Commemorating International Youth Day in Timor-Leste
On August 12-13, a National Youth Forum will be convened, as part of the Youth Radio for Peace Building Project. The project – for youth, by youth, and about youth – is being implemented by Search for Common Ground (SFCG), and is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Youth Forum will bring together more than 70 youth leaders (between the ages of 17-29) from all 13 of Timor-Leste’s districts. The Youth Forum will be held at the ex-CNRT facility in Balide, starting on August 12th, International Youth Day. The Youth Forum will also officially launch the International Year of Youth in Timor-Leste.
The Youth Forum will use be facilitated using an innovative methodology called Open Space Technology (OST) to stimulate youth discussion on issues relevant to youth in the country, specifically related to conflict transformation. The Youth Forum will engage youth leaders on topics and themes that are important to Timorese youth, helping youth identify constructive solutions to shared challenges. The issues discussed and feedback from the youth forum will provide SFCG and its media partners with valuable material for creative production of its soonto- be launched youth radio magazine program, Babadok Rebenta!, a key component of the Youth Radio for Peace Building Project. In addition, the National Youth Forum will provide youth the opportunity to develop strong networks as a means to coordinate around issues affecting youth. Finally, the results of the Youth Forum will inform key stakeholders in government and civil society about youth aspirations and challenges, as they develop youth and peace building strategies in Timor-Leste.
For more information about the National Youth Forum or the Youth Radio for Peace Building Project, please contact Jose C. Guterres, SFCG-TL Program Manager: +670 725-3877.
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Timor Government won't meet with Woodside over gas plans
ABC
Timor Government won't meet with Woodside over gas plans
Woodside executives plan to travel to East Timor to convince the government to accept the company's proposal of a floating platform for liquifying gas from Greater Sunrise. [ABC]
Sara Everingham
Last Updated: Mon, 3 May 2010 10:56:00 +1000
East Timor's Government says it won't meet executives from the Australian oil and gas company Woodside to discuss the development of the Greater Sunrise fields between East Timor and Australia.
Woodside executives plan to travel to East Timor to convince the government to accept the company's proposal of a floating platform for liquifying gas from Greater Sunrise.
But the government won't meet them.
It says Woodside will have to stick to the accepted channels for negotiation and deal with East Timor's petroleum regulator.
East Timor's Government wants the gas processed onshore in East Timor.
A source close to the government source says Woodside has underestimated East Timor's ability to strike a fair deal and says the Woodside visit holds little credibility in East Timor because the company has a dubious history of dealing with developing nations.
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Timor Government won't meet with Woodside over gas plans
Woodside executives plan to travel to East Timor to convince the government to accept the company's proposal of a floating platform for liquifying gas from Greater Sunrise. [ABC]
Sara Everingham
Last Updated: Mon, 3 May 2010 10:56:00 +1000
East Timor's Government says it won't meet executives from the Australian oil and gas company Woodside to discuss the development of the Greater Sunrise fields between East Timor and Australia.
Woodside executives plan to travel to East Timor to convince the government to accept the company's proposal of a floating platform for liquifying gas from Greater Sunrise.
But the government won't meet them.
It says Woodside will have to stick to the accepted channels for negotiation and deal with East Timor's petroleum regulator.
East Timor's Government wants the gas processed onshore in East Timor.
A source close to the government source says Woodside has underestimated East Timor's ability to strike a fair deal and says the Woodside visit holds little credibility in East Timor because the company has a dubious history of dealing with developing nations.
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Thursday, 25 March 2010
The Tasi Tolu Exhumations
The case for a CAVR/CTF follow-up mechanism has been given new urgency by the recent find of more remains of human rights victims on the outskirts of Dili and the equally startling discovery that Timor-Leste has no regulations to govern construction on sites of significance. As Dili is in the grip of an unprecedented building boom, with some 1400 companies registered in the construction sector, legislation and the establishment of an oversight mechanism are urgently needed.
This month, 9 sets of human remains were exhumed at the Tasi Tolu site of the future Pelican Paradise hotel west of Dili. The discovery follows exhumations of 16 Santa Cruz victims last year. Initial forensic reports confirm that the Tasi Tolu remains were the victims of extra-judicial executions, possibly from the late 70s-early 80s. The bodies were trussed hand and foot and buried in pits prepared by mechanical ditch-diggers. Bullets were found at the scene, indicating that the victims were executed at the site. The burial site is therefore also a crime site. This also means that, like Tasi Tolu area itself, the site is a place of emotional and historical significance in Timor’s costly struggle for independence.
The discovery has already yielded some positive lessons. The most important of these has been the goodwill and respective contributions of the key stakeholders. The company has cooperated with the exhumations, an important precedent for other developers, although it is not known what, if any, steps will be taken to commemorate the site. Prime Minister Gusmao and his government have provided funding. Members of parliament and the community have taken a close interest and visited the site. Forensic experts have been engaged to ensure that the process is professionally managed, a welcome advance on damaging efforts some years ago when well-intentioned amateurs handled remains from 1999. Finally, it is said that the location of the site is due to a tip-off some years ago by Indonesian military sources. Each of these elements, not least –if true – the information from Indonesian sources, has been critical to the outcome and will be vital to future work of this kind which is only just beginning.
