Some of you may have noticed a counter on the right side of this blog. I put it there recently out of pure vanity and as I am sure you all know it counts the number of ‘hits’ I get. What some of you may not know is that I can log in to my counter service and track the hits. They give me the ISP, the routing, the pages entered, where ‘hitter’ lives, including names and addresses of children, loved ones and full bank details and any stuff of a personal nature etc etc and a lot of things I cannot begin to understand. It also gives me a little graph that shows me how many ‘hits’ I get on individual days. As Mrs. Sod pointed out to me, I get the least amount on weekends! Now, is this because I post even more boring stuff on those days or is it because some of you, (and this I doubt because you are all obviously such upstanding and moral people) use your work computers and internet time to surf? Or has spider solitaire become hold hat now?
I only posted this blog because I liked the title.
From now on, no more self indulgence. Only East Timor relevant stuff will be posted. Promise.
Sunday, 1 April 2007
Friday, 30 March 2007
Election News
Sydney Morning Herald, March 30th 2007
At least 20 injured in E Timor clashes
At least 20 people were injured, two of them police officers, as gangs from rival political parties scuffled and threw rocks in East Timor, authorities said on Friday.
The violence broke on Thursday night in Viqueque district, about 220 kilometres from Dili, and is believed to be the first directly related to next month's East Timorese presidential elections.
At least 20 people were injured, two of them police officers, said Geraldo da Silva, of the emergency unit in Viqueque hospital.
The unrest broke out following a campaign rally by presidential candidate Jose Ramos Horta, said local police chief Gaspa da Costa.
His supporters brawled with youths aligned with Fretilin, the left-leaning political party of ousted Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, he said, though it was not clear what triggered the dispute.
East Timor, which became Asia's newest nation in 2002, descended into chaos one year ago after Alkatiri dismissed 600 soldiers, a move that split the armed forces into factions and later spilled over into gang warfare.
At least 37 people were killed and 150,000 others fled their homes.
The deployment of thousands of international troops helped curb the worst of the violence, and while there have been isolated incidents since then, Thursday's was the first since campaigning for April 9 presidential elections started last week.
The UN police force in the country said in a statement that Ramos Horta supporters were attacked, but did not say by whom. Fretilin spokesman Filomeno Aleixo said the party did not instigate the violence, and denied involvement.
"Whoever was involved in this incident should be brought to justice," he told The Associated Press.
East Timor voted to break free from 24 years of Indonesian rule in 1999.
The country was administered by the United Nations, and until last year's crisis, which led to the overthrow of the government, had been considered a major success in nation-building.
......
At least 20 injured in E Timor clashes
At least 20 people were injured, two of them police officers, as gangs from rival political parties scuffled and threw rocks in East Timor, authorities said on Friday.
The violence broke on Thursday night in Viqueque district, about 220 kilometres from Dili, and is believed to be the first directly related to next month's East Timorese presidential elections.
At least 20 people were injured, two of them police officers, said Geraldo da Silva, of the emergency unit in Viqueque hospital.
The unrest broke out following a campaign rally by presidential candidate Jose Ramos Horta, said local police chief Gaspa da Costa.
His supporters brawled with youths aligned with Fretilin, the left-leaning political party of ousted Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, he said, though it was not clear what triggered the dispute.
East Timor, which became Asia's newest nation in 2002, descended into chaos one year ago after Alkatiri dismissed 600 soldiers, a move that split the armed forces into factions and later spilled over into gang warfare.
At least 37 people were killed and 150,000 others fled their homes.
The deployment of thousands of international troops helped curb the worst of the violence, and while there have been isolated incidents since then, Thursday's was the first since campaigning for April 9 presidential elections started last week.
The UN police force in the country said in a statement that Ramos Horta supporters were attacked, but did not say by whom. Fretilin spokesman Filomeno Aleixo said the party did not instigate the violence, and denied involvement.
"Whoever was involved in this incident should be brought to justice," he told The Associated Press.
East Timor voted to break free from 24 years of Indonesian rule in 1999.
The country was administered by the United Nations, and until last year's crisis, which led to the overthrow of the government, had been considered a major success in nation-building.
......
Leassons Learned? Or Not?
First, go here: UN cheated in Timor vote, inquiry told.
