TLGov: Government receives Vote of Confidence

REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE
IV CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT
MEDIA RELEASE Díli- October 12, 2009

Statement
By
The Spokesperson of the IV Constitutional Government,
The Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers

Government receives Vote of Confidence

Yesterday marked a new era for the democratic systems in the young seven-year old Nation- State of Timor-Leste.

The Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, once again demonstrated his commitment to national leadership by willingly engaging in a ten hour frank and open debate over a ten hour period, responding to a Vote of no Confidence introduced by Fretilin.

The debate was broadcast live on television and radio, reaching out to the Nation and aired as far as Indonesia. The Prime Minister patiently listened to the criticisms and demands for explanation; and in turn, responded by providing as much information as parliamentary time permitted.

The Prime Minister reiterated the fact that the public debate, which was an open and transparent process, was a sign of great progress for the nation. During the era of the Former Government, it was extremely rare for the former Prime Minister and Members of Government to accede to respond to routine question time; using the absolute majority in Parliament to kill any move to censure Alkatiri’s Government.

The Prime Minister also reminded Opposition that although the report by the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) “Chega!” had been referred to the National Parliament in November 2005, no initiative was taken to debate and implement the recommendations by the former Government.

For the first time, Xanana Gusmão recounted the consultative process in the Bere case which included all the major office holders of the State; The President of the Republic, the Acting President of Court of Appeal (Natércia Gusmão), the Public Prosecutor General and the leader of the main opposition party, Mr Mari Alkatiri.

Gusmão described the public censure as ‘political opportunism’ on a matter that was deeply sensitive to the Timorese, “Political opportunism is perhaps the most powerful temptation of all in politics: it is very difficult to fight against a trend that is inherent to man, mostly to his smallness and his frailty before ideas and policies that are much stronger and much better prepared.”

Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, provided the Nation with his vision for the future with an honest and clear –cut approach to politics based on the fundamental national interests which echoed in the hearts and minds of the people.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, once again, proved his commitment to his People and to the Nation. The public debate served to build confidence in the IV Constitutional Government and in the end, the Gusmão Government received resounding support by National Parliament.

ENDS

For More Information Please Contact: Ágio Pereira +670 723 0011; E-mail:
agiopereira@cdm.gov.tl

President of the Republic receives credentials from Israel and Canada Ambassadors

The Head of State, Dr. José Ramos-Horta, received today the credentials from two new Ambassadors to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL), of Israel and Canada, in a ceremony held at the Palace Nicolau Lobato, in Díli.

The Israeli Ambassador, Mrs. Amira Arnon, on behalf of President Shimon Peres and the Israeli People transmitted the best wishes to Dr. Ramos-Horta and the Timorese People.

The Timorese President emphasized the significance of the relations between Israel and RDTL, from the first day of the reestablishment of Independence.

The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate reaffirmed the “danger of nuclear weapons in Middle East” and evoked the call of the US President, Mr. Barack Obama, to total denuclearization.

Dr.Ramos-Horta defended the thesis of “two States” – the Israeli and the Palestinian – in the region, as the unique solution “to achieve peace and democracy” in Middle East.

The Israeli Ambassador holds a Bachelor Arts degree in International Relations, from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. She holds also a Masters degree in Political Sciences – National Defense, from the Haifa University.

Ambassador Arnon attended a Young Diplomats special program on Middle Eastern Affairs, from the University of Jerusalem, as well as the Military College for National Defense – Israel.

In November 1970, she joined the Foreign Office. Since 1996, the diplomat worked at the UN, New York, Nepal, Turkey, Guatemala and the Balkans (Macedonia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina).

In 2009, Mrs. Arnon assumed the post of Ambassador to Singapore and non-resident Ambassador to the RDTL.

The Canadian Ambassador, Mr. Mackenzie Clugston, underlined the RDTL “capacity building” and congratulated the President and the Timorese People.

Dr. Ramos-Horta said he is grateful for the “solidarity” received from Canada since 1999 and mentioned the Canadian officials and police performance under the UN flag.

The Timorese Head of State said Canada is one of the most important contributors to UN and censured the slowness of the reform of the organization, despite the major changes occurred during the last decade in the world.

Mr. Mackenzie Clugston, considered one of the top diplomats of his country, is an expert on East Asian Affairs, with specialization on Japan.

Ambassador Clugston joined the Foreign Service in 1982 and worked in Japan in four different positions: as public affairs officer (1985), trade commissioner (1997), general consul in Osaka (2000) and deputy head of mission (2003).

Graduated from Trent University, master in Public Administration from Queen’s University, Ambassador Glugston speaks fluently English, French and Japanese. The diplomat will cover Timor-Leste from Jakarta.

