9) Although there is no final decision yet from the President on the resignation letter of Major General Taur, the latter is said to bid his farewell to his members starting Wednesday (14/9). According to a reliable source, the General is to bid his farewell starting today up to Friday to F-FDTL members in Metinaro, Hera and Baucau. However, the secretary of the General, Mrs. Solange Filipe commented that it will not be a farewell party but just a regular meeting. “I do not get any confirmation on a farewell party but a meeting with F-FDTL that is to take place in Taur’s residence in Farol,” said Mrs. Filipe.

Timor Leste launched its own coins

2011-09-13T23:10:00.000-07:00

Dili - TP (14/9) The Central Bank of Timor Leste (BCTL) on Tuesday launched the new coins, 100-cent coin that has Dom Boaventura’s image on it. With the new 100-cent coin, there are 5 cent coin, 10 cent coin, 25 cent coin, 50 cent coin that are circulating in the country. The 100 cent coin is equivalent to US$1.00. The image of Dom Boaventura from Manufahi put on the coin as a sign of nationalism the Timorese has shown to want to get Timor Leste independent. On the occasion, the Governor of the Central Bank, Abrão Vasconcelhos said that “the Central Bank has an additional competence to implement monetary politics that manage the country’s own money.” However, Mr. Abrão said Timor Leste still cannot implement its own money because it still uses US dollar.

Taur moved out from Government House

2011-09-13T21:52:00.000-07:00

Dili - TP (13/9)The F-FDTL Major General Taur Matan Ruak has emptied the government house in Farol on Sunday (11/9) though the decision for her resignation has not made yet. The Major General is currently staying at the temporary house on top of hill on the way to Metiaut, Dili. The land of the temporary house was offered freely by Ms. Cecilia to the ex-Falintil commander. The Government house is still being guarded by the Military Police because there are a lot of goods that were bought by the Government to the Major General that were left inside the house.

UNMIT denies of importing ammunitions

2011-09-13T01:05:00.000-07:00

Dili - JND (13/9)The UNMIT chief Ameerah Haq denied that her mission has imported ammunitions to TL because according to her UNMIT has enough ammunitions to support TL to guarantee peace and stability. “We do not import ammunitions enter to TL and hence the news spreading around are not correct,” said the head of the UNMIT responding to people’s preoccupation (12/9). Mrs. Haq added that hearing the circulating news and conducted several deep analyses, she concluded that her mission is a mission of peace and therefore UNMIT has not imported those ammunitions.

FRETILIN Congress, Lu-Olo: “It is time for us to gather”

2011-09-09T00:43:00.000-07:00

Dili - JND (9/9) The president of FRETILIN party, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo invited all who wore FRETILIN color before to join back the party now because Timor Lese needs everybody. “Come together now because our beloved country needs us all,” called the Mr. Lu-Olo at the opening of the Party’s 3rd congress on Thursday (8/9). According to Mr. Lu-Olo, although it is the consequence of democracy that all FRETILIN members departed to found and join another party but the country needs them now that they should return to FRETILIN where they belong. FRETILIN, according to the president, “has an idea that where there is peace, there will also be stability and vis-à-vis.” Hence, he invited everybody to come back and join his party to work for the better future of the people of Timor Leste.

GOLKAR - PDI-P – FRELIMO believe FRETILIN to win 2012 election

2011-09-09T00:09:00.000-07:00

Dili - JND (9/9) Two Indonesian parties, GOLKAR and PDI-P as well as FRELIMO from Mozambique believed that FRETILIN will win majority in the 2012 parliamentary election. In his address to the FRETILIN party Congress, the president of GOLKAR party, Mr. Aburizal Bakrie said that “GOLKAR will ask to the government of Indonesia to support Timorese bid to join ASEAN so that the development of Timor Leste can go in the same phase of the development in ASEAN.” The representative of PDI-P who is also a member of Lower House of Indonesian Parliament, Sidarto Danusubroto said that he was surprised FRETILIN to have won the 2007 election but only being opposition in the Parliament. Yet, the PDI-P person believes that FRETILIN will improve and “in the 2012 election.” On the same occasion, a member of Central Committee of FRELIMO added that FRETILIN is a historic and liberating party like FRELIMO. Hence, she believes FRETILIN will win the 2012 elections because it has a lot of militants.

