Timorese Pilots graduated from PhilSCA

5 Timorese pilot - newly graduated from the Philippine State COllege of Aeronautics. Photo: Camoes Hornay

The newly graduated Pilots with Timorese students in the Philippines. Photo: Camoes Hornay

Two of the five newly graduated pilots. Photo: Camoes Hornay

On CPD-RDTL issue

Photo: www.simonroughneen.com

Notes from the Blogger

Congratulations to the PNTL, and the Government specifically, on bringing back the CPD-RDTL members from Welaluhu rice field. The Police deserves a round of applause for dismantling the Resistance group's base without taking lives as many would have expected. It is probably the first success story of the 10 years old Institution and second after the Joint Operation with F-FDTL in 2008 that forced the petitioners surrendered unconditionally. 

If it were a dirty task, the Police handled it well. it is time for the government to do well the clean task which is to develop the agriculture and transform Timor Leste to be a food sustainable country. But i doubt there would be any miracle soon in the agriculture ministry. The CPD-RDTL had indeed made an important point that they deserve a credit for. 

During the last 10 years, the governments have failed to provide a sustainable agriculture that guarantee basic food for the country. Despite high state budget for the agriculture and fishery ministry in the IV constitutional government, food security are still unattainable as the farmers regularly hit by seasonal hunger and the country continuously importing rice from Vietnam. Where, then, have all of the money  been spent? it was said the money was spent on tractors, building irrigation, providing seeds and training farmers but the results are yet unseen. if it were not a stupid policy, it was an inefficient plan as CPD people have shown they still could run the rice field without tractors and government support seeds. 

It was, nonetheless a good news that there were no incident of killing or death because the story could have been different. Poor people might continuously become object to the government's resolutions the police power but watch out. Unless the government clean their inefficiencies and corrupt practices, the poor will still stand up one day for a just cause. The government has to stop its political rhetorics and show more results; it has to move on from politics to economy.

Hence, the CPD-RDTL issue is a reflection point for the government. 

Viva Povu RDTL

PNTL burns down CPD-RDTL's barracks in Welaluhu

*Suara Timor-Lorosa'e March 19, 2013 language source: Tetun

Coordinator of the CPD-RDTL [Timorese Resistance Organization] Mario dos
Reis said they would continue doing their cooperative activities in Welaluhu
despite facing unfair treatment from the Timorese National Police (PNTL).

"We have commission to monitor PNTL's activities, but they did not state
what Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao mentioned not to use violence or destroy
CPD-RDTL's activities but in fact they destroyed 18 hectares of their rice
field," he said.

Reis said they would not leave Welaluhu as some members of CPD-RDTL were
being detained in the Covalima Police station.

Police return CPD-RDTL members to their districts

Aitahan Matak

CPD-RDTL

*Radio Televizaun Timor-Leste, March 19, 2013 language source: Tetun

The Timorese National Police have returned CPD-RDTL [Timorese Resistance
Organization] members to their respective district.

Some of CPD-RDTL members refused to return, but the police approached them
to leave the place and were provided with humanitarian aid and medical
assistance.

There are more than 800 of CPD-RDTL members based in Welaluhu for about four
months, doing cooperative activities. Their rice and corn fields have been
handed over to local authorities to take care of them.

Police Commander, Afonso dos Santos said the police return members of
CPD-RDTL based on the Resolution of the Government without violence. 
   

Akara: Setting criteria before inviting investors

Photo: e-bay

*Timor Post, March 12, 2013 Language source: Tetun

Non-Governmental Organization (ONG), Luta Hamutuk agrees with President of the Republic's initiative to invite international investors to invest in Timor-Leste, but the Government should set criteria first to regulate them

"I think President of the Republic has strong reason to invite investors to invest in the country to reduce unemployment, but we are concerned about the criteria and hope the Government can establish criteria to define international investors in order to avoid problems that might happen afterward," Director for Luta Hamutuk, Mericio Akara told Timor Post on Monday 11.

Mericio Akara made the comments in regard to President of the Republic, Taur Matan Ruak's initiative to invite investors to invest in the country.

Japan is a strong Timor-Leste supporter - Ambassador Hanada

*Independente March 12, 2013

The Japanese Government has strong commitment to continue supporting Timor-Leste to develop its institutions of defense forces and police, the Japanese ambassador to Timor-Leste Yoshitaka Hanadasai.

Japan has been the one of the important donors for Timor-Leste since independence, the first donor meeting for Timor-Leste's development was held in Tokyo by the international community after referendum in 1999.

Japanese Government also sent 300 soldiers to join the UN mission to Timor-Leste in 2002-2004. Since 2002-2010, japan has contributed US$200 million to help Timor-Leste.

In 2011, Timorese Government decided to borrow money from Japan to develop its infrastructure, Mr. Hanada said that his Government's support was focusing on the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, including training for police and defense force member.