Independence struggle

Murdered Timor reporter disowned, documents show

Melbourne Age - September 21, 2002

Jill Jolliffe, Dili -- New Zealand's Labour Government is the latest to reveal the skeletons in its closet over Indonesia's 1975 East Timor invasion, but the Melbourne family of a Wellington-born cameraman killed there says it is not satisfied.

The 126-page release by Foreign Minister Phil Goff on September 6 reveals New Zealand covered up its knowledge in 1975 that Indonesian regular troops were invading East Timor.

As in Australia, a Labour government was in office in the key period, led by Bill Rowling. It lost power to the National Party under Robert Muldoon on December 12, 1975, five days after Indonesian paratroopers landed in Dili. A secret document from New Zealand's high commission in Australia to the foreign minister on October 17, 1975, stated: "The Indonesians have told the Australians of their plans for a full-scale invasion of East Timor, the initial stage of which -- the dispatch of 800 troops via Batugade, Balibo, Maliana and Atsabe -- was due to start on 15 October. Press reports are already revealing that this operation is under way." On October 23 Mr Rowling held a media conference. His advisers prepared a draft speech "for possible use should it become publicly known that Indonesia has moved units into Timor". To his relief, it was not revealed, so he was able to praise Jakarta, saying he was "impressed by the restraint the Indonesians had shown".

Greig Cunningham, a New Zealander whose brother Gary was killed with four others in the border attack, said he welcomed the disclosures but was angry about a document he had been shown last week, dated June 29, 1976, disowning responsibility for his brother.

"It is all well and good for Mr Goff to say what New Zealand has done to compensate for its silence but it has done nothing for its own citizen and his family," he said. The document came from a 1994 partial document release, of which his family had not been informed. It revealed that the Muldoon government did not wish to take up Mr Cunningham's death with the Indonesians, but to leave it to Australia.

The document stated: "There would seem to be no clear cut case against Indonesia for any specific violation of International Law and as such there is no presumption for us to press a case in conjunction with Australia. We can expect that to do so would harm our own relations with Indonesia. Mr Cunningham, while a New Zealand citizen, was an Australian resident, was employed by an Australian organisation, was a member of the Australian Journalists Association, and his closest relatives live in Australia".

"This document has made us very angry, to see how quickly the New Zealand Government was prepared to ditch any responsibility for Gary," Mr Cunningham said.

Transition & reconstruction

Gusmao asks world not to forget his nation

Melbourne Age - September 20, 2002

Ray Lilley, Wellington -- East Timor President Xanana Gusmao has called on the international community not to forget his tiny new nation, which became the 191st member of the United Nations in late May.

On his first official visit to New Zealand, Gusmao said countries like it could help ensure East Timor is "not forgotten" and that "our brothers in the international community don't leave us alone" as the former Indonesian territory rebuilds.

He also stressed the importance of reducing tensions along the border with Indonesia. "What we need, besides growing the economic capacity of our people, is stability. It is fundamental for us, stability," Gusmao told reporters at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Helen Clark.

After East Timor voted in August 1999 for independence from Jakarta, pro-Indonesian militias slaughtered hundreds and burnt down most of the capital, Dili.

Gusmao said that despite his country's "very, very poor conditions," many of its residents had told him his government should give top priority to education for their children.

Earlier, Gusmao received a full ceremonial welcome as a head of state. The ceremony marked the start of a four-day visit that included a formal state luncheon at Parliament in Wellington and talks with Prime Minister Clark. Clark said her government is keen to respond to the needs of the new East Timorese government.

New Zealand was focusing on eradicating poverty through basic programs of clean water supply, basic sanitation, basic education and development at village level, she said.

Speaking at the state luncheon, Gusmao thanked New Zealand for committing troops to peacekeeping efforts in East Timor and for helping train East Timorese in the task of running their nation.

The president leaves New Zealand on Saturday for the United States, where he is scheduled to make his country's first speech to the United Nations General Assembly on September 27 as the body's newest member.

He will also meet US President George W Bush on October 2 in Washington. Gusmao said when he meets Bush, he will "ask the United States to help us ... to eradicate poverty. By eradicating poverty we can participate in our region." From Washington, he flies to Portugal for a five-day official visit before returning to East Timor.

West Timor/refugees

East Timorese refugee camps to be closed by year's end

Jakarta Post - September 19, 2002

Jakarta -- The Indonesian government and international agencies have agreed that as of December 31 this year, all East Timorese refugee camps in West Timor will be shut down.

The government and international agencies would start a new phase of moving the remaining refugees to resettlement areas, East Nusa Tenggara Vice Governor Johanis Pake Pani said in the provincial capital Kupang on Wednesday as quoted by Antara.

Thousands of East Timorese took refuge in East Nusa Tenggara following the outbreak of violence in East Timor in reaction to the victory of the pro-independence camp in a UN-organized people's ballot in 1999.