L7: Taur has to resolve the FALINTIL issues before resigning

2011-09-07T01:10:00.000-07:00

Dili - JDN (7/9) The former FALINTIL member as well as the present Member of Parliament, Cornelio Gama alias L-7 said that Major General Taur should not resign now because many of the FALINTIL issues have not been solved yet. “Resignation from Taur is easy and we have to respect his democratic rights. However, he should at least consult and listen to formers fighters from region I-IV beforehand,” said the MP from UNDERTIM party at the Parliament on Tuesday (6/9). Mr. L-7 urged Mr. Ruak to solve issues arise during the first demobilization of FALINTIL in Aileu after the independence in 1999.

The Government agrees to the content of Taur’s resignation letter

2011-09-06T00:55:00.000-07:00

Dili - JND (6/9) The Government of Timor Leste agrees with the content of the resignation letter of Major General Taur Matan Ruak who requested to resign from his present position as F-FDTL commander. “The Government agrees with the contents of the proposed resignation of Major General Taur Matan Ruak from his actual function,” said the State Secretary for Defense, Julio Tomas Pinto, on Monday at the Government Palace (5/9). Mr. Pinto added that on Friday (2/9) the Council of Ministers called on an extraordinary meeting to specially discuss the resignation letter and the Government agreed with the content. However, according to Mr. Pinto, it is the competence of the President of the Republic to decide on the resignation letter once the President is back from foreign visits.

PM Xanana is still to study the resignation letter of Taur Matan Ruak

2011-09-05T00:14:00.000-07:00

Taur Matan Ruak
Courtesy: Timor Loro Sae Nacao blog

Dili - JND (5/9) - The Prime Minister who also holds the Minister of Defense and Security is to study the resignation letter of Major General Taur Matan Ruak before taking any decision. The letter of resignation was sent to both the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister on Thursday, September 1. “The Prime Minister and we will study the resignation letter of Taur; we have not made any decision yet,” said the Vice PM Jose Luis Guterres at the Government Palace. Previously, the Major General told the media his intention of resigning from the Defense Force was to give opportunity to the new generations to define the destiny of the Force. After serving the force for 36 years, Taur Matan Ruak wants to go back to live his civil life and continue contribute to the development of the country as an ordinary citizen.

There are 5054 Bussiness Companies registered in MTCI

2011-09-05T00:09:00.000-07:00

Dili - The head of the Department of Business Registration of MTCI, Domingos Guterres, said that there are currently 5054 National as well as international companies registered at MTCI. Of the total numbers, there are 4366 local companies, 348 from Indonesia, 120 from China, 65 companies from Bangladesh, 28 from Singapore, 22 from the Philippines, 18 from Portugal, 15 from Malaysia, 9 from South Korea, 9 from India, 8 from Thailand, 7 from the USA, 7 from Spain, 4 from Australia, 4 from Japan, 3 from German, 2 from Netherland, 2 from UK, 2 from Ireland, 2 from Nepal, 2 from Sri Lanka, 2 from Vietnam, 1 from Belgium, 1 from Croatia and 1 from Fiji. (STL)

Major General Taur Matan Ruak to Resign from F-FDTL commander

2011-09-04T17:10:00.000-07:00

Friday, 2 September 2011

Tempo Semanal can report that Major General Taur Matan Ruak has today confirmed that it is his intention to resign from his position as Chief of the FALINTIL-FDTL, the national defence force of Timor-Leste.