The process, however, has also revealed some serious policy shortcomings and the urgent need for regulations. Timor-Leste has no building regulations to protect or preserve sites of historic, political or cultural significance and to govern building on such sites. UNTAET Regulation 2000/19 (Section 6) on Protected Places provided that the Transitional Administrator, under a directive, may designate monuments, buildings and other sites as property of cultural, artistic or historic significance to the people of Timor-Leste, but this provision has not been translated into contemporary legislation. Such legislation would be clearly in the spirit of the Constitution which, although it does not mention sites, devotes four Articles to the Valorisation of Resistance (Section 11).
The CAVR Report Chega! contains some 14 recommendations that deal directly or indirectly with memorialisation. The most relevant can be found at 3.2.1-3.3.1; 3.7.7 and 12.12. In summary, these call for families to be assisted to locate and re-bury relatives and for significant sites to be registered and memorialised in some way. CAVR took a broad view of memorialisation. In this sense, the concept should be comprehensive enough to cover both sites of human rights violations like the ex-Balide Comarca and Hotel Flamboyan in Baucau (development of its notorious back section is on hold) as well as sites that are historically significant in other respects such the site of the new Palacio Presidencial and Hotel Turismo (currently undergoing renovation).
To this point, however, these timely recommendations have not been acted on. No register of sites or authority exist which companies should consult prior to development or if a discovery is made. The Parliament’s Committee A is currently preparing legislation to establish a CAVR/CTF follow-up mechanism whose terms of reference will most likely include a national memorialisation program. It is to be hoped that this important initiative is speedily enacted and that the Gusmao government uses this legislative and institutional framework to respond to the important issues raised by the Tasi Tolu case.
Comment on Taci Tolu exhumations
Pat Walsh, 22 March 2010
This month, 9 sets of human remains were exhumed at the Tasi Tolu site of the future Pelican Paradise hotel west of Dili. The discovery follows exhumations of 16 Santa Cruz victims last year. Initial forensic reports confirm that the Tasi Tolu remains were the victims of extra-judicial executions, possibly from the late 70s-early 80s. The bodies were trussed hand and foot and buried in pits prepared by mechanical ditch-diggers. Bullets were found at the scene, indicating that the victims were executed at the site. The burial site is therefore also a crime site. This also means that, like Tasi Tolu area itself, the site is a place of emotional and historical significance in Timor’s costly struggle for independence.
The discovery has already yielded some positive lessons. The most important of these has been the goodwill and respective contributions of the key stakeholders. The company has cooperated with the exhumations, an important precedent for other developers, although it is not known what, if any, steps will be taken to commemorate the site. Prime Minister Gusmao and his government have provided funding. Members of parliament and the community have taken a close interest and visited the site. Forensic experts have been engaged to ensure that the process is professionally managed, a welcome advance on damaging efforts some years ago when well-intentioned amateurs handled remains from 1999. Finally, it is said that the location of the site is due to a tip-off some years ago by Indonesian military sources. Each of these elements, not least –if true – the information from Indonesian sources, has been critical to the outcome and will be vital to future work of this kind which is only just beginning.
The process, however, has also revealed some serious policy shortcomings and the urgent need for regulations. Timor-Leste has no building regulations to protect or preserve sites of historic, political or cultural significance and to govern building on such sites. UNTAET Regulation 2000/19 (Section 6) on Protected Places provided that the Transitional Administrator, under a directive, may designate monuments, buildings and other sites as property of cultural, artistic or historic significance to the people of Timor-Leste, but this provision has not been translated into contemporary legislation. Such legislation would be clearly in the spirit of the Constitution which, although it does not mention sites, devotes four Articles to the Valorisation of Resistance (Section 11).
The CAVR Report Chega! contains some 14 recommendations that deal directly or indirectly with memorialisation. The most relevant can be found at 3.2.1-3.3.1; 3.7.7 and 12.12. In summary, these call for families to be assisted to locate and re-bury relatives and for significant sites to be registered and memorialised in some way. CAVR took a broad view of memorialisation. In this sense, the concept should be comprehensive enough to cover both sites of human rights violations like the ex-Balide Comarca and Hotel Flamboyan in Baucau (development of its notorious back section is on hold) as well as sites that are historically significant in other respects such the site of the new Palacio Presidencial and Hotel Turismo (currently undergoing renovation).
To this point, however, these timely recommendations have not been acted on. No register of sites or authority exist which companies should consult prior to development or if a discovery is made. The Parliament’s Committee A is currently preparing legislation to establish a CAVR/CTF follow-up mechanism whose terms of reference will most likely include a national memorialisation program. It is to be hoped that this important initiative is speedily enacted and that the Gusmao government uses this legislative and institutional framework to respond to the important issues raised by the Tasi Tolu case.