East Timor formally became an independent state on May 20, 2002. Many of the refugees have in the meantime returned to East Timor but others, mainly linked to the former Indonesian occupiers, have chosen to stay in West Timor.

"We are now preparing to develop the resettlement areas and it is hoped this can be accomplished soon so that all the remaining East Timorese can move in," Pake Pani said.

He said several donor countries had expressed a readiness to help fund the resettlement project.

The development of the resettlement areas will be directly handled by the UNHCR while the regional administration will act as a facilitator, he said.

Timorese refugees urged to relocate

Jakarta Post - September 16, 2002

Jakarta -- Unsure about the outcome of reconciliation attempts by former pro-Indonesia fighters, leaders of East Timorese people in squalid camps in Belu, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), have started urging refugees to participate in transmigration programs to other parts of the country.

East Timorese leader Salustiano de Sousa said in Atambua, NTT, on Saturday that East Timorese refugees had to be realistic in assessing the situation in the newly-declared nation of East Timor.

"If reconciliation attempts by former prointegration fighters [PPI] hit a snag, the options left are either relocation or transmigration," Salustiono was quoted by Antara as saying. "Camp leaders are obliged to encourage refugees to join the transmigration program should they wish to stay in Indonesia," he added.

Former PPI commander Joao Tavarez has met several times with East Timorese leaders negotiating for reconciliation and safe passage for all former pro-Jakarta fighters wishing to return to East Timor. However, East Timorese leaders have given a cool response to Tavarez' request, insisting that human rights offenders be brought to justice before being pardoned.

As many as 250,000 East Timorese fled to Indonesia's West Timor in 1999 after pro-Jakarta militia members, angered by the result of a UN-organized referendum, went on a bloody rampage, killing dozens of proindependence supporters and destroying up to 80 percent of the infrastructure in the former Portuguese colony.

While most refugees have returned to East Timor, slightly over 30,000 East Timorese are still living in makeshift camps in West Timor, many suffering from malnutrition due to food shortages.

The government has stopped all repatriation programs for East Timorese refugees, and, according to Salustiono, has offered two options apart from repatriation: either resettlement or transmigration. The East Timorese are to lose their refugee status in December.

"Transmigration is the only option for refugees now after government-sponsored repatriation was stalled and resettlement sites are full," Salustiano said.

The NTT manpower and transmigration office has recorded some 1,475 people as being ready to migrate to Sumba in NTT and Central Kalimantan province.

Another East Timorese leader, Ansesco Sessas, said that he had been encouraging East Timorese refugees to sign up for transmigration. "Refugees in this camp have said that if reconciliation and repatriation of those accused of violating human rights in East Timor hits a snag, the last option will be transmigration," he said.

Ansesco expressed optimism that over time East Timorese committing themselves to transmigration programs would still return to East Timor, which declared its independence at midnight of May 19.

Blasius Joseph Manek, a senior community member in Belu, said he was convinced that East Timorese refugees opting for transmigration would be successful because they were hardworking. He said that the refugees should be made aware of the positive aspects of transmigration so that they could make an informed decision about it.

Meanwhile, the UN Children's Fund (Unicef) halted its operations in the district after the UN declared a level 5 alarm status on September 8 in the border area between the Indonesian province and East Timor.

"Some 2,000 children are likely to drop out of school as Unicef had already withdrawn its assistance, while their parents are too poor to send their children to school," said head of Belu district Marsellus Bere.

He said that while the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) guarded East Timor territory near the Indonesian border, Unicef had taken care of the children's educational needs by providing scholarships, books, uniforms and sports equipment.

Marsellus hoped that the UN would re-evaluate the security situation in NTT so that Unicef could support the children's education again.

'War on terrorism'

Australia reopens Dili embassy after threat

Reuters - September 16, 2002

Canberra -- Australia reopened its embassy in East Timor on Monday after it was closed following a threat against Australian interests in the fledgling nation but said travellers should remain on alert.

"The embassy opened on a restricted basis with a skeleton staff today," a spokeswoman for the foreign affairs department in Canberra said. She declined to comment on a threat received last week against Australian and UN interests in East Timor and would not say whether the threat had been resolved.

"Australians in East Timor are urged to maintain a high level of personal security awareness in light of the threat and to avoid public and religious gatherings," she said.

Australia's missions in Dili and Islamabad were closed last week and others in Singapore, Cambodia and Saudi Arabia operated on a restricted basis for several days as a precaution against possible violence a year after the September 11 attacks on the United States.

The government has refused to disclose any details of the threat, but Australians have been advised to defer any plans to travel to East Timor, a tiny nation north of Australia that was declared formally independent from Indonesia in May.

The result of a 1999 referendum on independence was overwhelmingly in favour, sparking a bloody backlash by pro- Jakarta militias and some elements of the Indonesian armed forces.

About 2,000 Australians in East Timor, including about 1,200 troops forming part of a 5,000-strong UN peacekeeping force, were advised to exercise extreme caution.