Then read the following:
UNMIT Welcomes the Signing of the Code of Conduct for the 2007 Presidential ElectionsDili, March 16, 2007 - At a ceremony in Dili this afternoon, the head of the UN Integrated Mission in Timor Leste (UNMIT) said the signing of a Code of Conduct for the April 9 election will help to ensure that the elections are free, fair, transparent and peaceful.The Code of Conduct has been drafted by the national body responsible for running the elections, the Technical Secretariat for the Administration of Elections (STAE) and approved by the National Electoral Commission (CNE).The Code was signed by all eight presidential candidates in Dili.Special Representative to the Secretary General for Timor Leste Atul Khare signed the Code as a witness, along with the representatives of Organs of Sovereignty, the church and civil society.Mr Khare noted the importance of the Code of Conduct as a whole, as a clear commitment of all candidates to free and fair elections. He highlighted in particular the commitment by all candidates, their representatives and supporters to accept the results, or to challenge them only in competent courts; and to campaign positively through programmes of action not personal criticism of other candidates. He also drew attention to those clauses which encourage respect for the rights of other candidates and request candidates to refrain from exercising any illegitimate influence on voters. “Today’s signing signifies a formal acknowledgement of the guiding principles and rules that will help to ensure that the 2007 Presidential elections are free, fair, transparent and peaceful,” Mr Khare said.UNMIT is mandated through Security Council Resolution 1704 to “support Timor-Leste in all aspects of the 2007 presidential and parliamentary electoral process, including through technical and logistical support, electoral policy advice and verification or other means.”
For further information please contact UNMIT spokesperson Allison Cooper on +670 7230453
Then go here: Electoral Certification Team Report.
Then make up your own mind..............
Then read the following:
UNMIT Welcomes the Signing of the Code of Conduct for the 2007 Presidential ElectionsDili, March 16, 2007 - At a ceremony in Dili this afternoon, the head of the UN Integrated Mission in Timor Leste (UNMIT) said the signing of a Code of Conduct for the April 9 election will help to ensure that the elections are free, fair, transparent and peaceful.The Code of Conduct has been drafted by the national body responsible for running the elections, the Technical Secretariat for the Administration of Elections (STAE) and approved by the National Electoral Commission (CNE).The Code was signed by all eight presidential candidates in Dili.Special Representative to the Secretary General for Timor Leste Atul Khare signed the Code as a witness, along with the representatives of Organs of Sovereignty, the church and civil society.Mr Khare noted the importance of the Code of Conduct as a whole, as a clear commitment of all candidates to free and fair elections. He highlighted in particular the commitment by all candidates, their representatives and supporters to accept the results, or to challenge them only in competent courts; and to campaign positively through programmes of action not personal criticism of other candidates. He also drew attention to those clauses which encourage respect for the rights of other candidates and request candidates to refrain from exercising any illegitimate influence on voters. “Today’s signing signifies a formal acknowledgement of the guiding principles and rules that will help to ensure that the 2007 Presidential elections are free, fair, transparent and peaceful,” Mr Khare said.UNMIT is mandated through Security Council Resolution 1704 to “support Timor-Leste in all aspects of the 2007 presidential and parliamentary electoral process, including through technical and logistical support, electoral policy advice and verification or other means.”
For further information please contact UNMIT spokesperson Allison Cooper on +670 7230453
Then go here: Electoral Certification Team Report.
Then make up your own mind..............
Good News!
DILI (AFP) - Indonesia reopened its border with East Timor on Thursday because the fugitive rebel who caused its closure is no longer considered a threat, an official said.
"As of today our border is reopened," Indonesia's Ambassador to East Timor Ahmed Bey Sofwan said on Thursday, just over a month after the crossing, a key supply link, was shut.
Dili asked for the border to be closed to stop renegade soldier Major Alfredo Reinado and his armed supporters escaping into Indonesia.
But President Xanana Gusmao wrote to his Indonesian counterpart saying Reinado no longer posed a threat to East Timor or border security, Sofwan said.
Gusmao had accused the rebel, a persistent problem for troubled East Timor, of stealing weapons from police posts along the crossing.
Indonesian commander Lieutenant Colonel Hotma Hutahaean said his country had deployed 1,000 soldiers along the border to maintain security.
Its closure interrupted the movement of supplies into impoverished East Timor, which on April 9 holds its first presidential poll since achieving independence from Indonesia in 2002, after 24 years of occupation.
Brigadier Mal Rerden, the commander of the international force, said his troops were still committed to capturing the renegade but played down the danger he posed.
"Reinado no longer poses a significant threat. He is now reduced to small groups with very limited movement or support," Rerden said.
"Through his actions he has shown that he is not trustworthy and does not deserve support or assistance," the brigadier added, before calling on Reinado to surrender to the authorities.
Of course, this also means that the important land-link to Ocuessi is now open, which can only be good news.
"As of today our border is reopened," Indonesia's Ambassador to East Timor Ahmed Bey Sofwan said on Thursday, just over a month after the crossing, a key supply link, was shut.