Comment on Taci Tolu exhumations
Pat Walsh, 22 March 2010
Timor security 'close' to taking over
ABC News
Timor security 'close' to taking over
Posted 3 hours 28 minutes ago
The Australian Defence Force Chief says he believes East Timorese forces will be able to take full responsibility for the country's security in the near future.
The number of Australian troops in East Timor has been recently reduced to 400.
Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston says the East Timorese military are continuing to improve their professionalism.
He has told Australia Network that he is confident they will be able to take care of their own security.
"I think as we look forward they'll reach that stage in the not too distant future," he said.
"What we're seeing at the moment is the United Nations transition a lot of the police stations around Timor Leste to the Timorese police service."
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Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
Web site: http://www.etan.org
Twitter: http://twitter.com/etan009
Blog: http://etanaction.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/134122?recruiter_id=10193810
Send a blank e-mail message to info@etan.org to find out
how to learn more about East Timor on the Internet
Winners: John Rumbiak Human Rights Defender Award for 2009
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Timor security 'close' to taking over
Posted 3 hours 28 minutes ago
The Australian Defence Force Chief says he believes East Timorese forces will be able to take full responsibility for the country's security in the near future.
The number of Australian troops in East Timor has been recently reduced to 400.
Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston says the East Timorese military are continuing to improve their professionalism.
He has told Australia Network that he is confident they will be able to take care of their own security.
"I think as we look forward they'll reach that stage in the not too distant future," he said.
"What we're seeing at the moment is the United Nations transition a lot of the police stations around Timor Leste to the Timorese police service."
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Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
Web site: http://www.etan.org
Twitter: http://twitter.com/etan009
Blog: http://etanaction.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/134122?recruiter_id=10193810
Send a blank e-mail message to info@etan.org to find out
how to learn more about East Timor on the Internet
Winners: John Rumbiak Human Rights Defender Award for 2009
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Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Renewed calls for war crimes tribunal in East Timor
roduced by Michael Kermode
Audio here: http://www.thewire.org.au/audio/timorFINAL_3%2741web.mp3
A human rights group in East Timor has renewed its calls for an international tribunal for crimes against humanity committed by Indonesian occupation forces from 1975-1999. Earlier this month, the President, Jose Ramos Horta, repeated that a tribunal was unnecessary and support was marginal. But the group, the Timor-Leste National Alliance for an International Tribunal, with the support of a large group of victims, say they are sending a clear message that despite their leader's reluctance, widely unpopular criminal impunity should come to an end. However, the degree of support within Timor for a tribunal is questioned by some, who claim that bilateral and economic relations may come up trumps over justice in the end. Featured in story: Justice John Dowd, President International Commission of Jurists Australia; and Dr Clinton Fernandes, Senior Lecturer in Strategic Studies at the University of New South Wales.
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Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
Audio here: http://www.thewire.org.au/audio/timorFINAL_3%2741web.mp3
A human rights group in East Timor has renewed its calls for an international tribunal for crimes against humanity committed by Indonesian occupation forces from 1975-1999. Earlier this month, the President, Jose Ramos Horta, repeated that a tribunal was unnecessary and support was marginal. But the group, the Timor-Leste National Alliance for an International Tribunal, with the support of a large group of victims, say they are sending a clear message that despite their leader's reluctance, widely unpopular criminal impunity should come to an end. However, the degree of support within Timor for a tribunal is questioned by some, who claim that bilateral and economic relations may come up trumps over justice in the end. Featured in story: Justice John Dowd, President International Commission of Jurists Australia; and Dr Clinton Fernandes, Senior Lecturer in Strategic Studies at the University of New South Wales.
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Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Norwegian Refugee Council in Timor-Leste
22.03.2010 | news Newsdesk
Press release from the Norwegian Embassy in Indonesia
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has done a tremendous effort to help the country out of the crisis that followed the 2006 riots. A massive refugee problem, involving more than 10% of the population, was facing the tiny nation as the citizens had to flee their homes, or they lost their homes which were put on fire.
NRC started work in Timor-Leste in November 2006, with funds from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since then, NRC has built 595 transitional shelters in five different locations, in order to help internally displaced people (IDP's) to move from tented camps, such as Hospital IDP camp into temporary shelters. NRC has also rehabilitated a health clinic in Dili and five offices for the UN dialogue teams.
All transitional camps have now been closed. Further, NRC has built 5 youth centres, supporting youth without a job for training and encouragement in their lives. The last youth centre was opened in Dili 17 March 2010. Finally, since March 2009, NRC has been working with reconstruction/rehabilitation and teacher training for up to 30 schools in rural areas, so benefitting the most disadvantaged communities by ensuring sustainable access to education.
Mr. Alfredo Zamudio, and his very dedicated team, can look back at remarkable results achieved under very difficult circumstances. NRC will end their mission in Timor-Leste within 2010. Their dedicated leader Alfredo Zamudio works hard, with support from the Norwegian Embassy Section in Dili, to ensure that the work done by NRC, and their organisation built up during these years, may be carried on in a sustainable way by the Government of Timor-Leste.
