Dili, 8 June 2000
West Timor Governor Piet Tallo visited East Timor today, 8 June, for talks with SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello and CNRT President Xanana Gusmão. The meeting took place in what was described as a very positive atmosphere and focused on the need to intensify co-operation between East and West Timor.
Topics on the agenda included refugees in West Timor, pensions of the East Timorese former civil servants in the Indonesian administration, as well as border issues, such as the opening of a land corridor between the enclave of Oecussi and East Timor proper.
It was agreed that a small delegation from East Timor will visit West Timor in the near future. This delegation will hold discussions with specialists from the government of West Timor on how to increase trade and investment between the two parts of the island.
And finally it was agreed that additional measures should be adopted to accelerate the repatriation process. One of them is wider exchange of information through the media, to fight the misinformation and the many lies that are circulating around in the refugee camps, said Vieira de Mello in a joint press conference. We believe that the journalists are our best vehicle in presenting objective and accurate information to the population of refugees.
First of all, I would like to thank UNTAET for its assistance in helping the flood victims in Betun, said Governor Tallo, adding that repatriation of the refugees is an issue which touches our hearts and communication channels must be improved to enhance their return back home.
I know that with the co-operation extended by UNTAET, President Xanana and the clergy, we can work together to solve this problem. I am also grateful to Bishop Belo and President Xanana for efforts in building bridges with us, in trying to find a solution [for the repatriation of refugees].
CNRT President Gusmão said that he realizes the burdens imposed on the West Timor government in caring for the refugees.
After the Lisbon donor s conference, we will in July seek a concerted effort to work together with the West Timor government, UNTAET, UNHCR and other agencies to bring the refugees back home, he said.
We invite the West Timor government to see the conditions in East Timor and pass information on to the refugees that everything is okay here, Gusmão added.
EAST TIMOR BUDGET APPROVED
The National Consultative Council today approved the budget for the East Timorese Administration for fiscal year of 2000/2001. The total budget is US$59.23 million, with US$43.63 million for the current budget (wages and expenditures) and US$15.60 million for the capital (investments).
After lengthy discussions between the CNRT and the Central Fiscal Authority, the NCC approved the budgets for fiscal years 2001/2002 as well as that for 2002/2003.
The budget for the fiscal year 2000/2001, commencing 1 July 2000, establishes that 9,035 will be the maximum number of civil servants, with US$14.54 million for wages.
Concern was voiced about the future need to raise taxes. Following a debate, the members of the NCC decided that a regulation should be drafted on income taxation, but no timetable was set.
It was also agreed that a group should be set up to study the specifics of a future comprehensive tax system. This will be presented before the NCC by the end of the year.
