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Pasifik Nius for 24 March 2001 East Timor UN On Timor UNTAET regulations provide for the freedom of speech and press as stipulated in the U.N. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. There are two independent newspapers in the territory, published in several languages, whose editorials freely criticize UNTAET, the CNRT, and other political entities. One of the newspapers was founded during the year. While insufficient financial resources and facilities have constrained the development of independent print and broadcast media, there are no political or legal impediments to new entries to the media market. In September a foreign reporter was arrested for "offending the dignity" of the CNRT president; he later was released (see Sections 1.d. and 1.e.). In Indonesia no one was held accountable for the September 1999 killing of Dutch journalist Sander Theones in Dili by assailants believed to have been members of the Indonesian Battalion 745. In September it was announced that the U.N. was investigating the October 1975 murders of five Australia-based journalists in East Timor (see Section 1.a.). UNTAET operates one television and one radio station. The Catholic Church operates one radio station, and there are several small community radio stations that were founded during the year. Although the telecommunications infrastructure largely is underdeveloped, there are no legal or administrative restrictions on Internet access. UNTAET respects academic freedom. The University of East Timor reopened in a new location in November after the university's previous facilities were destroyed in September 1999. New Guinea
PM'S APPEAL CALMS TROOPS PORT MORESBY Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta's passionate plea to Papua New Guinea soldiers through a letter yesterday appeared to have been just the tonic needed to calm down tempers in the rank and file, the National reports. "His letter to us is magic, it is working," said one military insider last night. "The letter from the Prime Minister came to us like an olive branch, it has touched many of us," said the soldier. He was referring to the following lines Sir Mekere wrote: "Gentlemen, together we have a duty to protect and preserve the integrity of our country, not only for the present generation, but also for our children and grandchildren. "I appeal to you as Papua New Guineans to help me in this enormous task. It is only together that we can face the many challenges we face with some degree of confidence and hope of success. "God be with you, and may He work through us to do what is right for our country," Sir Mekere said in conclusion. In the preceding lines, Sir Mekere apologised to the soldiers for any misunderstanding that he was to attend the gathering at the Murray Barracks rugby oval on Tuesday. He blamed radio broadcasts for the wrong information. The rest of the contents of his letter to the soldiers reads as follows: "I write to you to convey directly two very important Government decisions regarding the Defence Force and the current situation. "Cabinet at its meeting No. 11/2001 on Monday, 19 March confirmed the decision of the Prime Minister not to implement the recommendations of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group Report. "Cabinet at its special meeting No 11/2001 on Monday, 19 March confirmed that an unconditional amnesty has been granted to all soldiers who are affected or involved in the current situation. A copy of my press release of today's date on this subject confirms this. "I do apologise for any misunderstanding that I would attend the parade at Murray Barracks today. That misunderstanding was directly created by the National Broadcasting Corporation. The statements broadcast by NBC were not authorised by me or by my office. "I was never to attend. The Minister for Defence has the fully authority of my Cabinet and Government to meet you, negotiate and report back to me. "I feel that the Government has given you the most important assurances that you need for you to put this incident behind us by normalising the situation. "I look forward to meeting your leaders after Minister Genia has delivered to me your petition. My meeting with your leaders will provide an opportunity for you to raise any other issues or grievances that you may still have. If necessary, the Minister and I well then take those issues to Cabinet," said the Prime Minister in his letter to the troops. In another letter to the acting commander of the PNG Defence Force, Brigadier-General Carl Marlpo, Sir Mekere instructed him to uphold the Cabinet decisions, "observe them and relay them clearly and widely to officers and the rank and file of the Defence Force." "The Government has done its part. It is now up to you and your officers to do your part," Sir Mekere told Brig Gen Marlpo. For most part of yesterday, the commanding officers of each unit had separate meetings with their men and conveyed Sir Mekere's plea to the rank and file. Fiji USP Student Union Elections By Peter Emberson SUVA (Pasifik Nius): More than 1000 University of the South Pacific students braved the torrential rain in Suva today to cast their votes and elect Cook Islander Russell Thomas as new president. The 39-year-old management and public administration student immediately promised changes to end the friction that has marked campus life since Fiji's attempted coup last May 19. A student petition had urged USP's administration to organise elections as there had been no ballot last year with the outgoing USP Students Association president Veresi Bainivualiku stalling. USP's counselling centre's secretary Verbana Miller, who was one of the people who oversaw the electoral process and counted the votes, was impressed with the turn-out. "The turnout was very good. In fact it was better than last year. This year we did not have time to rest or have lunch," she said. Last year there were a little over 900 votes cast but this year there was more than 1000 in spite of the heavy rain, she said. Mrs Miller said she also noticed a change in the way students were voting this year. "It appears that the students were voting for people who would fight for their problems. Unlike years before when students used to vote strictly along racial lines," she said. Newly elected vice-president Akanisi Tarabe was jubilantly jumping outside the counting room tonight before returning officer Filimone Fifita announced the election results. "I am very very happy. It was something I have worked for and I know I can make a change," said an elated Mrs Tarabe. Mrs Tarabe said she hoped to enhance the student's ability to reach their potential. "Right now I think the resources on our campus is very limiting and my goal is to ensure that students can confidently say they can study here without any fears or intimidation." The next elctions will take place in September as stipulated in the constitution. T he results of the University of the South Pacific Student Associations 's elections are as follows;
President: Russell Thomas (Cook Islands)
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