Original news source:
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Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
Press release from the Norwegian Embassy in Indonesia
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has done a tremendous effort to help the country out of the crisis that followed the 2006 riots. A massive refugee problem, involving more than 10% of the population, was facing the tiny nation as the citizens had to flee their homes, or they lost their homes which were put on fire.
NRC started work in Timor-Leste in November 2006, with funds from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since then, NRC has built 595 transitional shelters in five different locations, in order to help internally displaced people (IDP's) to move from tented camps, such as Hospital IDP camp into temporary shelters. NRC has also rehabilitated a health clinic in Dili and five offices for the UN dialogue teams.
All transitional camps have now been closed. Further, NRC has built 5 youth centres, supporting youth without a job for training and encouragement in their lives. The last youth centre was opened in Dili 17 March 2010. Finally, since March 2009, NRC has been working with reconstruction/rehabilitation and teacher training for up to 30 schools in rural areas, so benefitting the most disadvantaged communities by ensuring sustainable access to education.
Mr. Alfredo Zamudio, and his very dedicated team, can look back at remarkable results achieved under very difficult circumstances. NRC will end their mission in Timor-Leste within 2010. Their dedicated leader Alfredo Zamudio works hard, with support from the Norwegian Embassy Section in Dili, to ensure that the work done by NRC, and their organisation built up during these years, may be carried on in a sustainable way by the Government of Timor-Leste.
Original news source:
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Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
Beyond the Truth: Can Reparations Move Peace and Justice Forward in Timor-Leste?
by Leigh-Ashley Lipscomb
Abstract
After hundreds of years as a Portuguese colony and then decades of Indonesian occupation, Timor-Leste (East Timor) finally became independent in 2002. Since then, Timor-Leste has been in the process of building itself as a sovereign nation, fighting to shake off its tumultuous past. Timor-Leste must now decide how best to resolve issues stemming from a brief civil war and Indonesian invasion and occupation (1975-1999), including grave human rights violations on all sides of the conflict. Human rights trials in both Timor-Leste and Indonesia have produced unsatisfying results, but two separate truth commissions recommended reparations--both intrastate and interstate--as a key element of reconciliation and healing. Critical questions remain, however, concerning the value, scope, and implementation of a reparations program within Timor-Leste or between Indonesia and Timor-Leste. Only a sincere, informed, and transparent decision-making process will result in a reparations program that could be a significant and successful part of moving peace and justice forward.
AsiaPacific Issues, No. 93
Publisher: Honolulu: East-West Center
Publication Date: March 2010
Pages: 12
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Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
Web site: http://www.etan.org
Twitter: http://twitter.com/etan009
Blog: http://etanaction.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/134122?recruiter_id=10193810
Send a blank e-mail message to info@etan.org to find out
how to learn more about East Timor on the Internet
Winners: John Rumbiak Human Rights Defender Award for 2009
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[This message was distributed via the east-timor news list. For info on how to subscribe send a blank e-mail to info@etan.org. To support ETAN see http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm ]
Abstract
After hundreds of years as a Portuguese colony and then decades of Indonesian occupation, Timor-Leste (East Timor) finally became independent in 2002. Since then, Timor-Leste has been in the process of building itself as a sovereign nation, fighting to shake off its tumultuous past. Timor-Leste must now decide how best to resolve issues stemming from a brief civil war and Indonesian invasion and occupation (1975-1999), including grave human rights violations on all sides of the conflict. Human rights trials in both Timor-Leste and Indonesia have produced unsatisfying results, but two separate truth commissions recommended reparations--both intrastate and interstate--as a key element of reconciliation and healing. Critical questions remain, however, concerning the value, scope, and implementation of a reparations program within Timor-Leste or between Indonesia and Timor-Leste. Only a sincere, informed, and transparent decision-making process will result in a reparations program that could be a significant and successful part of moving peace and justice forward.
AsiaPacific Issues, No. 93
Publisher: Honolulu: East-West Center
Publication Date: March 2010
Pages: 12
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Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
Web site: http://www.etan.org
Twitter: http://twitter.com/etan009
Blog: http://etanaction.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/134122?recruiter_id=10193810
Send a blank e-mail message to info@etan.org to find out
how to learn more about East Timor on the Internet
Winners: John Rumbiak Human Rights Defender Award for 2009
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Report on the needs of families of the Missing in Timor-Leste
This is a report of recent research in Timor-Leste to understand what families of those missing as a result of the conflict seek in response to their victimhood. Whilst the authorities deny the need for prosecutions and talk of 'social justice', rights agencies insist that victims seek prosecutions: neither however has sought the views of ordinary victims. This study uses qualitative research methods with a representative sample of victims, using a list collected by ICRC over a 30 year period serving as a sampling frame. It aims to determine both what victims seek a decade after the end of conflict and their attitude towards those transitional justice mechanisms that have taken place, essentially a victim-centred evaluation of that process.
This research also aims to inform the ongoing process towards the creation of an institution to implement the recommendations of both CAVR and the CTF.
The report can be found at:
http://www.simonrobins.com/Robins%20-%20Needs%20of%20families%20of%20the%20Missing%20in%20Timor.pdf
I would very much welcome any comments or feedback.