Human rights trials

Ad-hoc trial should ensure protection of rights

Jakarta Post - September 17, 2002

Munir, Jakarta -- The first round of the ad hoc Human Rights Tribunal on the East Timor case ended in anticlimax as the suspects of crimes against humanity were mostly acquitted from all charges. The verdict cast by the first human rights court conducted in this republic's history carries a danger that we may not have taken seriously. The verdicts provide justification for the notion that state violence against civilians is excusable, if not entirely legal. A number of other cases are pending: Will the verdict be largely the same: Acquittal?

On the day when the verdict was passed on the military and police officers an expression of really shallow nationalism was confirmed: Adulation of the state power and the state's territorial integrity at the expense of human security. The verdict has rendered irrelevant efforts to prevent and punish gross violations of human rights, which have been perpetrated in state operations under various pretexts.

This court verdict has led to the serious danger of endorsing actions by members of the state apparatus members in the name of "defenders of Indonesia's national integrity and unity, stability, and the authority of the state apparatus". Such an endorsement provides justification or a blank-check mandate for the members of the state apparatus to take any action, including that which ignores a person's safety and his right to life.

More than before, activists defending human rights in Indonesia face accusations of being unpatriotic or anti-nationalist, placing themselves in a difficult relationship laden with misunderstanding with other people.

What was perhaps most prominent in the trials was the judicial institutionalization of military impunity. This has to do with three related factors. First, the mandate of this judiciary was restricted only to a number of cases placed in such a way that they seem to be unrelated.

Second, the charges were not solidly built: The accusation was that the only "crime" perpetrated was the "neglect" of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police in preventing violent clashes in a "civil war".

Third, the verdict acquitting the defendants of all charges closes the possibility for them to be charged with a similar crime, namely crimes against humanity, even if in the future a clearer picture of the scorched-earth operation in post- referendum East Timor can be found.

Such a result leaves us in anxiety about the future of our judiciary, humanity and our integrity toward truth and justice. Things will be more complicated when we consider the judiciary as a mere political instrument.

International pressure for accountability for the serious crimes has led to a pattern of resistance, resulting in a court of justice alive with all its ironies. These ironies are extraordinary: A special court initially set up to honor citizens' human rights against the state's power has instead become a staunch defender of the state's absolute power. Court rooms have become increasingly void of efforts to place humanity as the backbone of the spirit to reveal facts.

It would indeed be an exaggeration to assume that short term needs will lead to a permanent state of antipathy of future human rights protection especially if gross crimes against humanity are treated as ordinary crimes.

Crimes against humanity are extraordinary crimes because they require the role of the state and its apparatus as the perpetrators, as implied by their three elements: The crimes are widespread, and/or systematic and are directed against the civilian population.

As crimes against humanity are different from ordinary crimes, if a defendant is acquitted by an ordinary criminal court, he can still be brought before a human rights court, thereby annulling the principle of nebis en idem, a prohibition against charging someone in a case for which a trial has been held on the same charges.

Furthermore, the judges in the previous cases on East Timor both opposed and abandoned the necessity to prove "state criminal responsibility" -- the obligation of the state to punish acts categorized as crimes committed under the norms of international laws. They also abandoned the need to push for individual accountability -- the obligation of a state apparatus to assume individual responsibility for its deeds which are categorized as crimes under international law.

This reality contradicts the general perception that this special court has made great progress by adopting in its considerations reference to international human rights law.

The judges also set aside the principle of crimes by omission, only seeing the crimes as a result of "neglect" by defendants. Crimes by omission are those intentionally committed under instruction, or a policy to allow the conduct of various crimes. The policy is at least a deliberate act of not preventing violence threatening human safety, either because of psychological factors in the relationship involving fellow pro- integration defenders or because one party became enraged, triggered by dishonesty brought about by an alleged international conspiracy against Indonesia.

Doesn't such a judicial practice insult the degree of this court's seriousness in handling serious crimes? If this ad hoc Human Rights Tribunal is not used to the maximum, isn't this a negation of all the efforts so far in legal reform?

Many more questions may be asked and all these are important in building an effective and accountable domestic remedy for gross violation of human rights, particularly in the struggle against military impunity.

The above factors regarding the judiciary have become a crucial point for some circles in the Indonesian community to push for an international mechanism regarding these crimes. Quite a number of similar serious crimes are due to be tried before the Human Rights Tribunal, which leads to a greater need to control the behavior of law enforcers.

This is clearly not only the responsibility of the Indonesian people but also of the international community. Crimes against humanity cannot be left unsettled beneath the shadow of narrow political interests.

[Munir is the Director of Indonesian Human Rights Watch (IMPARSIAL).]

Human rights/law

Australian police to charge militia leaders with mass murder

The Mercury - September 16, 2002 (abridged)

Keith Moor -- Victorian officers attached to the United Nations found the graves of 24 massacre victims and will this month start exhuming the bodies.

They have identified the senior militia members responsible for torturing and killing the pro-independence Timorese villagers.