The ceremony ended with the usual protocol change of gifts.


PPS - Díli, 08OCT-09

President of the Republic meets UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon in NY

The President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Dr. José Ramos-Horta, meets on Monday morning the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, in his office, in the headquarters of the organization, New York.

This meeting is open to the accredited journalists willing to cover it.

Mid morning, Dr. Ramos-Horta meets Dr. Chung Kwak (Chairman), Dr. Thomas Wash (Secretary General) and Mr. Taj Hamad (Director), of the Universal Peace Federation, at the Timor-Leste Mission.

H.E. meets afterwards Mr. Garry Allen, from the Christian Mission for the UN Community.

In the afternoon, Dr. Ramos-Horta attends the UN general debate: the Timorese Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Zacarias da Costa, is the 18th speaker.

The Timorese Head of State leaves to Boston on Tuesday.

PPS - Díli, 27SET09 (to the 28th )


Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Presidency of the Republic

José H. Meirelles

Int. Relations/Media Senior Advisor

Nicolau Lobato Palace

Aitarak-Lara, Díli, Timor-Leste

PBX : +670-333-9999

Mobile: +670-751-6413

assessor.relintmedia.pr.rdtl@gmail.com


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ETAN looks forward to your support. Go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm to donate. Thank you.

John M. Miller, National Coordinator
East Timor & Indonesia Action Network (ETAN)
PO Box 21873, Brooklyn, NY 11202-1873 USA
Phone: +1-718-596-7668 Mobile phone: +1-917-690-4391
Email john@etan.org Skype: john.m.miller

Portugal grants 100 million-euro credit line for projects in East Timor [ 2009-09-22 ]

Dili, East Timor, 22 Sept – The Portuguese government has granted a 100 million-euro credit line to East Timor for projects to be chosen by the East Timor government.

The initial amount of the Aid Credit Line may be increased up to 500 million euros according to a memorandum signed Monday in Dili

The credit line is for funding infrastructure investment projects in East Timor with the participation of Portuguese companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the areas of energy, transport and communications, health and education.

The two sides also signed a memorandum on double taxation, the convention of which is due to be signed by the end of January 2010, as both East Timor and Portugal consider it important to fight tax evasion and to stimulate private enterprise and create a favourable business climate.

A third memorandum also signed Monday created a technical cooperation programme which includes a visit by technicians from the Portuguese Finance Ministry in October.

The governments of Portugal and East Timor in September signed the Indicative Cooperation Program (PIC) for the next four years, estimated at 60 million euros.

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PT unveils plans for Timor Telecom

Portugal Telecom (PT) has announced it plans to increase investment in Timor-Leste and develop new projects to help make the island one of the most developed countries in the region in terms of telecommunications, reports Portuguese daily Jornal de Negocios. PT holds a majority stake in Timor Telecom (TT), which holds a monopoly on the telecoms sector in Timor-Leste, having assumed the risk of investing in the country's non-existent infrastructure and creating its telecoms systems from scratch. PT's plans include a project to connect Timor to a high speed data network via a submarine cable linking the island to Australia, Asia and Europe; the launch of community information centres to increase access to the internet; expansion of 3G coverage to all urban areas; increasing population coverage to 90% in the next four years; and raising TT's total subscriber base to 300,000 by the end of the year. Executive chairman of the Portuguese group, Zeinal Bava, has scheduled meetings with the Timorese authorities and shareholders of Timor Telecom (TT), in what will be his first visit to the island. TT provides both fixed and mobile services to around 220,000 customers and says it provides wireless network coverage to 68% of the population.

http://www.telegeography.com/cu/article.php?article_id=30207&email=html

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ETAN looks forward to your support. Go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm to donate. Thank you.

John M. Miller, National Coordinator
East Timor & Indonesia Action Network (ETAN)
PO Box 21873, Brooklyn, NY 11202-1873 USA
Phone: +1-718-596-7668 Mobile phone: +1-917-690-4391
Email john@etan.org Skype: john.m.miller

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Zacarias da Costa announces

Timor-Leste has become the last Government to officially deposit the instruments of accession to the ozone protection treaties, making the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer the most adhered agreements in the history of the United Nations with 196 participating States.

“We are very pleased to be joining hands with the rest of the world in the fight against the depletion of the ozone layer and the effort towards its recovery.” Dr Zacarias da Costa said

Foreign Minister Da Costa added “Timor - Leste is proud to contribute to the global efforts of the international community to protect the Earth’s protective shield and very happy to be instrumental in achieving the universal participation in the ozone treaties.”