Simon Robins.
--
_____________________________________________________________________
Simon Robins www.simonrobins.com
Post War Reconstruction and Development Unit, University of York
Tel: +1 646 881 7828 (US)
Tel: +44 (0)7795 575086 (UK)
_______________________________________________
Queries about this post should be sent to the poster NOT THE LIST. PLEASE DO NOT SEND PERSONAL REPLIES TO THE LIST.
This research also aims to inform the ongoing process towards the creation of an institution to implement the recommendations of both CAVR and the CTF.
The report can be found at:
http://www.simonrobins.com/Robins%20-%20Needs%20of%20families%20of%20the%20Missing%20in%20Timor.pdf
I would very much welcome any comments or feedback.
Simon Robins.
--
_____________________________________________________________________
Simon Robins www.simonrobins.com
Post War Reconstruction and Development Unit, University of York
Tel: +1 646 881 7828 (US)
Tel: +44 (0)7795 575086 (UK)
_______________________________________________
Queries about this post should be sent to the poster NOT THE LIST. PLEASE DO NOT SEND PERSONAL REPLIES TO THE LIST.
Monday, 22 March 2010
East Timor photos charm
March 19th, 2010
THE beauty of East Timor is on show as a new exhibition of photographs opens in Darwin tonight.
Former and present Darwinites Kate Sieper and Vicki Kerrigan are exhibiting pictures they took during a visit last year to encourage tourists to visit our impoverished neighbour, and to raise funds for a charity there.
Some of the most beautiful shots show the area around the fishing village of Tutuala, in the far east of East Timor.
Kerrigan, an ABC radio host, said she and Sieper, who works in the Prime Minister's office, caught a fisherman's boat for $US5 to Jaco Island, across the clear green waters, and found themselves quite alone.
"You are quite literally on a deserted island with some of the best snorkelling I have done in my life," she said.
"You don't even need polaroid sunnies (to see the sea glow green) - that's just what it looks like."
If tourists are seeking an off-the-track holiday, Kerrigan said this is as good a place than any.
"There's nobody there. There's just fishermen, virtually no tourists. It is untouched.
"It's such a poor country that even when we went to this eco-resort there was no water to drink.
"We were drinking Timorese coffee for three days.
"It just makes it part of the experience, and you have to be prepared for that when you travel in a country that has suffered as a result of occupation and war."
The exhibition will raise money for the charity Love Life and health, which does education, sanitation and agriculture work in East Timor.
Viva! Happy snaps of Timor Leste opens at CCAE Gallery, Harriet Place, Darwin, March 19.
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/03/19/133111_entertainment.html
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Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
Web site: http://www.etan.org
Twitter: http://twitter.com/etan009
Blog: http://etanaction.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/134122?recruiter_id=10193810
Send a blank e-mail message to info@etan.org to find out
how to learn more about East Timor on the Internet
Winners: John Rumbiak Human Rights Defender Award for 2009
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THE beauty of East Timor is on show as a new exhibition of photographs opens in Darwin tonight.
Former and present Darwinites Kate Sieper and Vicki Kerrigan are exhibiting pictures they took during a visit last year to encourage tourists to visit our impoverished neighbour, and to raise funds for a charity there.
Some of the most beautiful shots show the area around the fishing village of Tutuala, in the far east of East Timor.
Kerrigan, an ABC radio host, said she and Sieper, who works in the Prime Minister's office, caught a fisherman's boat for $US5 to Jaco Island, across the clear green waters, and found themselves quite alone.
"You are quite literally on a deserted island with some of the best snorkelling I have done in my life," she said.
"You don't even need polaroid sunnies (to see the sea glow green) - that's just what it looks like."
If tourists are seeking an off-the-track holiday, Kerrigan said this is as good a place than any.
"There's nobody there. There's just fishermen, virtually no tourists. It is untouched.
"It's such a poor country that even when we went to this eco-resort there was no water to drink.
"We were drinking Timorese coffee for three days.
"It just makes it part of the experience, and you have to be prepared for that when you travel in a country that has suffered as a result of occupation and war."
The exhibition will raise money for the charity Love Life and health, which does education, sanitation and agriculture work in East Timor.
Viva! Happy snaps of Timor Leste opens at CCAE Gallery, Harriet Place, Darwin, March 19.
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/03/19/133111_entertainment.html
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Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
Web site: http://www.etan.org
Twitter: http://twitter.com/etan009
Blog: http://etanaction.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/134122?recruiter_id=10193810
Send a blank e-mail message to info@etan.org to find out
how to learn more about East Timor on the Internet
Winners: John Rumbiak Human Rights Defender Award for 2009
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Wednesday, 17 March 2010
E.Timor still waiting for Indonesia apology: president
(AFP) – March 16, 2010
TOKYO East Timor's President Jose Ramos-Horta said Tuesday that Indonesia still needs to apologise for its brutal occupation of the half-island even if relations between the neighbours have improved.
"The only thing still missing is an apology... by those who were directing all the suffering," Ramos-Horta told reporters during a visit to Japan.