The Herald Sun this month visited East Timor and spoke to Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police members seconded to the UN peacekeeping force there.

Det Sen-Sgt Neale Fursdon, normally based in Wangaratta, is leading the investigation into the massacre of 24 independence supporters in Viqueque, 180km south-east of Dili.

Det Sen-Sgt Fursdon has tracked down witnesses who saw many of the men being tortured and hacked to death with machetes. He has evidence strongly suggesting the killers were supported by Indonesian army chiefs.

Det Sen-Sgt Fursdon is preparing a brief of evidence and arrest warrants that UN prosecutors are confident will lead to several militia leaders being convicted of crimes against humanity in East Timor.

UN prosecutor Siri Frigaard believes cases against militia members tried in East Timor are more likely to succeed than the war crimes prosecutions now taking place in Indonesia.

Another crimes-against-humanity case prepared by Australian police and heard in East Timor resulted in those charged being jailed for 33 years in December last year.

This compares with the latest result in a special Indonesian human rights court set up in Jakarta to hear East Timorese war- crimes cases, which last month saw six Indonesian officers acquitted. Five of those officers were accused of involvement in the Suai church massacre of up to 200 people.

Outrage followed the acquittals, with UN human rights chief Mary Robinson condemning them and East Timorese Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri labelling the Indonesian court a farce.

The Viqueque murders being investigated by Det Sen-Sgt Fursdon are among thousands carried out by Indonesian security forces and anti-independence militias in the carnage after the 1999 vote to end 24 years of Indonesian rule in East Timor.

The UN's serious crimes unit, of which Det Sen-Sgt Fursdon is a member, is investigating the 10 worst massacres.

Mrs Frigaard told the Herald Sun the unit's ultimate goal was to charge senior military figures with the murders, tortures, rapes and other atrocities committed before and after the independence vote in August 1999.

"But we have to be realistic. They are in Indonesia and we are unlikely to be able to get them back to East Timor to be prosecuted," she said.

"But by establishing strong cases against those lower in the hierarchy, and getting convictions, we establish precedence. And if enough international pressure is brought to bear, based on the evidence we gather, then it may be possible one day to charge those at the top."

Mrs Frigaard said the judiciary in East Timor had already demonstrated a willingness to hand out severe sentences for crimes against humanity.

News & issues

East Timor faces crime gang threat

Herald Sun - September 17, 2002

Keith Moor -- East Timor is in danger of being infiltrated by crime gangs intent on using it as a stepping stone to Australia.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty said his force was working with the East Timorese Government to lessen the risks.

He said the recent arrival of people smugglers and boat people in East Timor -- plus last week's September 11 threats to Australian interests in East Timor -- highlighted the need for constant vigilance in the region.

"And we will be vigilant so East Timor gets the chance to grow and prosper," Mr Keelty said. "The people-smuggling issue, and the more-recent security threat surrounding the anniversary of September 11, really establish grounds for quite legitimate concerns about organised crime issues in East Timor.

"That is one of the reasons why we have this month established a permanent AFP liaison office in East Timor."

The Australian embassy in Dili was last week closed after information was received that identified potential Australian and UN targets for terrorist activity during September 11 anniversary commemorations.

Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer said he was very concerned about the threats in East Timor.

East Timorese Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta told the Herald Sun he was aware his country was at risk of criminal exploitation. "There is this possibility because of the vulnerability of East Timor," he said.

Mr Ramos-Horta said he had discussed the issue with Australian authorities and had asked for help to counter the organised crime threat.

The Herald Sun this month visited East Timor and interviewed police, United Nations officials and politicians about crime trends in the region.

It travelled around East Timor with Mr Keelty, Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Noel Perry, South Australia Police Commissioner Mal Hyde and Northern Territory Police Assistant Commissioner Doug Smith.

The Herald Sun yesterday revealed Australian police attached to the UN peacekeeping force expect to charge Indonesian-backed militia leaders with mass murder in East Timor.

In an interview with the Herald Sun in Dili, Nobel Peace Prize winner Jose Ramos-Horta revealed plans for East Timor to become a free trade zone and tax haven.

He conceded this would make his country even more of a target for organised crime groups. "There are no concrete details yet, but we are looking into creating special economic zones," Mr Ramos- Horta said. "We would offer a tax rebate to investors and free- trade facilities and so on."

He was aware organised crime gangs traditionally used such places to launder money. "We would work with international police to ensure the free-trade zone does not become a free-trade crime area," Mr Ramos-Horta said.

Mr Keelty and Mr Ramos-Horta confirmed AFP agents were working with the East Timorese Government to minimise the risk of transnational crime syndicates establishing themselves in the poverty-stricken country.

"Any developing country is at risk of exploitation by international organised crime groups," Mr Keelty said. "Such syndicates are about maximising their capacity for crime. They take advantage of a developing criminal justice system, of slower response from law enforcement. So places like East Timor, just as in Bosnia and Afghanistan, are being looked at by transnational crime groups eager to take advantage of the confusion there."

