Dili, 5 June 2000
The new Civilian Police commissioner, José Luís da Costa e Sousa, arrived this morning in Dili. He will take up his position on Wednesday. Superintendent Costa e Sousa, 52 years old, is currently the chief security officer of the President of Portugal. He has nine years of experience in the United Nations Civilian Police and is a veteran of three UN missions in the former Yugoslavia.
The superintendent has been working as a regional commander in Portugal and was the director of studies in the Portuguese Police School from 1982 to 1991.
FIRST CRIMINAL HEARING IN OECUSSI
The first criminal hearing has been carried out in Oecussi. The hearing, of a man suspected of serious assault, was carried out on the UNTAET premises on 31 May. The suspect was released on 1 June pending trial. He has to report to CivPol weekly.
In other events in Oecussi, a team from the judiciary has met with the District Administrator to discuss the practicalities of getting three judicial officials permanently established in the enclave.
The Oecussi Prosecutor, Investigating Judge and Public Defender also discussed how to get the District Court in Oecussi up and running.
The prosecution team met with CivPol and examined all cases in hand to identify which of these the Prosecutor should seek further investigation by CivPol.
The Oecussi Court also received furniture over the weekend.
STRANDED FISHERMEN TO RETURN HOME
Seven stranded Indonesian fishermen, who have been in East Timor since 6 May, will be returning home early tomorrow morning.
They will be airlifted by a Caribou transport plane at 6:00 am to the Indonesian Island of Buton, accompanied by the Indonesian attaché in Dili, Mr. Mulyadi.
Airspace clearance has already been obtained from the Indonesian Air Force and UNTAET finalized the air movement of personnel forms (MOPs) this morning.
The seven are currently in the Pertamina compound in Dili.
The seven Indonesian fishermen were found on 6 May in East Timorese waters in Lautem, Los Palos. Their boat was abandoned in Los Palos’ Tutuala area, when the seven were detained and brought to Dili where they were held in Becora jail for illegal entry into the country.
Their abandoned fishing boat is not seaworthy. No decision has been made yet on whether to repair it.
WEST TIMOR GOVERNOR TO VISIT EAST TIMOR
The governor of the neighbouring Indonesian province of NTT (East Nusa Tenggara) will visit East Timor on Thursday, 8 May.
On the one-day visit to Dili, Governor Piet Tallo will meet with SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello and CNRT President Xanana Gusmao. A wide range of issues will be discussed, ranging from refugees, reconciliation, border and trade.
Governor Tallo, seeking to build better ties between NTT province and UNTAET, will be accompanied by his senior staff and members of the West Timorese media.
SUCCESSFUL CONCERT FOR DILI ROCK GROUP
Dili’s most popular rock band Vi-Alma X played to over 2,000 people on Saturday, at a concert in Darwin’s Amphitheater.
Many of the fans who attended the outdoor concert were from Australia’s Northern Territory Timorese community.
Vi-Alma X will record an album in Darwin before returning home to East Timor next week.