At a stand up press conference today 1610hrs Dili time 2 September 2011 General Ruak stated "today I informed the Secretary State for Defence that I have submited my resignation letter to the Prime minister and President. I have asked to resign because I have served in the Armed Forces for decades and I think its the moment for me to go back to civilian life."

The Secretary of State was unavailable for comment as he had to report in person to Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

In July 2011 Tempo Semanal reported that General Ruak has the intention to resign and run for President of the Republic in the 2012 elections.

UPDATE 1730 hrs Dili timor 2 Sept: according TS source in the Council of Ministers today the Council has approved Gen Ruak's resignation but is still waiting for the answer of the President of the Republic Jose Ramos-Horta. However, the source says that the President does not want Gen Ruak to resign.

President Welcomes Riders

2011-09-01T20:18:00.000-07:00

Díli, 01.SEP-11 (PPR) - Banners are being erected, Text Messages are being sent, streets are being painted, merchandise is arriving and all of Dili is buzzing with the excitement of the third edition of Tour de Timor only 10 days away. The President HE José Ramos-Horta addressed the media at the Nicola Lobatau airport to welcome riders and spectators to the event of the year.

The 2011 Tour de Timor will see riders taking on an added day to cover the 600km course through the Eastern districts. The inclusion of Lautem in this year’s Tour will mark a complete circuit throughout the 12 contiguous districts of the eastern part of Timor-Leste; Oecusse, the western exclave, will be the only district yet to be visited by the tour de Timor.

With rider registrations officially over 400, this year’s race is the biggest event yet. As volunteers continue to arrive in Dili, the swelling ranks of the organising committee combined with the riders and various support staff will see close to 800 total members in the convoy moving from Dili to Laclubar, Beaco, Iliomar, Com, Manatuto then back to Dili.

Some of the main riders to keep an eye on this year will be returning champion Adrian Jackson, along with his close competitors Scott Liston, Ben Mather, Paul van der Ploeg (brother of inaugural champion Neil), Shahrin Amir and Rohan Adams. This year will also see the inclusion of Tour newcomers Chris Jongewaard and MTB legend Tinker Juarez from the USA. The Timorese men are continuing their strong gains year on year with expected top ten placing for this year’s event. Rowena Fry is once again expected to dominate the women’s category.

“Peace begins with me’ is this year’s theme for the major event which forms part of the President’s Dili ‘City of Peace’ campaign. The strong theme of social inclusion and promoting sport throughout the country will be evident through out the race with local communities involved around the country and back in Dili. The Final Stage on Friday 16 September into Dili will be marked with road-closures throughout the capital for the green-themed morning – bicycles will be the order of the day for all.

Riders are treated to views of seas on both the North and South coasts of the country, views of rainforests and rice paddies, mountain villages and rural children. They are pushed to compete across conditions ranging from extreme heat, dryness to constant rainfall as well as enjoy the hospitality and culture of the local districts and villages. For the true competitors there is also the matter of the total prize money, which this year is in excess of $100,000 USD.

For more information contact info@tourdetimor.com or visit www.tourdetimor.com

Authority: Mr Richard Bell, Media Liaison Officer, Tour de Timor, +670 7643313

www.presidency.tl

Xanana Gusmão: “CNRT will win all the votes throughout Timor in 2012”

2011-09-01T17:40:00.000-07:00

Oecusse - DN (1/9) Closing the political Party consolidation in Oecusse, the President of CNRT party, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, declared that his party will win majority in the 2012 general election. “To the structure that has just sworn in, and to all party structure in Timor Leste, together with you CNRT will win majority,” said Party President Xanana in Oecusse (31/8). The popular historic figure asserted further his party militants that his party is to win again because of the experience of four years. “As the president of this party, I know we will win majority in 2012 because if in 2007, with only three months of existence we already won it, how much more after the four years, we will win majority,” added Mr. Gusmão. According to Mr. Gusmão, thanks to his party that, the country was back to normal. The CNRT party was founded as an alternative party for Timorese who were divided by conflict of East-West that was threatening the existence of the country.