Mr Keelty said one tactic adopted by such crime groups was to establish legitimate businesses, such as restaurants, in emerging nations and later use those businesses as fronts for illegal activity.

"It is particularly attractive to do this while there is still United Nations money circulating in the local economy in East Timor," he said. "We are working with authorities in East Timor to help identify any of these questionable characters."

Mr Ramos-Horta said he had discussed getting help to establish better air and sea-surveillance capabilities to deter drug and people smugglers. He said the possibility of organised crime groups focusing on East Timor was obviously a concern.

"Because of this possibility we must take preventative measures by providing more support to our police force and maritime and air surveillance," Mr Ramos-Horta said. "We have very little, almost nothing, in terms of maritime surveillance. We have had some very exploratory talks with Australia. The two sides seem to agree there has to be some areas of cooperation on maritime surveillance between East Timor and Australia and also between East Timor and Indonesia."

A Sri Lankan fishing vessel with 56 illegal boat people on board recently made it into Dili harbour before being detected. Free- trade zones are an option being explored by East Timor as it develops.

But Mr Keelty warned there are pitfalls in them and said the AFP would be offering the East Timorese Government advice on avoiding those pitfalls.

"Our experiences, our intelligence, about free-trade zones in other parts of the world is that they can become money-laundering centres," he said. "Particularly money laundering tied up with tobacco."

"The sale of tobacco in free trade zones is recognised as a way of laundering money from drug production. So you come in with the cash and buy the tobacco and you then on-sell the tobacco and you have basically laundered your money. That's been our experience with the South American drug cartels, which are tied up with cocaine."

Mr Keelty said he fully understood why East Timor would want to establish a free-trade zone and become a tax haven. "It is a way of East Timor actually developing its own economy," he said.

Health & education

Health infrastructure rebuilt from ashes

Jakarta Post - September 16, 2002

Jakarta -- The new government in East Timor would try to heal the psychological trauma suffered by many of its people in the 1999 violence when Indonesia withdrew from the territory, the country's health minister said.

"The result of that violence was devastating," Rui Maria de Araujo said in an interview on the sidelines of the WHO Southeast Asia Region meeting in Jakarta this week, where East Timor attended as an observer.

"Many people were affected and we have found a significant number of cases that need attention, with the most common symptom being psychosis," said 38-year-old Araujo, who finished his MPH degree in New Zealand in 2001 and became East Timor health minister in May 2002.

With funding from the Australian aid agency (AUSAID), Rui's office developed a national mental health program that also deals with post-traumatic stress disorder. Most of the activities are currently being carried out in the capital, Dili, but are being expanded to the district level and involving East Timorese nurses.

"I was not personally affected, I did not witness the violence first hand because I was away at the time studying in New Zealand, but two months after the violence I returned home to find my house burned down, my clinic burned down, all my books and equipment stolen," he said. Violence prevailed in East Timor after a UN-sponsored ballot resulted in an overwhelming vote for independence three years ago.

Araujo, who went to the Sultan Agung University Medical School in Semarang and finished it at the Udayana University in Denpasar, said with Indonesia's withdrawal, 75 percent of the infrastructure was destroyed, almost all medical equipment was stolen and 60 percent of health-related human resources, including doctors, fled East Timor. "This is where we have to start [building our health development]," he said.

East Timor's population currently stands at 800,000 with infant and maternal mortality rates of 140 and 80 per 10,000 live births respectively, much higher than Indonesia's rates of 51 and 41 per 10,000 live births.

Communicable diseases are the main cause of mortality, with TB, malaria and diarrhea topping the list. The number of malnourished people remains as high as it was during the Indonesian administration, according to Araujo.

East Timor has to cope with the limited human resources as well, as there are only 35 doctors in the country, comprising GPs and specialists. "We are expecting up to 30 new doctors to be graduating from Indonesian universities in the coming 5 years," Araujo said.

The country is spending approximately US$9 per capita per year for recurrent costs, while the US$25.3 million fund allocated by the Trust Fund for East Timor for 2000-2004 pays for capital investment for health, including the rebuilding of hospitals and the purchase of equipment.

International relations

Timor angry at embassy

Australian Financial Review - September 18, 2002

Geoffrey Barker -- East Timorese President Xanana Gusmao yesterday criticised the heavily armed Australian army presence in front of the Australian embassy in Dili and demanded that Australia co-ordinate this with the East Timor Government.

Mr Gusmao's criticism was published as the main front-page article in the Timor Post newspaper.

Reacting to post-September 11 security threats, Australia has reduced its Dili embassy staff to a skeleton staff of three. Huge metal shipping containers have been placed each side of an army vehicle at the embassy entrance. A camouflage tarpaulin apparently covers a gun mounted on top of the vehicle. Access has been further restricted by the use of large street dividers. Four Australian soldiers in full battle gear, armed with Steyr rifles, are positioned in front of the embassy.

Calls to the embassy yesterday were answered with a recorded message saying it was closed until further notice.