Dili asked for the border to be closed to stop renegade soldier Major Alfredo Reinado and his armed supporters escaping into Indonesia.
But President Xanana Gusmao wrote to his Indonesian counterpart saying Reinado no longer posed a threat to East Timor or border security, Sofwan said.
Gusmao had accused the rebel, a persistent problem for troubled East Timor, of stealing weapons from police posts along the crossing.
Indonesian commander Lieutenant Colonel Hotma Hutahaean said his country had deployed 1,000 soldiers along the border to maintain security.
Its closure interrupted the movement of supplies into impoverished East Timor, which on April 9 holds its first presidential poll since achieving independence from Indonesia in 2002, after 24 years of occupation.
Brigadier Mal Rerden, the commander of the international force, said his troops were still committed to capturing the renegade but played down the danger he posed.
"Reinado no longer poses a significant threat. He is now reduced to small groups with very limited movement or support," Rerden said.
"Through his actions he has shown that he is not trustworthy and does not deserve support or assistance," the brigadier added, before calling on Reinado to surrender to the authorities.
Of course, this also means that the important land-link to Ocuessi is now open, which can only be good news.
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
Big Of Him.
E Timor militia leader ready to apologise
By Geoff Thompson
The jailed East Timorese militia commander, Eurico Guterres, says he is prepared to apologise for the violence of 1999, if East Timor guarantees it will accept his apology.
Guterres is currently serving a 10-year sentence for human rights abuses.
Supporters applauded often as Eurico Guterres spoke rapidly, passionately and continuously before another sitting of East Timor and Indonesia's Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF).
The CTF was warned by the former Aitarak militia commander to prepare for failure because he says human rights abuses in East Timor date back much further than 1999.
Eurico Guterres was embraced by the commission's chairman as he offered an open letter to Indonesia in which he apologised for tarnishing the nation's human rights image, suggesting sarcastically that perhaps he should have supported East Timor's secession and burned the Indonesian flag.
Well, that's alright then.......
By Geoff Thompson
The jailed East Timorese militia commander, Eurico Guterres, says he is prepared to apologise for the violence of 1999, if East Timor guarantees it will accept his apology.
Guterres is currently serving a 10-year sentence for human rights abuses.
Supporters applauded often as Eurico Guterres spoke rapidly, passionately and continuously before another sitting of East Timor and Indonesia's Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF).
The CTF was warned by the former Aitarak militia commander to prepare for failure because he says human rights abuses in East Timor date back much further than 1999.
Eurico Guterres was embraced by the commission's chairman as he offered an open letter to Indonesia in which he apologised for tarnishing the nation's human rights image, suggesting sarcastically that perhaps he should have supported East Timor's secession and burned the Indonesian flag.
Well, that's alright then.......
Ho Hum....
East Timorese political leaders call for restraint
By Karon Snowdon
There are renewed fears that violence will disrupt East Timor's elections.
Several attacks on individuals have political leaders calling for restraint.
Day five of East Timor's presidential election campaign brought reports of sporadic violence in what appears to be an outbreak of tensions between rival Fretilin party factions.
Victor da Costa, the leader of a breakaway reform faction, was punched by supporters of the main Fretilin party while campaigning for independent presidential candidate Jose Ramos Horta.
In a separate incident, a Fretilin rally was disrupted by more than 20 stone-throwing men associated with the militia-style rebel Rai Los, whose accusations against former prime minister and Fretilin secretary-general Mari Alkitiri led to Dr Alkitiri's resignation last year.
Don't bother leaving a comment. Not necessary......
By Karon Snowdon
There are renewed fears that violence will disrupt East Timor's elections.
Several attacks on individuals have political leaders calling for restraint.
Day five of East Timor's presidential election campaign brought reports of sporadic violence in what appears to be an outbreak of tensions between rival Fretilin party factions.
Victor da Costa, the leader of a breakaway reform faction, was punched by supporters of the main Fretilin party while campaigning for independent presidential candidate Jose Ramos Horta.
In a separate incident, a Fretilin rally was disrupted by more than 20 stone-throwing men associated with the militia-style rebel Rai Los, whose accusations against former prime minister and Fretilin secretary-general Mari Alkitiri led to Dr Alkitiri's resignation last year.
Don't bother leaving a comment. Not necessary......
Dili-gence
Someone needs to tell me about Dili-gence. Is he/she still alive? Still in country? Just taking a break? Blogged off? Bored with the whole thing? In Bali laughing at us? Or just got nothing to say recently?
I miss him/her her/him.
Let me know if you know. Discretion assured.
please leave a comment....
I miss him/her her/him.
Let me know if you know. Discretion assured.
please leave a comment....
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