The Art of Living

2011-08-29T06:44:00.000-07:00

Photo: coolvectors.com

Juzito Rebelo, S.J.

Life is music for everyone

Living listening to the music

Playing the melody

Humming the tune

And tapping a foot to the rhythm

We listen to the same music

But not everyone hums along

Plays the same melody

Taps to the same rhythm

Moves to the same tempo

For that’s what music is

And that’s how it goes

You play it your way

And I do it mine

But you and I must both listen

I’ll listen when you play

So play as long as you like

As loud as you want

As merry as you please

Both you and me

But, please force me not to dance

When your music fails to please

Just play on and I won’t stop you

For I know you’ll stop

When everybody falls asleep

But when I play

It’s your turn to listen

Dance with me if you like

If not, I don’t mind

Seeing you cross your arms

But please stop me not

While others still swing to my rhythm

For this is how I play

It’s simply not your way

But mine

Born to Travel

2011-08-29T06:34:00.000-07:00

photo: griefsjourney.com

I’ve travelled

and I’ve travelled far

so far away

from home and from you

to reach the furthest land

to chase the highest star

to find the finest home

to see what can’t be seen

and my heart is content

that I have travelled thus far.

But knowing

that you are always in my sight

at every glance, every step

guiding me to the stars

and calling me home.

My greatest delight.

I’m born to travel

and travel I must

for there’s always a new star to chase,

a fine home where to rest

a new land to discover.

I love travelling.

I love chasing new stars.

But my real home is where you are.

I’ll always come home

for I know you are always with me

on my endless journey.

Juzito Rebelo, S.J.

Briefing with the Development Partners on Operationalising SDP: "from aid Effectiveness to Development Effectiveness"

2011-08-23T20:29:00.001-07:00

MOF - On 19 August 2011, the Ministry of Finance held an important meeting with the Development Partners with the topic “ Operationalizing the Strategic Development Plan (SDP): Moving from Aid Effectiveness to Development Effectiveness”.

In the long meeting that took place at the Knowledge Center, Minister of Finance HE Emilia Pires briefed on the need of the development partners assistance regarding the operationalization of the SDP, focusing on how to move from Aid Effectiveness to Development Effectiveness. In the meantime, Minister advocated the development partners to take into consideration the global commitments in various forums where Timor Leste has taken part such as Paris Declaration, Accra Agenda for Action (AAA), Dili Declaration, a number of g7+ Fragile States meetings and the Dili Development Pact as recently agreed in Dili towards the upcoming High Level Forum in Busan (South Korea).

Minister Pires presented that some progress have been made but appealed the development partners to assist in the regions where the poverty is still high and the areas that are still lacking of essential needs like water and sanitation and education.

Minister informed that an Aid Management Platform, a data base of development partners has been created to monitor development partner’s commitment and contribution to the implementation of Strategic Development Plan (SDP).

Minister Pires advised that the next steps are: first, how to monitor the SDP implementation, for which a number of working groups have been initiated and the development partners will be updated on its progress. Second, the Technical Assistance Policy, which focus on the clarity of job description of any position to be undertaken by the development partners.

The important outcome of the meeting was the agreement of establishment of two small working teams to start looking at:

1. Review of Salary Level for both government and development partners. This review is important taking into consideration that many qualified government officials have been absorbed by development partners because they offer higher salary. It was agreed that World Bank, Australia, UN and Ministry of Finance will be part of this team.
2. Monitoring team for a possibility to have a high level monitoring body. It was agreed that
US, UN and Ministry of Finance will be part of this team.

Many Development Partners expressed their appreciation for this meeting and suggested for having this kind of meeting on a regular basis, every 3 months. Minister of Finance responded positively to this request, and said that any coming meeting will be noticed accordingly as necessary.