Consular calls are directed to a Canberra telephone number. The Australian Ambassador, Paul Foley, could not be reached, but it is understood he was due to address a meeting tonight on future security precautions at the embassy.

In the article, Mr Gusmao said the embassy had not attended East Timor government security briefings and had broken protocols by putting heavily armed soldiers in front of the embassy building.

People

Jose Ramos-Horta: A reluctant politician

New Zealand Herald - September 15, 2002

Audrey Young -- Jose Ramos-Horta, East Timor's Foreign Minister, is everything his country is not: highly educated, sophisticated and stylish.

For 25 years he roamed the globe as an international spokesman for East Timorese independence, acquiring degrees, a doctorate and a Nobel Peace Prize on the way.

He has made countless speeches in the name of justice for East Timor.

This week was his first visit to New Zealand as Foreign Minister, but he protests that he is a reluctant politician.

"I am still ambivalent about it. I do not like being in Government.

"I am very independent-minded. I'm very private. I prefer to be able to do what I want, to say what I want, to wake up when I want, to go to work when I want," he says the morning after a private dinner at a Wellington restaurant hosted by New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff. It almost sounds as though he might have preferred a night out with Winston Peters.

The time for theory has passed. Ramos-Horta and his colleagues in Government face the reality of maintaining a decent water and power supply, and establishing a halfway functioning justice system.

New Zealand is one of dozens of countries helping East Timor on the road to nationhood. Our contribution has been across broad areas including the military, education, police, customs and prisons.

Despite the gratitude, it has emerged that New Zealand's efforts were not trouble-free, especially when it came to prisons.

To put it simply, the Timorese thought New Zealand was too soft on prisoners.

The Corrections Department helped to set up three prisons, which involved 40 Corrections staff, the last of whom withdrew in May. Almost immediately there was the philosophical clash you might expect when you put a First World prison in a Third World environment.

The primary objector was Ana Pessoa, the Minister for Justice and Ramos-Horta's former wife. She wanted less modern-style rehabilitation and more punishment.

When she ordered that toilet paper and soap be removed, leaving it to the prisoners' families to supply them, there was a riot. Ramos-Horta is diplomatic: "Certainly we have some different views in the country itself on what philosophy, what system, to adopt.

"We are debating if this society should feed and pay for the accommodation for criminals who spend the whole day either sitting around or playing cards or watching television and have three meals a day when people outside the prison walls maybe don't have three meals a day, don't have a television."

After the Corrections Department completed its mission, the East Timorese took over, with apparent limited success.

A couple of weeks ago there was a mass breakout at Becora Prison in Dili. More than half the prisoners, over 100, escaped. Only 30 or 40 are still at large, says Ramos-Horta. But he clearly has some sympathy for the hardliners, having made a surprise visit to Becora while the New Zealanders were still running the show.

"I was surprised with the conditions in the prison. Very clean. I arrived around mealtime and I was shocked with the quality of the food served to the prisoners.

"People outside the prison walls were complaining. Some of my people say we should send the prisoners to the south coast for hard labour, to work in the agriculture sector."

Independence for East Timor was formally ushered in on May 20 before an array of international guests, including Bill Clinton, Kofi Annan and Megawati Sukarnoputri, each welcomed on to the stage like an old friend by Ramos-Horta, switching effortlessly between several languages. Ramos-Horta speaks Portuguese, plus English, French, Spanish and the most commonly spoken East Timorese language, Tetum.

East Timor is now a hotbed of competing influences, not least among them the former colonial ruler, Portugal.

Under the new constitution, the Government controversially reverted to Portuguese as an official language -- along with Tetum -- replacing Indonesian.

It is reported that only 17 per cent of the population speak Portuguese, 63 per cent Indonesian and 91 per cent Tetum.

It has led to problems in court hearings, for example, where three translations are sometimes necessary -- for those who are lucky enough to get a court hearing.

"Our courts do not function," Ramos-Horta told the Herald. "They do not function because we do not have trained judges, prosecutors, public defenders in sufficient numbers. The courts are totally clogged with unresolved cases so it means the prison system is totally clogged with people ... awaiting trial; when maybe someone has stolen a chicken, stolen a bicycle and is there for a year in prison."

Ramos-Horta has been to New Zealand half a dozen times, his first visit being in July 1975, five months before the Indonesian invasion of the former Portuguese colony.

He remembers being greeted by long-haired activists who have become friends.

These days it is limousines to befit a visiting dignitary, but his new status has had no effect on his 5 o'clock shadow, which is well established by 10am.

His mandarin jacket is adorned with two badges -- one to signify independence, and the other a miniature of the grand cross of the Order of Freedom presented to him by the President of Portugal.

He is the son of campaigners -- a Timorese mother and a Portuguese father who was exiled to East Timor by Portugal's Salazar dictatorship.

Four of his 11 brothers and sisters were killed by Indonesian forces.

During his visit, Ramos-Horta raised the possibility with Goff of extending help from New Zealand in tourism, the environment and re-afforestation.

