SRSG Hasegawa: “People in districts need expanded communication networks ”

7 Jul 2008

SRSG Hasegawa: “People in districts need expanded communication networks ”

6 September 2006, DILI— The Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) for Timor Leste, Sukehiro Hasegawa today visited the eastern most district of Lautem where he solicited the views of local government officials and national police officers (PNTL) on the current situation in the country and how the United Nations could work together with the communities to assist them in maintaining a secure and stable environment and to alleviate the situation of the IDPs.

SRSG Hasegawa was accompanied by members of the diplomatic corps, including the Ambassador Margaret Twomey of Australia and diplomatic representatives from Japan, Portugal and the United Kingdom, and a UN team including the United Nations Police Commissioner (UNPOL), Chief of the Military Liaison Group, Advisor to the Minister of Interior and a member of the World Food Programme, all of whom participated in an interactive discussion on challenges facing local communities in Lautem.

District Administrator Olavio da Costa noted that food has become scarce due to the more than 10,000 IDPs that have arrived in Los Palos since the outbreak of the crisis. A recently established Humanitarian Commission will ensure an equitable distribution of food rations provided by the Government and WFP, the WFP officer said. Other challenges as a result of the overwhelming number of IDPs include lack of sanitation facilities, access to clean water and medicine shortages. To stimulate the local economy, participants suggested encouraging the selling of local produce and the launching of income-generating activities.

The Sub-District Administrator said another problem in the district is that there has been no access to TV, radio or newspapers and that information dissemination from Dili to the districts was inefficient. SRSG Hasegawa said: "The lack of objective information certainly prolongs the feeling of uncertainty amongst the population and will further restrain the return of IDPs to their respective communities." He called upon the Government to expand its communication network into the districts and assured that the UN will be ready to support.

UN Police Commissioner Antero Lopes briefed the district administration and the PNTL on UNPOL's plans for helping communities return to normalcy. "The UN police will play two major roles, first, ensuring security through the discharge of law and order duties, and second, help reconstitute and strengthen the capacity of PNTL," Lopes explained. He said that a comprehensive PNTL screening programme has been launched which will soon allow PNTL officers to join UN police in carrying out policing duties.

One of the suco chiefs said that the Simu Malu programme of the government has to go hand in hand with justice. "The international community is aware of, and will respond to, the demands for justice, and fair and equal treatment of everyone alleged of having committed a criminal act," SRSG Hasegawa told the meeting.

Later in the day, SRSG Hasegawa held a meeting with the local community at the old market in Los Palos town, which was attended by a large number of citizens Some of the key issues addressed included general security concerns, the recent prison outbreak, and the impact of the large number of IDPs on communities in the district. On the latter, a young boy remarked that some IDP children were refused access to the local schools due to limited capacities.

Before his return to Dili, SRSG Hasegawa and the delegation briefly visited the Salesian Orphanage and exchanged views with the priest and the sisters on how the international community could best assist.

In response to the concerns raised by the community, SRSG Hasegawa said "As Head of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste, I can assure you that the UN is fully committed to protect the Timorese people. However, we will be unable to do so without the cooperation and support of the Timorese citizens themselves."

For additional information, please contact:
Donna Cusumano, Chief, Public Information Office, UNOTIL; +670 723 0749