Xanana embraces people not with money

2011-08-19T01:33:00.000-07:00

Dili - JDN - (19/8) The CNRT Party promises that the party that is currently led by Xanana Gusmão embraces all people and it does not use money to buy votes. “CNRT promises and commit to it during these times that the party only distributes motorbikes to leaders in party structure of Districts and sub-Districts,” said the Member of Parliament of CNRT Arão Noé responding to the comment of FRETILIN General Secretary Mari Alkatiri. The MP Noé affirmed further that his party will and never buy votes with money because the party promises to itself that people entrust their votes because of its plans and its leaders in the structure. (DN)

Lu-Olo does not believe that the electricity project will be working by November

2011-08-19T01:30:00.000-07:00

Dili - STL-(19/8) The president of FRETILIN party, Mr. Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, does not believe that there will be electricity lighting in November this year. “They say in 2012 the electricity will continue providing energy but will this be true or not? Or this is just rhetoric to bluff people. Every year they approved budget for generators but it stops working before the end of the year,” said Mr. Lu-Olo during his Party campaign at the Democratic Stadium in Dili (17/8). The promises of AMP, according to Lu-Olo, are just strategies to win people’s confidence that they have said several times but they have never fulfilled it. (STL)

• The National Parliament and the academic community do not agree with the idea of teaching mother tongues

2011-08-17T01:28:00.000-07:00

Dili - TP - (17/8) The President of the National Parliament, Fernando La-Sama Araujo, said that he does not agree with the effort of introducing mother tongues into curriculum and teaching it in schools. “I do not agree with the idea of teaching mother tongues in schools because Tetum itself has not been well developed and it will be complicated if we move to another language,” declared Mr. La Sama during the plenary session at the Parliament yesterday (16/8).

On the other hand, vice-Rector of UNTL, Mr. Miguel Maia, said that teaching mother tongues will bring the Government to face a great disadvantage. “As an Academic and a member of INL (National Institute of Language), I see it is important for the Government to develop local dialects but it will mean the government has to prepare the human resources and good curriculum. Otherwise, it would turn out to be discrimination for teacher who does not speak the native language of his teaching place has to return to his place just because he cannot teach the dialect,” said Mr. Maia. The Vice Rector of UNTL also added that doing so would only encourage the students not to learn National and Official languages. (TP)

FM: Zumalai incident was a big test for PNTL

2011-08-16T20:03:00.000-07:00

Recently London (England) was the victim of widespread public
disorder, which was unexpected and which the police struggled to
control it. In Timor-Leste, we also have similar violence which
appears continually appears, seemingly without end. Timor-Leste’s
history is full of violence, almost every year houses are burnt and
people are killed. But why have the PNTL not made plans and
preparation for this violence?

The incident in which a PNTL officer was killed and houses burned in
Zumalai-Suai was a big test of the capacity of the PNTL. When killings
and house burnings occur, did the Cova Lima PNTL District Commander
have the capacity to mobilize the district PNTL? Perhaps if the PNTL
in Suai did not have enough capacity for this situation, did the
Commander of Suai district have the capacity to ask for support from
the PNTL National Command or not? Does the training of the PNTL
include making large plans in order to deal with serious public
disturbances?

Why is there a change of tone?

2011-08-16T01:05:00.001-07:00

By: Acacio Angel

It stunned me last week listening that the tone of FRETILIN party leaders has changed in relation to its political adversaries. Accompanying the FRETILIN leadership campaign through Radio Maubere and interviews through the Newspapers, the General Secretary has ease a little bit from using satirical terms and words to soothing and accommodating words with regards to other Parties and its leaders. Why so sudden he changed his voice?

Those of us who accompany Timorese politics should have not forgotten the political antagonism the leaders of two biggest political parties in the country have – FRETILIN versus CNRT and Marí versus Xanana. Our locally trained journalists often take advantage of the antagonism by quoting every word of them as headline news in order to get their Newspapers sold. Despite of being so much respected by the academic communities for academic competency and administrative and managerial skills, the adversaries often use less soothing words praising Mr. Alkatiri while the General Secretary himself calls Mr. Xanana to be 'commander' and not a manager, etc.