Though over 97% of controlled ozone-depleting substances have already been phased-out, the work by the Parties is far from over. The end of 2009 will mark another significant milestone in the history of the implementation of the Montreal Protocol – all the developing countries will completely stop the use of the major ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Foreign Minister Dr Zacarias da Costa indicated that:”Timor Leste will participate as the newest member of the ozone family in the coming Meeting of the Parties in Egypt in November”. This historic meeting will be the first to bring together the highest number ever of participating States under an international environmental protection treaty”.

CFCs are being replaced with alternatives that include hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which will also be phased out in the near future; its alternatives include hydrofluorocarbons (HCFs), which, however, have a high global warming potential and are therefore not good for climate protection.

For the last few years, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol have been exploring possibilities and alternatives to HCFCs that minimize global warming and other impacts on the environment as well as meeting other health, safety and economic considerations.

Minister Da Costa also said that “As these efforts intensify, it is our hope that the Parties to the Montreal Protocol will make significant contribution to climate protection after 2010. Indeed, the ozone-climate protection nexus is likely to be the next main challenge to the implementation of the Montreal Protocol as CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances are terminally phased-out.”

“We undertake to implement and comply with the Montreal Protocol like all other states that preceded us in this important journey We are doing this in solidarity with the international community from which we expect support in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol. .” Minister Zacarias said



For more information please contact:
Maria-Gabriela Carrascalao H
Media Advisor
Ministerio dos Negocios Estrangeiros

Tel: +61- 417 050 754

Email : maria.heard@mne.gov.tl or
mgabrielacarrascalaoh@gmail.com

Timor-Leste President says: "the national interest can override the law"

Dili - The President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Jose
Ramos-Horta in an interview today broadcast on TVTL, admitted that the
national interest can override the law, as has been the case with
Bere.

Questioned about whether or not the delivery of Maternus Bere, who is
indicted for crimes against humanity in the massacre of 1999 in the
Suai Church to Indonesian authorities, the Head of State responded
that "not everything that is legal can support the national interest
and the interests of the State.”

Ramos Horta, in the interview in Tetum, the language most spoken in
the country, said that as head of state his first duty is to ensure
the sovereignty and independence of East Timor and so he has to
cultivate good neighborly relations, particularly with Indonesia,
which has its own difficulties in moving towards democracy.

The President made the analogy of delivery Maternus Bere, who is
Indonesian nationality, to the agreement made with the United States
in 2002 by the government of Mari Alkatiri, which states that crimes
committed in Timor-Leste by the US military cannot be tried in Timor,
but would be handed over to the American authorities.

Drwaing parallels between the U.S. and Indonesia, Ramos-Horta stressed
that both countries, unlike East Timor, have not ratified the Treaty
of Rome, so if the International Criminal Court were to issue an
arrest warrant against a U.S. citizen within Timor-Leste’s
jurisdiction, it is bound by the agreement to deliver him to the
United States.

According to Ramos-Horta’s interpretation, in agreeing with Indonesia
to deliver Bere to them, Timor-Leste would be doing the same as if it
were an American citizen, as both the USA and Indonesia, have not
ratified the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court.

The President also said that the establishment of an international
tribunal to try serious crimes committed between 1975 and 1999 in
Timor-Leste is not generally supported in East Timor, nor is it
consistent with the position of both parties, but shows the
"hypocrisy" of some sectors at home and abroad.

"FRETILIN was in power from 2002 to 2007, with a majority in
Parliament and did not want a tribunal, understanding the importance
of neighborly relations with Indonesia," he recalled.

On the other hand, Ramos-Horta recalled that the UN had the exclusive
administration of East Timor from 1999 to 2002, as mandated by the
Security Council and "did nothing" regarding serious crimes at that
level.

"So why is that the Security Council did not adopt a resolution to
create an international tribunal at the time," questioned the Head of
State.

During the interview, he also commented on the recent incident with
the National Parliament, which took the decision to prevent him
traveling abroad on an official visit, pending clarification on the
case Bere, but then reconsidered it.

Ramos-Horta pointed out that, constitutionally, the President, is
directly elected, and is not accountable to neither the Parliament or
to the government, so the first parliamentary decision was vitiated by
an unconstitutionality, and also said to have been itself a surprise.

"The secretary general of Fretilin, Mari Alkatiri, had attended a
meeting to consider a way out and gave his contribution, showing
understanding of the relationship with Indonesia. We were surprised
that Alkatiri’s moderated analysis of the problem was not reflected in
the position taken by his party in the parliament," he said.

Questioned about the censure motion against the government of Xanana
Gusmão, tabled in Parliament by FRETILIN, Ramos-Horta said that as
President of the Republic, he considered this to be a normal practice
in democratic regimes.

"Personally as a citizen, I Ramos-Horta, support the AMP government
100%, which I believe have all the constitutional legitimacy and have
total confidence in the Prime Minister," he said.