East Timor gained formal independence in 2002 after a bloody 24-year occupation by Indonesia that led to the deaths of up to 200,000 people.
A reconciliation commission established jointly by East Timor and Indonesia found in 2008 that while gross human rights abuses were committed by Indonesian forces, there should be no more trials and no further arrests.
Nobel Peace laureate Ramos-Horta, despite having lost three siblings in the conflict, has been opposed to the establishment of an international tribunal for crimes committed during the 1975-1999 occupation.
Indonesia's former president Abrurrahman Wahid apologised when he visited East Timor in 2000 but successive leaders including current President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono have stopped short of an apology, instead expressing regret.
The government in Dili has been pursuing a policy of appeasement with Jakarta, its biggest trade partner and an active supporter of East Timor's membership bid for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
"We have excellent relations with Indonesia... Normalising relations with Indonesia was decisive for our own peace and stability, and integrating in the region," said Ramos-Horta.
But "it doesn't mean that we do not respect the suffering of the victims. Our state does not want to put the burden of helping the victims on anyone else, in this case Indonesia. We seek to help all the victims."
Ramos-Horta on his visit also met Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and energy sector executives. He also secured 700 million yen (7.7 million dollars) in grant aid for forest preservation and renewable energy projects.
The half-island state is one of the world's poorest countries and heavily dependent on natural gas exports. It was battered by plummeting energy prices during the global economic downturn.
Ramos-Horta is due to visit the city of Hiroshima to participate in a forum on nuclear disarmament.
etanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetan
Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
TOKYO East Timor's President Jose Ramos-Horta said Tuesday that Indonesia still needs to apologise for its brutal occupation of the half-island even if relations between the neighbours have improved.
"The only thing still missing is an apology... by those who were directing all the suffering," Ramos-Horta told reporters during a visit to Japan.
East Timor gained formal independence in 2002 after a bloody 24-year occupation by Indonesia that led to the deaths of up to 200,000 people.
A reconciliation commission established jointly by East Timor and Indonesia found in 2008 that while gross human rights abuses were committed by Indonesian forces, there should be no more trials and no further arrests.
Nobel Peace laureate Ramos-Horta, despite having lost three siblings in the conflict, has been opposed to the establishment of an international tribunal for crimes committed during the 1975-1999 occupation.
Indonesia's former president Abrurrahman Wahid apologised when he visited East Timor in 2000 but successive leaders including current President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono have stopped short of an apology, instead expressing regret.
The government in Dili has been pursuing a policy of appeasement with Jakarta, its biggest trade partner and an active supporter of East Timor's membership bid for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
"We have excellent relations with Indonesia... Normalising relations with Indonesia was decisive for our own peace and stability, and integrating in the region," said Ramos-Horta.
But "it doesn't mean that we do not respect the suffering of the victims. Our state does not want to put the burden of helping the victims on anyone else, in this case Indonesia. We seek to help all the victims."
Ramos-Horta on his visit also met Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and energy sector executives. He also secured 700 million yen (7.7 million dollars) in grant aid for forest preservation and renewable energy projects.
The half-island state is one of the world's poorest countries and heavily dependent on natural gas exports. It was battered by plummeting energy prices during the global economic downturn.
Ramos-Horta is due to visit the city of Hiroshima to participate in a forum on nuclear disarmament.
etanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetan
Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Timor - village phone project
Mon, 1 March 2010
4.5 Mb 128 kbps mono 4 minutes 52 seconds.
David Rowe talks about a revolutionary concept to provide a cheap (virtually free) digital telephony netwwork for remote communities in Timor Leste
Direct download: aDavidRoweTL.mp3
Category: Latin Radical -- posted at: 2:08 PM
Posted in Timor Leste
http://vensol.blogspot.com/2010/03/timor-village-phone-project.html
etanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetan
Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
4.5 Mb 128 kbps mono 4 minutes 52 seconds.
David Rowe talks about a revolutionary concept to provide a cheap (virtually free) digital telephony netwwork for remote communities in Timor Leste
Direct download: aDavidRoweTL.mp3
Category: Latin Radical -- posted at: 2:08 PM
Posted in Timor Leste
http://vensol.blogspot.com/2010/03/timor-village-phone-project.html
etanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetan
Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
Victoria helps set up Timor business lobby
The Age
Victoria helps set up Timor business lobby
March 3, 2010
VICTORIAN industry groups are pushing to open new markets in East Timor - one of Australia's poorest neighbours - and set up a local lobby to give a stronger voice to Timorese business.
Peter McMullin, of the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI), will go to East Timor today to finalise plans for an inaugural meeting of East Timor's national commercial lobby, expected to be held next month.
To be known as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Timor Leste, the organisation has been set up with help from Victoria and plans to link the local business community to the Timorese government.
East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao sought the assistance of Victoria to create a Timorese business association, following the appointment of former premier Steve Bracks as his special adviser.
Business links to East Timor are not extensive but are thought to have significant potential, with Victoria home to the largest East Timorese population in Australia.
VECCI also led a trade mission to East Timor last September with representatives from the building, legal and tourism industries.