The founders of FRENTI MUDANÇA reasoned out, for instance, they left the liberating party because of the General Secretary’s use of harsh, unethical and belittling words that hurt his adversaries.

Hence, it is common to public opinion that the two can never be united. Mr. Alkatiri and FRETILIN’s politics was translated in the Parliament that the oppositions often make it hard for the AMP government to pass any of their development plans. The climax of the antagonism was shown in their walkout during the presentation of PEDN last July 11 at the National Parliament.

Then why, during the party leadership campaigns, Dr. Alkatiri has been calling for unity and welcoming the party’s adversaries, saving Mr. Xanana from the mess, not interested in Prime Minister Post, possibly working with CNRT and many more? Is it not an irony?

There is a reason of all the change. FRETILIN is confident that they are winning the election.

Politicians must have sensed by know how prepared and solid is the biggest party after the 2006 internal party crisis. It took its time off from governing, being a mere opposition in the Parliament, to consolidate and remodeled itself to be a more democratic party. It is convinced that, as a party, its hard work is going to be rewarded in the 2012 election. Of many parties competing, FRETILIN is so sure, backed by their data of the party militants, that if it is not to win the election, it will at least win the majority like it did in 2007 election. But this time, it does not want to just sit back and become opposition again in the NP.

Dr. Alkatiri is so much convinced that his party is winning but, again, winning is not the 'end' of doing politics, victory is not all that the historic party is after, but a 'means'. He is now looking farther into the future where often unpredicted challenges lay. A leader, according to him without alluding Plato, is a person who rises on top of every one and look into the mysterious beyond.

The candidate to the General Secretary sees that inviting the adversaries for possible ally is to secure the victory. FRETILIN militants might find it odd and reluctant to welcome back CNRT or other presently governing parties into its future government. But, it should not ever forget history that it was once a leading party that pave the way for independence.

Hence, appealing to people to respect the result of any democratic process, accomodating political adversaries and winning the election in peace and stability will be a starting point of a FRETILIN’s era to come.

Babo: People should accept the Result of 2012 National Election

2011-08-16T01:02:00.000-07:00

TP- (15/8) The General Secretary of CNRT, Mr. Diosio Babo, urged all political parties to accept the result of 2012 General election because it is only Timorese who defines the future of its nations democratically. “I think all citizens should accept the result of 2012 election. Because whichever party is to rule in the future, they will rule for all despite people vote differently during the elections,” said Mr. Babo at the CNRT headquarters in Dili on Friday (12/8).

Mr. Babo believed that the experience of 2007 election would be a guide to a peaceful and successful election in 2012. He also believed that based on his observation, many parties are bored with violence. “I believe people will not create violence and Timor Leste will continue to be a peaceful and stable country. If there would be violence, the police will take care of it because violence is a crime,” said Mr. Babo.

When asked about the prospect of his party winning the election, Mr. Babo said that CNRT is prepared to win majority but that “CNRT party is ready to accept whatever the result would be.” (TP)

PM Xanana “Forbids” buying generator for the office of Ministers

2011-08-12T01:33:00.000-07:00

PM Xanana Gusmao forbade the Government Ministers of buying generators for their offices because some of the generators they bought are now piled up at the Tasitolu warehouse. “We need to buy generators but from this year onwards, those of us at the northern coast do not need it anymore because the electricity will be on in these areas,” said Mr. Gusmão at the Xanana sport center on Thursday (11/8). The head of the Government urged, instead, his members to allocate the budget for generators to something else more important to be done. (DN)