"The bubble economy that has been generated with the massive presence of the United Nations is bursting.

"We have severe unemployment and we have to look at creative ways to generate employment for the short term," says Ramos-Horta.

He does not see the millions due from royalties within three years from the Timor Sea oil and gas as a silver bullet.

"We are very conscious that the oil can be a blessing, but it can also be a curse in the sense that if we have it too easy -- with oil and gas money -- we can lose the incentive to work hard in the other sectors of our economy.

"We are going to continue to focus on supporting our agriculture sector, fisheries, tourism, developing small industries."

Ramos-Horta is effusive about New Zealand's contribution, its style as much as its substance, which he puts down to having "no ulterior motive".

"I think New Zealand's contribution in East Timor has been remarkable."

Asked what he meant about "ulterior motive", he says: "Does New Zealand have any neo-colonial imperial ambitions anywhere? It is a totally 'innocent' country that no one looks at with suspicion because of its size, because of the way it conducts itself in its relations with others.

"When New Zealand wants to help East Timor, no one questions New Zealand's motives."

East Timor press reviews

East Timor Press Review

UNMISET - September 13, 2002

Suara Timor Lorosae's front page reported on the meeting between Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri and President Xanana Gusmco. The meeting was followed by a press conference held by PM's chief of staff, Josi Guterres and President C.O.S. Agio Pereira. Mr. Pereira informed that the President and Prime Minister discussed the 2 commissions established last week which are awaiting nominations of 2 candidates from the government, NGO Forum and FDTL to carry on this project. Each commission will look into the issue of veterans of the resistance and the other on Falintil veterans. Another issued discussed was the Becora prisoners. Both heads of state acknowledge that ways must be found to lower the number of prisoners in that jail. Most of the prisoners have only committed minor crimes, added C.O.S, Agio Pereira. Mr Pereira said that the President informed PM on his meeting with CAVR, and PM's support in the magistrate institute. He also added that PM Alkatiri will look into the training for the national judicial system which will be reinforced by signing a protocol with Portugal in this area.

ETPS Commissioner, Paul Fatima Martins reported that 4-truck loads of sandalwood from Baucau district was detained by Police officers in Manatuto and 20 in Dili last Monday.

FDTL logistic assistant Lieutenant Colonel, Filomeno Paixco said close cooperation between the neighbouring countries (Australia and Indonesia) is very important to maintain security stability in East Timor. A plan has been established by several government departments including the defense and foreign affairs departments to develop a good cooperation with Indonesia.

It is reported that Dili District Tribunal yesterday sentenced a former militia commander who has been accused of raping a woman following the referendum election in 1999 to four years' imprisonment.

Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri stated that the issue over the Impunity for United State military personnel is still being discussed.

Timor Judges Association has announced that the judges will go on strike if the Border Control case is not being processed through the court.

Timor Post front page again reported on the tight security enforced by the Australian PeaceKeeping Force in its Embassy. Security will be tight until the 20 September.

It is reported that about 24 Sri Lankans were deported to their country yesterday. Meanwhile the remaining 32 refugees are waiting for their cases to be process because they do not have any form of identification. A spokesperson for the refugees, Anjantha Mara Shingae said, "we are happy with the help of IOM and UNHCR during our stay in East Timor. They made us feel like our own home."

It is reported that Indonesia has been coordinating with CISPE to pay the pension for another group of 430 former Indonesia public servants, said the charge de affairs of Indonesia office in East Timor Khalief Akbar

The Central Department of Water Supply in Maliana district stated that 3 more water irrigation project will be established by a Chinese company in that district. The cost is estimated around US$500,000.

September 16, 2002

Suara Timor Lorosae's front page reported on various comments on the new head of Human Rights Commissioner, Sergio Vieira de Mello who replaced Mary Robinson last Thursday. In the same article MP Eusebio Guterres said that it is impossible to establish an International Tribunal in East Timor because during three years under Sergio de Mello leadership he should know what the Timorese people want from the United Nations after September 1999 violence.

STL reported that Datuk Mustafa Abdullah, the Deputy-Director for Management Training of Malaysian Police Force, visited east Timor between the 12-13 of September. During the visit he met with ETPS Commissioner, Paulo Fatima Martins to discuss about the duties of Malaysian Civil Police currently servicing in East Timor. Both also discussed various ways in which Malaysia can provide further assistance to East Timor, the embassy representative, Mohamad Rameez Yahaya, informed the media.

Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Armindo Maia stated that East Timor is still using Indonesia's Educational System because up until now the country does not have its' own system of education. Mr. Maia added that 50 Brazilian teachers are coming to East Timor to provide training for the Timorese to further develop the education system.

It is reported that Falintil-FDTL captain Domingos da Camara also known as "Amico", has returned to Lospalos military headquarters on the request of President Gusmco. Captain Amico said, " I am resuming my duties on the request of the President as head of the nation and as the supreme commander." The Defense Secretary, Roque Rodrigues and Brigadier General, Taur Matan Ruak had earlier approved Captain Amico letter of resignation.