The East Timor chamber of commerce is expected to hold its first congress in early April.
DANIEL FLITTON
Victoria helps set up Timor business lobby
March 3, 2010
VICTORIAN industry groups are pushing to open new markets in East Timor - one of Australia's poorest neighbours - and set up a local lobby to give a stronger voice to Timorese business.
Peter McMullin, of the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI), will go to East Timor today to finalise plans for an inaugural meeting of East Timor's national commercial lobby, expected to be held next month.
To be known as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Timor Leste, the organisation has been set up with help from Victoria and plans to link the local business community to the Timorese government.
East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao sought the assistance of Victoria to create a Timorese business association, following the appointment of former premier Steve Bracks as his special adviser.
Business links to East Timor are not extensive but are thought to have significant potential, with Victoria home to the largest East Timorese population in Australia.
VECCI also led a trade mission to East Timor last September with representatives from the building, legal and tourism industries.
The East Timor chamber of commerce is expected to hold its first congress in early April.
DANIEL FLITTON
etanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetan
Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
Victoria helps set up Timor business lobby
March 3, 2010
VICTORIAN industry groups are pushing to open new markets in East Timor - one of Australia's poorest neighbours - and set up a local lobby to give a stronger voice to Timorese business.
Peter McMullin, of the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI), will go to East Timor today to finalise plans for an inaugural meeting of East Timor's national commercial lobby, expected to be held next month.
To be known as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Timor Leste, the organisation has been set up with help from Victoria and plans to link the local business community to the Timorese government.
East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao sought the assistance of Victoria to create a Timorese business association, following the appointment of former premier Steve Bracks as his special adviser.
Business links to East Timor are not extensive but are thought to have significant potential, with Victoria home to the largest East Timorese population in Australia.
VECCI also led a trade mission to East Timor last September with representatives from the building, legal and tourism industries.
The East Timor chamber of commerce is expected to hold its first congress in early April.
DANIEL FLITTON
Victoria helps set up Timor business lobby
March 3, 2010
VICTORIAN industry groups are pushing to open new markets in East Timor - one of Australia's poorest neighbours - and set up a local lobby to give a stronger voice to Timorese business.
Peter McMullin, of the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI), will go to East Timor today to finalise plans for an inaugural meeting of East Timor's national commercial lobby, expected to be held next month.
To be known as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Timor Leste, the organisation has been set up with help from Victoria and plans to link the local business community to the Timorese government.
East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao sought the assistance of Victoria to create a Timorese business association, following the appointment of former premier Steve Bracks as his special adviser.
Business links to East Timor are not extensive but are thought to have significant potential, with Victoria home to the largest East Timorese population in Australia.
VECCI also led a trade mission to East Timor last September with representatives from the building, legal and tourism industries.
The East Timor chamber of commerce is expected to hold its first congress in early April.
DANIEL FLITTON
etanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetan
Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
Monday, 25 January 2010
Media in Timor-Leste: Freedom Under Challenges
By Hugo Fernandes
Jose Belo, founder and editor of Timor-Leste’s local weekly newspaper Tempo Semanal, is familiar with uncertain terms. During the Indonesian occupation, the well-known and respected journalist was imprisoned and detained on numerous accounts for his efforts to expose official corruption. Now, Mr. Belo waits again. In October 2008, after his newspaper published an article alleging that Timor-Leste’s Justice Minister Lucia Lobato had improperly awarded government contracts to friends and business contacts, Mr. Belo was charged with defamation, and a possible prison sentence, if convicted. After a year of investigation, Mr. Belo received official notification from the General Prosecutor that the criminal defamation charges had been dropped, but today, civil defamation charges are still in place against him, with no trial date in sight.
Mr. Belo’s current status is a result of the government of Timor-Leste’s decision in October to remove articles that criminalize defamation from its Penal Code. However, charges of defamation still remain in the Civil Code. Significant legal achievements have been made in the last decade to protect the freedom of journalists. In 2001, the Timor-Leste Journalists Association (TLJA), alongside other organizations, fought to include articles on freedom of expression in the newly-drafted constitution.
More recently, the government and local organizations have attempted to establish a comprehensive media law to protect the freedom of speech and information for print, broadcast, and online journalists. After failed attempts in 2005 and 2006, the current government has requested assistance from UNDP, with input from a number of local journalist associations, to draft a new media law.
Despite such achievements, threats to the freedom of the press still occur, while other challenges such as lack of infrastructure and sufficient training, economic instablility, low readership, and limited access to government officials for comment remain.
Recently, The Asia Foundation and local partners supported an annual award to help motivate journalists and local media outlets to improve their skills, improve the quality of reporting, and promote freedom of the press in Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste’s President Jose Ramos-Horta, a former journalist himself, presented the Journalist of the Year award to TVTL reporter Elizio Pinto Guteres Soares. Mr. Soares also won the Greg Shackleton Prize for best Radio and TV Journalist – an award given in honor of Greg Sackleton, an Australian journalist killed in Balibo Oct. 16, 1975, along with four of his colleaugues (known as the Balibo Five).