Alkatiri asked Tetum-Portuguese to go together

2011-08-12T01:31:00.000-07:00

Timor Leste has two official languages, Tetum and Portuguese, and both have to walk together in order to develop a language that is dynamic and can be used up to university level. “In the constitution we choose Tetum and Portuguese as official languages. In order to develop Tetum to be a dynamic language and of teaching language at universities, it has to be developed with a language that has been developed,” declared the General Secretary of FRETILIN party, Dr. Marí Alkatiri, to the journalists at the office of HAK in Farol, Dili (11/8). According to Mr. Alkatiri, both languages has to go together so that one day we have Portuguese that of Timorese version. “If in the future our children can speak all the four languages, Tetum, Portuguese, English and Indonesia, it is better and it will become a wealth of this country that we can contact the region and international. Yet for our identity, we have to first develop Tetum and the Tetum in the future has to be linked with Portuguese so that we will be seen different,” added the ex-Prime Minister. (STL)

Timor Leste and Woodside: time for take two?

2011-08-12T01:26:00.000-07:00

PEDRO SEABRA
Portuguese Institute of International Relations and Security (IPRIS)

Is it possible for a change at the top to directly affect the outcome of long-stalled, high-staked negotiations? As simple as it sounds, this is currently the million-dollar question – quite literally in fact – being floated around in Southeastern Asia, and more precisely in Timor Leste, with regards to the country’s lasting feud with Woodside Petroleum over the extraction of vastly coveted natural resources in its waters.

Indeed, since early 2010, both parts have been engaged in a publicly bitter quarrel surrounding the development of the Greater Sunrise natural gas field and the best course of action to make the most out of it: for Woodside,1 this necessarily involves the use of a four million mt/year Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) floating platform, as the most profitable option from a strictly economic point of view – despite criticism of the fact that it is still a largely untested technology. However, from Timor Leste’s perspective, this opportunity should be used to try and promote its own homegrown petrochemical industry, and in that sense any natural gas obtained should instead be primarily processed through an onshore plant, thus impacting local social fabric and the national economy positively.

What then followed has been a year and a half of public acrimony by both Woodside executives and Timorese officials, extensively showcasing the existing redlines separating them both.2 The fact that Timorese authorities have a say on the final decision is naturally the key element here that needs to be taken into consideration.

In light of the legal instruments signed with Australia for the management and exploration of this particular area,3 both governments’ approval is thus required for the advancement of any extraction project.

But a small window of opportunity seemed to emerge as Woodside’s CEO Don Voelte announced his impeding exit from the helm of the company. As it so happens, Voelte himself was an integral part of the company’s public push for the LNG option and never really shied away from controversy when it came to dealing with the Timorese government. Even in one of his last official appearances, he made sure to assign responsibilities for the ongoing impasse to the country’s authorities while stating that “[f]or a government that was such great freedom fighters ... 12 years later now, what’s the measurement of this government on nation building? (…) By objecting to Sunrise being built, they must be objecting to promoting the quality of life and improving the livelihood of their people”.4 As expected, another round of public uproar followed.5 However, with the choice of Exxon Mobil Vice-President Peter Coleman as a replacement for Voelte in May, tempers began to cool off noticeably, as if in a way giving the new leadership a chance to properly address this issue and find a mutually acceptable solution. For his part, President José Ramos-Horta quickly expressed his availability for further talks.6

But perhaps more importantly, the remaining interested part in this conundrum, Australia, also appeared to finally surpass its noncompromising stance by apparently acknowledging the need for an official – albeit, always discreet – nudge in order to incite a better working relationship between Timor Leste’s leaders and Woodside’s executives. That much was made clear when Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd visited Timor Leste on July 8th and 9th and was asked about this particular matter: “I think it is a good time for the government here in Timor Leste to continue engaging with Woodside, and Woodside’s new CEO (…)”.7 Later on, Timor Leste’s Secretary of State for Natural Resources Alfredo Pires confirmed that Rudd had asked Timorese authorities to meet with Coleman the following August to reignite the entire negotiation process.8