There are rumors that the closure of Australian embassy and the increase of security in Timor is due to threats made by a group connected to the Al-Qaeda who have managed to get into the country.

A man who was detained in Hera last Wednesday night by police claimed that his wife was physically abused by the officers when she demanded to know why her husband had been arrested. Until now, Lorengo Lemos, does not know the reason for his arrest, said public defender, Fernando Carvalho. Lawyers have claimed that they will not go on strike because of the border control case. It is reported the lawyers are still following the daily schedule regardless of who turns up to work, reported STL.

Timor Post front page reported that Australian Embassy has not yet resumed its services due to threats.

MP Rui Menezes, said the head of Dili power station must address the assembly on the constant electricity cuts in Dili. Mr. Menezes said many MP's have raised this issue but there has not been an explanation from the electricity department. He said the government must look into this issue and maybe decide on an investor to take charge of this area.

The government already announced that 28 September and 26 October is the National Immunization Campaign Day against Polio. President Xanana Gusmco has asked all parents to take their children to the nearest immunization centers to receive their immunization. In the same article the Department of Health said that President Xanana Gusmco would deliver a message on those days.

Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Jorge Teme explained that the government plans to destroy the boat that the Sri Lankan refugees used as it is no longer sea-worthy.

Secretary of Stated for Public Works and Solidarity, Arsenio Bano, stated that East Timorese are seeking jobs overseas on their own accord. In a separate article PST Secretary-General, Avelino Coelho said the government must be responsible for this matter. He said that as a new nation the government should stop these people from looking for jobs overseas.

TP reported that Habitat of Humanity, a US NGO has already rebuilt around 60 houses for Liquiga and Aileu districts residents.

September 19, 2002

Parliament President, Francisco Guterres announced that UNDP would provide technical equipment like electricity, phone and Internet connection to the Parliament building. Mr. Guterres made this announcement yesterday after meeting with UNDP's resident representative. He said that in order to better perform their duties a seminar and a workshop will be put together by UNDP on capacity building. "UNDP is willing to provide support for the next three years," said Francisco Guterres as reported by Suara Timor Lorosae.

Foreign Affairs Vice-Minister, Jorge Teme stated that his department is not aware of terrorists in East Timor. Mr. Teme said when terrorists are mentioned people automatically connect them to Al-Qaeda group. He said that terrorists could belong to other groups not necessarily to Al-Qaeda.

In a separate article MP Jacob Fernandes (FRETILIN) rejected the rumors that there are terrorists present in the country.

STL reported that Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Josi Ramos-Horta met his Indonesia counterpart, Hassan Wirayuda in New York yesterday and exchanged views about the Jakarta Ad'hoc tribunal.

Dili District Tribunal yesterday sentenced a man to 3 years imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 6-year old girl in Same.

Secretary of State for Tourism, Environment and Investment, Jose Teixeira informed that the bill on investment would be presented at the next council of ministers meeting scheduled for 30 September. Mr. Teixeira hopes that the bill will be passed by March next year to encourage investments in this country.

STL reported that ETPS officers are getting tough on mini bus drivers and passengers. It says police officers are yelling at bus drivers who are over-loaded with passengers and demanded that all passengers be seated.

Timor Post front page carries a story headlined Villarosa: "We are not scared of terrorist threats". It says the United States Charge de Affairs in East Timor, Shari Villarosa stressed that the threats to the Americans and the Australians has not scared them and the American people are prepared to face the terrorists. Ms. Villarosa said despite these threats the US embassy continues to recruit more people to be part of the embassy.

PM's spokesperson told journalists that PM Mari Alkatiri is schedule to meet with Singapore's Prime Minister, Goh Chok Tong and Minister Lee Khuan Yew today. Finance Minister, Maria Madalena Boavida Brites, Foreign Affairs Vice-Minister, and Josi Teme are part of PM's delegation.

The Director of Foreign Affairs department, Olimpio Branco said East Timor government at the moment can only afford to establish a few embassies due to financial difficulties. Mr. Branco added that these embassies would also employ certain number of people. He noted Vice-Foreign Minister, Josi Luis Guterres is the only one working in New York but hopefully in the next 3 to 4 months he will be joined by another diplomat nominated by the government.

Commission 4 of the National Parliament invited church representatives to discuss the Timorese citizenship's rights. TP reported that although the government had already decreed law on illegal gambling, police officers are finding it difficult to detect it because gamblers are practicing it underground.

East Timor athletes are scheduled to depart to Busan, South Korea on 26 September to participate in the Asian Games. They will return on 16 October. Three Timorese will participate in the paralympics games.

It is reported that a pilgrimage will be held this Saturday and Sunday to Mount Ramelau organized by former Salesian students. Bishop Basilio will celebrate Sunday mass, which is schedule for 9am.

[Drafted by UNMISET Spokesperson's Office]