Right now, Timor Leste has one weekly and three daily newspapers, one national, three commercial, and more than 15 community radio stations across the country, and one national and one private TV station. In addition, other institutions such as catholic churches, universities, and NGOs host radio stations and publish regular publications.
While censorship is not a major problem for journalists, government attempts to control media by denying access to unscripted government information and officials is. As a result, all news reported out of Dili features similar news angles that journalists were fed during organized press conferences or at official events. Passage of an Access to Information Law is a critical step to improving this problem.
In addition, Timor-Leste’s print media face major challenges with readership and printing costs. With an average income of 50 cents a day and nearly half of the population illiterate, publishers’ expectations are undeniably low. Also, private media must compete with government-sponsored outlets that have the capacity to publish in high volume, with the resources necessary to access a broader audience. Without a higher education system dedicated to journalism training, most of the journalists lack sufficient skills.
In partnership with government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector, The Asia Foundation has provided initial funding to establish a Regional Media Center to address these issues. Such initiatives will hopefully lead to dedicated courses to strengthen the capacity of journalists and the freedom of the press to contribute to building a just and democratic state.
Hugo Fernandes is The Asia Foundation’s Unit Manager in Timor-Leste. He can be reached at hfernandes@asiafound.org .
http://asiafoundation.org/in-asia/2010/01/06/media-in-timor-leste-freedom-under-challenges/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+in-asia+%28In+Asia%29
etanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetan
Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
Jose Belo, founder and editor of Timor-Leste’s local weekly newspaper Tempo Semanal, is familiar with uncertain terms. During the Indonesian occupation, the well-known and respected journalist was imprisoned and detained on numerous accounts for his efforts to expose official corruption. Now, Mr. Belo waits again. In October 2008, after his newspaper published an article alleging that Timor-Leste’s Justice Minister Lucia Lobato had improperly awarded government contracts to friends and business contacts, Mr. Belo was charged with defamation, and a possible prison sentence, if convicted. After a year of investigation, Mr. Belo received official notification from the General Prosecutor that the criminal defamation charges had been dropped, but today, civil defamation charges are still in place against him, with no trial date in sight.
Mr. Belo’s current status is a result of the government of Timor-Leste’s decision in October to remove articles that criminalize defamation from its Penal Code. However, charges of defamation still remain in the Civil Code. Significant legal achievements have been made in the last decade to protect the freedom of journalists. In 2001, the Timor-Leste Journalists Association (TLJA), alongside other organizations, fought to include articles on freedom of expression in the newly-drafted constitution.
More recently, the government and local organizations have attempted to establish a comprehensive media law to protect the freedom of speech and information for print, broadcast, and online journalists. After failed attempts in 2005 and 2006, the current government has requested assistance from UNDP, with input from a number of local journalist associations, to draft a new media law.
Despite such achievements, threats to the freedom of the press still occur, while other challenges such as lack of infrastructure and sufficient training, economic instablility, low readership, and limited access to government officials for comment remain.
Recently, The Asia Foundation and local partners supported an annual award to help motivate journalists and local media outlets to improve their skills, improve the quality of reporting, and promote freedom of the press in Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste’s President Jose Ramos-Horta, a former journalist himself, presented the Journalist of the Year award to TVTL reporter Elizio Pinto Guteres Soares. Mr. Soares also won the Greg Shackleton Prize for best Radio and TV Journalist – an award given in honor of Greg Sackleton, an Australian journalist killed in Balibo Oct. 16, 1975, along with four of his colleaugues (known as the Balibo Five).
Right now, Timor Leste has one weekly and three daily newspapers, one national, three commercial, and more than 15 community radio stations across the country, and one national and one private TV station. In addition, other institutions such as catholic churches, universities, and NGOs host radio stations and publish regular publications.
While censorship is not a major problem for journalists, government attempts to control media by denying access to unscripted government information and officials is. As a result, all news reported out of Dili features similar news angles that journalists were fed during organized press conferences or at official events. Passage of an Access to Information Law is a critical step to improving this problem.
In addition, Timor-Leste’s print media face major challenges with readership and printing costs. With an average income of 50 cents a day and nearly half of the population illiterate, publishers’ expectations are undeniably low. Also, private media must compete with government-sponsored outlets that have the capacity to publish in high volume, with the resources necessary to access a broader audience. Without a higher education system dedicated to journalism training, most of the journalists lack sufficient skills.
In partnership with government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector, The Asia Foundation has provided initial funding to establish a Regional Media Center to address these issues. Such initiatives will hopefully lead to dedicated courses to strengthen the capacity of journalists and the freedom of the press to contribute to building a just and democratic state.
Hugo Fernandes is The Asia Foundation’s Unit Manager in Timor-Leste. He can be reached at hfernandes@asiafound.org .
http://asiafoundation.org/in-asia/2010/01/06/media-in-timor-leste-freedom-under-challenges/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+in-asia+%28In+Asia%29
etanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetan
Support ETAN in 2010! To make a contribution go to http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm Thank you for your support.
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
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