Naturally, this latest change of tone reflects Australia’s growing unease with the present stalemate. Long accused of not intervening in what it considers to be “commercial considerations”, Australia is evidently keener on laying the ground for a more constructive outcome, as it considers this situation to have lasted far too long. Indeed, although Timor Leste has the most to gain in the short-term with massive revenues from any exploration of this area, Australia also has its fair share of interests in the matter, not the least of which some geopolitical predicaments that could arise rather sooner than later. Obviously, the most significant includes the future viability of the CMTAS Treaty, which foresees a preemptive 2013 ‘expiration date’ if exploration of the Greater Sunrise does not start until then. If that were to happen, not only would the development project go back to square one but maritime boundaries between Australia and Timor Leste – precisely ‘frozen’ by the CMTAS until 2057 – would once again be open for dispute. In that sense, the fact that such a possibility was even mentioned by Timor Leste’s chief petroleum negotiator Francisco da Costa Monteiro back in March,9 surely did not go unnoticed among policymakers in Canberra.

In truth, it is perfectly clear that Timor Leste holds the best cards in this game. For all purposes, its veto power gives the country an unparalleled gravitas over Woodside, as it allows negotiations to drag on indefinitely until Timorese terms are finally met, while as time grows short indirectly forcing Australia to intervene in order to prevent a full commercial debacle, with (un)predictable consequences. On the other hand, to put it in simple terms, Timor Leste views this standoff as nothing short of a matter of national sovereignty given that “its economic future [will be] built upon the oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea”.10 That much is evident in the recently disclosed Strategic Development Plan, which points out that the country’s energetic wealth will play an instrumental, if not absolute, role in sustaining the massive investments that will be required in the near future.11

Hence, it is not likely that Timor will suddenly back down from its initial claims anytime soon. Especially if we take into consideration that the 2012 elections in Timor Leste are right around the corner and that any meaningful concession could politically damage many of the current intervening actors. But be that as it may, the cautious reactions to the new Woodside leadership by local authorities might indicate a new willingness to sit at the table rather than negotiate through rumors, leaks and outraged declarations to the media, as both sides have frequently done in the past. In that sense, a second act in this complex entanglement is expected, although a final resolution of such an imbroglio will surely remain at arm’s length for the time being.

1 The Greater Sunrise project is 33.44% owned and operated by Woodside, alongside partners ConocoPhillips (30%), Shell (26.56%) and Osaka Gas (10%).

2 See for example, “Greater Sunrise negotiations forces Woodside to halt all operations” (RDTL Media Release, 24 January 2011); Matthew Stevens, “Squabble darkens Sunrise LNG outlook” (The Australian, 5 February 2011); Heidi Couch, “Woodside’s CEO Says East Timor Negotiating ‘Through Newspapers’” (Bloomberg, 24 February 2011).

3 These include, among others, the 2003 International Unitization Agreement (IUA) – which requires the Sunrise partners to develop the Greater Sunrise fields to best commercial advantage, consistent with good oilfield practice – but most importantly the 2006 Treaty on Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea (CMTAS) which regulates the exploration of the Joint Petroleum Development Area (JPDA). It also stipulates that when it comes to the Greater Sunrise, eventual revenues are to be shared on a 50/50 basis, instead of the 10/90 split for the remaining JPDA area.

4 “Woodside asks East Timor for Sunrise talks” (AAP, 20 April 2011).

5 “Parting comments of Woodside CEO dishonor Timor-Leste” (RDTL Media Release, 21 April 2011).

6 “East Timor Open To Talks With New Woodside CEO” (Dow Jones Newswire, 29 May 2011).

7 “Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd in Press Conference with East Timorese Foreign Minister Zacarias Da Costa”, Díli, 9 July 2011.

8 “MNE da Austrália pediu abertura para com o novo presidente da petrolífera Woodside” (Lusa, 9 July 2011).

9 Peter Alford, “East Timor ups ante in LNG dispute, as floating processing plan is deadlocked” (The Australian, 10 March 2011).

10 Damien Kingsbury, “Impasse on deal to plunder Timor’s gas riches” (Sydney Morning Herald, 10 May 2010).

11 See Timor Leste, “Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030”.